On the outskirts of Konoha, at an orphanage—
After returning, Nono resumed her life as headmistress.
Caring for children might be "boring" on the surface, yet she never tired of it—she genuinely enjoyed every day.
If Danzo hadn't forced her back then, she would've long ago abandoned the title of "Wandering Miko," and lived out her life quietly as the orphanage's director.
Seasons came and went. Time flew.
Nono had been gone five years. The children she once took in were now thirteen or fourteen.
Aside from Kabuto—who had been taken away by Danzo—Urushi and the others had all become shinobi.
Most of these war orphans wouldn't rise higher than ordinary chunin, but by taking simple missions, they could at least feed themselves.
Kids raised in an orphanage learned to be considerate early. Urushi had only just become a genin, yet he was already using his mission pay to support the orphanage.
To the children, Urushi was their dependable big brother.
Thanks to everyone's effort, the orphanage hadn't collapsed during those five years without Nono.
Even though Nono didn't really want the children she'd raised to become shinobi, seeing kids like Urushi still made her proud.
If only she could bring Kabuto back, their "family" would finally be complete.
With the large sum Yusuke had given her, Nono bought daily necessities for the children and even renovated the building a little.
She was truly grateful to her new superior, Uchiha Yusuke.
He let her return home, and promised he wouldn't send her on long-term infiltration missions again.
If she could simply serve as a normal Konoha shinobi, Nono was more than willing to work for Yusuke long-term.
After all—shinobi received a steady salary.
The Third Hokage had promised subsidies for the orphanage, but "cuts" were common.
Relying on others was unreliable. If she wanted the orphanage to never lack food or clothing, relying on herself was the practical path.
Yusuke was young and already Hokage Advisor. When the Third Hokage stepped down, Yusuke had a real chance to take the seat.
If she could become a trusted aide to the future Hokage, supporting one orphanage would be effortless.
Nono had already made up her mind: from now on, she'd follow Uchiha Yusuke.
Hokage Tower — The Meeting Explodes
Inside the Hokage Tower, Konoha's important figures gathered.
The meeting had barely begun when the two advisors jumped in, aggressively airing their dissatisfaction with Yusuke.
"Uchiha Yusuke," they snapped.
"You've only just taken office, yet you keep replacing key personnel across departments."
"Do you not need to discuss such matters with us?"
"You've expanded ANBU on your own, and pulled funds and equipment from the Finance Department and Logistics."
"Abusing the Hokage Advisor's authority like this is outrageous!"
Yusuke didn't even bother reacting.
When Danzo was Hokage Advisor, the resources he commandeered were far greater than Yusuke's.
So why didn't these two old fossils ever dare to question him back then?
Yusuke stayed silent. Hyuga Hiashi and the others also kept their eyes down—saying nothing.
Seeing this, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly.
These meetings were no longer his personal one-man stage.
Trying to pressure the Uchiha by rallying the clans—those days were over.
Hiruzen understood the situation.
But the two advisors had zero sense.
Seeing Yusuke quiet, they thought he'd caved.
"Uchiha Yusuke," they pressed.
"You must explain yourself."
"Otherwise, we will consider removing you from the Hokage Advisor position!"
Yusuke dug at his ear, completely casual.
"I'm just exercising a little of the Hokage Advisor's authority."
"What's there to explain?"
"And since when did Konoha's advisors have the power to dismiss a Hokage Advisor?"
Homura and Koharu froze.
Supported by the Third Hokage's prestige, they'd grown used to being untouchable—and had forgotten:
A Hokage Advisor wasn't something they could "cancel" with a few words.
Even the Hokage needed a valid basis to remove a Hokage Advisor.
Their threat was not only meaningless—it reeked of overstepping.
The Hokage hadn't even stated a position, and two advisors dared to talk about dismissal?
That was throwing protocol in the trash.
Predictably, someone stood up immediately.
"Yusuke has only just taken office, and you're already talking about removal."
"Advisors-sama—are you deliberately targeting the Uchiha clan?"
"If advisors can dismiss a Hokage Advisor, then can I, Uchiha Inabi, dismiss advisors?"
