Chapter 39 – Meeting the Third Hokage
"This guy… she's actually worried about me." A wry smile appeared on Izaya's face as she left, and he temporarily pushed aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind to seriously consider what would happen next.
According to the original Naruto plot, Uchiha Itachi would return to the village after completing this mission and begin the annihilation plan after teaching Uchiha Sasuke shurikenjutsu for the last time. From the perspective of the entire incident, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, didn't seem to realize this and still believed he could resolve the matter through negotiation. But in reality… was that truly the case?
"Does the Third Hokage want me to be involved in this matter?" Suddenly, a strange thought emerged in Izaya's mind. After all, in the original story, Uchiha Itachi was tormented between Danzō and his clan, with no allies… Now it was completely different. There was one more person: himself.
"Is this the variable?" Izaya murmured… "No! The Third Hokage only mentioned Uchiha Itachi's name and would never think my relationship with Itachi has reached the level of allies." "Therefore… calling me there must be for another reason?"
After some thought, Izaya still couldn't figure out why the Third Hokage would want to see him at such a tense time. But Izaya wasn't panicked. At least, whether from the original plot or the current situation, going to meet the Third Hokage definitely wasn't a dangerous matter!
Thinking this, Izaya hesitated no longer. After glancing at the distant Hokage Building, he walked straight over…
Meanwhile, at the Root headquarters.
In the darkness, Danzō slowly emerged. The two Root ninja before him immediately bowed their heads, full of respect.
"Uchiha Itachi has been out of the village for a few days…" Danzō looked disdainfully at the two men before him and asked in a seemingly casual tone.
"A few days," a Root chūnin immediately replied.
"Sending Uchiha Itachi on a mission at a time like this…" Upon hearing his subordinate's answer, a shadow of gloom crossed Danzō's face. "What exactly are you planning, Hiruzen…" he muttered to himself, then suppressed his pensive expression and continued emotionlessly, "When Uchiha Itachi returns to the village, have him see me immediately. That matter cannot be delayed any longer…"
"Yes!" Upon hearing Danzō's order, the two Root chūnin immediately straightened up. Just then, a black figure suddenly materialized from the shadows. Without a sound, it appeared directly behind Danzō and said faintly, "Lord Danzō, just now, Lord Hokage sent Mitarashi Anko to summon Izaya to the Hokage Building…"
"Izaya?!" Hearing this name, Danzō was taken aback.
Seeing this, the subordinate immediately explained, "It's that kid we were monitoring before, my lord…"
"So it's him…" Danzō nodded, his expression unreadable. He muttered to himself, "That waste…" "Why would Hiruzen want to see him…" A trace of doubt flickered in Danzō's weary eyes.
After pacing for a long moment, Danzō spoke again, "Don't mind him. Continue the surveillance. He's just an irrelevant waste. The most important thing now is to monitor the Uchiha clan…"
"Understood!" the three men before him responded immediately.
Danzō simply waved his hand, signaling them to leave. Root ninja come and go swiftly. As Danzō finished waving, the three men vanished instantly, and Danzō disappeared back into the shadows…
"I never expected the Hokage Building to be this far…" Looking at the Hokage Building ahead, Izaya felt somewhat helpless. After a random complaint, he went straight upstairs and arrived at the door of the Hokage's office.
Seeing the door was unlocked, Izaya knocked softly and said directly, "Is Gramps Hokage in? If you are, I'm coming in."
"The door's open, come in." Following Izaya's knock, a deep, aged voice reached his ears.
"Okay!" Without hesitation, Izaya pushed the door open and entered…
The moment Izaya stepped inside, he felt a powerful aura emanating from the Third Hokage, who sat quietly at the Hokage's desk! Clearly, only Izaya and the Third Hokage were in the office, yet Izaya felt an inexplicable sense of pressure.
"Whew!" After taking a deep breath, Izaya managed to return to a normal state, then immediately asked the Third Hokage, "Gramps Hokage, did you need something from me today?"
Camouflage. It was Izaya's tactic. Although in the original Naruto story, the Third Hokage's character had been criticized for being too kind, even somewhat naive—such as sparing Danzō after an assassination attempt before becoming Hokage for the first time, or letting his student Orochimaru go after he was discovered conducting human experiments in Konoha—Hiruzen Sarutobi had done many such things. But… Izaya would never be foolish enough to believe that the person holding the highest authority in a village would only act that way. At least not toward an ordinary Konoha civilian…
That's why Izaya intended to use his youth and apparent innocence as a disguise, hoping to lower the guard of the so-called "Professor" before him… But… as an inexplicable smile flickered in the Third Hokage's eyes, Izaya realized this plan was rash and useless…
"Izaya." "Huh?" Seeing the Third Hokage initiate the conversation, Izaya was taken aback, then asked in a confused tone, "What is it, Gramps Hokage?"
"I heard you haven't been to the Ninja Academy all this time?" The Third Hokage didn't directly state the specific reason for summoning Izaya but first asked why he hadn't attended the academy in the past half month…
"This…" Clearly, the Third Hokage's question surprised Izaya. He never expected the Third Hokage to ask him such a thing! Why hadn't he gone to the Ninja Academy? Because Izaya had forgotten! From the first day of his transmigration, Izaya never once thought about going to the Ninja Academy. Coupled with encountering Uchiha Itachi, Danzō, and others, Izaya had completely forgotten about it…
"How should I answer…" Instantly, Izaya felt an inexplicable pressure in his heart…