Last night—
While Hiruzen Sarutobi slept—
The Uchiha clan was wiped out.
By the time he woke up…
It was already over.
Before dawn—
Itachi Uchiha had infiltrated the Hokage Tower.
And met him.
A deal.
Massacre the Uchiha clan.
Infiltrate Akatsuki.
In exchange—
Sasuke lives.
If Konoha ever touched Sasuke—
He would retaliate.
At that point—
Hiruzen had no reason to refuse.
As Hokage, he used every method available to suppress the aftermath.
But the results…
Were minimal.
The news had already begun to spread.
And Itachi—
The rogue ninja—
Had become a thorn lodged in his throat.
Because no matter how much he chose to believe Itachi—
A man who could slaughter his own clan for the village—
Deep down…
He could never fully trust him.
A wall remained.
Thick.
Unbreakable.
…
"Shenyue Yuan."
Hiruzen's aged gaze sharpened slightly.
"You've already been briefed on what Itachi has done."
"You were his classmate at the Academy."
"Based on your records—and your performance over the past year—"
"Your strength… your capability…"
"Are no less than his."
His voice dropped.
Heavy.
"And you are a civilian-born ninja."
"No notable background."
"After careful consideration—"
"The village has decided to assign you an S-rank mission."
A pause.
"Infiltrate the Akatsuki."
"Monitor Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja—Itachi Uchiha."
"Duration… three years."
"…"
Shenyue Yuan widened his eyes slightly.
Feigning shock.
"Unbelievable…"
"Itachi… would do something so unforgivable…"
Inside?
Calm.
Completely calm.
Infiltrate?
Even a dog wouldn't take that job.
Forget the danger of Akatsuki—
He had never planned to risk his life for Hiruzen… or Konoha.
With a system in hand—
The correct path was simple:
Stay low.
Grow stronger.
Win later.
He was just about to refuse—
Maybe something like:
"The Land of Rain is too damp. I have rheumatism."
Then—
Darkness lit up.
A panel appeared.
[Main Quest — Long Term]
[Infiltrate the Akatsuki. Become its leader.]
[Description: Bring your talent to Amegakure. Akatsuki needs a true god to lead it.]
[Note: Main quests cannot be refused or skipped. Failure to proceed will halt all other quests.]
…
Silence.
Shenyue Yuan's thoughts froze.
System.
I appreciate the enthusiasm.
But forcing it…?
…
Fine.
Lying low in Amegakure is still lying low.
Hiding in Akatsuki is still hiding.
Think bigger.
Don't limit yourself.
By the time he spoke—
His expression had already turned solemn.
"Hokage-sama."
"I can accept this mission."
A pause.
"But… before I leave, there's something I'm concerned about."
"My teacher."
"I've heard your son—"
He didn't finish.
But the meaning was obvious.
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
He answered immediately:
"Rest assured."
"During your mission, Kurenai Yuhi will act as your direct handler."
"As for Asuma—"
"I'll assign him to continue protecting the Daimyō. Away from Konoha."
Then—
He added more.
"Mission reward: one million ryō per year."
"Upon completion—your identity will be restored."
"No need for Chūnin Exams. No need for Jōnin evaluation."
"You will be directly promoted to Jōnin."
"And…"
"One of the candidates for Fifth Hokage."
A big promise.
A very big one.
Shenyue Yuan considered it.
Then—
He frowned.
And shook his head.
"You have… other conditions?" Hiruzen asked.
Shenyue Yuan spoke slowly:
"Itachi slaughtered the Uchiha and was labeled an S-rank rogue ninja."
"Akatsuki will naturally accept him."
"But me?"
"With my current identity—"
"They'll know immediately."
"I'm an infiltrator."
"…True." Hiruzen nodded, taking a drag from his pipe.
"What do you propose?"
Shenyue Yuan smiled.
Gentle.
Almost harmless.
"Hokage-sama…"
"What if I… wiped out the Hyūga clan?"
…
Silence.
Hiruzen's pupils shrank.
His hand trembled.
A chill shot down his spine.
"What are you thinking?!"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
He knew Shenyue Yuan's thinking was… unconventional.
But this?
This was insane.
Yes—
If Shenyue Yuan massacred the Hyūga—
He would replicate Itachi's feat.
Become an S-rank rogue ninja.
Shake the entire ninja world.
But—
Konoha would lose two major clans in succession.
The other great villages would tear it apart.
Like a feast.
What would even be the point of infiltration then?
Hiruzen wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
At that moment—
He was certain.
Sending this boy away…
Was the right decision.
Keeping him in Konoha—
Was like holding a tailed beast bomb with no timer.
No one knew when it would explode.
And yet—
It was precisely because of this monster—
This prodigy equal to Itachi—
That Hiruzen chose to take this risk.
Otherwise—
He wouldn't have bothered placing another spy in Akatsuki.
He fell into thought.
He needed to fabricate an identity.
An S-rank rogue ninja.
Have him assassinate the Hokage?
That would be enough for defection.
But S-rank…?
Not quite.
Unless—
The assassination succeeded.
No.
Absolutely not.
He rejected the idea instantly.
Because if Shenyue Yuan got serious—
He might actually succeed.
Their strengths were comparable.
"Hokage-sama."
Shenyue Yuan stepped forward.
Lowered his voice.
And whispered another plan.
…
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
Back and forth.
Calculating.
Weighing.
Finally—
He leaned back.
"…You must guarantee."
"This is only an act."
Shenyue Yuan replied without hesitation:
"I will always be loyal to Konoha."
Hiruzen sighed.
"Good."
"Coincidentally… I've already disbanded Root."
He waved his hand.
"You may leave the village once you're ready."
"As soon as possible."
"Send Asuma in on your way out."
He had already anticipated Shenyue Yuan's concern.
That's why he summoned both of them.
Even a genius—
Once they have someone they care about—
Can be controlled.
Just like Itachi.
What young man doesn't fall in love?
Controlling Shenyue Yuan—
Wouldn't be difficult.
Hiruzen understood this kind of power.
Very well.
His expression relaxed.
Leaning back in his chair—
Time passed.
And then—
He noticed something.
Shenyue Yuan hadn't moved.
Still standing there.
Staring at him.
"…You have another question?"
Shenyue Yuan nodded.
"Hokage-sama."
"Where exactly… is the Akatsuki located?"
"…"
Hiruzen's head started to ache.
He took a deep drag from his pipe.
Exhaled slowly.
Calmed himself.
Only after a long pause did he answer:
"…We don't know."
"But I believe—"
"For you—"
"That won't be a problem."
If Konoha knew—
He wouldn't be this passive.
The two stared at each other.
Silence.
Then—
Shenyue Yuan turned.
And left.
Hiruzen let out a breath.
…
Outside—
In the corridor—
Asuma Sarutobi stormed forward.
Like a bull on the verge of losing control.
Shenyue Yuan stood still.
Blindfolded.
Calm.
Ignoring him completely.
"Your father is calling you."
Asuma's anger… faltered.
"…You—"
He clenched his teeth.
Swallowed it down.
Brushed past him—
And entered the office.
Moments later—
Through the thick wooden door—
A cry echoed out:
"NO—!"
"Father, please—yamete—!"
And then—
Hiruzen's voice.
Cold.
Flat.
"Asuma."
"During work hours—"
"Address me properly."