"Esteemed ANBU, I…"
Sasuke's heart raced. Afraid that Mr. Uesugi would be misunderstood, she hurriedly stepped in front of the ANBU and tried to explain.
However, the ANBU vanished in a flicker of movement—Shunshin no Jutsu—and reappeared right in front of Uchiha Sogetsu.
"Are you Uesugi Koeru from Takigakure?"
The ANBU, wearing a dog-faced mask, spoke with a low, raspy voice, staying cautious and alert the entire time.
"That's right. I am."
Uchiha Sogetsu remained calm and composed. "You must be from Konoha's ANBU, correct? May I ask why you're here to see me?"
"So here's the thing — the Hokage has invited you to the Hokage Office for a discussion," the Anbu said respectfully, showing no sign of discrimination despite Sogetsu being from a small village.
"I see. That's perfect, I was hoping to meet the Third Hokage anyway."
Uchiha Sogetsu smiled gently as he slowly stood up from the ground. "Please trouble yourself to lead the way, Anbu."
"Mr. Uesugi..."
Sasuke looked at him with a hint of worry.
"It's alright, don't worry, Sasuke."
Sogetsu gave her a reassuring smile, then reached out to pat her head. "Think carefully about what I just told you. When I return, I'll be checking your training progress."
"Understood, Mr. Uesugi."
Sasuke's worried expression faded as she nodded firmly.
"I'll train hard — I'll be waiting for you to come back!"
Hokage Building.
Staring at the building, which looked almost the same as in his memories, Uchiha Sogetsu fell into deep thought.
There was a time when he was the owner of this building, but sadly, before he even settled in, he had to give it up again.
"Mr. Uesugi, the Hokage is waiting for you on the third floor."
The Anbu who guided him stopped at the door and turned to speak.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Uchiha Sogetsu smiled and nodded, then stepped inside.
Even after all these years, the Hokage Building still looked familiar. On the first floor, the mission hall was packed with lower ninjas coming to pick up tasks, along with accompanying higher-ranking ninjas.
At a glance, most of the faces were unfamiliar. The people who were well-known in the original story were almost nowhere to be seen.
Uchiha Sogetsu walked up the stairs to the third floor.
The Anbu standing at the door were still unfamiliar faces. Although they wore masks, their presence couldn't stop his keen observation.
In the past, Elephant was supposed to be the one responsible for the Third Hokage's safety, the most trusted bodyguard. Important positions like this wouldn't be easily replaced.
After all, it involved security matters. But now, the position that should have belonged to Elephant was taken by a completely unfamiliar Anbu.
Could it be that Elephant died in battle?
"Are you the Jōnin from Takigakure, Uesugi Koeru?"
The cold gaze of the Anbu landed on him. After a careful inspection, the Anbu spoke in a low voice: "The Hokage has been waiting for you for a long time. Please enter."
"Alright."
Uchiha Sogetsu remained indifferent, lifting his leg and walking past the Anbu.
The door creaked open. The furnishings in the Hokage's office had been completely replaced. While it still looked simple at first glance, the details were vastly different.
For example, the old wooden floor and walls had been completely swapped out, replaced with a deeper shade of redwood.
The entire office style was clearly designed with great care, exuding a sense of understated luxury, almost flaunting it subtly.
The chair, once hard and uncomfortable, had also been replaced with a much more comfortable one.
The Hokage's desk, which used to be cluttered with papers, now sat empty, save for an exquisite tea set and a few jade ornaments.
As for the small door beside it, it had been turned into a study, connecting to an adjacent office.
Inside, the room was filled with all the ninja techniques and forbidden arts passed down through Konoha's generations, including the 'Scroll of Seals,' which lay quietly within.
At that moment, the elderly Third Hokage, with his white hair, came out from the small door, holding a pipe, and sat in the comfortable chair, his wrinkled face breaking into a warm smile.
"You must be the Jonin from Takigakure here for the Chunin Exams, Uesugi Koeru, right?"
Uchiha Sogetsu looked at the Third Hokage, sitting comfortably in the chair, puffing on his pipe with a smile on his face. A slight curve formed at the corner of his lips.
Interesting. Things were getting more and more intriguing.
He nodded slightly. "Yes, Lord Third, I am Uesugi Koeru, a Jonin from Takigakure."
"Hm, I've looked over your files. They're impressive," the Third Hokage said as he casually flipped through the papers. His wrinkled face showed more signs of a smile.
"Not bad. The younger generation is becoming more and more impressive."
