Before nightfall inside the Hokage building, Sarutobi Hiruzen received a report from the Anbu jonin guarding Uchiha Ryun. Without even eating dinner, he rushed anxiously to the detention center.
However, when he arrived at the confinement room where Ryun was held, he saw the boy sitting quietly on the ground. Even though the steel bars in front of him had been violently torn apart, Ryun still hadn't violated their agreement or tried to escape from the place.
This made Hiruzen feel relieved, but also deeply regretful.
What truly kept Ryun from leaving was the threat from the Root ninja. He was afraid that if he went out and couldn't find anyone, it might lead to Asuka's death.
That Root ninja had left too quickly and hadn't given him any chance to see Asuka. No matter how angry or unwilling he felt, Ryun didn't dare act recklessly.
Now that the Hokage had come alone, it gave him a chance to lay his cards on the table.
"How do you plan to deal with me?" Ryun stared at him coldly, his tone and gaze filled with clear detachment and indifference.
His first question wasn't about whether his mother had been found, but directly asked how they intended to handle him. This surprised Hiruzen somewhat.
"Child, give me a little more time. I will do everything I can to find your mother soon..." Hiruzen tried to reassure him again.
"I asked how you plan to deal with me?" Ryun interrupted him sharply, repeating the question.
"..."
Hiruzen lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking calmly.
"The Hidden Cloud Village is threatening war. They are all urging me to hand you over to them in exchange for peace..."
Hiruzen's blunt statement made Ryun's pupils shrink. He wasn't shocked by this outcome, but he was surprised that the Hokage would be so honest with him.
"So what's your decision?" Ryun glanced at him expressionlessly.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns bright. The flames will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout..."
Hiruzen didn't answer directly. Instead, he recited a passage about the 'Will of Fire.'
"The First Hokage founded Konoha so that the next generation of children could grow up safely. The Will of Fire speaks of old leaves burning to provide light and warmth, allowing new leaves to sprout..."
"As Hokage, how could I let a young bud that hasn't even fully opened yet become fuel? You're still just a child..."
After saying this, Hiruzen turned and left.
Ryun's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to take such a stance. These words genuinely moved him.
To be honest, for a moment, he even felt a desire to sacrifice himself for Konoha and the Hokage... But this feeling came and went just as quickly.
"No one can make me die, not even the Will of Fire!" Ryun muttered under his breath.
Inside a room in the detention center, the Anbu squad leader guarding Ryun reported to the Third Hokage about the Root ninja who had visited earlier.
"You're saying that Root ninja knew about his mother's whereabouts? And after meeting Ryun, the boy suddenly stopped trying to leave and calmed down?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in realization.
"Yes!"
Hearing the squad leader's confirmation, Hiruzen's expression turned extremely grim.
Based on this, he was now absolutely certain that Shimura Danzo was the one who had taken Asuka!
He hadn't expected his old comrade to stoop to such despicable methods. But considering Danzo's radical and stubborn personality, along with his usual ruthless tactics, Hiruzen wasn't entirely surprised.
He had already suspected Danzo was involved, since the entire Anbu had been searching but still couldn't find any trace of her.
But what angered him most was that Danzo had kept lying to him, denying everything!
Thinking of this, Hiruzen's rage flared up.
He went back to the confinement room and asked Ryun what the Root ninja had told him.
However, Ryun refused to answer. This only strengthened Hiruzen's suspicions. He immediately returned to the Hokage building and summoned Danzo.
Today, Danzo felt deeply wronged. He had done nothing, yet he kept being accused of kidnapping Uchiha Ryun's mother...
"I didn't do it! If you say I took her, then show me proof! Otherwise, even if you're the Hokage, I won't let this go!"
Danzo slammed his cane on the ground, his face red with anger.
"You didn't do it? Then why did you send someone to see Uchiha Ryun this afternoon? Wasn't it to threaten him with Asuka and force him to behave?"
Hiruzen's face was dark, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Bullshit! Why would I send anyone to see him? Who the hell said I sent someone?" Danzo exploded in fury.
"A Root ninja definitely entered the detention center. He showed a Root identification order and clearly stated you sent him. The squad leader, myself, and the detention center staff can all confirm this."
One of the Anbu jonin guarding Ryun stepped forward to testify.
Hearing this, Danzo's face froze in shock.
"What do you have to say for yourself now, Danzo?!" Hiruzen's voice was filled with anger.
"Something's wrong here! Someone not only took that woman but also impersonated a Root ninja, forging orders to mislead you!"
Danzo finally realized someone was framing him.
"What mask was that Root ninja wearing? Was the identification order real?" Danzo pressed urgently. Hiruzen watched him with suspicion.
"The order was genuine. As for the mask..." The Anbu jonin thought carefully, then used a transformation jutsu to recreate the strange mask.
"That mask belongs to someone who died in last night's incident!" Danzo exclaimed in shock.
It was a confirmed casualty. Danzo now suspected a traitor in Root.
Hearing this dead-end, Hiruzen's expression darkened further.
"Enough, Danzo. Stop putting on this act. I know exactly the kind of person you are. Release Asuka immediately, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
He no longer believed a word Danzo said.
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