"Inabi's right. I, Uchiha Tekka, also want to dismiss two advisors just for fun."
"How about we start with you two?"
Inabi and Tekka were Yusuke's longtime allies. They'd always loathed those two old crows—so the moment they got an opening, they poured in the medicine.
Humiliated by two young Uchihas, Homura and Koharu turned steel-blue with anger.
They opened their mouths—then shut them again, fearing that speaking would only make it worse.
When they were in the wrong, the advisors' favorite tactic was silence:
If you lie flat long enough, someone will eventually rush in to "smooth things over."
After shutting them down, Yusuke leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
The Third Hokage glanced at Yusuke's relaxed posture and felt a headache coming.
He tried to speak to ease the tension—
But Danzo jumped in first.
"Young people are impulsive. They still lack refinement."
"In my view, the Hokage Advisor seat is something only I can handle!"
The two advisors had tried indirect pressure.
Danzo went straight for the throat.
Yusuke's eyes snapped open.
"Only you can handle the Hokage Advisor seat?"
"I don't think so."
"My Police Force has recently uncovered quite a bit about what you did while you were in office."
"I've brought some materials. Everyone—take a look."
With that, Yusuke casually tossed a heavy file bag onto the table.
No more acting. No more pretending.
The moment the bag hit the table, Danzo's face changed.
He knew exactly what he'd done during his tenure.
Yusuke only needed to expose a fraction—and Danzo would be finished.
Danzo erupted into a hysterical roar.
"Uchiha Yusuke!"
"Are you trying to frame me?!"
"I won't fall for your tricks!"
Yusuke smiled calmly.
"You haven't even read it."
"How do you know it's a frame-up?"
"Unless… you've got a guilty conscience?"
Danzo choked on his words.
He understood: arguing now was pointless.
Everything happened too fast.
Even the Third Hokage couldn't stop it—the documents began circulating.
Soon, they reached the Hokage himself.
"Hokage-sama," Nara Shikaku said darkly, handing the papers over, "you should read this too."
Looking at everyone's faces, Hiruzen's heart sank.
He knew some of Danzo's dirty work.
But with Danzo's methods, who knew how much madness was hidden underneath?
Hiruzen opened the file.
Each line was worse than the last.
"Konoha Year 24: Danzo secretly researched forbidden jutsu, sacrificing over seventy civilians."
"Konoha Year 27–30: Danzo coveted Uchiha ocular techniques and assassinated thirty-six Uchiha clan members."
"Konoha Year 48: Danzo collaborated with Orochimaru on human experiments, harming one hundred and nine Konoha children."
…
Hiruzen's eyes widened.
For thirty years, Danzo had nearly slaughtered a thousand Konoha people in the name of forbidden research.
And the most outrageous part—
Danzo didn't discriminate.
Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame—every clan had victims.
Even the Sarutobi and Shimura clans hadn't been spared.
Not even his own bloodline was off-limits.
Danzo was that kind of man:
Cold enough to treat everyone "equally."
Whether he targeted you depended only on whether he needed you.
If it served his goal, even "his own" could be sacrificed.
By the time Hiruzen finished, sweat had broken across his back.
This was bad.
Danzo had become a rat everyone wanted dead.
Even if Hiruzen wanted to protect him—he couldn't risk igniting public fury.
Even the Sarutobi clan had suffered.
How could Hiruzen openly grant Danzo mercy now?
After realizing that, Hiruzen slammed the table and roared:
"Danzo—look at what you've done!"
"You've truly disappointed me!"
He angrily threw the documents in Danzo's face.
Danzo grabbed the pages, glanced down—
and went blank.
Human experiments? Slaughtering villagers? Secret atrocities?
How had all of his buried sins been dug out?
He felt cold down his spine under the hostile stares.
Yusuke was trying to bury him alive.
Danzo couldn't admit any of it.
If that罪名 stuck, survival itself was uncertain—let alone becoming Hokage.
No. Absolutely not—
Inside, Danzo shook his head wildly.
I will become Hokage. I will rewrite shinobi history.
