When Qianyu appeared at the entrance, all the ninja silently parted to make a path.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body was lifted onto a stark white stretcher. The long-congealed blood at his throat bloomed across the cloth like macabre, deep red flowers. His lips were pale, his eyes tightly shut, his aged face stiff and still.
"Lord Hokage…"
Uchiha Masako pressed her lips together, glancing at Qianyu with hesitation.
Danzo was the first to step forward. "Uchiha Itachi has become a rogue ninja. He's joined the Akatsuki. He's the one who killed the Third Hokage."
Even though Danzo had fled at the critical moment to call for reinforcements, even though he hadn't seen the actual killer's face—it didn't matter. Whoever had struck the final blow, Itachi's failure to prevent it made him complicit.
Qianyu's brow furrowed. "Elder Danzo. Do you have proof?"
He knew he couldn't openly shield Itachi. Not now. But everything required evidence. The only witnesses were a dead Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo himself. One man's word wasn't enough to convict Itachi. This wasn't about favoritism. It was about the Hokage's duty to fairness.
Danzo choked on his anger. "My own eyes aren't proof enough?"
"Elder Danzo—"
Qianyu began, but Danzo suddenly slapped his palm.
Bang!
"Wait! Not just me and Hiruzen! There was Aburame Torune!"
Whether Torune was still alive after Hiruzen's death was another question.
A flick of Qianyu's eyes sent the message. Masako nodded and ordered the guards behind her. "Find Aburame Torune."
"Yes, ma'am."
The guards dispersed into the vast forest. Soon, two ninja returned, supporting Aburame Torune between them.
"Lord Hokage. Aburame Torune is alive, but his chakra reserves are severely depleted," reported a guard medic.
Qianyu nodded. "Treat him."
Green light glowed on the medic's hands. Under the collective gaze, Torune stirred, his eyelids fluttering before he forced them open.
"L… Lord Hokage…"
Seeing Qianyu, confusion clouded his vision for a second. Why was the Hokage here? Lord Danzo… where was Lord Danzo? Memory of the chakra-draining assault jolted him. His eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Danzo, whose injuries were mostly healed by now.
Hah…
Torune exhaled in relief.
"Aburame Torune. I ask you: did you see the face of your attacker?"
Qianyu's voice cut through the quiet.
Torune blinked, his gaze instinctively darting to Danzo.
Danzo scowled. Why is he looking at me? Is the answer written on my face? Just speak the truth.
Torune looked away, his expression dazed and ashamed. "My apologies, Lord Hokage. My vision went black before I could get a clear look."
Danzo's face twisted. What? Didn't see? The man was nearly drained dry and he 'didn't see'? For the first time in his life, Danzo felt the sheer absurdity of it all.
"Notify Asuma and the others. List Uchiha Itachi as a suspect for now."
Seeing Danzo's barely-contained fury, Qianyu added the qualifier.
Danzo finally calmed, if only slightly. Masako bowed her head in acknowledgment, hiding the complexity in her eyes.
News of the Third Hokage's death spread like wildfire across the shinobi world.
"Who do you think did it?"
"Who knows?"
"Hey! I might know!"
"You're full of it!"
"Am not! My cousin does business in Konoha! He told me!"
"Well? Spit it out!"
"Word is… it was the Fifth's disciple. Uchiha Itachi."
"What?"
"Uchiha Itachi?"
"I thought he was dead!"
"He's not! He joined the Akatsuki, they say!"
"The Akatsuki? The ones who crashed the last two Chunin Exams?"
"Yeah!"
"But why?"
"Who knows? Maybe the guy was always a heartless bastard."
"And after how much the Fifth trusted him…"
"No kidding."
Inside a bounty exchange, rogue ninja debated the biggest news. Their voices, loud and animated, carried clearly to Uchiha Itachi's ears.
He had woken to the news of Hiruzen's death. No need to ask. It was Kisame's work. They'd killed the Third, and naturally, they came to collect the bounty. Hiruzen's price was far higher than Danzo's.
"Itachi-san. If it bothers you, I can make them quiet." Kisame's hand rested on the wrapped Samehada behind him.
"Unnecessary."
Itachi never cared for rumors. Besides, they weren't wrong.
His face was pale. In his hand, he held Hiruzen's forehead protector. He handed it to the clerk.
The clerk gave him a strange look, went through verification, and handed over the payment.
By then, everyone in the exchange knew Uchiha Itachi stood among them. The earlier chatter died. Dozens of eyes tracked him as he left.
The moment he was gone, the silent room erupted.
"That was him!"
"So young!"
"To kill the Third Hokage at that age… impressive."
"Impressive? He killed the Hokage. Konoha won't let this go."
Word spread: Uchiha Itachi had exchanged proof of Hiruzen Sarutobi's identity for the bounty. The killer's identity was beyond doubt.
Under the weight of public opinion, Qianyu officially declared Uchiha Itachi a rogue ninja.
The proclamation had barely settled when, that afternoon, uninvited guests crashed into the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, forgive us!" The door guard stammered.
Qianyu waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine. Leave us."
It was Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto. Sasuke's eyes were bloodshot, fixed on Qianyu with an intensity that burned. Naruto, who had chased him here, looked at Qianyu with pleading in his gaze.
"What is this?"
Qianyu's eyes settled on Sasuke. His expression was unreadable, his voice flat water. No ripple.
"My brother… wouldn't do that!" Sasuke spat through clenched teeth.
He knew the lies people were spreading. His brother hadn't gone on a mission. His brother had vanished. And after vanishing, this rumor appeared. He refused to believe it.
"The evidence is clear." Qianyu's gaze swept over him, cool and detached. "If you have nothing else, leave. I will overlook this intrusion once."
Naruto bit his lip, tugging at Sasuke's wrist.