Uchiha Sogetsu didn't care to play games. He summoned a virtual persona and had it sit next to him, lounging in the chair with legs crossed, adopting an attitude of simply watching the show.
"Lord Third, may I ask why you suddenly called me here? Is there something you need?" the virtual persona asked with a 'fake' smile.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious," the Third Hokage reassured him with a smile, puffing on his pipe and blowing out a ring of smoke.
"I received the report from the Anbu about what happened yesterday. I must apologize for what you all went through. I promise, nothing like that will happen again during the Chunin Exams."
Despite the seemingly sincere apology, Uchiha Sogetsu couldn't help but smile.
They were both old foxes. What was this "talking about ghosts" game he was playing in front of him?
It's such a trivial matter, does the village leader really need to apologize?
Besides, it happened just yesterday. With the speed at which the Anbu gather intelligence, this must have been reported immediately. Why choose today to apologize?
"There's no need for Lord Hokage to worry about such small matters. Moreover, we weren't injured, and I'm sure the Sand ninja have learned their lesson and will behave much more obediently," the Virtual Persona said, pretending to be unaware, eager to see what the 'Third Hokage' was really up to.
"It's my duty as the Hokage. I have an obligation to protect everyone who participates in the Chunin Exams."
The Third Hokage smiled, then casually asked, "By the way, did they only send two people from Takigakure this time?"
"Heh, you should know, Takigakure is very small," the Virtual Persona said. "In the entire village, the only one qualified to participate in the Chunin Exams is Erii. As for me... well, it's better not to mention it."
"Don't be modest. In my eyes, every village is equal!"
The Third Hokage continued to play the emotional card, then subtly added, "Uesugi... that surname is rather rare. According to the Anbu's report, the talent of that child really shocked me. I wonder if it's Takigakure's secret ninjutsu?"
This question was a bit offensive, after all, secret ninjutsu was the greatest secret of any ninja village.
But the Third Hokage still asked it.
The Virtual Persona pretended to hesitate for a moment, then with a bitter expression, said, "Lord Hokage, to be honest, it's not a secret ninjutsu. To be precise... that child underwent a sudden bloodline mutation and awakened a Kekkei Genkai."
"Oh? A Kekkei Genkai?" A hint of caution flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes.
"Yes, a Kekkei Genkai." The Virtual Persona nodded. "Actually, this wasn't something I should have revealed, but... we're very grateful for the help you've given to Takigakure all these years, so it's no trouble telling you. It's a Wind and Water attribute Kekkei Genkai called 'Void Release.'"
"Void Release?"
The Third Hokage was stunned.
"Yes, it allows the user to control airflow within a certain range and create cutting attacks." The Virtual Persona continued to fabricate the story.
After all, based on the performance alone, it did seem to match the description, and no one in the Hokage world could prove otherwise.
"A very impressive Kekkei Genkai. It seems Takigakure is about to rise."
The Third Hokage smiled insincerely, then said, "Well then, I look forward to your performance in this Chunin Exam."
"Of course, Lord Hokage."
The Virtual Persona laughed in return.
Sitting off to the side, Uchiha Sogetsu's gaze had been fixed on the 'Third Hokage' the entire time.
"Alright, let's call it a day."
The Third Hokage said with a smile, "I still have work to handle. The main reason I called you here today is to apologize for what happened yesterday."
"Not at all, we were the ones who disturbed you, Hokage-sama," the virtual persona said humbly. "You go ahead with your work, I'll leave now."
"Alright, I'll have the Anbu escort you."
The Third Hokage waved his hand, summoning the Anbu outside. "Take Uesugi Koeru to the exit."
The virtual persona followed the Anbu and turned to leave the room.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage, sitting in his chair, stared intensely at the departing figure, his eyes dark and vicious, as if a predator stalking its prey.
"Go, keep an eye on him."
The Third Hokage suddenly spoke to the air.
From the corner, unnoticed by most, a strange shadow appeared, twisting into a humanoid form.
"Understood."
A cold, stiff voice echoed in the office.
Then, the shadowy, humanoid figure disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.
In the now empty office, the Third Hokage's face darkened, his fingers tapping the desk. A flicker of suppressed madness passed through his pupils, and in a voice barely audible to himself, he muttered, "Uesugi... is it really 'his' doing?"
He gripped his pipe, his gaze becoming darker, the corner of his lips slowly twisting into a disturbing smile that stretched to his ears:
"Heh, it doesn't matter. At this point, even if 'you' have really awakened, what can you do to me? Soon, my plan will be complete!"
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