The four highest decision-makers of Konoha were gathered today — truly a rare sight.
"Tianyu, I heard from Mitarashi Anko's report… You fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the scroll in his hand, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yeah. We fought." Tian Yu nodded.
"Then why didn't you arrest him?!"
Before Sarutobi could press further, Shimura Danzō rose from his seat, his voice sharp and accusing.
"Orochimaru is an S-class missing-nin who betrayed Konoha!
Such a dangerous man appears inside our territory, and you let him escape?!
This mission was a complete failure! Do you understand that?!"
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances and nodded in support of Danzō's criticism.
"Oh, Lord Danzō… such a majestic official~"
Tian Yu's tone dripped with open mockery.
The corner of his mouth curled into a cold smile as he looked straight at Danzō.
"Mission failed? When did I ever say I was tasked with capturing Orochimaru?
The assignment I received was to serve as chief examiner for the second stage of the Chūnin Exams.
And besides—if you're so determined to remove an 'unstable factor' like him, why not catch him yourself? I wouldn't dream of stealing your glory~"
He even lifted his right hand in a mock "please, go ahead" gesture toward Danzō.
Faces darkened around the table.
They could see it clearly now—Tian Yu's power had risen to the level once held by the White Fang of Konoha.
But unlike Sakumo Hatake, Tian Yu felt no deep loyalty to the system… and he was no easy target to manipulate.
Capture Orochimaru? When he defected years ago, his strength had already surpassed theirs.
If they tried now, they might as well serve themselves to Manda as a meal.
Koharu's jaw tightened. "Tian Yu, as a shinobi of Konoha, your duty is to protect the village. Yet you deliberately let Orochimaru go. What was your motive?!"
Oh? Trying to pin a crime on me now?
Tian Yu almost laughed aloud. These elders were masters at twisting words.
"You misunderstand~ I barely even know Orochimaru. How could I have 'deliberately' let him go?
Besides, how is a single jōnin supposed to capture someone like him?
To guarantee success, surely the elders themselves must act!
An opportunity for such great merit—I wouldn't dare snatch it from you.
After all, since you became Konoha's elders, it's not as if you've had many achievements to your names…
The villagers might start thinking you just sit around and eat all day."
The sarcasm was razor-sharp. Koharu and Homura's faces flushed with anger.
He was openly calling them dead weight.
"Don't think that strength alone lets you do whatever you please!" Homura snapped.
"Otherwise what—leave it to the weak to do as they please?" Tian Yu's smirk deepened. "Sorry, my lords… I don't eat that kind of filth."
"What did you say?!" Homura's eyes went wide.
"Times have changed, sir." Tian Yu's smile was broad, but his gaze was ice.
Danzō cut in, voice low but intense. "Why can a Konoha shinobi use Ice Release—a kekkei genkai unknown in this land? Where did that blade you carry come from?"
After their last encounter, and from the intelligence he'd gathered, Danzō was convinced Tian Yu's power came from that sword.
If he could obtain it, perhaps his own strength could reach—or surpass—the Kage level.
"Lord Danzō," Tian Yu replied smoothly, "the world of a prodigy isn't something the mediocre can grasp.
And a word of advice—stop coveting what belongs to others, or you may find yourself losing more than you gain."
Danzō's expression darkened, his intent to kill barely hidden. The insult was obvious—and the warning even more so.
In the span of minutes, Tian Yu had cut down all three elders verbally, leaving them without an opening to retaliate.
Even the ANBU hidden in the shadows had no pretext to move against him.
"Lord Hokage, is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave."
Seeing Hiruzen remain silent, Tian Yu turned and walked out.
"Sarutobi, you're just going to let him go?" Danzō barked. His plan to provoke action against Tian Yu had failed.
"Orochimaru is still at large in the village," Hiruzen replied coolly. "He could strike Konoha at any time. And now you want me to punish the one person with a chance of stopping him?
Tell me, Danzō—when he attacks again, will you be the one to face him?"
The jab silenced Danzō instantly. The elders' style had always been to send subordinates into danger while they remained behind.
Right now, apart from the Hokage himself, Tian Yu was the only shinobi in Konoha with a realistic chance against Orochimaru.
Both Hiruzen and Danzō suspected Tian Yu was behind the Shimura clan fire, but without proof, and with his power growing at a pace beyond expectation, he was becoming impossible to control.
Hiruzen wanted to curb him—but before he could act, Orochimaru had returned, forcing the Hokage's hand.
Konoha's roster of elite talents had thinned badly in recent years. For now, they had to rely on Tian Yu, whatever his attitude.
Tian Yu's family, his sister Tenten, and his business ties were all rooted in Konoha. Even if he felt little loyalty to Hiruzen personally, when the village faced crisis, he would still defend it.
That was enough to serve the Hokage's strategy—using Tian Yu as a counterbalance to Orochimaru until the crisis passed.
Later, when stability returned, Hiruzen knew the levers he could pull.
Tenten, their parents—ordinary villagers stood no chance against the Hokage's will.
No matter how strong Tian Yu became, eventually, he would be forced to heel.
The abacus in Hiruzen's mind clicked away, and Koharu and Homura, comrades of fifty years, understood at once, nodding.
Danzō remained silent, his face like stone, already plotting his next move.
End of Chapter.
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