Hatake Clan Compound.
"Water Release: Water Turbulence Wave."
Senju Gen leapt high into the air and spat out a violent stream of water toward Hatake Seikū.
Seikū raised his blade horizontally to block. The torrent crashed against the flat of the sword, but the sheer force made his expression tighten. He was pushed back several meters before mustering strength to slash through the current.
At that very moment, a figure flashed. Senju Gen appeared behind him and whipped a roundhouse kick toward his back.
Seikū rolled forward awkwardly to evade, then braced one hand against the ground and sprang upward, his ninja blade cutting toward Gen in a swift arc.
Near the clearing where they sparred, Uchiha Yuan stood silently, watching with a solemn expression.
At that moment, he was conversing through spiritual perception.
Beside him stood the soul of Hatake Sakumo.
"Yuan, you believe the recent rumors in the village are aimed at Orochimaru," Sakumo said.
"That's right. And Sensei, doesn't this method seem familiar? Back when you were the most popular candidate for Hokage, weren't you smeared by rumors and branded a so-called criminal?" Yuan replied with a cold smile.
Sakumo fell silent for a moment before speaking with a complicated expression. "Yuan, it seems everything has unfolded just as you predicted. But I never imagined they would go this far. This is destroying the village's own pillars."
He had never thought Hiruzen would strike so heavily at his own disciple simply to maintain power.
This time was different from the suppression Orochimaru faced during the Fourth Hokage election. If the rumors were "proven," Orochimaru would be branded a true criminal.
That left only two outcomes—imprisonment by the village, or defection.
And Orochimaru would never submit quietly. He would certainly choose to leave.
Yuan let out a soft laugh. "It wouldn't be the first time they destroyed a pillar. Besides, without Orochimaru, there are still Tsunade-hime and Jiraiya."
Sakumo sighed. "I never thought the Third and the others would fall so far."
Yuan's expression turned disdainful. "They are maggots gnawing at the decaying trunk of Konoha—hypocritical and insidious."
He could not help recalling Danzō—the man who claimed to protect Konoha from the shadows, branding his actions as righteous sacrifice. Yet when Pain attacked the village, he ordered Root to remain inactive, allowing more villagers to die simply to seize the Hokage's seat.
Sakumo turned to Yuan and said seriously, "Yuan, you must prepare. You are close to Orochimaru. Once he defects, you and all those associated with him will be interrogated."
Yuan smiled proudly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Sensei, I anticipated this long ago. Besides, I have the support of the Uchiha behind me. I won't allow the village to slaughter me at will."
"In that case, I am relieved."
Suddenly, Sakumo turned his head toward a certain direction, his expression complicated.
Yuan extended his perception and smiled faintly. "So it's Kakashi-senpai."
Sakumo sighed softly. "That child… still as distant as ever."
Yuan turned and called out, "Kakashi-senpai, why not show yourself?"
Swish.
A figure appeared beside him.
Yuan greeted him with a smile. "Kakashi-senpai, long time no see."
Kakashi cast him a cold, dead-fish stare before shifting his gaze to the two sparring in the clearing. "Uchiha Yuan, Seikū has improved quickly under your guidance."
Yuan looked at the match as well and smiled. "Seikū is my companion. Helping him is only natural."
The two stood side by side, watching in silence.
After a moment, Yuan asked, "Kakashi-senpai, about the recent reports of ninja going missing—do you know anything?"
Kakashi turned toward him. Yuan's expression was open and calm. After studying him for a while, Kakashi's guard eased slightly.
"I don't know."
Yuan frowned. "You don't? How could you not?"
He continued, "You know I'm a squad leader in the Police Force. When I learned of such a serious incident, I ordered an investigation. But I was told ANBU had taken over."
Kakashi's brows knit slightly. "I truly don't know. And I've heard nothing within ANBU about investigating missing ninja."
Yuan grinned. "As expected. This sudden rumor is highly suspicious."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened instantly. "You were testing me."
Yuan shook his head lightly. "No. I was verifying a hypothesis. Kakashi-senpai, don't you find this situation familiar?"
Kakashi fell silent. The matter clearly ran deeper than it appeared.
If ANBU had no such mission… then who were the masked shinobi blocking the Police Force? Root?
Yuan's voice continued, steady and deliberate.
"Kakashi-senpai, isn't it reminiscent of the last Hokage election? A sudden rumor. Your father once had prestige surpassing even the Sannin, the highest call to become Hokage. And then a rumor appeared—turning him into a so-called criminal."
For the first time, Kakashi's cold expression changed. His single visible eye fixed sharply on Yuan.
"Uchiha Yuan, what are you implying? Are you accusing the village leadership of deliberately spreading those rumors?"
Yuan met his gaze calmly. "Kakashi-senpai, sometimes the truth is cruel. Eliminate the impossible, and whatever remains—however unbelievable—must be the truth."
The shock faded from Kakashi's face, replaced by an icy killing intent that enveloped Yuan.
"Uchiha Yuan, what are you trying to do? To make such severe accusations against the village leadership—are you seeking to defect?"
Yuan maintained his faint smile. "Senpai, you're overreacting. I'm merely sharing my doubts and conjectures with you—because I believe you are someone worthy of trust."
Some people die…
But they don't die completely.
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