Anyway, it's not a big deal, and it's not like he would genuinely investigate Danzo over such a trivial matter.
The Hyuga Clan doesn't have that authority… Plus, it's wartime now, and he has too many other things to deal with.
So.
He wasn't even planning to get involved in the Hyuga Clan's affairs.
"If you say it's not, then it's not," Sarutobi Hiruzen said calmly after taking a puff from his pipe. "What has that Mangekyo from the Uchiha Clan been doing in Konoha lately?"
Yes.
Compared to the Hyuga Clan, he cared more about the Uchiha Clan.
Especially Uchiha Jin, the one who awakened the Mangekyo!
Danzo narrowed his eyes when he heard this.
"Drinking tea, walking crows, sunbathing."
"He rarely leaves his home, occasionally helping out at Ichiraku Ramen."
"He seems very idle, but I always feel something is off."
"So, Hiruzen."
"I hope you can trust me and leave this matter to me."
"I will handle Uchiha Jin!"
Hearing Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
He didn't believe it!
That was a Mangekyo user; no one knew what his Mangekyo's abilities were.
Moreover.
He could use Susanoo!
Even if you could somehow manage to deal with him, how would you explain it to the Uchiha?
They finally produced a Mangekyo user, only for the village to kill him like that?
If that happened, wouldn't the Uchiha go ballistic?
And with the village currently at war, and manpower on the front lines already stretched thin, if Konoha's backyard caught fire… hiss!
Unimaginable.
Without any hesitation, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately shook his head.
"Danzo, give up."
"Uchiha Jin is too important; I can't hand him over to you."
"Hiruzen, you will regret this."
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Chapter 66: Fugaku Visits, Asking Itachi to Become a Disciple
Meanwhile, on the other side.
At the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Uchiha Jin looked utterly content.
Lying on a lounge chair in his small courtyard, a zisha teapot in his left hand, and a bunch of grapes on a small table to his right, he appeared incredibly leisurely.
He was sunbathing while silently contemplating.
"This is the life a person should live."
"What's the point of working oneself to death every day?"
"So much time has passed, and the Hyuga side is still like a headless chicken; it seems this matter has been smoothed over."
"This way, Hyuga Aya can be considered one of us, more or less."
"I imagine that from now on, unless absolutely forced, she definitely won't betray me."
"Hmm, good!"
"The Third Shinobi World War has little to do with me; Sarutobi Hiruzen won't let me participate."
"It seems I can lie flat and slack off until the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack."
He looked utterly relaxed.
Especially when he thought about how he would completely escape the hustle and bustle for the next few years, simply staying home and developing, his heart felt incredibly comfortable.
This kind of leisurely life was what he wanted.
And, on the other side.
Hyuga Aya's matter was also resolved, and he hadn't been exposed at all.
Perfect!
As for the village, there was no need to say anything.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to suppress him; that guy would rather let him retire at home.
Indeed, that was the case.
Hadn't Sarutobi Hiruzen not summoned him once since he returned so long ago?
Thinking of this.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Retirement?
If it were anyone else, they might actually become useless.
But he was different!
He didn't care about fame; going to the battlefield would only hinder his cultivation.
Only by being as leisurely as he was now could his strength gradually grow stronger.
Moreover, after becoming a clan elder, he no longer even had the status of a ninja.
As long as the Uchiha Clan didn't have any problems, he could live a carefree life forever.
Was there a better situation than this?
However.
Speaking of the Uchiha Clan, he felt a bit of a headache.
To preserve his current leisure as much as possible, he had to protect the Uchiha as much as possible.
But it was difficult!
The situation within the Uchiha Clan was simply indescribable.
Even though he now held the title of elder, it was actually just an honorary position.
To put it bluntly, he was just a mascot!
If he were to truly intervene, both the radical and moderate factions would definitely unite to take him down first.
Power is intoxicating.
Even if he was a Mangekyo user, he could give them some benefits, but they shouldn't even dream of power.
However.
Thinking of what Nara Kazama had told him before, since he didn't want to be single his whole life, even for the sake of his wife and son's stability, he had to build a stable rear base.
Otherwise, even if he was strong enough, he couldn't guard his family 24 hours a day, could he?
The Uchiha, such a good subordinate, could not be given up, no matter how difficult!
But, no rush.
The radical faction, the moderate faction, and even Clan Head Fugaku, were all keeping a close eye on him now.
As soon as he showed any desire for power, these guys would definitely become wary of him, and might even completely turn hostile.
If it escalated, the village's higher-ups might even get involved.
So, just wait.