TheOrphanage on Konoha's Outskirts
On the quiet outskirts of Konoha, Yakushi Nono finally returned to her true life—
serving as the orphanage director once more.
Caring for children might seem mundane to others—
but to her, it was precious.
If Danzō had not forced her into Root, she would have abandoned the "Wandering Miko" identity long ago and spent her life here.
Five years had passed in the blink of an eye.
The children she once took in were now thirteen or fourteen.
Aside from Kabuto—who had been taken away—most of them, like Urushi, had become shinobi.
They were not prodigies.
Most would likely rise no higher than ordinary chūnin.
But they could earn steady mission pay and survive.
Urushi, upon becoming a genin, immediately began using his mission earnings to support the orphanage.
To the younger children, he was their dependable big brother.
Thanks to everyone's effort, the orphanage had not collapsed during Nono's five-year absence.
Deep down, Nono still did not wish for her children to become shinobi.
Yet seeing them grow into responsible young people filled her with pride.
If only Kabuto could return—
then this family would finally be whole again.
With the substantial funds Yusuke had given her, Nono purchased supplies, repaired the building, and stabilized daily operations.
And in her heart—
her allegiance had already been decided.
Yusuke had allowed her to return home.
Promised not to bind her to endless undercover missions.
If it was simply regular shinobi service—
she would willingly serve him long-term.
Because shinobi received salaries.
Hiruzen provided orphanage subsidies—
but deductions were common.
Depending on others was unreliable.
To ensure the orphanage never starved again—
she needed stable backing.
And Yusuke—
young though he was—
had become Hokage Advisor.
If Hiruzen stepped down in the future, Yusuke stood a real chance of succeeding him.
If she became part of his trusted inner circle—
supporting one orphanage would be effortless.
So Nono made her decision.
From now on—
she would follow Uchiha Yusuke.
Hokage Tower — The Meeting Erupts
Konoha's high-ranking officials gathered.
The meeting had barely begun before Homura and Koharu launched their attack on Yusuke.
"Uchiha Yusuke."
"You have just assumed office, yet you are already replacing key personnel across departments."
"Did you consult us?"
"You expanded ANBU privately and requisitioned funds and equipment from Finance and Logistics."
"This abuse of Hokage Advisor authority is unacceptable!"
Yusuke did not even bother to respond.
When Danzō was Hokage Advisor, he consumed far more resources.
Where had these two elders been then?
Yusuke remained silent.
Hyūga Hiashi and the other clan heads also kept their eyes lowered—
neutral, refusing to be used as tools.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
These meetings were no longer his personal stage.
Using clans to pressure the Uchiha was no longer effective.
But Homura and Koharu failed to grasp that.
They mistook Yusuke's silence for weakness.
"These actions require explanation."
"Otherwise, we will consider removing you as Hokage Advisor!"
Yusuke casually cleaned his ear.
"I am merely exercising the authority of Hokage Advisor."
"What requires explanation?"
"And since when do advisors possess the authority to dismiss a Hokage Advisor?"
Both elders froze.
Years under Hiruzen's shadow had dulled their sense of structure.
They had forgotten—
they could not dismiss Yusuke with mere words.
Even the Hokage required legitimate grounds.
The moment they overstepped—
Uchiha Inabi struck back.
"So the moment he takes office, you threaten dismissal?"
"Are you deliberately targeting the Uchiha clan?"
"If advisors can dismiss a Hokage Advisor…"
"Then can I dismiss advisors?"
Uchiha Tekka followed mercilessly.
"Shall we dismiss you for entertainment?"
Homura and Koharu turned pale.
The more they spoke, the worse it appeared.
As always—
they chose silence.
Waiting for someone else to salvage the situation.
Yusuke leaned back, eyes half-closed, as if the argument bored him.
Hiruzen rubbed his temple, preparing to intervene—
but Danzō seized the opportunity first.
"Young blood runs hot."
"Lacking maturity."
"In my view, only I am suited to serve as Hokage Advisor."
This was not subtle.
It was direct provocation.
Yusuke opened his eyes.
"Only you?"
"I disagree."
"My Police Force recently investigated your tenure."
"We obtained certain materials."
"Everyone, please take a look."
He tossed a thick file onto the table.
No more pretense.
No more polite maneuvering.
The moment it hit the wood—
Danzō's expression changed.
He knew what he had done.
Even one verified incident would be enough to destroy him.
Danzō exploded.
"Uchiha Yusuke!"
