Shisui had left.
Everything unfolded just as Uchiha Kai and Nara Kazama had expected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't even interrogated him—he had simply agreed to support Shisui in forming a new faction to counterbalance Uchiha Kai.
There was no helping it.
He had no choice!
When a Mangekyo Uchiha volunteered himself, could Hiruzen really afford to refuse?
What if Kai managed to talk Shisui over instead?
And Kai was very good at persuasion.
So investigation could wait. For now, support was mandatory.
Whether to actually allocate resources—well, that could be decided later. Hiruzen wasn't stupid.
"Anbu!"
"Hokage-sama!"
A masked Anbu operative appeared instantly in the office, kneeling on one knee.
Hiruzen's tone was solemn:
"Conduct a covert investigation into every detail of Uchiha Shisui's movements on the battlefield.
Focus especially on his relationships with teammates, and the true nature of this Uchiha Kai.
You must be quick!
I'm even authorizing you to use my personal command seal to enlist Root's cooperation.
Tell Danzo this order comes directly from me—Root must comply unconditionally.
I want a full report in the shortest possible time."
The Anbu bowed low, acknowledged the order, and vanished.
Left alone, Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh.
What troublesome times!
He still hadn't figured out how to deal with Kai's sudden rise in power.
Now, because of a mere civilian kunoichi Nohara Rin, he had quarreled with his chosen successor Minato.
Yes, Minato lacked political backing, but his master was none other than Hiruzen's own beloved disciple Jiraiya!
If this matter went unresolved, it might drag Jiraiya into the conflict too.
And that was what gave Hiruzen the greatest headache.
Hidden Blood Mist Village or Minato—which to choose?
But before he could settle that question, along came Shisui.
Damn it!
Could the Uchiha clan not let him breathe for even one moment?
This new Mangekyo wielder—Hiruzen honestly didn't know how to respond.
Shisui claimed he wished to side with him, but could he really be trusted?
Before this, Shisui and Kai had been quite close!
Kai's parents had followed Kagami, and Shisui and Kai had grown up as childhood friends.
When three Uchiha had been killed, Shisui had been the first to shield Kai.
Under those circumstances, how could Hiruzen take his loyalty at face value?
No—for now, only investigation would do.
He'd wait for Nara Shikaku to return, then let that sharp mind advise him properly.
Rubbing his temples, Hiruzen muttered bitterly:
"What a rotten day.
One problem after another, and not a single good thing.
Forget it. No mood for paperwork.
Better to go home and rest tonight—the rest can wait until tomorrow."
He stubbed out his pipe, yawned, and put on his hat to leave.
But just then—
Another Anbu entered, kneeling low.
"Hokage-sama, new intelligence.
The Anbu monitoring the Uchiha compound reported that today, Uchiha Kai brought Might Duy and his son into the Uchiha compound to live.
Moreover, Kai seems to be going overboard with them.
He has promised them a monthly stipend of 300,000 ryō, will cover all their food and lodging, and even intends to teach them new taijutsu.
This treatment is highly irregular.
Because it seemed suspicious, we judged it necessary to report immediately."
Finished, the Anbu bowed and waited for orders.
Hiruzen: "…"
His mouth twitched.
A thousand curses surged up inside him, but he didn't know whether or not he could give them voice.
Absurd!
Again, and again—always the Uchiha!
In recent days he had heard the name so often it was wearing calluses into his ears.
But—
Once he calmed, he instantly sensed something was wrong.
Yes.
Would Kai really pay such a price just to learn a few tips about the Eight Gates?
Of course not. Something was definitely off.
With Kai's cunning, even ordinary masters weren't worth such investment.
Unless—this Might Duy was more than he appeared.
But if he was truly strong, why hadn't it ever shown?
Unless…
Unless Duy couldn't reveal it under normal circumstances—only in special conditions could he unleash power far beyond the ordinary.
Wait. The Eight Gates!
No way.
Could this eternal Genin Might Duy have actually mastered the Eight Gates?
Incredible as it seemed, it was the only explanation.
Yes!
The Eight Gates was a self-destructive art.
Even Hiruzen, keeper of the sealed scroll, knew its nature well.
It forced open the body's limiters, trading life for instant power.
If fully mastered, even a nobody could explode with near-Kage-level might when pushed to the brink.
That was why his teacher, Tobirama Senju, had once hoped to cultivate an army of such suicide warriors.
Only the impossibly harsh training conditions had doomed the plan.
But—what if Might Duy had truly succeeded?
What if he possessed a complete training regimen?
Then what if Kai, under Duy's guidance, raised an entire squad of Eight Gates death soldiers?
Imagine facing Kai with twenty or thirty men all erupting at Kage-level simultaneously.
What battle could possibly be fought then?
No—absolutely not!
Might Duy must not remain with the Uchiha.
Hiruzen had to find a way to remove him.
The Eight Gates could never be allowed into Uchiha hands.
That would spell disaster.
But how?
Hiruzen's mind spun furiously.
Yet no solution came.
He couldn't move openly—for hadn't he just approved Kai's actions?
If he reversed himself without cause, his reputation would be in ruins.
No, he would bide his time.
Tomorrow, he would meet Duy in person and see the truth with his own eyes.
At last, Hiruzen spoke aloud:
"Very well, I understand.
Tomorrow morning, summon Might Duy to me.
Dismissed!"
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