"Let go of me!"
Sasuke yanked his arm back, glaring at Qianyu. "He was your student! Don't you believe him?"
"Uchiha Sasuke." Qianyu's tone was icy calm. "What identity do you presume to use while questioning me?"
Sasuke said nothing. He just stared, stubborn, the red in his eyes spreading like cracks.
"Lord Hokage. Uchiha Fugaku, head of the Uchiha clan, requests an audience." The door guard announced.
"Let him in."
Fugaku entered, bowed silently, and spoke. "Lord Hokage. I have failed in my son's discipline. I ask for your punishment."
Whether it was Itachi, the rogue who killed the Hokage, or Sasuke, who stormed the office—their actions weighed on Fugaku like stones. Itachi had betrayed the Hokage's training and trust, dragging the Uchiha name back into the storm. Sasuke's recklessness was a public disgrace. Fugaku couldn't lift his head.
"Once. And no more." Qianyu's look was a blade.
A chill shot down Fugaku's spine. "Understood."
He grabbed Sasuke's arm, ignoring the violent struggle, and hauled his son bodily out of the office.
"Lord Hokage…"
Only Naruto remained. For some reason, seeing his sister like this scared him.
"Naruto. Focus on your training. You may go."
The words were blunt, final. Naruto pressed his lips together and left quietly.
The next day was Hiruzen Sarutobi's memorial service.
A shroud of grief hung over Konoha. Qianyu stood at the center, clad in a black-and-white kimono. Behind him stretched a sea of black—every Konoha ninja gathered to pay respects.
After the service, Jiraiya caught his arm.
"Come. Have a drink with me."
He offered a strained smile. They walked to a secluded izakaya.
"Qianyu." Jiraiya spoke into the quiet walk. "Don't blame yourself too much."
Qianyu's step hitched.
Jiraiya pretended not to notice. He sighed. "Don't carry the old man's death on your shoulders."
He'd known Qianyu since she was a child. Back then, he just thought she'd grow into a beauty. His impression changed when she volunteered as a spy in Kumo. Event after event deepened his understanding. Qianyu was kind by nature. Loyal. Protective of everyone she cared about.
Itachi's betrayal alone would have been a heavy blow. Combined with the old man's death? It was a boulder crushing her heart. Her unnatural calm these past few days—like none of it affected her—that was the tell. Jiraiya could see the grief she was hiding beneath that placid surface. If he didn't untangle this knot, she'd carry the pain for life.
"I am… sorry."
Qianyu lowered his eyes. His expression showed no change. Yet sorrow seemed to seep from his bones.
Jiraiya chuckled, forcing lightness. "Nothing to be sorry for. For the old man? Protecting his comrade, dying at Konoha's gates… he'd call it an honor."
They settled into a small booth. Jiraiya talked, coaxed, offered clumsy wisdom. He was the warm, seemingly unreliable elder who saw too much. As night fell, empty bottles littered Jiraiya's side of the table. He was drunk, mumbling nonsense.
Qianyu had only taken a few sips from his own bottle. Seeing his state, he seized the chance. "How about taking Naruto with you when you leave?"
During the drinking, Jiraiya had mentioned his impending travels.
Jiraiya blinked blearily. "Yeah… yeah, okay."
Satisfied, Qianyu stood, offering the waitress a polite smile. "Could you see him to the inn out back?"
The waitress nodded. Qianyu turned and left.
Let the staff keep an eye on him. No payment made means they'll stop him if he tries to skip town tomorrow.
At home, he told Naruto about the training trip with Jiraiya.
Naruto's eyes shone with reluctance, but he thought of recent events and nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'll train hard! I promise!"
Inside the Uchiha compound, Sasuke, after a severe lecture from his father, was confined.
He and Itachi had been close. He refused to believe the betrayal. The confinement room was pitch black. He sat curled against the wall, knees to his chest.
If brother were here… he'd never let them lock me up.
He gritted his teeth, burying his face in his arms.
After a moment, low, choked sobs broke the silence in the dark room.
"Nii-san…"
The next morning, the moment he was released, Sasuke ran to Kakashi's place.
"Sasuke?"
Kakashi was roused by insistent doorbell ringing. Kakashi took in the dark circles under Sasuke's eyes and his disheveled appearance, and his own gaze dimmed.
"You want to get stronger?"
Kakashi led him inside. Sasuke sat on the tatami, his gaze fixed on Kakashi with a determination Kakashi had never seen before.
"Yes."
"I don't believe my brother did it. I'm going to find him. I'll ask him myself!"
He knew the Akatsuki's strength. To find his brother, he needed power. Real power.
Kakashi rubbed his temple. He had little left to teach Sasuke. But maybe one person did.
"I'll take you to see someone."
Kakashi pulled on his sandals, waited for Sasuke to exit, and locked the door. They leapt across rooftops, stopping finally at an apartment door.
Kakashi pressed the bell.
Akiaoi Shinya opened it. He'd been in Kumo, but the Third's death had brought him back to Konoha for the memorial. He wouldn't stay long—just a few more days.
"Kakashi-senpai? Sasuke?" Surprise colored his voice. "Come in."
He stepped aside. They entered the apartment.
"Ah… this…"
Kakashi stopped short.
On the tatami in the spacious living room sat Hyūga Tenri. Kakashi scratched his nose, understanding dawning.
Tenri's eyes were red and puffy, her voice thick. "Kakashi-senpai? What brings you here?"
The news of Itachi's defection had hit her hard. She'd wept in Shinya's arms for hours, feeling everything spiral beyond reach.
"It's for Sasuke." Kakashi gestured to the boy beside him, speaking to Shinya as he closed the door. "I want Sasuke to learn ninjutsu from you, Shinya."
Shinya paused. His eyes settled on Sasuke.
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