The last remaining Root ninja watched as his comrade fell, his scalp tingling with fear.
Especially when Danzo's gaze landed on him, making him feel like he might be next.
Terrified, he quickly explained to Danzo.
"It wasn't us Root ninja who did it!"
"It was Uchiha Kaito—he was practicing Lightning Release under a power line and got electrocuted!"
Danzo: ?
The Root ninja spoke at breakneck speed, as if delaying even a second would mean joining his fallen colleague.
Danzo's eye twitched slightly as he stared at the recently deceased subordinate. He remained silent for a full three minutes, leaving the Root ninja in front of him drenched in sweat.
"Take him away…"
The Root ninja instantly relaxed, lifting the corpse with unprecedented speed and rushing toward the door.
Just as he was about to exit, Danzo added.
"Oh, and increase the bereavement compensation."
After seeing off his subordinate, Danzo sat on the edge of his bed, his expression oddly contemplative.
Honestly.
For Fugaku's son to die so suddenly—it really did seem like something the Root would do.
But upon hearing that Uchiha Kaito had gone to practice Lightning Release under a power line again, Danzo suddenly felt at ease.
That kid dying under a power line…..
He wasn't the least bit surprised.
Still, after a moment's thought, Danzo grabbed his cane and hurried toward the Hokage's office.
Uchiha Fugaku…..
He might very well try to pin this on me. Danzo had indeed considered killing Fugaku's son, but such a clumsy method…..
It was downright insulting.
Worse, the Uchiha clan might even use this as an excuse to strike against Konoha!
With that in mind, Danzo limped toward the Hokage's office, each step aggravating his wounds and triggering violent coughs…..
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage puffed incessantly on his pipe, his brow furrowed as he studied two intelligence reports.
[Akasuna no Sasori, S-rank missing-nin from Sunagakure, grandson of Chiyo. Last seen in the Land of Iron...]
[Kakuzu, S-rank missing-nin from Takigakure. Three days ago, he rampaged through hot springs and gambling dens in the Land of Hot Water, amassing vast wealth...]
Both were S-rank missing-nin, and both were connected to the mysterious Akatsuki Organization.
The Third sat in silence, utterly stumped.
One thing did worry him, though.
He didn't care much about Sasori's talk of creating human Puppets—that was Sunagakure's problem to handle.
But Kakuzu was another matter entirely.
The Daimyō of the Land of Fire had mentioned Kakuzu's name six times already, subtly expressing concern over whether the rogue ninja might bring his rampage to their borders.
Though the Daimyō's tone was casual, the Third knew it was a warning: such incidents must never happen in the Land of Fire.
Otherwise…..
Konoha's funding this year might take a serious hit.
"Kakashi, what do you make of this?"
The Third glanced at the masked ANBU before him, his voice gravelly as he sought the young man's opinion.
Kakashi shook his head, offering no comment.Aside from completing the tasks assigned by the Third Hokage, all he wanted now was to go home and lie down.
"Forget it…"
The Third Hokage pursed his lips and sighed helplessly, effectively dropping the subject.
"How's the investigation into Uchiha Kaito's case going?"
"Was it Danzo's doing?"
At this point, Kakashi's usually indifferent eyes flickered slightly, though with a hint of something odd.
"It wasn't Danzo."
"The kid died under an electric pole…"
"Honestly, it wasn't entirely unexpected."
For three minutes after Kakashi's answer, the Hokage's office fell into silence.
After what felt like an eternity, the Third Hokage finally spoke, his voice heavy with concern.
"Have warning signs posted on all electric poles in the village."
"To prevent such tragedies from happening again."
The Third wasn't worried about other kids—Fugaku's youngest son probably wouldn't go near electric poles for training after this.
But…
He was genuinely afraid Naruto might pull some prank under one. Death aside, what if the Nine-Tails got electrocuted and broke free…?
The Leaf Village would suffer all over again.
"Hn."
Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment before turning to leave the office. There were things he hadn't told the Third.
About Uchiha Kaito's death…
Something felt off.
That night, he'd been reading in a tree as usual, figuring the kid wasn't worth monitoring closely. He hadn't paid much attention.
Then, in less than three minutes… a charred corpse appeared beneath the pole.
"Tch."
Kakashi shook off the thought with a sigh. Before he knew it, he'd arrived at a flower shop.
After buying a few bouquets, he headed straight for the cemetery to visit his fallen comrades and mentor.
There, Sasuke stood motionless before Kaito's grave, two ninja swords strapped to his waist.
Kakashi, who happened to be passing by, found himself pausing beside the boy.
He placed a bouquet on the tombstone.
"You… knew him?"
Sasuke's gaze remained fixed, his voice cold as he spoke.
Loss had a way of forcing maturity.
Not a trace of his former naivety remained. Kakashi couldn't help but take a second look at the kid standing before him.
"Sort of." Kakashi replied lazily before slowly walking away.
"Cheer up, kid. As a shinobi… you'll have to get used to losing family, friends, even your teachers."
His voice drifted back from the distance—whether meant for Sasuke or himself, it was hard to say.
"Kaito! I swear I'll get stronger!"
"I swear it!"
Long after, Sasuke stood before the grave, making a solemn vow to his brother.
That man's talk of accepting death? He'd never learn to do that.
At six years old, Sasuke swore to himself he'd become stronger than anyone—strong enough to protect his brother, his father, his mother.
So no one would ever be taken from him again…
One week later.
Having just returned from an anti-vice mission in the Land of Lightning, Kaito strolled leisurely through the woods, complaining to Runtu.
"What?!"
"Training?? Can't I take one day off after working so hard?!"
"Another brothel trip…"
"My feet are sore from all that massaging!"
Runtu felt like rolling his eyes.
Yesterday, you were the one who asked me to supervise your training. Now you're blaming me??
"Bastard!"Runtu angrily retorted before burrowing back into the backpack.
Meanwhile, Kaito was sprinting through the forest, clutching a sheepskin scroll in his hand. Displayed on it was...
"Sealing Records of the Senju Clan"
He definitely hadn't packed this item before departure. Clearly, it must have been placed there by his old man.
The odds are in my favor...
So that's what he meant?
Fugaku, I'm starting to appreciate you.
Seeing the Uchiha clan emblem marked on the map, Kaito quickened his pace.
By the grace of Uchiha's revered ancestor...
This unworthy descendant needs your power!
...
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