Otherwise, how could he have been discovered? If that were the case, he would have already been sent out on missions or shoved into the ANBU. How could he still be swinging on a school swing?
"What are you talking about?" The Third Hokage's brows furrowed sharply, his entire expression as heavy as lead, his body radiating a murderous aura.
"Hahaha, Hokage, no need to be angry. In times of war, whoever has the ability gets used, right? I didn't come here to settle old scores…" Ōnoki finished speaking, then suddenly turned his icy gaze on Hyūga Shigeo.
"However, if the Hokage-sama is willing to pay a small price for what happened in the past, that works too. I don't need compensation, and I can refrain from mentioning the matter of the tailed beasts for now. But I want this child!"
He extended his hand and pointed directly at Hyūga Shigeo.
Hearing this, Danzō stepped forward to grab Shigeo, but the other Konoha elders immediately moved as well, forming a protective wall in front of him.
"Tsuchikage-dono, what do you think you're doing? Don't forget, this is Konoha!" Jiraiya shouted, frowning deeply.
"Take Shigeo away!" Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered Jiraiya. At this moment, his emotions were a storm. He had long suspected this boy wasn't simple, but he hadn't expected him to hide so deeply—deceiving even himself and Danzō. And just now, he had almost been taken by the Tsuchikage.
Danzō's brows furrowed. "I should be the one to take this child. The rest of you can continue the discussion."
"I don't want you!" Shigeo snapped at Danzō. Though his eyes were closed, his expression of disdain for Danzō's presence was unmistakable.
Hiruzen suddenly understood—this boy had hidden his true power all because of Danzō and Orochimaru.
With a wave of his hand, he let Jiraiya take Shigeo away.
Ōnoki and his Iwagakure shinobi glared at their retreating figures, seething with anger.
"Tsuchikage-dono, forgive me, but I cannot agree to your conditions. Weren't you here to sign a ceasefire agreement? It seems you have no sincerity. If so, please leave. This time you schemed your way into Konoha because we trusted you. From now on, Konoha will never again place faith in anything Iwagakure says. Please…"
Hiruzen was no fool—he knew whose territory this was.
Although the revelations about Shigeo had shaken him to the core, he also knew the balance of power at this very moment. Who held the upper hand? A Tsuchikage who had been defeated by a child of Konoha—what right did he have to shout about settling scores? Even seeking revenge required strength.
Though rattled by the shocking truth, Hiruzen was still Hokage. How could he allow himself to be led around?
Iwagakure had been devastated, its tailed beasts seized. That was monumental. For Ōnoki to reveal such a fact so bluntly—was he speaking out of anger?
Ōnoki himself realized he had said too much, and a faint smile curved his lips.
"No need to be angry, Hokage-sama. Let's proceed. The agreement must still be signed. Besides, our jinchūriki has returned, and the village hasn't suffered great losses. That much is tolerable. This war has dragged on too long—it's time for everyone to rest…"
And so, the ceasefire between Iwagakure and Konoha was formally signed. But Ōnoki knew well now—the child who had crushed Iwagakure was Hyūga Shigeo.
From that moment onward, Shigeo became Iwagakure's number one enemy. Not only would they dispatch ANBU to assassinate him, but they also placed a bounty on the black market: 30 million for capturing him alive, 20 million for his head.
In the Hokage's office, the Third sat tapping his finger rhythmically on the desk. Beside him stood Koharu Utatane, Danzō Shimura, and Homura Mitokado.
"Hokage-sama, we're back!" Jiraiya appeared at the doorway with Shigeo once the Iwagakure delegation had left.
"Come in quickly!" Hiruzen stood, his gaze locked on Shigeo, who walked in with closed eyes.
"Sit, sit—someone bring a chair!"
"No need." Shigeo stood before them and said directly, "Say what you need to say."
Danzō frowned. Such an attitude!
"Hyūga Shigeo, how do you explain today's incident? Was Iwagakure's matter related to you? Did you really capture their tailed beasts? What's going on?" Danzō pressed, his expression stern.
"What's going on? Don't you already know? Why bother asking me?" Shigeo turned away, not even wanting to face him.
"What do you mean?" Danzō's suspicion deepened—could this be connected to him after all?
"If you hadn't forced me into Root half a year ago, would I have left Konoha? If I hadn't left, would any of that have happened?" Shigeo's eyes suddenly opened, revealing a pair of deep blue irises.
"I wanted you in ANBU for the village's sake. Every person in Konoha should contribute! You too—" Danzō began loudly.
"My parents already gave their lives for Konoha! Isn't that enough?" Shigeo shot back, furious.
"Konoha has protected you too. Without Konoha, you'd be a beggar somewhere!" Danzō argued stubbornly.
"Protected me? From the moment Orochimaru captured me and nearly made me his experiment, Shigeo of Konoha already died! Protection? With what? If Tsunade-sama hadn't taken me away half a year ago, you probably would've handed me to Orochimaru yourself by now!"
Shigeo's face flushed red with anger. The only reason he had returned with Jiraiya was because he no longer feared them. He now had enough strength to protect himself. He couldn't guarantee victory against these veterans, but escape? That much was certain.
As for what kind of person he would become in the future—he no longer cared. He wouldn't harm others, but no one would harm or use him against his will either.
"You… you…" Danzō's single eye blazed with fury, but he couldn't form words. Only a month ago, he had delivered more children to Orochimaru himself.
"Enough, Danzō. Leave us." Hiruzen interjected, realizing that whenever Danzō was mentioned, Shigeo's fury erupted. Clearly, the boy knew too much.
But Danzō was also Hiruzen's lifelong comrade. Ruthless as his methods were, his intent had always been "for Konoha." That was why Hiruzen had turned a blind eye before. But today was different. If Danzō remained, things would spiral out of control.
(End of Chapter)
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