Naruto: An Informant from the Uchiha

Uchiha Yun had not yet graduated; he was merely a third-year student who had only been in the Ninja Academy for just over a month.

Students of the Academy were not actual ninjas. Things like a ninja registration number or a forehead protector were only issued after official graduation.

And since Yun wasn't a ninja, Root didn't have any legitimate authority over him. While they might do certain things in secret, publicly, they had no grounds to detain Konoha villagers for interrogation.

"The identity and operations of Root have always been little known in the village," said Minato, glancing at Shisui. "And if I remember correctly, village policing falls under the jurisdiction of the Uchiha Police Force."

Bang!

A cane struck the floor with force.

Danzo raised his head and stared dangerously at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

"One of Root's shinobi is dead! Two others are critically wounded!"

Whoosh whoosh,

Just as he finished speaking, several members of the medical squad rushed in, immediately tending to the injured Root members.

The squad leader bowed to Minato.

"We came as soon as we received the message, Lord Fourth."

Minato nodded.

"Take them back for emergency surgery right away. Their injuries are quite serious."

As he spoke, he glanced briefly at Yun.

This scene clearly angered Danzo. He lifted his cane and blocked the medical ninjas from moving the injured.

"Someone will be here shortly to retrieve them."

Minato frowned slightly.

"They're the only two survivors. Their memories could help reconstruct what happened."

Danzo's eyes narrowed as he stared at Minato.

"The minds of Root members cannot be casually searched… Do you, Lord Fourth, think you can unlock them?"

This reminded Minato of something: Root operatives were all branded with special curse seals. They could die, but they wouldn't reveal secrets.

But no one could search them freely?

So Root had already become Danzo's personal force.

In Konoha, the Anbu black ops were supposed to report only to the Hokage, like the Third and himself.

But Danzo…

"Lord Fourth, the survivors don't only include those two Root members. That Uchiha brat should also be handed over to Root for memory inspection," Danzo said in a dark tone.

But Minato shook his head calmly.

"The 'Seal of Tongue Eradication' isn't unbreakable. I believe I'm still capable enough when it comes to sealing techniques."

"Besides, Root has no authority to interrogate Konoha villagers. If I recall correctly, Root's function is merely to train Anbu directly under the Hokage. And since they are mine to command, "

"I, Namikaze Minato, am the Fourth Hokage!"

His voice echoed with force.

Danzo glared at the young Hokage in front of him. This declaration struck a nerve. Minato had never been this assertive before.

Clutching his cane tightly, Danzo thought back to the past…

'If only…'

'If Hiruzen hadn't taken the position…'

'If I had just spoken up sooner…'

'Then I would have become the Hokage.'

'Only I could've made Konoha stronger and more prosperous!'

"Those two Root members are yours to deal with. I expect an explanation. That brat killed a Root operative; someone must pay the price!"

Bang!

His cane struck the floor again, and Danzo led his group away.

As his figure faded, Danzo's voice echoed one last time:

"Fourth… you don't understand the evil of the Uchiha. One day, you'll regret it. Everything I've done is for the sake of Konoha."

Even after Danzo disappeared from sight, Minato's expression remained grave.

Shisui glanced at Minato and said,

"Since the time of the Third, Root has been nominally responsible for training Anbu. But those guys just now…"

There was no need to finish the sentence, Minato understood. Those Root shinobi clearly didn't show any respect for him as Hokage.

That meant Danzo had turned Root into his personal Anbu. But that authority belonged to the Hokage…

"Shisui…"

"Yes, Lord Fourth?"

"You've grown a lot in these past two years."

Shisui scratched his head with a grin.

"I've learned a lot following you. It's only natural I've grown."

Minato smiled, then turned to the calm and composed Yun.

"I've heard Shisui mention you many times. I've become quite curious, Uchiha Yun, can you tell me how you managed to do it?"

Thanks to Shisui serving as a link between them, the Uchiha clan and the Fourth Hokage had been on the same side for the past two years. There was no need to dance around the issue anymore.

And whether Minato recognized those attackers as Root or not, he obviously did.

What he was really asking about was Yun's power.

Yun lifted his head slightly. His Sharingan activated instantly. The three tomoe rotated slowly, forming a shuriken-like pattern in his eyes.

"A second Mangekyō Sharingan, huh? With eyes like that, it's no wonder you handled those two Root shinobi so easily."

Minato was visibly surprised. Though he had heard much about Yun from Shisui, he hadn't expected someone so young to wield Mangekyō-level power.

"For the next few days, it's best if you stay within the Uchiha compound. Shisui told me you mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu early, use one to attend school in your place."

Yun nodded.

"There won't be trouble because of this, right?"

Minato frowned.

"Killing Root shinobi is technically a serious matter. But thanks to Shisui's work these past two years, many in the elite jonin ranks are his allies. So…"

There were many things Minato knew about Yun, but he didn't say them outright. Shisui, however, clearly trusted Yun.

So Shisui spoke up:

"There will be a lot of trouble, but two things matter most: the stance of Konoha's various clans, and the attitude of the Third. If either one supports us, we can suppress the opposition."

Minato let out a long breath and chuckled bitterly.

"Shisui, saying that kind of makes me sound like a useless Hokage."

Shisui bowed slightly.

"Not at all, Lord Fourth. We've already secured the majority in the elite jonin corps. And the Third Hokage has always trusted you."

Minato smiled awkwardly.

The Third… his trust didn't just extend to him.

Just as what he had said back then, the Third's "trust" in old comrades like Danzo and his disciple Orochimaru had long since become indulgence.

If things continued like this…

Then he might have no choice…