It was the middle of the night.
The Uchiha clan compound was unusually lively.
A key member of Root, an important guard of Hokage Advisor Danzo, had died. His body appeared in the Uchiha clan compound. This was very dangerous for the Uchiha clan.
Torune had multiple conflicts with the Uchiha, and now that Torune was dead, the Uchiha became the prime suspect.
As someone very skilled at framing others, Satoshi's mind flashed with a few names.
The first was definitely Danzo. That despicable fellow was capable of anything except good deeds. Even sacrificing his guard was a normal thing for him.
If it was Danzo, then what did he want?
It was nothing more than to pin the blame on the Uchiha, making Hiruzen take necessary action against them.
Wait a minute.
Satoshi suddenly felt something was off.
Torune's entire body was pierced by sharp wooden splinters, making him look like a large hedgehog. This was clearly Wood Release Ninjutsu.
Looking across the entire Ninja World, among the ninjas who could breathe, only a few could use Wood Release.
Tenzo of the Anbu, his Wood Release was mainly for greening.
Danzo's Wood Release could also turn into a large tree.
The last one was that man.
Uchiha Obito.
Sometimes Satoshi really wanted to laugh, Obito, when you frame others, can't you use your brain?
Even if you just slit his throat with two cuts, that would be better.
With what you've done, who else could possibly take the blame for you?
"Report it to Hokage-sama, a dangerous individual has infiltrated Konoha."
The next morning, Konoha's high-ranking officials received news of Torune's death.
After a brief moment of absentmindedness, Danzo found he couldn't control the upward curve of his lips.
Torune was dead!
He died in Uchiha territory without him even lifting a finger.
This was truly good news.
Regardless of the true culprit, Danzo had already labeled him a "Konoha Guardian" in his heart.
He thought that if he ever became Hokage one day, he would definitely thank him properly.
He arrived at the Hokage Building at an extremely fast pace. He burst through the door with a bang.
"Bastards! How dare they kill people wantonly in Konoha, do they think this is their backyard?!" Danzo stormed in, fuming.
"Hiruzen, we must act now."
Hiruzen nodded. This time, he didn't contradict Danzo.
"And to even use First Hokage-sama's Wood Release, this is simply a provocation to Konoha."
"From today onwards, cancel all breaks for the Konoha Military Police Force, Anbu, and Root, and fully concentrate on finding Torune's killer."
Danzo snorted, "Yes, and he used Wood Release."
Wait?
Wood Release?
Torune was killed by Wood Release?
When did the Uchiha clan have a ninja who could use Wood Release?
Hiruzen handed over Torune's autopsy report.
Danzo stared blankly at the description, his eyes almost popping out. He had studied Wood Release for decades and immediately recognized it as Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
In the village, the only publicly known user of Wood Release was Tenzo. Excluding the possibility of him killing in his sleep, there was only one truth: Tenzo killed Torune.
But why would Tenzo do it?
As for Hiruzen, he had different thoughts.
Tenzo's whereabouts could be confirmed daily, making it difficult for him to have time to kill.
Moreover, with his strength, silently killing an excellent ninja from Root and then silently dumping his body in Uchiha territory was simply impossible.
But Hiruzen knew of one person who might possess such strength.
His former disciple, one of Konoha's Sannin, and now the traitor Orochimaru.
Orochimaru had conducted Wood Release experiments in secret for many years and defected from Konoha after being discovered by him.
According to Hiruzen's understanding of Orochimaru, it was possible for him to create another experimental subject capable of using Wood Release with his abilities.
As for Satoshi, he was certain that Obito was behind it.
Wood Release Ninjutsu, mysterious spatial Ninjutsu. This kid was practically shouting out his ID number.
Obito.
The reason Obito did this was nothing more than to sow discord between the two sides, slowly making him disillusioned with Konoha.
Forcing him to leave Konoha and join the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Alas.
Obito, how could you be so foolish?
—
Danzo thought about pinning another charge on the Uchiha. But after thinking about it, he couldn't find a suitable excuse.
He couldn't possibly say that the inherently evil Uchiha brat had stolen First Hokage-sama's Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, could he?
After a brief silence, Hiruzen issued his first order. "Let's conduct a routine interrogation of Tenzo first."
"Kakashi, you and Tenzo were on a mission together yesterday, so you go to the Konoha Military Police Force as well."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Satoshi and Kakashi left the office to find Tenzo in the Anbu.
Danzo stood by, and a surge of inexplicable anger suddenly welled up in his heart.
Torune died for nothing.
Another loyal subordinate was gone.
Who would handle all these troublesome matters in the future?
—
Konoha Military Police Force, interrogation room.
"Name."
"Tenzo."
"Gender."
"?"
"What were you doing last night?"
Tenzo pointed at Kakashi and said, "I was patrolling with Kakashi-senpai the entire time, never leaving his sight."
Satoshi turned to Kakashi and asked, "Is what he said true?"
Kakashi nodded. "I have work records here, detailing what happened at what time."
Satoshi suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "I understand. Tenzo-senpai, please review the transcript and sign it if there are no issues."
"Please do not leave the village during this time. We may contact you at any moment."
"Understood."
Tenzo's expression was not very good.
He had been honest his whole life, who would have thought such a huge blame would suddenly fall on him?
Fortunately, Kakashi could vouch for him, and Satoshi was somewhat reasonable, otherwise, this matter would be hard to explain.
Kakashi gave Satoshi a look, and the two walked out of the Konoha Military Police Force.
Kakashi said, "Tenzo is innocent. He has no reason to commit such wanton killings."
Satoshi nodded. "Perhaps the ninja who possesses the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai has been watching us all along."
Kakashi pulled out Icha Icha Paradise and began reading it intently.
"I think it's very possible. In this Ninja World, you never know what bizarre things might happen next."
Kakashi spoke lightly on the surface, but inwardly, various strange thoughts were already surfacing.
What was the motive of this killer who wanted to frame the Uchiha?
Was it to escalate the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha, thereby forcing the Uchiha to revolt?
Who would do such a thing?
Danzo.
He knew Danzo had always seen the Uchiha as a major threat, and now Satoshi was particularly brilliant. Danzo must have found it very difficult to watch.
Satoshi suddenly chuckled. "You know, is there a possibility that I possess Wood Release Ninjutsu but have never used it?"
Kakashi's pupils suddenly constricted.
What was Satoshi talking about?
Why would he actively jump into the fire pit?
Kakashi put away his book and looked at Satoshi seriously. "Don't say such meaningless things. I will find out the truth of the matter and clear Tenzo's name."
At the same time, Zetsu, lurking underground, used a secret technique to quietly approach Obito.
Upon learning that Kakashi intended to uncover the truth, Obito couldn't help but mock him.
"Useless Kakashi, he can't do anything, he couldn't even protect Rin."
Zetsu mocked Obito, "If you hadn't used Wood Release to kill, they probably wouldn't even have the chance to investigate now."
Obito paused. "Starting today, I'll kill one person every day. I want to see what Kakashi can find out."
"Wait." Zetsu was almost sweating.
"Have you forgotten that our original goal wasn't to kill, but to force Satoshi to leave Konoha?"
"..."
Obito fell silent, and Zetsu also fell silent.
What are you doing, you big idiot?!
Can the Eye of the Moon Plan really succeed if it's left to you?
Zetsu felt his blood pressure rising and wanted to find a cool place to rest.
"Continued killing is meaningless now. They already know someone is framing that kid."
Obito nodde. "I'll keep an eye on that kid until I come up with a new plan."
Zetsu gave him a deep look, strongly resisting the urge to curse out loud.
You have no plan, you are even more foolish than that idiot Madara.