Hiruzen Sarutobi was instantly dumbfounded.
Looking at Danzo, who had immediately vomited blood and fallen unconscious, the questions he had intended to ask were instantly caught in his throat.
Is Uchiha Jin dead? How many casualties were there?
Damn it.
Couldn't you have finished reporting before collapsing?
But, sigh!
With a helpless sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi still spoke: "Squad A3, take Elder Danzo to the hospital. Squad A1, go to the Forest of Death. I need to know who Root was fighting and what the specific casualty situation is."
The two Anbu squads immediately knelt on one knee.
Immediately after.
One squad carried Danzo toward the hospital, while the other headed toward the Forest of Death.
And regarding this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly watched the two Anbu squads leave, then turned to look at the fiercely burning Root Base, momentarily unsure whether he should order the fire extinguished.
There was no way!
Heaven knows what was inside the Root Base. What if the Anbu extinguishing the fire discovered something they 'shouldn't' see... Thinking of this, he shook his head.
He couldn't afford that price!
After all, he had brought Anbu this time, not personal loyalists of the Sarutobi clan, so naturally, he dared not take the risk.
Therefore.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only pray that Danzo had genuinely managed to kill Uchiha Jin!
However, unfortunately.
Squad A1 returned quickly, their eyes filled with terror.
"Hokage-sama, so many dead bodies!"
"Many people died on the edge of the Forest of Death. We estimate at least three hundred people, most of whom were Rōnin and Rogue Ninja. We even found many corpses dressed in Anbu attire."
"The exact numbers and identities require further verification!"
"Also, a massive fissure has appeared near the Forest of Death. We are temporarily unsure what kind of Ninjutsu caused it, but it is likely related to the giant black titan that suddenly appeared near the Forest of Death earlier."
The Anbu knelt on one knee and began reporting in detail.
Yes.
The figure of the black titan near the Forest of Death was too enormous; even though they were far away from the Forest of Death, they could still see the thirty-meter-tall black titan.
Not only them, but it's likely that the entirety of Konoha could see that thing!
And regarding this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes in deep thought, his mind racing.
Although the death toll certainly alarmed him, if they managed to kill that dog Uchiha Jin, then the sacrifice of these people would be meaningful.
So.
Is that Uchiha Jin guy dead or alive?
It's all Danzo's fault for being so dramatic! Couldn't you have told me the truth before collapsing?
If so... I could figure out how to handle the situation next!
However, luckily.
When he realized the fighting at the Root Base and led the Anbu here, he also specifically sent his confidant to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
If Uchiha Jin truly survived, he would know shortly.
Ten minutes later.
An Anbu member approached from afar and spoke softly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Jin has returned!"
Gasp!
Upon hearing this answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi's scalp tingled.
Even after giving Danzo so many personnel this time, Uchiha Jin still survived?
Almost instantly.
He knew his plan was ruined, and the Uchiha would become even more difficult to deal with now!
Thinking this, he immediately asked urgently: "What is Uchiha Jin's condition? Did you see him injured or perhaps blinded?"
A sliver of hope remained in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
And regarding this.
The Anbu member respectfully replied: "No, Uchiha Jin is perfectly healthy!"
"Although his clothes were stained with a lot of blood, Uchiha Jin's steps were steady as he walked, and there wasn't even a hint of exhaustion on his face."
"His eyes were still bright and full of spirit!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart instantly sank to the bottom.
What should he do?
His mind began racing because his numerous previous schemes were fundamentally based on Jin's death. Who could have imagined that Uchiha Jin could still survive this?
Leaving aside everything else for now, the Police Force alone gave him a massive headache!
Previously, he had imagined that as soon as Uchiha Jin died, he would immediately support Fugaku's ascension, letting Fugaku stabilize the Police Force first, and at the very least, replace the Anbu personnel there.
Then.
After waiting for a while longer, he would release Shisui and Itachi.
Everything would return to the beginning!
But... the most sickening thing right now was that Uchiha Jin didn't die!
After pondering for a long time, he slowly spoke: "Send out personnel to find Jiraiya and Tsunade, and persuade them to return if possible."
"Yes!" The Anbu bowed.
Immediately after.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took one last deep look at the fiercely burning Root Base.
He still said nothing, turned around, and left the area... Meanwhile, on the other side.
After Uchiha Jin returned to the Clan Compound, he saw Uchiha clan members gathered on the streets.
Yes!
They might not know exactly what happened tonight, but with so many clan experts mobilized, and the thirty-meter-tall black titan appearing near the Forest of Death... naturally, they were extremely worried.
Now that they saw Uchiha Jin return, they instantly felt they had their pillar of strength back.
"Everyone, it's alright."
"Hurry up and go back to rest. As long as I am here, the Uchiha will not fall into chaos!"
"Don't worry, sleep soundly!"
...
Uchiha Jin spoke with a smile.
His tone held a power that reassured people, and the many anxious Uchiha members finally felt relieved.
Ten minutes later.
Uchiha Jin, back in his own home, was greeted by numerous clan elders and Three-Tomoe elites from the clan.
Many of their robes were soaked in blood, and they had various injuries, big and small, but the moment they saw Uchiha Jin, they all began speaking in delighted surprise.
"Elder Jin has returned!"
"Jin, are you alright?"
"It's a huge relief that you're back!"
...
The people present spoke up one after another.
Smiles filled everyone's faces, and the previously somber atmosphere instantly dissipated.
Seeing this, Uchiha Jin immediately smiled and said: "Everyone, thank you for your hard work!"
And regarding this.
Everyone waved their hands, mostly dismissing it.
Fugaku walked over: "Jin, your parents have been rescued."
"They aren't seriously injured, but your father's Sharingan was gouged out. However, we have a certain stock of surviving Sharingan within the clan, left behind by Uchiha who died previously, so I have already replaced your father's eyes with a new pair of Sharingan."
"However, your mother's strength is slightly lower; she only has a Two-Tomoe Sharingan and cannot perform Izanagi, so her eyes were not taken."
"Oh, and also..."
"We also rescued thirty-two Uchiha who had gone missing from the Clan Compound previously!"