"Are you attempting to frame me?!"
"I will not accept this!"
Yusuke smiled faintly.
"You haven't even read it."
"How do you know it's a frame-up?"
"Or are you… guilty?"
Danzō choked on his own words.
The file circulated.
It eventually reached Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage… you should read this," Nara Shikaku said quietly.
Hiruzen felt his stomach tighten.
He knew Danzō had darkness attached to his name.
He had not expected this much.
He opened the file.
Each line struck like a blade.
Year 24: Secret forbidden jutsu experiments—over seventy civilian deaths.
Years 27–30: Assassination of thirty-six Uchiha to seize dōjutsu.
Year 48: Human experimentation alongside Orochimaru—over one hundred Konoha children harmed.
And more.
Hiruzen broke into cold sweat.
Over three decades—
nearly a thousand Konoha citizens had died under Danzō's directives.
Worse—
his victims spanned all clans.
Uchiha.
Hyūga.
Nara.
Yamanaka.
Akimichi.
Inuzuka.
Aburame.
Even Sarutobi and Shimura families were not spared.
To Danzō, there were only two categories:
Useful.
Expendable.
Hiruzen slammed the table and stood.
"Danzō!"
"Look at what you have done!"
"You have disgraced yourself!"
He flung the file back.
Danzō skimmed it—
and felt cold from head to toe.
His foundation had been dug out entirely.
Displayed before everyone.
Hostile stares pressed against him like blades.
Yusuke was not trying to win.
He was trying to erase him politically.
Danzō refused to admit defeat.
If he accepted these charges, his dream of becoming Hokage would end.
He clung to his mantra.
Everything I did was for Konoha.
He attempted to regain footing.
"Hiruzen—listen."
"That is only Yusuke's version."
"It cannot be trusted!"
Hiruzen's face remained calm—
but inside, conflict churned.
He had intended to keep Danzō as a counterweight to Yusuke.
If Danzō collapsed, Yusuke would stand unrivaled among the upper echelon.
Who would balance him?
But Yusuke did not give him time to calculate.
"If words alone are insufficient, then let us see proof."
Yusuke's gaze sharpened.
"Danzō."
"Remove the bandages from your right eye."
"And your right arm."
"Let everyone see."
"Truth will speak for itself."
Danzō's expression darkened.
"My injuries are severe."
"I cannot display them publicly."
Yusuke's smile grew colder.
"I am not asking for your opinion."
"I am ordering you—under Police authority—to submit to inspection."
Danzō roared.
"You have no authority to investigate me!"
Yusuke responded evenly.
"You have already been stripped of the Hokage Advisor position."
"You are now a jōnin."
"Which places you under Police jurisdiction."
"Or… are you resisting lawful enforcement?"
Danzō fell silent.
Konoha law did not permit resisting enforcement.
Not even the Hokage could openly defy it.
Hiruzen stepped forward.
"This matter is grave."
"How about my ANBU handle the investigation?"
He wanted control.
Yusuke did not allow it.
"Each department has jurisdiction."
"Why would ANBU cross into Police authority?"
"Unless…"
"Did you participate in these acts as well?"
"Are you attempting to shield him?"
Three questions.
Three blades.
Hiruzen's expression shifted instantly.
If he became entangled in Danzō's crimes—
his decades-long rule could collapse.
He was not willing to gamble his legacy for Danzō.
He fell silent.
At that moment—
Yusuke's political blade was unsheathed.
Pointed directly at Danzō.
Danzō felt it.
The room went silent.
He turned, veins bulging, shouting at the others.
"You will let him do as he pleases?!"
Homura stepped forward.
"This is a high-level Konoha meeting!"
"In front of the Hokage, how dare you act so recklessly!"
"Uchiha Yusuke—are you attempting to usurp authority?"
Koharu escalated further—
overstepping openly.
"Uchiha Yusuke has disrupted this meeting."
"Seize him immediately!"
Danzō saw a sliver of hope.
If the situation became chaotic enough—
perhaps he could survive.
He was not rootless.
He had ruled the shadows too long.
Give him space—
and he could stabilize.
Homura and Koharu were entangled with him.
In this critical moment, their shared interests bound them together.
Yusuke watched them with cold amusement.
Even Hiruzen dared not cross this line now—
yet these two still believed they could.
They truly did not understand what approaching death felt like.
Want More? Get up to +60 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ https://www.patreon.com/aureliusstudios
➤ +300 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
Thanks for the support!