"Lock, you should understand how serious this matter is. Tell me everything you know — slowly and clearly."
A day later, Lock finally faced the Third Hokage. The old man's expression was grim — a rare sight, since Hiruzen was usually calm and kind.
Lock didn't answer right away. He glanced at the guards outside the prison cell. The Third Hokage noticed and said, "Everyone, leave. No one is to come within ten meters of this area."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Once they were gone, the Hokage spoke again. "Now… tell me. What happened?"
"It's Danzo."
Lock's voice was calm but sharp.
"Danzo?" The Third Hokage blinked in surprise. "What does this have to do with him? The reports said you were attacked by Cloud shinobi."
Lock shook his head. "No. The attackers weren't from the Cloud. They were Danzo's men, disguised as Cloud ninjas. I don't know what he's after, but I'm certain this ambush was his doing."
The Hokage's pipe trembled slightly in his hand as he inhaled deeply — and then coughed hard.
Lock stood still, silent, watching him recover.
After a moment, Hiruzen steadied his breathing. "According to the ANBU's report, you were the only survivor. They found Cloud headbands on the dead. Everything pointed to Yunyin. Why accuse Danzo? You realize the gravity of that claim?"
Lock nodded calmly. "I know. But appearances can lie. Those headbands were just props. Their real goal was me.
And there was a traitor among us — Jōnin Hijikata Shiro. He was Danzo's inside man. Because of him, our movements were leaked. He even attacked me himself before I killed him with an explosive tag.
If you don't believe me, check the scene and question those who investigated it. The traces of battle should tell you what's true."
"Hijikata Shiro… a spy?"
The Hokage's brows furrowed. He remembered the name — a jōnin under Orochimaru, who once worked with Root. The connection was there. He didn't want to believe it… But it made sense.
Lock then recounted everything — leaving out the details about his special abilities but explaining the fight in full.
Hiruzen listened quietly, his expression growing darker with each passing minute.
Finally, Lock asked, "Hokage-sama, do you believe me?"
The Third Hokage's eyes softened, though his tone stayed measured. "Lock, your strength has grown — and you've awakened new abilities. That's commendable. Without them, you might not have survived."
"If I didn't have them," Lock said quietly, "you wouldn't be talking to me right now."
The Hokage sighed. "This involves the inner workings of the village. Don't speak of this to anyone but me. I'll investigate and confirm it myself."
Lock felt disappointment rise within him, though he'd expected this. Hiruzen still couldn't bring himself to move against Danzo.
"Naturally, Hokage-sama," he said evenly. "But there's only so long one can guard against a thief. I was lucky this time — but luck doesn't last forever."
He knew the Third wouldn't take direct action — at least not yet. So he would have to protect himself.
Hiruzen studied him carefully. Lock looked far more mature than before — steady, composed, hardened. Perhaps that was a good thing… though it pained him that it took betrayal to bring it out.
"If what you say is true," the Hokage finally said, "I promise — this will never happen again."
Lock didn't respond. He'd heard those words before. Danzo had already tried twice. He wasn't naive enough to believe a third promise. But out of respect for the Hokage, he stayed silent.
"You handled this well," Hiruzen added. "If word got out, it would harm the village's peace. Officially, you were attacked by Cloud shinobi. Understood?"
"…Understood."
The message was clear — Danzo would be protected once again.
"You may leave. Go to the hospital and recover."
The Hokage turned away, his face heavy with guilt.
Lock watched him go, then stood up slowly and followed him out of the prison.
"This has to be the last time," he muttered under his breath.
He'd been the victim — yet spent a day behind bars, while Danzo remained untouchable. Maybe the Hokage would quietly weaken Danzo's influence after this… but that wasn't the justice Lock wanted.
During his recovery in the hospital, Jiraiya returned to the village and told him the news: the Hokage had indeed restricted Danzo's power, stripping away some of his control.
Danzo himself was untouched, but the blow to his authority was severe — and to a man like him, that was punishment enough.
The ambush was quietly covered up. Few even knew it had happened.
Later, the Hokage officially classified it as an S-rank mission and awarded Lock a large bonus — a silent form of compensation.
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