"Kakashi! You actually dare to use ninjutsu?!"
Keiyu Uchiha almost lost his composure, staring at the concentrated lightning chakra in Kakashi's hand, as if it might solidify into a tangible weapon.
"Blocking a direct order from the Hokage, opposing the Anbu… that's enough to charge you with desertion. If you don't step back, you will be killed!"
Kakashi's tone was cold and uncompromising.
At that moment, many of the guards stationed at the Konoha Guard base were drawn to the scene. Almost all of them were Uchiha clan members. Seeing Kakashi, they quickly surrounded the detention room, full of hostility. Yet when they heard Kakashi's words, their expressions faltered, and a trace of fear showed subconsciously.
Blocking the Hokage's order? Opposing the Anbu? Desertion?
Even if the Uchiha had thoughts of rebellion, none could withstand such accusations at this moment. Being branded a traitor meant execution.
"Impressive… Kakashi is suppressing so many people alone!"
Ye Mizunotsuki marveled. Before him were at least five or six Uchiha clan members with fully developed three-tomoe Sharingan — Jonin level. Yet Kakashi showed no fear.
Amid the crackling sound of Chidori, Kakashi calmly escorted Ye through the throng, step by step, separating the guards. No one dared to attack; perhaps no one could endure the consequences of attacking Kakashi.
"So this is… 'influence'? The authority of the Hokage…" Ye thought, watching the scene unfold. These Uchiha were overwhelmingly strong, yet powerless against Kakashi. It wasn't his power alone — it was the backing he represented.
He was borrowing the 'influence' of the Hokage.
At that moment, Ye felt something stir within him. He too must have his own 'influence.' Whether for revenge or to face future crises, relying solely on individual power was never enough.
"Let's go."
A low voice whispered in his ear. Ye realized he had already followed Kakashi outside the Konoha Guard base.
"The Hokage wishes to see you," Kakashi said softly.
Meanwhile, on the way to the Hokage's office, an unexpected visitor arrived.
A middle-aged man in his fifties sat on the side, his eyes slanted downward, gaze sharp and calculating. Thin lips, like blades, gave him a stern expression. His complexion was dark, and his eyes squinted as he scrutinized Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze. He held a teacup and sipped slowly.
"What's your decision, Hiruzen? Hand the child over to me. I guarantee he will be loyal to the village."
"Tenzō… You want to brainwash him? Sorry, I can't agree," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head.
The man with the piercing gaze was Danzo Shimura.
"Old-fashioned! Hiruzen, when will you outgrow that childish nature?"
"Lord Danzo, I think the Hokage's decision is correct."
"Hmph, Minato, you are not yet the Fourth Hokage. I am speaking with Hiruzen. You have no right to interrupt!"
"Danzo! That's enough!" Hiruzen slammed the table. "I am the Hokage!"
"Someday, you'll regret it! The child's talent far exceeds your imagination! If you cannot fully control him, I would rather kill him!"
With that, Danzo tossed a sealed scroll onto the table and left without looking back. Minato hurried to pick up the scroll and handed it to Hiruzen.
"This is…"
Unrolling the scroll, Hiruzen's pupils shrank in disbelief.
"What is it, Hokage-sama?" Minato asked urgently.
"Do you know how many assassins Kirigakure sent to kill Ye Mizunotsuki?" Hiruzen said, still shocked.
"I thought it was only a three-man squad? One Chunin and two Genin? All killed by Ye's sudden bloodline awakening?"
"Three? Hahaha… we were all deceived by this child," Hiruzen bitterly smiled. He handed the scroll to Minato, who examined it carefully. Moments later, Minato's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Thirteen assassination squads… one special Jonin, two elite Chunin, the rest Chunin. This team is enough to challenge a Jonin! Yet the entire force was wiped out? Hokage-sama, this intelligence…"
Hiruzen waved his hand. "Danzo can be ruthless at times, but he would not lie about this. The information came from spies planted in Kirigakure. Its accuracy is over ninety percent."
"So that means?" Minato asked.
"Yes. This child, alone, may have defeated a squad capable of facing a Jonin… at only six years old!"
Hiruzen finally spoke the shock in his heart. Minato swallowed nervously.
There is a fundamental difference between killing a Chunin and Genin versus a special Jonin with a squad of Chunin. The gap is nearly impossible to bridge.
"Ice Release… could it really be that powerful?" Minato's voice trembled. Known as the Golden Flash, he was a legend whose presence alone could allow a mission to be abandoned without punishment. Yet at six, what could he have done? Maybe he hadn't even refined chakra yet. The child's feats seemed like legend.
"I'm not sure. I've fought members of the Mizunotsuki clan before… but maybe only this child. Ice Release is said to rival the First Hokage's Wood Release!"
"What do we do now? Are you going to agree to Danzo's request?" Minato asked anxiously.
Hiruzen hesitated. Though Danzo's intelligence report was alarming, he would not change his decision.
Every Kage has their own ninja way. Principles cannot be swayed by mere utility, and Hiruzen, as one of the strongest Kage, would not act ruthlessly for selfish reasons like Danzo.
"Don't worry, Minato. I won't give in to him. But…"
"But what?"
"We may need to pay closer attention to this child. The Will of Fire… binds us… binds us…"
Hiruzen murmured, seemingly lost in thought.