'A special space-time ninjutsu? Using that pot?' Shisui thought for a moment, then stopped, no longer dwelling on it.
He had already decided to no longer participate in any of the ninja world's disputes. He would just be a "dead man," live in anonymity, and take good care of these Uchiha orphans.
"Thank you, Lexon." Shisui bowed deeply to Lexon, expressing his profound gratitude.
"Don't mention it," Lexon replied nonchalantly.
'Just consider it repayment for letting me check in...'
'Ah... right...' Lexon patted Shisui's shoulder and encouraged him, "Good luck. The future of these children is in your hands."
"Mn, I will take good care of them," Shisui said with a smile.
"Mn," Lexon smiled back.
[Sign-in successful]
[Congratulations on obtaining "Susanoo (Second Stage)": On the basis of the chakra-formed skeleton, it becomes covered with meridians and flesh, wrapped in an outer garment of chakra. It can undo curse marks and can use its own exclusive weapons and ninjutsu.]
The string of messages appearing in his eyes surprised Lexon. He hadn't expected Shisui, with a single Mangekyo Sharingan, to have comprehended Susanoo to this degree.
'As expected of an absolute Uchiha genius...'
"I'll be going then," Lexon said to Shisui.
"Mn," Shisui nodded.
Lexon's figure flashed and instantly departed.
'Take care of these children...' Uchiha Shisui's gaze, as he looked at the children on the ground, was full of care.
'In that case, I have to work hard to stay alive...'
...
In the bright Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone at his desk, his head bowed, lost in thought.
Danzo Shimura had become too annoying with his apparent schizophrenia, so Sarutobi Hiruzen had driven him away to continue trying to undo "Kotoamatsukami."
The crystal ball on the desk was dark, showing nothing. The "Telescope Technique" could no longer observe Uchiha Itachi; the distance was too great.
Suddenly...
A breeze swept through the office, and the lights dimmed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, his head still bowed, seemed to sense something and looked toward the window.
A handsome young man in a black cloak with red clouds was sitting on the windowsill, smiling at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his legs swinging idly.
'The "Akatsuki" uniform...' Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze traveled upward, locking onto the other's face.
'Uchiha Lexon...'
"You still dare to come here?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said to Lexon, his face impassive.
"Why wouldn't I?" Lexon's voice was laced with a smile. "I'm a member of the Uchiha clan, a member of 'Root', and one of the Hokage's people. In conclusion, I'm also a person of Konoha..."
He pulled a Konoha headband from his pocket and twirled it on his finger.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned and said coldly, "And an 'Akatsuki' spy in Konoha, right!"
"Lord Hokage, you seem to be mistaken about something." Lexon wagged his finger. "I joined 'Akatsuki' after joining 'Root', while on a mission. If you must put it that way, I am Konoha's mole inside 'Akatsuki'..."
"If that's the case, why didn't you follow my orders?" Sarutobi Hiruzen challenged. "If you had any loyalty to Konoha, you wouldn't have disobeyed me."
"I have my own things to do, you know..." Lexon replied with a smile.
"What is your ultimate goal! Uchiha Lexon!" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly stood up from his chair, staring at Lexon and shouting.
His aura as Hokage pressed down on Lexon.
But it washed over Lexon like a spring breeze, having no effect on him.
"I'm a good person, you know..." Lexon said. "Since I came to Konoha, have I had any negative impact? I even helped Itachi carry out the clan massacre plan... Maliciously speculating about others isn't a good habit, Lord Hokage."
"What is your purpose in coming to Konoha!" Sarutobi Hiruzen repeated his earlier question.
"No purpose."
"Is your 'Akatsuki' organization after the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
'Itachi's information travels fast...' Lexon thought when he heard Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.
'Itachi is Konoha's spy in "Akatsuki," so he naturally reports "Akatsuki's" actions to Konoha. Although the "Akatsuki" two-man cell system is also for mutual supervision, how could Juzo Biwa outplay Uchiha Itachi, who has the Mangekyo Sharingan? The news got out easily.'
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... Heh, you can't even be bothered to say 'Naruto'," Lexon didn't answer Sarutobi Hiruzen's question directly, but scoffed instead.
"That is none of your concern, Uchiha Lexon," Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was grim.
"Why can't it be? Minato Namikaze asked you to take good care of Naruto before he died. And how did you 'take care' of him? Give him some living expenses and see him occasionally? Hiding his parents' identities just so you could get closer to him and control him, letting people scorn and hate a child, forcing him to live in loneliness just so he'd rely on you more? You've really done a number... Sarutobi Hiruzen."
As if Lexon's words had struck a nerve, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned ashen. "How do you know so much?"
"Why wouldn't I know so much?" Lexon maintained his gentle smile, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen. All his words seemed to be delivered without any emotional fluctuation.
"Could it be... seven years ago... was it you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said in shock. "Uchiha... Sharingan... You were the one who controlled the Nine-Tails to destroy Konoha?!!"
After a quick mental review, connecting the clues, Sarutobi Hiruzen had identified Lexon as the culprit behind the Nine-Tails' rampage seven years ago.
"Ah... that wasn't me." Lexon had no intention of taking the fall for Uchiha Obito and denied it.
"Whether it was or not, Uchiha Lexon, you'll stay here." Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly shed his Hokage robes, revealing a tight-fitting combat suit. He slapped his hand on the ground, and a large, staff-like weapon was summoned, which he gripped tightly.
'So we're going to fight...' Lexon thought, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's combat stance.
'If you want to fight, I'm more than happy to oblige.'
Lexon was completely confident.
Now that he had checked in for the Nine-Tails' chakra and could use the Tailed Beast transformation, Lexon wasn't afraid of Konoha at all. He could do even more damage than the Nine-Tails did seven years ago.
'After all, the Sannin aren't here. The only combatants in Konoha on my level are Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo... and Danzo is affected by my "Kotoamatsukami"... So the only real threat is Sarutobi Hiruzen.'
'As for the dozen or so Konoha Jonin I smell on high alert... they're all small fry...'
'I just need to watch out for Guy opening the Eight Gates.'
"Since you dared to come, then stay..." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a grave expression.
But before he could finish, Lexon cut him off.
"Since I dared to come, I came with confidence."
An azure Nichirin sword suddenly materialized in his hand.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]