"Naruto's still alive… can't loot a living body…"
"Then—if I slap him twice right now, does that count as defeating him?"
"If that works… wouldn't there be a chance to copy a trait?"
On the banks of the Naka River, the eyes of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy flickered with excitement.
He felt like he'd just discovered a system bug!
The Konoha Twelve should all be born one after another this year, right?
So if he went door to door, giving each of them a pat on the butt or a pinch on the cheek…
Hiss!
At the thought, Uchiha Ren grinned wide.
One hand to his forehead, bending forward at the waist—
"Hahahahaha! I really am a genius!"
System: ...
Crack!
At that moment, the Four Red Yang Formation above suddenly opened.
The manic laughter came to an abrupt halt.
When Ren turned around, he just happened to see a smoking pipe flickering under the moonlight.
The Third!
"Hm? There's still a survivor? A child?"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi realized there was someone still inside the barrier, his body tensed instinctively.
His grip on the staff tightened.
Anyone who could survive the Nine-Tails incident was bound to be extraordinary.
"A child?"
"And this Uchiha fan crest outfit… you're from the Uchiha clan?"
But when he clearly saw the child's appearance and clothing, doubt flashed through his deep eyes.
Weren't the Uchiha under lockdown?
Where did this two- or three-year-old kid come from?
Behind him, the Hokage's escort squad followed in immediately.
When they saw it was Uchiha Ren, Genma Shiranui spat out the senbon in his mouth and blurted out in disbelief,
"Oi? Don't tell me—the Fourth Hokage's son has already grown this big?!"
The other members of Genma's squad: ...
The accompanying ANBU: ...
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ...
Uchiha Ren: ...
For a second, he almost thought he'd turned into Nezha.
He complained inwardly, but on the surface he put on an innocent, confused expression.
Clutching the token timidly, he spoke in a childish, stammering voice,
"G-Grandpa… I-I'm Ren. A… a uncle wearing a… painted mask said… said there was candy here…"
He deliberately emphasized the words painted mask.
At the same time, he subtly tilted the token in his hand so the engraved markings were clearly visible.
That small, intentional move immediately drew everyone's attention.
As he spoke, his watery big eyes stayed fixed on the Third.
If this old man made even the slightest wrong move—
He was ready to activate Golden Body and run under the cover of Weak Presence.
As for Flying Thunder God?
He hadn't even started training yet. His body truly didn't have any chakra.
Of course, he also believed the Third wouldn't actually do anything to him.
This old man could be ruthless at times, sure—
But when it came to children in the village, he always showed a benevolent face.
No matter who it was.
No matter what went on behind the scenes, on the surface he was always kind and gentle—
And always preaching that whole Will of Fire routine.
Painted mask?
And this token…
On the right, Genma Shiranui and the other two instantly understood the implication and turned around to leave.
Once it involved power struggles among the village's major clans, they couldn't stay any longer.
All they needed to do was carry out their own duties properly.
Whoosh.
Suddenly.
Behind the Third Hokage, an ANBU ninja appeared in a Body Flicker.
The scroll in his hand glowed red as he reported in a low voice:
"Token ID B–74. Belongs to Root, Third Reconnaissance Squad."
The wrinkles on Hiruzen's face deepened enough to crush two flies.
That was indeed a Root squad number.
And that person's corpse was still lying outside.
Clearly, little Uchiha Ren hadn't lied.
How could a two-and-a-half-year-old who hadn't even begun training possibly appear here alone?
"So… you're trying to frame the Uchiha clan?"
"But… framing an Uchiha toddler? Danzō, have you lost your mind?"
A cold glint flashed through the Third's eyes.
When he lowered them again, only warmth and kindness remained.
"It's alright, it's alright. You should hurry home now."
He gently patted Ren's small shoulder.
From his palm, thin threads of sensory chakra slipped inside Ren's body.
One full sweep.
Empty.
Completely empty.
Though the muscles and bones were dense and solid, there wasn't a trace of chakra.
Which was normal—Uchiha children usually only began refining chakra around four or five years old.
After confirming there was absolutely no chakra in the body, he finally relaxed and said reassuringly,
"Good child. Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn on!"
"Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn on!" Ren raised his fist and pumped it hard in an enthusiastic gesture.
Then he turned and ran off.
"What a righteous child…"
Watching his retreating back, a trace of emotion surfaced in the Third Hokage's eyes.
But when he thought about how Danzō hadn't even spared a child, his heart sank again.
He took the pipe from his mouth and knocked it twice against the nearby tree stump.
"Danzō… your hand has stretched too far."
…
Achoo!
At the same time, inside the Hokage Building.
Danzō, who was in the middle of an impassioned speech, suddenly sneezed hard.
"Danzō, are you alright?" Koharu Utatane asked with concern.
"I'm fine! Right now, I'm terrifyingly strong!"
Danzō tapped his cane against the floor.
"The Fourth Hokage has died. What do you think is the most urgent matter right now?"
"Stabilizing the village?" Koharu asked instinctively.
"Exactly—stabilizing the village! With the Fourth dead, the village is leaderless. I believe we must immediately select a Fifth Hokage to take charge!"
"And right now, the only people qualified to compete are the heads of the major clans—but none of them compare to me, Danzō!"
"My love for this village runs deep!"
"I am the roots buried deep in the soil, supporting the entire tree!"
He poured out everything in his heart in one breath.
He had waited out the Third.
He had waited out the Fourth.
He had even pushed the village and the Uchiha into open opposition!
Now—finally—it was his era!
At that thought, brilliant Wind Release chakra burst forth from his body.
His presence surged overwhelmingly.
Even the two advisors couldn't help nodding in admiration.
This old friend truly looked magnificent in spirit.
After hesitating briefly, Koharu nodded.
"You really are more suitable to be the Fifth, but—"
But?
Seeing her hesitation, Danzō smiled slightly.
"But I'll hand over the village's financial authority to the two of you."
"Well… then there really is no one more suitable than you."
The two exchanged glances and agreed without hesitation.
Bang!
Just then, the tightly shut door of the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open.
Thud.
When they saw the unmistakable smoking pipe, all three instantly fell silent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walked in.
His weathered eyes looked as though they hadn't seen anything at all.
Step by step, he walked behind the Hokage's desk.
Pulled out the chair.
Sat down.
You—
Danzō ground his teeth.
That seat was about to be his!
But the Third ignored him completely. Both hands pressed against the Hokage's desk, he looked at everyone in the room and said in a deep voice,
"The Hokage's authority will be temporarily assumed by this old man. You all—who agrees, who objects?"
"I agree!"
"I agree as well! The village is in chaos—Sarutobi, your return really resolves the immediate crisis!"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance and nodded immediately.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Meanwhile, Danzō slowly typed a question mark in his mind.
…Brother, what?
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