Hiruzen kept speaking.
One detail after another.
Fragments of memory.
Moments shared with Uchiha Kagami.
From trivial daily exchanges—
To life-and-death battles.
The more he spoke—
The steadier his voice became.
And the clearer his conviction.
Behind him, Kagami stood still.
But inside—
His emotions surged.
A confidant.
To be understood like this—
Trusted like this—
Even he hadn't expected it.
Hiruzen…
If you ever need me—just say the word.
I won't hesitate.
The room fell silent.
No one spoke.
All eyes turned—
Toward Mito Uzumaki.
Waiting.
For judgment.
"…Hmph."
A faint scoff broke the silence.
Mito looked at Hiruzen.
There was a trace of mockery in her eyes.
"Well said."
"Very moving."
She leaned back slightly.
Then—
Her gaze sharpened.
"You're certain… you want to protect Uchiha Kagami?"
A pause.
"You should understand something."
"Even if he did leak the information…"
"I wouldn't kill him."
"He would suffer."
"But he wouldn't die."
Her voice grew colder.
"The information has already spread."
"Uchiha Kagami is Uchiha."
"Whether he did it or not—"
"He is implicated."
"I've been played."
"And I don't like being played."
A faint pressure returned.
Not as explosive as before—
But heavier.
Colder.
More deliberate.
"Think carefully."
Her voice slowed.
Each word deliberate.
"Your answer…"
"Will determine how I see you."
"And where you stand…"
"In Konoha."
Silence.
The oppressive chakra receded.
The suffocating weight lifted.
Everyone exhaled.
Relieved.
Everyone—
Except Hiruzen.
Because he understood.
Perfectly.
This wasn't just a question.
This was a choice.
A brutal one.
Not about right or wrong.
Not about truth.
But—
Position.
Power.
Future.
Could he become Hokage—
Depended entirely—
On the woman before him.
Even with Tobirama's final words—
That alone meant nothing.
Not in Konoha.
Even Tobirama himself—
Couldn't dictate everything.
Only one man ever had.
Hashirama Senju.
Why?
Because he had the strength—
To make everyone submit.
Tobirama didn't.
He ruled through balance.
Through suppression.
Through distribution of power.
And now—
Hiruzen stood at the center of that system.
With nothing.
Except a name.
And a decision.
Mito's meaning was clear.
Crystal clear.
Brother—
Or Hokage?
The weight of that choice pressed down on him.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Hiruzen hesitated.
Danzo saw it.
And inside—
He burned with urgency.
Choose the Hokage!
Of course you choose the Hokage!
Kagami won't die anyway!
At worst, he'll just suffer for a few months!
You've already done enough for him!
Behind them—
Kagami lowered his gaze.
His fists clenched.
He understood.
He truly did.
Mito wanted an outlet.
Someone to bear the consequences.
Then let it be me.
Just let it be me.
For Hiruzen's sake—
He could endure it.
Pain?
Injury?
So what?
I can take it.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Then—
Hiruzen raised his head.
His eyes steady.
Resolute.
"Lady Mito."
"Uchiha Kagami is innocent."
A pause.
"Please do not vent your anger on him."
Silence.
Then—
"Good."
Mito's voice dropped.
Cold.
"Very good."
Her hand struck the table.
Once.
Twice.
"Monkey brat."
"Playing the hero comes with a price."
Her gaze locked onto him.
"Let's see…"
"If you can bear it."
The air shifted.
Dangerous.
Unpredictable.
"Throw them out."
At her command—
Senju shinobi moved instantly.
Danzo.
Koharu.
Homura.
Torifu.
Kagami.
All five—
Were forced out.
Only one remained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The door shut behind them.
—
Outside the Senju compound.
"…We're out?"
Koharu blinked.
The quiet night.
The pale moonlight.
After standing on the edge of death—
Everything felt unreal.
"Why?"
"You want to go back?"
Homura shot back dryly.
Koharu shook her head immediately.
"No, no—of course not!"
She exhaled.
Deeply.
Hokage.
Future.
Responsibility.
None of that had anything to do with her.
She just wanted—
To go home.
Sleep.
Forget everything.
"Shut up."
Danzo's voice cut in sharply.
"Hiruzen is still inside!"
His fists clenched.
His chest tightened.
His friend—
Had been left behind.
And Mito—
Had clearly been furious.
Damn it, Hiruzen…
Why do you always do this?
Back then—
You volunteered to be the decoy.
Now—
You're doing it again.
Always stepping forward.
Always choosing the harder path.
"Relax."
Kagami finally spoke.
His voice was quiet.
"But steady."
"Hiruzen won't die."
"He'll suffer."
"But he won't die."
Mito wouldn't kill him.
If she intended to—
None of them would have walked out.
Danzo turned.
His eyes cold.
Sharp.
"Shut up."
"This is your fault."
"You—and the Uchiha."
"Don't pretend innocence."
His voice rose.
Anger spilling out.
"The information came from Uchiha channels."
"I'm only holding back because of Hiruzen."
"But if this traces back to you—"
"I won't let it go."
Kagami fell silent.
He didn't argue.
Didn't defend himself.
Because—
He understood.
If their positions were reversed—
He wouldn't believe himself either.
Seven people.
Only seven.
And one of them—
Was Uchiha.
And now—
The entire village knew.
And the source—
Was Uchiha.
How could anyone believe him?
That crushing weight—
He couldn't carry it.
Not alone.
Danzo kept shouting.
Vent after vent.
Kagami endured it all.
Quietly.
Because—
He owed Hiruzen.
After a long while—
Danzo finally stopped.
Breathing heavily.
He shot Kagami one last glare—
Then turned and left.
Koharu.
Homura.
Torifu.
They followed.
One by one.
No one stayed.
No one spoke.
No one believed.
The night grew quiet again.
Kagami stood alone.
Watching their backs disappear.
The distance between them—
Felt wider than ever.
His hands clenched slowly.
Tight.
Very tight.
I'll find the truth.
I have to.
His eyes hardened.
Cold.
Sharp.
Whoever leaked that information…
You'd better pray I don't find you.
Because once he did—
There would be no mercy.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/MythArcStudio