Watching the departing figure, Danzo was already plotting how to eliminate Tōshirō.
However, what frustrated him was that, as Hiruzen Sarutobi said, the best time to kill Tōshirō had already passed.
Tōshirō's current strength was too immense; trying to secretly deal with him was simply unrealistic.
Three kekkei genkai, plus the power of a Tailed Beast, made him as strong as a monster.
No, even "monster" could hardly describe Tōshirō now.
Tōshirō's three kekkei genkai were not simply kekkei genkai.
Their formidable nature lay in their seamless integration and perfect coordination.
Ice Release granted Tōshirō offensive and defensive capabilities, and when necessary, it could even be used as a sealing jutsu, making it incredibly versatile.
Boil Release endowed him with unparalleled mobility. In terms of speed, only the Third Raikage could consistently surpass him in the ninja world.
Sharingan provided him with incredibly powerful insight. Any taijutsu, ninjutsu, or even genjutsu would be seen through by these eyes.
Besides his three kekkei genkai, he also had a Tailed Beast inside him. Under the control of the Sharingan, it could continuously provide Tōshirō with powerful chakra.
Any one of these abilities, taken individually, was formidable. Let alone all of them concentrated in one person.
However, those were just Tōshirō's obvious talents. He had an even more powerful talent yet to be revealed:
The Mangekyo Sharingan...
Thinking this, Danzo's face darkened.
Having missed the best time to kill Tōshirō, he had little time left to do so...
He had to find a way to kill him while he was still young...
In at most one or two years, Tōshirō's strength would reach another level.
Otherwise, let alone waiting for him to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, just with the power of his three kekkei genkai plus the Tailed Beast, it would be hard to find anyone in this world who could defeat Tōshirō.
Back Home
When he returned home, Tsunade was lazily lying on the sofa. Seeing him, she asked curiously, "What were you and Fugaku doing?"
Tōshirō exaggerated, "What else could we be doing? The clan members were begging me on their knees to be the Uchiha clan head."
"Come on, now."
Tsunade knew the Uchiha clan fairly well.
While Tōshirō's clan members probably genuinely wanted him to take on the clan's burden, they wouldn't humble themselves to that extent.
"Fine, don't believe me then."
Tōshirō shrugged.
Tsunade scoffed, "So, what's your attitude on it?"
"While I don't particularly want to be it, if it truly comes to the time when the clan head steps down, I probably won't refuse."
Now that his Sharingan ability was exposed, Danzo, that guy, probably knew he had it and was now likely thinking about how to eliminate him.
Tōshirō was still somewhat cautious. He wasn't afraid of one-on-one fights, but he feared opponents who didn't play by the "ninja" code and opted for a group assault.
For this, the Uchiha clan's power was essential.
Tsunade chuckled, "Is that so? Well, then you'd better behave yourself from now on."
Tōshirō laughed, "Tsunade, from now on, you'll be the Uchiha clan head's wife. You need to watch your words and actions. Don't embarrass me."
Tsunade gave a wry laugh, "That should be my line, shouldn't it? I'm going to be the Hokage's woman. As my husband, you're the one who shouldn't embarrass me. From now on, you need to watch your words and actions."
Tōshirō teased, "Oh, so you're already claiming me as your husband so quickly, eh?"
"So what?" Tsunade was somewhat immune to Tōshirō's teasing now: "So, why aren't you hurrying up and cooking for me, your future Hokage?"
"Me again? When we first started living together, didn't you enjoy cooking?" Tōshirō sighed, "It's just as I thought. Once you got me, you started showing your true colors. Hmph~ Women~"
Tsunade's expression was speechless: "That should be my line, shouldn't it?"
"You're wrong."
Tsunade: "???"
"I've always been showing my true colors."
Tsunade: "..."
One Day Later
One day later, Tōshirō was called to the Hokage's office: "Lord Hokage, you sent for me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then rambled on to Tōshirō about various irrelevant things.
Tōshirō generally understood the gist of it: the front lines were stretched thin, so Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to separate Tōshirō from Tsunade and send him as reinforcement.
With their combined high combat power, if they were tied together for high-difficulty missions, it would be fine. But such missions wouldn't occur frequently.
So, if they were assigned some relatively ordinary missions, keeping them together would be a bit of an overkill.
What Hiruzen Sarutobi said was not without reason.
Tōshirō also found it reasonable.
"But what does that have to do with me?"
"I apologize, Lord Hokage, but I find it difficult to obey."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his dissatisfaction evident. He hadn't expected Tōshirō to outright refuse.
He disguised his displeasure well, a flicker of it passing unnoticed. His expression was genial as he asked for the reason: "Why?"
"It's simple: because I don't want to leave Tsunade's side."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had thought of many reasons, but he hadn't expected it to be so simple.
Tōshirō said earnestly, "For me, Tsunade's safety is above all else."
"But..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to persuade him further, trying to make him reconsider.
Tōshirō deeply loved Tsunade, so it was understandable that he didn't want to see her in danger.
But wasn't he going a bit too far?
Tsunade's strength was considerable. She had managed for so many years; there was no need for Tōshirō to constantly protect her.
Tōshirō interrupted, "Lord Hokage, please say no more. I will not leave Tsunade."
"Have you considered that your actions will lead to many sacrifices?"
"I have, but I still say the same thing: for me, Tsunade outweighs everything."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, "Including the village?"
"Lord Hokage, aren't you being a bit too pedantic?"
Tōshirō refused to answer that critical question.
Even without answering, Tōshirō knew that with what he'd just said, his "harmonious" relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi had reached its end. They had practically torn off the facade.
But he had no choice. That old man, Danzo, was constantly lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to kill Tsunade.
Tōshirō had no time to continue playing the game of pretense with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I have a pot of soup boiling at home; I need to go back and watch it. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now. If Lord Hokage has time, feel free to come to my home for some soup."
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Tōshirō's departing back, his face grim, not saying a word.
In a sense, Tōshirō's action was an act of insubordination.
Normally, when the Hokage personally issued a mission, a ninja had no reason to refuse. Even if there was, they would grimace and go.
Because that's how ninjas were.
Upon receiving a mission, they had to complete it, even if it meant sacrificing their lives. Tōshirō, acting purely on his preferences, was a rare exception.
Or was it because his Sharingan was exposed, so he simply stopped pretending...
Or perhaps he had sensed something?
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly: "This kid has completely played me..."
(End of Chapter)
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