Outside the Hokage's office building, Tsunade led the ANBU members as they escorted Shimura Jogawa to Konoha Prison.
Meanwhile, Shimura Danzo exhaled deeply.
"Hmph…"
Finally…
Has the worst passed?
With Shimura Jogawa arrested, Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicions toward him should have lessened.
Begging Sarutobi for mercy to spare Shimura Jogawa's life—of course, that was never Danzo's true intention.
Shimura Jogawa knew too much.
He had evidence of certain unsanctioned actions…
The person who wanted Shimura Jogawa dead the most was none other than Danzo himself.
Feigning concern, pleading for his life—it was all a carefully calculated move.
By acting like a responsible patriarch advocating for a clan member, Danzo could further lower Hiruzen's suspicions. At the same time, it sent a clear message to Shimura Jogawa—his fate was in Danzo's hands.
And now, with his life seemingly spared, Jogawa had no reason to betray him.
Danzo took another slow breath.
This time was truly dangerous…
That boy—Kazuki…
He ruined both of my plans. Damn him!
A cold glint flashed in Danzo's single visible eye. He wouldn't let Kazuki go so easily…
But before he could strategize his next move, an intense glow caught his attention.
A brilliant light flared in the distance—
Then, flames. Towering, wild flames mixed with thick black smoke, surging high into the sky.
For a brief second, Danzo was stunned.
Then realization struck.
"No…!"
The fire's origin—
It was coming from the Shimura clan's district.
"Quick, put out the fire!"
"Oh no! How did such a massive fire start without anyone noticing?!"
"The flames are spreading too fast! Get the Water Release users here, now!"
"If this continues, not only will the Shimura clan compound burn, but the surrounding districts will be in danger too!"
The inferno illuminated the night sky, shattering the usual silence.
Atop the Hokage Monument, a lone figure in a black cloak observed the chaos below.
"What a beautiful sight."
A voice, almost poetic.
Kazuki, cloaked in darkness, watched the raging fire with satisfaction. The night breeze lifted his cloak slightly as he exhaled, clearly in a good mood.
With a slow clap, he dusted off the ash that had settled on him, then leapt into the darkness, vanishing.
At Kazuki's house,
As soon as he stepped inside, he was immediately greeted—
By the force of two very familiar assets pressing into his chest.
"Why are you just standing there?" he asked.
Tsunade, arms crossed, glared at him.
"Oi, brat—where the hell have you been all night?!"
Her frustration was palpable.
"I just took ANBU with me to make a huge scene in front of that old man Sarutobi. I was waiting for you to back me up, but guess what? You were nowhere to be found!"
She huffed.
"Do you have any idea how exhausting tonight was for me?!"
"How did it go?"
Kazuki asked casually, as if he didn't care about the outcome at all.
Tsunade sighed, reluctant to answer.
"We've recovered the Scroll of Seals. The Nine-Tails brat is fine—just unconscious. I went to see Sarutobi-sensei, thinking that old fox Danzo was behind this. But surprisingly, it was actually Shimura Jōgawa pulling the strings from the shadows.
He's currently detained in Konoha's Anbu Prison."
"Shimura Jōgawa?" Kazuki smirked mockingly.
Tsunade caught the subtle shift in his expression and asked curiously,
"Do you think something's off?"
"There's nothing off." Kazuki smiled faintly before continuing, "But your instincts weren't wrong. The true mastermind behind this isn't Shimura Jōgawa—it's Danzo."
"What??"
Tsunade shot up from her seat, grabbing Kazuki's arm excitedly.
"You have proof, right? Come with me to see Sarutobi-sensei! This time, Danzo won't get away with it!"
Kazuki remained composed. He placed a hand on Tsunade's shoulder and gently pushed her back onto her seat.
"Calm down and listen to me first."
"I don't have evidence to prove Danzo was behind this. That's why there's no need to go to Hiruzen Sarutobi."
No evidence?
Tsunade's expression darkened slightly. She furrowed her brows, doubt flickering in her eyes.
"Then how do you know Danzo was behind tonight's attack?"
"Because I fought him."
"What??"
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. She immediately scanned Kazuki with concern.
"Hey, brat, are you hurt? Let me heal you!"
"I'm fine. Danzo wasn't my match. If it weren't for that technique… he'd be dead by now." Kazuki smiled, reassuring her.
"What technique?"
"Izanagi."
"!!"
At the mention of that name, Tsunade was so stunned she forgot to close her mouth.
As a member of the Senju clan, she had extensive knowledge of Uchiha techniques. She couldn't help but exclaim,
"That's an Uchiha-exclusive jutsu! How could Danzo use it?!"
"What if he stole Sharingan from the Uchiha clan?"
"But non-Uchiha who transplant Sharingan experience severe rejection reactions!"
Tsunade, as a medical ninja, understood this better than anyone. Her immediate reaction was denial.
Kazuki remained unfazed.
"Then what if… he also had cells from your grandfather, Hashirama Senju?"
It was like a thunderclap in Tsunade's mind.
A chilling sense of dread washed over her, freezing her in place. It felt as if she had been plunged into an abyss of ice, her entire body going cold.
If he had Hashirama's cells… if he had transplanted Uchiha eyes… would rejection still occur?
The answer was clear.
Hashirama's cells, possessing immense regenerative power, could potentially harmonize with the Uchiha's Sharingan.
At that moment, Tsunade didn't even want to consider the possibility.
It was horrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
This wasn't just an unethical experiment—it was a forbidden act of the highest order.
Could someone in Konoha truly be conducting such abominable research in the shadows?
Just as Tsunade's mind went blank from the shock of this revelation, Kazuki's voice reached her ears again…
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