Since Shiki Uzumaki activated the Eight Gates, he could reach the Hokage Office in ten minutes.
Therefore, the commotion caused by Shiki Uzumaki within the village actually only lasted five minutes.
People who aren't Anbu like Kakashi wouldn't have time to report something so quickly—is that really an issue?
Of course, feel free to keep discussing—it helps me as well. Thanks.
Chapter 43 – A Fight That Can't Be Avoided
In an instant, tension spiked—the atmosphere froze completely.
"Cough, cough. Since we're all doing this for the village, let's not be so tense and confrontational," Homura Mitokado said upon seeing the situation, trying to ease the tension.
The Third gave a slight nod, though his expression remained unchanged.
Danzo, on the other hand, lowered his tone while explaining, "This is for Konoha. The Hokage's safety must never be compromised."
Whether it was in the original story or now, Danzo always seemed submissive and hesitant when facing the Third.
He no longer resembled the ruthless man they once knew at all.
No one knew whether it was truly out of guilt or simply part of his scheming nature.
Still, this approach worked somewhat.
Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement with Danzo's opinion. The Hokage was the most important symbol of the village—there couldn't be even the slightest slip-up.
Thus, she opened her mouth, revealing countless wrinkles across her face. "What Danzo says makes sense. We can have Root members capture Uzumaki Shiki first, then bring him in for interrogation. Alternatively, we could directly hand him over to Ibiki."
"No!" The Third cut in sharply, rejecting Koharu's suggestion. Don't mention whether Uzumaki Shiki could survive under Root's control.
Even if they captured him and handed him over to Ibiki, endless torment awaited. How could a child so young endure all that?
Koharu felt slight anger from being interrupted mid-speech but still kept her mouth shut.
The atmosphere cooled again.
On the surface, the Third remained steadfast in his position.
But at the same time, he was also thinking.
After all, Konoha wasn't Root—an autocracy ruled by one person.
Furthermore, quarreling with Koharu Utatane and Danzo would be extremely unwise.
Plus, although he instinctively suspected this whole matter might be another of Danzo's schemes, on the surface at least, things were clearly heading toward being unfavorable for Uzumaki Shiki.
If this time around he really had defected from Konoha, wouldn't that wound both Homura's and Koharu's hearts?
As he hesitated, Homura Mitokado once again presented his suggestion.
"Well then, judging from Uzumaki Shiki's current actions, he seems headed toward the Hokage Office. Even if he really comes to assassinate the Hokage, let us at least allow you to speak a few words with him should he successfully make it here."
This suggestion was undoubtedly the least favorable option, but under the circumstances, it appeared to be the only one available.
Upon hearing this, Danzo's feelings were mixed—half-pleased, half-worried.
Pleased because finally achieving his goal meant there was absolutely no way Uzumaki Shiki could make it here.
After all, besides Fu Yamanaka, Root had other Jonin within Konoha as well—Torune Aburame, for instance. Aburame himself was the true genius of the clan.
The concern was that the genius he had his eyes on had ultimately still died.
Hokage's jaw moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something else. But in the end, he remained silent.
Well, everything went smoothly!
Looking at the changing buildings around him, Shiki couldn't help but feel delighted.
In just two more minutes, he would reach the Hokage Office.
Perhaps his luck truly was—
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Shiki's pupils suddenly contracted.
Ten or so Anbu had appeared before him, seemingly waiting here all along.
"As I suspected, things were never going to go smoothly."
With a sigh, Shiki stopped moving. The chakra from the Eight Gates instantly subsided.
Even for him, his meridians could no longer withstand such an overload.
Inside his body, the Life Gate, Healing Gate, and again the Life Gate were nearly collapsing.
But it might also have been due to extreme exhaustion, because Shiki could actually feel every inch of muscle and every meridian within his body rapidly recovering—becoming even stronger. Some areas felt like parched deserts, soaking up every last drop of rain.
Leaning forward with his hands on his knees, Shiki breathed heavily. Sweat had long since soaked through all his clothes.
The Anbu said nothing, silently making hand seals and drawing their swords. They were quietly preparing to do what they did most often.
This time, no one even tried to talk Shiki Uzumaki out of anything.
They weren't good at persuasion to begin with, but previous orders included it, so they did it—reluctantly.
Until Yamanaka Fu issued new orders, shifting them back to what they were most familiar with.
Killing.
Still panting, Shiki Uzumaki lifted his head. For a split second, he thought about dodging past these Anbu.
But thanks to his strong sensor ability, he had already sensed more Anbu appearing to his left, right, and even behind him.
He had already been surrounded!
A few passersby approached and upon witnessing the scene, immediately scream and run away.
"Take him down—now!"
Some voice rang out coldly from somewhere unknown.
But for Shiki Uzumaki, it no longer mattered.
Because everyone standing before him was now his enemy.
Shiki lifted his head, speaking in a low voice. "Listen up. Either you step aside right now… or I'll carve my way through your corpses!"
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