Sarutobi Hiruzen descended from the sky.
As soon as he appeared at the scene, Shimura Danzo, who had regained his confident smile, froze completely.
Interestingly, the Root members, upon receiving Danzo's orders, continued to encircle Aomi and Sarutobi Hiruzen, as if they didn't recognize the Hokage...
"Hiruzen, why are you here?"
Shimura Danzo hastily signaled the Root to stop moving, then, like a villain complaining first, said:
"This brat from the Uchiha Clan is too dangerous. I just wanted to talk to him, but he violently resisted me!"
"Using force to threaten the village's leadership, Hiruzen, you know how serious this is, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shimura Danzo expressionlessly and then glanced at Aomi.
Although Aomi's punch knocked Shimura Danzo down, it left no external injuries, making him look unharmed, even somewhat rosy...
In contrast, Aomi looked pale, with dried blood at the corner of his mouth and scratches under his eyes.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart trembled.
This wasn't a violent confrontation with Shimura Danzo; it was clearly Danzo trying to kidnap and take his eyes, but he failed!
"Aomi, are you okay?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned and softly asked:
"With me here, you're absolutely safe. Don't worry."
"Uncle Hiruzen, you came just in time, I'm fine."
Aomi forced a smile and spoke weakly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, feeling a pang of regret and relief that he had rushed over upon noticing something wrong.
Recently, his youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma, seemed like a different person.
He showed much more respect to him as a father, which made him happy, and seemed to have grasped Ninjutsu, mastering the advanced Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Transformation at a young age, almost a prodigy.
And all of this was closely related to Aomi...
Whatever Asuma did, he would mention Aomi, full of anticipation about becoming partners with him in the future.
If Shimura Danzo had harmed Aomi, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't imagine how Asuma would view him as a father or what he would think of Konoha and the Will of Fire!
He had promised Asuma and Aomi to handle the village's darkness...
Yet, the warrior who discovered the darkness was taken out first?
Should it have turned out like that, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he would lose a son as well as a respectful young Uchiha prodigy...
Not just Asuma, Sarutobi Hiruzen had gradually grown to like Aomi.
After all, Aomi respected him and was well-versed in the Will of Fire, not only helping Asuma but also understanding social nuances.
Recalling Aomi calling him Uncle Hiruzen and lighting his cigarette, warmth flowed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart...
So, the anger of this Hokage had been ignited...
But Shimura Danzo seemed unaware of this issue, stared coldly at the weak Aomi, and said:
"This brat secretly mastered a Secret Technique that explosively enhances potential, boosting his strength several times in a short time. I think this is very dangerous for the village and must be thoroughly investigated!"
"Hiruzen, I know he's Kagami's descendant. Let him join my Root, and I'll train him well to become Konoha's blade!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a serious expression, took a deep breath: "Continue, Danzo."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen's encouragement, Shimura Danzo's smile turned ferocious:
"Good, Hiruzen, do you also see the darkness and mystery hidden in this brat's heart?"
"He's afraid of me. I promised to take him as a disciple, but he refused!"
"That's odd. How could a Uchiha brat refuse an invitation from a Hokage Assistant? He must have secrets he doesn't want me to discover!"
Looking as though he had everything in control, Shimura Danzo's gaze occasionally swept over Aomi, full of aggression.
That look seemed to say, "In this vast Konoha, where can you run? Everyone here is mine!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face grew darker.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the Root members knocked out by Aomi, none fatally injured, just knocked unconscious, their breathing steady.
Look at Aomi, willing to use a Secret Technique to resist your persecution, yet still handling things with restraint, unwilling to harm the village's ninja...
Mastering an explosive Secret Technique endangers the village? What kind of logic is that!
Don't you have these techniques yourself?
With such distrust towards excellent juniors, where is your Will of Fire, Danzo!
As for why Aomi refused you?
Of course, it's because I, the Hokage, took care of nurturing the village's juniors and friends' descendants before you. Do you think you can just impose labels here!
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled coldly and was about to approach Shimura Danzo when Aomi lightly grabbed his sleeve.
With a pale face, Aomi gently shook his head and said in a hoarse voice:
"Uncle Hiruzen, I think this might be a misunderstanding. Danzo Assistant and you are both important members of Konoha's leadership, no need to argue over a trivial matter involving a Ninja School student like me."
Then, Aomi forced a smile towards Shimura Danzo:
"Danzo Assistant, if you're interested in Lord Tobirama's Ninjutsu, you can send someone to notify me, and I'll give you my grandfather's collection of books..."
"I quite like sharing Ninjutsu with the village's ninja, whether it's the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release or the Medical Ninjutsu I favor. I hope more Konoha ninja can learn them to become stronger."
As he spoke, Aomi gathered Chakra in his palm, resembling the Senju Monster Strength:
"I've arranged with Asuma to research the common points between Chakra Control and Senju Monster Strength Jutsu tomorrow. We plan to write a paper on Ninjutsu, possibly enabling more Konoha ninja to use this Close Combat Jutsu."
"Uncle Hiruzen, if we succeed, it will be like Asuma and I have completed a mission..."
"We agreed to celebrate with barbecue if we get a bonus..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's breath caught. No wonder Asuma had been voraciously reading Chakra Control books, seeking knowledge zealously!
If Asuma couldn't see Aomi tomorrow...
Sarutobi Hiruzen affectionately patted Aomi's shoulder, softly saying:
"Go back and rest. Asuma is waiting for you tomorrow, Aomi."
Aomi nodded, even bidding farewell to Shimura Danzo as he headed towards the Uchiha Clan Land.
At that moment, even Shimura Danzo was stunned.
He couldn't tell if Aomi was a pure follower of the Will of Fire or a cunning Uchiha kid.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't give him much time to think.
With Aomi no longer present, the persona of Uncle Hiruzen was no longer needed, replaced by the imposing Third Hokage!