Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leisurely watched the final outcome of the battle in his crystal ball, a happy smile on his face. That little guy was impressive, putting the Flying Thunder God Technique to use in a real fight so quickly.
The head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Hiroshi, watched the scene in the crystal ball with a blank expression.
"Lord Third, did you summon me just to watch this?" A genius from his clan had been defeated by a commoner. To be honest, Uchiha Hiroshi was very unhappy.
"No, the fight isn't the reason. It's the fact that your Uchiha clan is constantly causing trouble for Kushina. I felt I should give you a reminder, lest your clansmen make a grave error without even realizing it." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, took a puff from his pipe, and continued.
"Kushina is from the Uzumaki clan. She is the one who will succeed Lady Mito. You should understand what that implies. Yet, the Uchiha clan has sought her out for trouble time and time again. This instance was even more egregious. That Uchiha Hai clearly showed killing intent."
As expected, when Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned Kushina's role, Hiroshi's pupils shrank. Of course he knew that Lady Mito was the first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. For Kushina to succeed her meant she was the new Jinchuriki, someone Konoha was obviously paying very close attention to.
But the Uchiha clan had repeatedly caused trouble, and more seriously, had shown killing intent towards the future Jinchuriki. This was a fatal mistake, because no one would assume the Uchiha were ignorant of her status. They would assume it was a deliberate act.
"I understand, Lord Third. I will restrain my clansmen from troubling that girl again. If anyone else goes after her, then Lord Hokage can deal with them as you see fit." After Uchiha Hiroshi finished speaking, he withdrew.
"Hiroshi, no matter how severe the Uchiha clansman's injuries are, you cannot retaliate against the one who defeated him. A Jinchuriki's most important bond is crucial. I would hate for the Nine-Tails to lose control one day and decide to cause a scene in the Uchiha district."
Hiruzen Sarutobi added. It wasn't just a threat. If the Nine-Tails truly lost control, it wouldn't just be the Uchiha who suffered; all of Konoha would be in danger, and he did not wish to see that.
Uchiha Hiroshi, of course, knew the consequences of the Nine-Tails losing control. He immediately nodded gravely, indicating that he would not act rashly.
Konoha Hospital.
Uchiha Hai's grandfather, Uchiha Yoru, stood by Uchiha Hai's side with a blank expression.
Ever since the medical ninja told him his grandson was crippled, he had made no other move. As for the medical ninja's suggestion to find Tsunade, it was automatically ignored.
He knew Tsunade would absolutely not help treat his grandson.
He also knew the full story of what had happened, but that didn't mean he could endure it.
Especially those two bastards who had urged his grandson to avenge them, only to be the first to run away without a trace. Even though they were his grandnephews, he would absolutely not let them off.
And of course, the main culprit who broke his grandson's spine—he would not be let off either. As the great elder of the Uchiha clan, if he could just swallow this insult after his grandson was so brutally crippled, then he would have no place left in the clan.
"Carry the young master home." After a long time, Uchiha Yoru's eyes revealed a terrifying glint. After giving the order to his subordinates, he went home with a blank expression.
"Yes, Great Elder." Two Uchiha clansmen quickly carried Uchiha Hai home.
When Uchiha Yoru returned to the clan compound, he learned that the clan head had summoned him. He hesitated, then decided to go see him.
"Great Elder, I have heard about Hai's matter. But I have something I need to make clear to you." After returning to the clan, Uchiha Hiroshi naturally learned of Uchiha Hai's miserable fate.
But since the matter involved the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he had no choice but to speak with Uchiha Yoru. As for the choice Yoru would make... with his only grandson crippled, if he could endure that, he wouldn't be the great elder of the Uchiha clan.
So, after telling Uchiha Yoru exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi had said, he added, "The choice is yours. After all, he is your grandson."
He had originally promised Hiruzen Sarutobi that he wouldn't retaliate, no matter how severe the injuries. But that was clearly impossible now. An injury would eventually heal, but being crippled was a lifelong sentence. Though both fall under "injury," the concepts were entirely different.
"That bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi! Does he really think he's so great just because he's the Hokage? My only grandson has become like this, and he thinks a few simple words can make it go away? Impossible! I may not touch the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but that commoner who broke my grandson's spine must absolutely die."
As expected, after hearing Uchiha Hiroshi's words, Uchiha Yoru's long-suppressed anger finally erupted. Hiruzen Sarutobi had gone too far.
Hearing this, Uchiha Hiroshi sighed on the surface, but deep down, he was secretly delighted.