Inside the Hokage's office.
"Third Hokage-sama… how will the village handle Yuan?"
Shisui's voice carried a trace of worry.
He knew very well that within the clan, support for Uchiha Yuan was overwhelming. If the village imposed further punishment, dissatisfaction within the clan would only grow. And given Yuan's temperament… another incident would not be impossible.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Shisui and chuckled warmly.
"In my eyes, Uchiha Yuan is merely a willful child. I will not concern myself with his conduct today."
"Because of Orochimaru's defection, he has been assigned to guard the Southern Border outpost for three years. Perhaps he is simply venting dissatisfaction at that arrangement."
"I only hope that during these three years at the border, he learns to restrain that impulsive and reckless nature of his."
Relief washed across Shisui's face.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Third Hokage-sama. I only wish Yuan could understand your intentions."
Seeing the reverence in both Shisui and Itachi's eyes, Hiruzen's smile deepened.
"Shisui, Itachi… for the peace between the village and the Uchiha clan, the responsibility on your shoulders is heavy."
"All I can do is continue to show goodwill toward the Uchiha and shield them from the harsher reproaches of the other elders."
"We will not disappoint you," Itachi said firmly.
Meeting Itachi's determined gaze, the irritation Hiruzen felt because of Yuan finally dissipated.
In truth—
He had been furious.
Shimura Kichizō was the captain assigned to escort the group. Yuan injuring him was no different from slapping the village's face again.
Yet Hiruzen chose not to act.
Because he was wary.
Among all those connected to Orochimaru, Yuan had received the lightest punishment—three years of border assignment.
And this was a man who had dared strike a village elder.
Why?
Because the Uchiha clan had taken an unusually firm stance in negotiations, openly backing Yuan.
Because Yuan himself had displayed overwhelming strength and a domineering will.
Because, gradually—
He had formed something intangible.
A presence.
A force.
A momentum.
The village leadership now found him… troublesome to handle.
Punish lightly—lose face.
Punish heavily—risk him erupting in retaliation.
Without realizing it—
A faint fear had taken root in the hearts of Konoha's higher-ups.
At the village gates.
Chiba Sōichi looked at Yuan's relaxed expression and asked quietly,
"Do you think the village will increase your punishment?"
Yuan's eyes flashed like lightning toward Kobayashi Shiratani. The latter instantly turned his head away, pale.
Yuan lowered his gaze, indifferent.
"I acted because I was prepared to face consequences."
"I do not fear punishment."
As the group began moving out—
Yuan spoke with Sōichi and the others about their assignments.
"I'm being sent to Outpost A-9 on the Southern Border, near the Land of Rivers…"
He paused slightly.
"…So Anko isn't among those exiled."
From the conversation, Yuan learned that Mitarashi Anko—Orochimaru's sole disciple—was not part of the group.
"I heard… Lord Shishō fell on the front lines," someone said quietly. "Because of that, the village decided to be lenient."
Yuan's eyes flickered faintly.
Lenient?
Or selectively strategic?
The column marched onward.
The massive gates of Konoha gradually receded behind them.
The road south stretched long and quiet.
Forests lined both sides.
Wind rustled through the trees.
Birds took flight suddenly.
Yuan's steps did not slow.
But his voice drifted lightly.
"Everyone. Stay sharp."
Chiba Sōichi's expression changed subtly.
The escort squad tightened formation instinctively.
Then—
From deep within the forest—
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Whoosh!
A barrage of kunai burst forth from the treeline, glinting coldly under the daylight.
"Enemy attack!"
Shouts erupted.
Several escort shinobi formed hand seals immediately.
Steel clashed.
Explosions rang out.
Smoke bombs detonated in succession, blanketing the road in thick haze.
Through the smoke—
Multiple black-clad figures rushed forward.
Not Root uniforms.
Not standard village gear.
Mercenaries.
Or hired rogue shinobi.
The timing—
Too perfect.
They had waited until the group left village jurisdiction.
Chiba Sōichi gritted his teeth.
"So this is it…"
Yuan stepped forward calmly, tossing aside the empty lemon soda bottle.
It shattered against a stone.
His eyes turned cold.
"So impatient."
A masked attacker lunged straight at him.
The blade had not yet descended—
When Yuan vanished.
In the next instant—
He appeared behind the attacker.
A single palm strike.
Bone shattered.
The masked figure was sent crashing into a tree trunk with a sickening crack.
The forest fell momentarily silent.
The other attackers stiffened.
That aura—
That overwhelming pressure—
This was no weakened exile.
This was a predator.
Yuan rolled his neck slightly.
"Midway assassination, hm?"
His lips curved faintly.
"Good."
"I was just wondering how dull the journey would be."
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