Seeing that Uchiha Yusuke showed no intention of settling scores immediately, Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly let out a breath of relief.
He knew exactly what tricks the upper brass had pulled during the war.
If Yusuke insisted on tearing the matter open, then as Hokage, Hiruzen would be forced to give everyone an explanation.
And the fact that no reinforcements were sent—Hiruzen knew he was in the wrong.
He had originally planned to use that "strategy" to eliminate Uchiha Yusuke, a dangerous thorn in his side.
But instead—
Yusuke had overturned everything from the brink of despair, pulling off a shocking reversal.
Now Hiruzen had tried to be clever and ended up humiliating himself.
If Yusuke ripped off the mask and went straight to open conflict, Hiruzen would be caught riding a tiger he couldn't dismount.
He regretted listening to the two advisors back then.
But regret was useless.
Spilled water didn't return to the cup.
It was already too late.
Uchiha Fugaku pulled Yusuke aside, speaking in a low voice.
By now, Fugaku and Yusuke were firmly on the same side—there was no longer any chance of him leaning toward the village leadership again.
Fugaku patted Yusuke's shoulder, sincerity clear in his eyes.
"To beat Kumogakure's AB Combo with your own strength…"
"In just half a year, your power has improved by another huge step."
Yusuke smiled faintly.
"Just good luck."
Fugaku laughed along.
Yusuke had many strengths—but he was far too humble.
One man defeating two Kage-level monsters wasn't something "luck" could explain.
The Fourth Raikage wasn't going to lose because of a stomachache, was he?
Fugaku lightly punched Yusuke's shoulder.
"You brat…"
"Still trying to hide things from Uncle Fugaku?"
"Come on—tell me exactly how you did it."
Yusuke tried to look serious.
"Uncle Fugaku, I'm Clan Head now."
"Please mind your words."
Fugaku immediately played the seniority card.
"So what if you're Clan Head?"
"I'm the former Clan Head."
"We're not talking titles—only generations."
Yusuke's mouth twitched.
Since when did Uncle Fugaku learn to shamelessly cheat like this?
Had he just… completely let himself go after putting down the burden?
Just as the two were chatting, Danzō—cane in hand—suddenly approached.
His face was gloomy, his tone half-command, half-demand.
"Where is the Eight-Tails jinchūriki?"
"Hand him over to Root for processing."
Yusuke narrowed his eyes.
He wanted to take the Eight-Tails from him with nothing but empty words?
Who did Shimura Danzō think he was?
When Yusuke didn't move, Danzō's tone sharpened.
"Uchiha Yusuke."
"Did you not hear what I said?"
Fugaku's face darkened.
"Danzō-sama, doing this—"
Before he could finish, Danzō cut him off coldly.
"Silence."
"When do you have the right to speak here?"
"Uchiha Yusuke—hand over the Eight-Tails immediately!"
Yusuke's lips curved into a cold smile.
I haven't even come looking for you yet…
And you deliver yourself to my doorstep.
Perfect.
He cleared his throat and spoke evenly.
"And if I refuse?"
Danzō's expression sank.
"You dare defy an order from your superiors?"
Yusuke's smile turned openly mocking.
"An order from my superiors?"
"When did Root become the superior of the Police Force?"
Root and the Police Force were both part of Konoha's shadow structure.
By tradition, the divisions operated independently—there was no superior-subordinate relationship between them.
As Captain of the Police Force, Yusuke had every right to stand on equal footing with Danzō.
Danzō froze for a brief moment.
Yusuke wasn't giving him even a shred of face.
Unforgivable.
Danzō's eyes flashed cold.
"Uchiha Yusuke…"
"Are you determined to become my enemy?"
Yusuke didn't flinch.
"So what if I am?"
"You half-dead old bastard."
That single insult nearly made Danzō's lungs explode.
Since the Second Hokage's death—
Who in Konoha had ever dared curse him to his face?
Not even Hiruzen Sarutobi or Minato Namikaze had done that.
Danzō roared.
"Insolent whelp!"
"The Uchiha are courting death!"
Yusuke's expression turned icy.
"Is that so?"
"Say one more word—and believe it or not, I'll draw my blade and kill you right here."
Danzō opened his mouth—
Then, after weighing it again and again, he chose to back down.
If Yusuke could defeat the AB Combo, killing Danzō would be effortless.
At that moment, the Third Hokage finished addressing the troops and walked over.
Sensing the tension, he asked immediately.
"What's going on here?"
Yusuke answered calmly.
"Danzō-sama demanded the Eight-Tails jinchūriki from me."
"I refused."
Hiruzen's face hardened at once as he turned to scold Danzō.
"How we handle the Eight-Tails jinchūriki will be discussed collectively."
"Root does not need to interfere."
Danzō's expression turned ugly.
With the Hokage already speaking, it was impossible for him to force the Eight-Tails out of Yusuke's hands now.
Danzō retreated—
But Yusuke had no intention of letting the matter end there.
He cleared his throat again and asked, voice edged with pointed amusement.
"When the war ended, I was ambushed by two shinobi from our own side."
"So tell me, Danzō-sama… what exactly was that about?"
Danzō played dumb.
"Oh?"
"That happened?"
"I'll have Root investigate thoroughly."
He tried to shift the topic.
Yusuke didn't allow it.
"I already investigated."
"They said the order came from you."
Danzō not only denied it—he struck back.
"Nonsense!"
"How could I possibly do such a thing?"
"Uchiha Yusuke, do you understand what crime it is to slander the Hokage's advisor?"
Yusuke chuckled.
"Whether it's slander or not—you know the truth."
"And that Seal of the Tongue… Shishō Zetsu no In—"
"There isn't a second party in Konoha that uses it, is there?"
Yusuke couldn't force the two assassins to speak—
But that didn't mean he lacked proof.
Seeing the two men on the verge of open confrontation, Hiruzen stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Before the matter is fully investigated, do not jump to conclusions."
"Yusuke—rest assured."
"I will give you an explanation for this battlefield assassination."
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