Chapter 84: Konoha's Foremost Dangerous Individual!
"Uchiha…"
The young-looking Daimyō's envoy clearly knew about the Uchiha clan.
After all, they were famous throughout the ninja world.
He suddenly asked again: "Is he alone? Or does he represent the entire Uchiha clan?!"
The Konoha ninja thought for a moment and replied: "Uchiha Ikeizumi is more like a lone wolf. He's always been a nonconformist, even within the Uchiha clan, he's unique. But I heard he has a Police Force apprentice with him."
The Daimyō's envoy suddenly understood, smiling slightly: "Since he doesn't represent the entire Uchiha clan, then he's nothing to worry about."
....
"Lord Daimyō has sent 'Nanma,' one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, to be my personal bodyguard this time. He was once an elite ninja of your Konoha, I believe even a Jonin."
Nanma?
The Konoha ninja couldn't help but glance at a ninja among the group with a very unique aura and a scar on his face.
"However, Envoy-dono, it's still best to be cautious… please wait here for a moment or two; I'll be back soon."
He kindly reminded again.
A short while later, in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—three of Konoha's four top brass—were gathered.
The Konoha ninja who had spoken with the young envoy earlier was also present.
Koharu Utatane scoffed coldly: "Hmph, that young man certainly has some nerve. We merely spoke politely, saying Hiruzen would personally greet him, and he actually shamelessly took us up on it."
Homura Mitokado slowly said: "After all, his identity is quite special; he's Lord Daimyō's second son—Gyōen'in Kyūsuke. Relying on that status, he believes he deserves the Hokage to greet him personally."
As he spoke.
Homura Mitokado looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked: "Hiruzen, what do you intend to do?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing smoke from his pipe, pondered for a moment.
He put down his pipe.
And stood up.
"Then this old man shall go. After all, he is an emissary sent by the Daimyō."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said: "Not many years have passed since the end of the Third Great Ninja War; the Nine-Tails' Attack caused Konoha immense losses; and last night's turmoil also severely depleted Konoha's strength."
"In this situation, Konoha needs the Daimyō's financial support even more. Using this old man's face to gain more ninja village funds will only benefit Konoha overall, with no downsides."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's noble words almost brought tears to the eyes of the Konoha ninja present.
But Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado remained expressionless.
They both knew… that once the news of "the Hokage lowering himself before the Daimyō for the future of Konoha" spread, Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually gain even higher political prestige within the village.
"By the way, Hiruzen…"
Koharu Utatane suddenly called out to Hiruzen Sarutobi. She said solemnly: "Are you sure you're not going to deal with the Danzō and Uchiha Ikeizumi matter from last night properly?"
"Uchiha Ikeizumi is too uncontrollable. Even if you have your own thoughts, you should tell us, shouldn't you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused his steps.
He met Koharu Utatane's gaze and said quietly: "This old man is doing this to make Ikeizumi a little more controllable. If he were to go to war with Konoha, even if we put forth all our effort to defeat him, Konoha would pay an extremely heavy price. For now, all this old man can do is stabilize him."
Koharu Utatane couldn't help but say: "Hiruzen, but such indulgence will only make Uchiha Ikeizumi push further! Last night, he already disregarded you in front of so many people. What kind of trouble do you think he'll cause next time?"
"Hiruzen, we respect your decision, but you really need to think carefully and not regret your decision."
Hiruzen Sarutobi found these words somewhat familiar.
He almost instinctively blurted out, "This old man is the Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "This old man has my considerations as Hokage."
With that, he did not continue the topic.
He turned and left under the gazes of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
....
Gyōen'in Kyūsuke, the Daimyō's second son, suddenly noticed that one of the strongest bodyguards his father had assigned him was showing a grave expression.
He couldn't help but ask: "Nanma, you were once a Jonin of Konoha. Have you heard the name 'Uchiha Ikeizumi'? And, I've never seen you make that expression before on this journey… Is that guy really that strong?"
"Lord Kyūsuke, if he is the Uchiha Ikeizumi I remember, then he's likely a troublesome character."
'Nanma,' one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, said gravely: "That guy was the Lava Release Beast active during the Third Great Ninja War. It's said that countless powerful enemies died at his hands. Back then, he was a dual bloodline limit genius of the Uchiha, on par with Shisui of the Body Flicker."
"I've also heard a few things about him. It's rumored that he believes in the Justice of the Shinobi Way, and cannot stand wrongdoers. After joining the Uchiha Police Force, he repeatedly solved various cases."
Upon hearing this.
Gyōen'in Kyūsuke pondered, playing with the thought: "He doesn't sound like a heinous ninja, does he? Isn't he a righteous person? If so, why did that person just now tell me to avoid him?"
Nanma took a deep breath and said gravely: "Because his Justice of the Shinobi Way disregards anyone's status or rank!"
"Even if Lord Kyūsuke is the Daimyō's son, with his extreme personality, he will attack without hesitation if he discovers you harbor any evil."
Nanma reminded: "Lord Kyūsuke, Asuma Sarutobi returned to Konoha recently to attend his brother's funeral. He is… most likely still in Konoha right now."
"For your safety, I'd better summon him too, to protect your safety, Lord Kyūsuke!"
Nanma was not exaggerating.
If Uchiha Ikeizumi were to target Gyōen'in Kyūsuke, the Daimyō's son.
With his strength alone…
He truly wasn't confident he could block that "Lava Release Beast."
That guy…
Was a monster!
"Hey, hey! Nanma, are you implying, with what you just said, that Lord Kyūsuke harbors evil?"
Gyōen'in Kyūsuke's retainer stepped forward, speaking with displeasure: "You'd better mind your place, Nanma. You are merely a ninja sent by Lord Daimyō to protect Lord Kyūsuke."
"Hm? Nanma, are you listening to me?!"
Nanma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, had let every word spoken by the retainer pass through his ears unheard.
His expression was extremely vigilant as he stared directly ahead.
"Lord Kyūsuke…"
Nanma licked his somewhat dry lips, one hand already on his ninja blade, his palm inexplicably covered in cold sweat.
He spoke gravely: "I see you seem quite curious about that individual, who is arguably Konoha's foremost dangerous person."
"What a coincidence! That Uchiha Ikeizumi…"
"Is right in front of us!"
....
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