Sarutobi Hiruzen began his performance.
He was, of course, fully aware of what had happened to Uchiha Kagami's subordinates.
But he did not intervene.
He had no interest in helping a group of people with no use, especially the 'evil' Uchiha.
Now, however, it was different!
Shisui was a good pawn, and he certainly couldn't bear to give him up.
To be honest.
His performance was crude; if Uchiha Jin had been there, he could have easily found many flaws.
However, unfortunately.
Standing before him was Shisui, a Shisui who had been completely brainwashed.
His face was full of gratitude, and he immediately interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen, declaring firmly:
"No, it's not Lord Hokage's fault!"
"You are busy with countless affairs every day; how could you have time to deal with such trivial matters?"
"The real ones to blame are those radicals within the clan; they are truly despicable!"
"Lord Hokage, please rest assured, as long as I, Shisui, am here, I will never allow those radicals to cause trouble!"
Shisui's words were resolute.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was quite satisfied with this.
After a brief chat, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and said,
"Shisui, you should go back."
"I feel that Fugaku alone cannot suppress those radicals in this matter."
"Those victims were your grandfather's subordinates; you have an obligation to help Fugaku with this."
"Also, the village bears some responsibility in this matter."
"I declare in the name of the Hokage that if the descendants of Kagami's former subordinates encounter difficulties and the Uchiha Clan is unwilling to help, then the village can take full responsibility."
"It is I, as Hokage, who has failed!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was filled with sorrow.
Shisui was even more grateful, almost to the point of tears.
What a good Hokage!
How could those scoundrels in his own clan still complain that the Hokage was unfair?
He did not realize that Sarutobi Hiruzen's generosity was merely verbal.
In reality, it was all nonsense!
The people who followed Uchiha Kagami had long since been purged and completely eliminated.
As for their descendants?
How many were left?
Even if he covered all of them, how much money would it cost?
Not to mention someone like Uchiha Jin, who had already become a ninja; how could he shamelessly ask for compensation from the village?
This was Sarutobi Hiruzen!
He didn't spend a single penny but gained a wave of good reputation.
Moreover, this arrangement could further divide the Uchiha.
Let the moderates and radicals fight!
He would be happy if one of them died.
But, unfortunately.
Uchiha Shisui didn't understand any of this.
Instead, he gratefully said, "I thank Lord Hokage for his generosity on behalf of Jin and those innocent people."
"Jin?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, puzzled.
Upon hearing the Hokage's confusion, Shisui immediately explained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly at his words.
Since he had obtained the information he wanted, he had no interest in bickering with Shisui.
"Alright, you can go back."
"But Lord Hokage, my mission..."
"That's fine; I'll have others do it. You just focus on resolving the Uchiha's affairs."
"This... Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Shisui left with a grateful expression.
And after he left, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke indifferently.
"Someone!"
In an instant.
A masked Anbu appeared, kneeling respectfully on the ground and saying,
"Lord Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke.
"Bring me Uchiha Jin's file!"
The masked Anbu bowed at his words, then left the office.
Five minutes later.
The Anbu reappeared and placed a file on the desk.
Then he bowed again, and without waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen to speak, he disappeared with a puff of smoke.
Evidently.
This was a Shadow Clone.
Sarutobi Hiruzen paid no attention to the Anbu, only examining Uchiha Jin's file.
But the more he read, the more he frowned.
Too terrible!
If Uchiha Shisui was a genius, then Uchiha Jin was an absolute idiot.
He was already 12 years old; Kakashi was already a Jonin, and Shisui was at the peak of Chunin, ready to be promoted to Jonin at any time with a few more achievements.
But what about Uchiha Jin?
It was hard to describe.
He was already in the fifth grade, could barely use the Three Body Technique, and his chakra was pitifully low.
Is this an Uchiha?
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the file with a 'subway old man' expression.
It was too embarrassing!
Even a civilian wouldn't be much worse, right?
He never considered that Uchiha Jin might be hiding his strength, because that wasn't something an Uchiha would do.
If the Uchiha really had that kind of intelligence, the Third Hokage would be an Uchiha.
Sigh!
Looking at the file, Sarutobi Hiruzen had a terrible headache.
Originally, he had wanted to summon Uchiha Jin to promote the will of fire and trick him into helping Shisui deal with the Uchiha radicals.
But now, he no longer had the inclination.
Such a cannon fodder-like character wasn't worth his time.
Creak.
Just then, the office door opened.
An old man wrapped in bandages, leaning on a cane, walked straight in.
Yes.