Even if I did some ugly things… it was all for Konoha!
After that self-hypnosis, Danzo clawed back a shred of confidence.
"Hiruzen—listen to my explanation…"
"That's all just Uchiha Yusuke's one-sided story. It's not credible!"
Hiruzen's face stayed blank, but inside he was struggling.
He had intended to watch the tiger fight from the mountain—
but he hadn't wanted Danzo to collapse this early.
As long as Danzo caused chaos, Hiruzen could balance Yusuke.
If Danzo lost power completely, Yusuke would become a wild horse off the reins.
Who would be left at the top to oppose him?
Hiruzen wanted to keep Danzo around—
But Yusuke gave him no room to plan.
"If it's only words, then yes—people won't believe it."
"So let's show everyone proof."
Yusuke's gaze slid to Danzo with thinly-veiled malice.
"Danzo-sama, please remove the bandages covering your right eye and right arm."
"Let everyone see."
"Right and wrong will be judged openly."
Danzo's expression turned terrifyingly dark.
He snapped back, loud but hollow:
"My injuries are severe."
"It's inappropriate to display them in public!"
Yusuke's lips curled into a cold smile.
"I wasn't asking your opinion."
"As Captain of the Konoha Police Force, I'm ordering you—submit to investigation on the spot."
Danzo exploded.
"Uchiha Yusuke!"
"You have no authority to investigate me!"
Yusuke smiled.
"Danzo."
"You've already been removed as Hokage Advisor. You're just an ordinary jonin now."
"Of course you fall under the Police Force's jurisdiction."
"Or… are you resisting lawful enforcement?"
Danzo fell silent.
By Konoha's rules, no one could resist enforcement—not even the Hokage.
Danzo might think highly of himself, but he didn't dare commit such an open transgression.
Seeing Yusuke press Danzo step by step, the Third Hokage hurried forward to smooth things over.
"This matter is extremely serious."
"How about my直属 ANBU handles the investigation?"
Hiruzen tried to take control.
Yusuke immediately cut him off.
"Every department has a clear jurisdiction."
"Hokage-sama—why are you ordering ANBU to cross lines and take my Police Force's case?"
"What's your intention?"
"Or… did you participate in Danzo's dealings too?"
"Are you trying to protect him?"
Three questions—each a blade.
Hiruzen's face changed instantly.
If he got entangled with Danzo's crimes, even the "venerable Third Hokage" could be ruined.
He still had many years of Hokage left to enjoy.
He wouldn't risk his reputation for Danzo.
Danzo mattered—but if necessary, he could be sacrificed.
No Danzo? Fine—Hiruzen could still find other ways to balance Yusuke, like strengthening the advisors' authority.
But a shattered reputation?
That would be irreversible.
Hiruzen shut his mouth.
At that moment—
Yusuke finally revealed the dagger behind the smile.
His blade pointed straight at Danzo's throat.
With the Hokage silent, Danzo felt doom crawling up his spine.
Eyes bloodshot, he roared at the other three:
"You're just going to watch him act however he wants?!"
Prompted by Danzo's outburst, Homura sprang up again.
"This is a Konoha council meeting!"
"In front of the Third Hokage—how dare you!"
"Uchiha Yusuke, are you trying to seize power openly?!"
Koharu was even harsher.
She waved her hand and directly commanded the Third Hokage's直属 ANBU—overstepping shamelessly.
"Uchiha Yusuke is unruly and disrupting the assembly."
"Arrest him immediately!"
With the advisors attacking Yusuke, Danzo finally saw a flicker of hope.
If he could muddy the waters, there was still a chance to turn the tables.
Danzo had been Konoha's "second emperor" for years.
He wasn't a rootless weed—he was a towering tree.
Give him breathing room, and he could stabilize again fast.
He had long colluded with the two advisors behind Hiruzen's back.
When利益 were tied together, they were still willing to stand up and shield him.
Yusuke stared at the two old crows barking orders—
and smiled with icy contempt.
The Third Hokage himself didn't dare touch this.
And these two had the nerve to play king?
They truly didn't know their limits.
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