Naruto, are you all so good at self-seduction

"Are you still adapting well in Root?" Hiruzen looked at Kanzuki and spoke.

"It's the same as always, just carrying out missions." Kanzuki said, kneeling down on the cushion in front of the desk.

The study had two large bookshelves; one held many books, the other many scrolls, and behind Hiruzen hung several calligraphy paintings.

"Just missions..." Hiruzen chuckled lightly, "You're completely uninterested in the content of the missions? Only caring about the missions themselves."

"Being interested, what can it change?" Kanzuki said calmly.

Hiruzen's gaze shifted slightly, sensing something, "What are you referring to?"

Kanzuki just shook his head, "Isn't it the Hokage like you who decides everything, the one who issues the missions?"

Silence.

Hiruzen's gaze lingered on Kanzuki for a while, but the boy in front of him remained as usual, obediently lowering his head without meeting his eyes.

"What brings you to see me?" Hiruzen asked.

Kanzuki raised his head, his eyes as calm as lake water, and he said.

"My friend is going to die."

"Your friend?" Hiruzen was somewhat surprised.

"Ah, will you save him, Lord Hokage?" Kanzuki continued.

Hiruzen pondered for a moment before saying: "Is it Shisui? What's wrong with him?"

"Someone wants to kill him."

"Oh? Who?"

"People who are afraid of him."

"..."

Hiruzen was suddenly stunned, his fingers involuntarily trembling slightly. He silently took out his pipe and tapped it on the table.

"Is this why you came to find me?" he said.

"Shisui is part of Konohagakure. No one will kill him."

"The Uchiha Clan is also part of Konohagakure, right? And now they've been driven to a dead end." Kanzuki said instead.

"Did you hear these things from Shisui?" Hiruzen asked.

"Is that important? Lord Hokage, are you still doubting which side Shisui is really on?" Kanzuki calmly countered.

Hiruzen didn't speak again, but lit his pipe, sitting cross-legged there, beginning to puff out clouds of smoke.

The study became quiet, and through the door, faint sounds of laughter from Konohamaru and Asuma in the living room could be heard.

"Oboro, you surprise me." Hiruzen said slowly, his tone flat, looking through the hazy smoke at the kneeling boy.

"These matters are not for you to inquire about."

"And what I can tell you is that the village will not mistreat anyone, as long as they hold the proper loyalty to Konohagakure. Acts of rebellion are absolutely unforgivable. The village has given everyone a chance; whether they cherish it is their own choice."

"Given a chance..." Kanzuki murmured softly, unable to help but chuckle lightly.

So that's how it is.

"I'm not thinking of meddling in the Uchiha Clan's affairs. I just want to know, for Shisui who has already shown his loyalty to the village and bared everything, can you guarantee his safety?" Kanzuki said slowly.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, "Are you threatening me?"

"If Shisui is truly loyal to Konohagakure without doubt, who would harm him?"

"Do you think it's me?"

Kanzuki shook his head, "No."

"I'm afraid someone might go against your will, act against Shisui in private, and then wave the banner of righteousness to force you to acknowledge their actions as correct."

"I'm afraid that at that time, as the Hokage, you would have no choice but to stand on the side of righteousness."

Hiruzen's gaze flickered again and again as he looked at Kanzuki, "So what do you want?"

Kanzuki also raised his head to meet his gaze. The smoke drifting between their eyes slowly dissipated; one gaze was flat, the other dead silent.

"How about blood for blood?" Kanzuki suddenly said.

"If Shisui dies, then drag out the mastermind and repay Shisui's death with their life."

Hiruzen's expression remained unmoved, "You think Shisui will definitely die?"

"He has my special permission and is working hard on the matters between the village and the Uchiha Clan. The village has always wanted to mend the rift with the Uchiha Clan; who wouldn't want to see that?"

Kanzuki looked at Hiruzen and asked: "In the current situation, can the village and the Uchiha Clan truly reconcile?"

Hiruzen said faintly: "You seem to see things very clearly."

"Just the perspective of an outsider." Kanzuki said.

"An outsider? I wish I could be an outsider too." Hiruzen smiled faintly, then tapped his pipe on the table again.

He then restrained his smile and said slowly: "Shisui said he could do it, and I believe him."

"Yes, he can do it." Kanzuki also said, "But after this incident is resolved, what is the village willing to do for the Uchiha Clan?"

Hiruzen said faintly, "Does Konohagakure owe the Uchiha Clan?"

"In the Nine-Tails Incident back then, the Uchiha Clan was implicated, and it's still unclear. The village not thoroughly investigating the matter was already the greatest leniency."

"And now they've harbored rebellious intentions, yet the village is still willing to forgive them. What more could the Uchiha Clan hope for?"

Hiruzen exhaled the last puff of smoke and set the pipe aside.

After a long while, Kanzuki let out a soft sigh.

"Yes, the village holds righteousness; who can topple righteousness?"

After saying that, Kanzuki lowered his head again, his eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Hiruzen watched him quietly.

He said: "Is it for your friend?"

"...Ah."

"In the past events, you suffered injustice. I'm willing to step forward and clear your name. Rest assured, I'll also ensure Shinkouji Sen and Sakuramiya Haruka receive the hero treatment they deserve." Hiruzen said slowly.

"It's been so long; who still remembers." Kanzuki said faintly.

"As heroes of the war, people won't forget." Hiruzen said.

"You've gone this far for Sen and Haruka; your deep feelings for friends are admirable and comforting to me. I can understand why you'd confront me for Shisui's sake."

"Shisui is lucky to have a friend like you. The bond between you is also an important part of the Will of Fire."

"Lord Hokage." Kanzuki suddenly spoke again at this moment.

"What is it?"

"I really hate it when you bring them up."

Hiruzen was suddenly stunned, then furrowed his brows: "What did you say?"

Kanzuki raised his head at this moment, his originally clear and indifferent face now covered in ice-coldness.

"Are you using them as bargaining chips?"

Hiruzen's face darkened slightly, his aura gradually releasing: "Oboro, do you know what you're saying?"

"The Hokage's patience has its limits."

And in that instant, Asuma's voice from the living room suddenly stopped.

Kanzuki showed no fear, the mockery on his face growing stronger.

"You're clearly speaking kind words to me, but why is your favorability dropping bit by bit?"

"The System's numbers don't lie. I've said so many overstepping words to you; if it weren't for fearing that I might ignite the bombs of Shisui and the Uchiha Clan during this sensitive time, I imagine Anbu would have already rushed in to arrest me."

Hiruzen furrowed his brows tightly, his face stern: "What exactly are you talking about?"

"Yes, what am I talking about..." Kanzuki murmured, lowering his head as if lost in a daze.

"How could you possibly understand? From the beginning, there was no need to waste so many words with you."

And when Kanzuki raised his head again, Hiruzen was horrified to realize that in those originally ordinary black eyes, there was now a pair of eerie four-bladed pinwheel patterns slowly rotating.

Gender: Male

Age: 64

Favorability...

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