"Outrageous! This is too outrageous!"
He paced back and forth on the floor, muttering, "Itachi Uchiha, a rogue ninja? Hmph!"
"There must be the will of the higher-ups behind this!"
"A great clan of Konoha, finished just like that!"
"Hiashi, calm down!" the Great Elder advised from the side.
"This is a conflict between the Uchiha and the village; it won't harm the Hyuga clan."
Hiashi Hyuga retorted, "This isn't about conflict. everyone knows the Uchiha were dissatisfied with the village, but they shouldn't have met such an end."
"Since the First Hokage founded the village, the Uchiha have been a top clan in Konoha, equal to my Hyuga clan. If the higher-ups can destroy the Uchiha overnight, what if one day they decide the Hyuga clan is becoming dangerous too?"
"Hiashi, that is groundless speculation. The Hyuga will always stand behind the Hokage; such a thing will not happen."
The Great Elder sighed. "Of course, no one expected the Uchiha to be nearly wiped out. The village's methods were too ruthless. In my opinion, this looks like Danzo's handiwork."
"Danzo?" Hiashi sneered. "The Third's shadow? Hmph! A relic of the old era still stirring up trouble. Even if he did it, it absolutely wouldn't be without the Hokage's tacit approval."
"Danzo, heh, just a tool."
Compared to Hiashi's shock and anger, other ninja clans felt mostly fear.
The ancient and powerful Uchiha clan was completely destroyed overnight.
It left many families trembling.
Fear of the higher-ups meant they only dared to curse secretly behind closed doors.
Nara Clan Compound.
Shikaku Nara held a shogi piece, but his attention wasn't on the board.
He took a sip of tea and sighed.
"The higher-ups' move was too unwise."
"Father, was this really planned by the higher-ups?" Across from him, a small pineapple-headed boy asked with a calmness beyond his years.
"You have to figure that out yourself," Shikaku said.
"I think it was," the little pineapple-head thought for a moment and affirmed.
"All grievances, hatred, and killing can be most directly explained by benefits."
"The Uchiha didn't fit in with the village. Whether they were a threat to the village is hard to say, but they were definitely the biggest threat to the higher-ups. Whether the village benefits from the Uchiha's destruction is unpredictable, but the higher-ups' power will certainly be consolidated."
Hearing his son's judgment, Shikaku looked gratified. Truly his own seed.
But he also worried about the village's future.
Laying a murderous hand on a clan of the same village can only solve temporary problems.
Hatred and pain will continue.
The Third, Danzo, and the two advisors. Can Konoha really improve under the leadership of these old folks?
Hiruzen, perhaps one day in the future, you will truly regret this.
"Hey! You two, didn't you hear me call you for dinner?" An angry voice came from the kitchen. Shikaku, who had been full of worry just moments ago, instantly changed his expression.
"Ah! Coming! Didn't hear you just now. Really, honey, your cooking smells better and better." Shikaku said, ignoring the game and hurriedly getting up.
Seeing this, the little pineapple-head sighed.
"Women, so troublesome."
Musashi thought someone would summon him the next day.
Instead, Hiruzen Sarutobi came in person.
Looking at the old geezer in his Hokage robes, smiling kindly.
Musashi: "Lord Hokage! Why are you here?"
Inside the ward, Hiruzen gestured for the few people who hurriedly stood up to sit back down, his tone filled with concern.
"Musashi, how is your body? I really didn't expect something like that to happen yesterday."
"Lord Hokage, thank you for your concern. My body is fine; I should be okay after resting for about half a year."
"...I see," Hiruzen paused for a moment, then said, "I've already heard about yesterday's events from the night watch. I didn't expect Itachi to make such a decision. It's a pity for the Uchiha clan!"
"Yeah, yeah," Musashi responded. "As a great clan of Konoha, they could have used their powerful strength to protect the village. Who would have thought such internal strife would erupt within their clan."
"Speaking of which, Musashi, thanks to you yesterday," Hiruzen praised. "If you hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid Izumi and this little one wouldn't have survived." Beside them, the awakened Aoi Uchiha tightly gripped Izumi's arm, hiding behind her.
"Lord Hokage, it was just a coincidence. I originally planned to ask Izumi to go on a mission together; who could have imagined running into something like this? But Izumi is my teammate, my partner in battle! Even if I risk my life, I absolutely won't let that guy do whatever he wants!"
"Good child." Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction. Then, seemingly casually, he said, "Some ninjas saw your battle yesterday. Musashi, that jutsu you used, it was the Eight Gates Released Technique, right?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I learned it from Big Brother Guy. He said this jutsu is very dangerous! It can only be used when protecting the most important people. To me, Izumi is my most important partner!" Musashi said with a face full of hot-blooded passion.
Beside him, Izumi's pupils trembled.
Am I... the most important person...?
"That's right, Musashi," Hiruzen looked gratified. "Protecting comrades is something we must do, no matter the cost!"
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout. This is the reason Konoha can exist for so long. Musashi, you are a ninja with talent and the Will of Fire."
Hearing this, Musashi scratched his head in embarrassment: "Lord Hokage, you... you flatter me. I was just... just speaking from my heart."
Hiruzen sighed, "The village continues generation after generation, and what maintains this strength is excellent ninjas like you who possess the Will of Fire. Musashi, you haven't disappointed me, nor have you disappointed your father."
"You have always been practicing your original vow, striving to be a ninja like your father, Kenta."
"Musashi, you have outstanding talent. Come to the Anbu. Such talent needs to experience greater trials and dangers to grow faster and protect the village and your comrades."
"Huh?" Musashi's eyes widened in surprise. Izumi was the same. Aoi Uchiha hid behind Izumi, peeking at them, her gaze mainly on Musashi.
She didn't quite understand the adults' words; she just looked curiously at the big brother who saved her and her sister.
Changed into a patient's gown, the big brother looked much more handsome than yesterday.
No, he was handsome yesterday too!
"Lord Hokage, me? Anbu? Are you sure?" Musashi really hadn't expected Hiruzen to have such a plan.
Aren't Anbu ninjas all gloomy, dangerous elites with superb skills?
Does he count?
Also, wasn't it said that if you wear Might Guy's green spandex, the Anbu and Root wouldn't come looking for you?
"That's right, Musashi. The Anbu is my direct subordinate unit, answering only to me. In the Anbu, you will have broader space and see a bigger world."
"But..." Musashi's mind raced, thinking of a way to decline.
Damn it, it's hard to refuse. Otherwise, it would look like I lack the Will of Fire.