Hiruzen continued speaking, recalling every small moment he had shared with Uchiha Kagami. From those countless details, he had reached an unshakable conclusion—Kagami would never betray their teacher by leaking news of Senju Tobirama's death.
Behind him, Kagami's emotions surged so fiercely they were almost impossible to contain.
A true confidant was rarer than gold.
He had never imagined Hiruzen would trust him this deeply.
A confidant… he really is a confidant!
Hiruzen—next time you need anything, just say the word. Your brother won't hesitate.
As Hiruzen's voice finally fell silent, the spacious room sank into a heavy hush. No one spoke. All eyes turned toward Uzumaki Mito, waiting for her judgment.
"Hmph."
A scoffing laugh escaped Mito's throat. She looked at Hiruzen, the curve of her lips tinged with faint ridicule.
"Beautiful words."
"Are you absolutely certain you want to protect Uchiha Kagami?"
"You do realize that with Kagami's identity—even if he truly leaked the information, I can't kill him. At most, he'd suffer some physical punishment."
"The leak has already happened. Kagami is Uchiha. Whether he did it or not, he is implicated."
"And I've been played."
Her gaze sharpened.
"This old woman has anger that needs an outlet."
"Think carefully. Your answer will affect how I treat you… and the position you'll hold in Konoha from here on."
When she finished speaking, Mito withdrew her killing pressure. The vast, ocean-deep chakra that had smothered the room vanished in an instant, and everyone felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from their chests.
Everyone—
Except Hiruzen.
He didn't feel lighter at all.
That question crashed down on him like a mountain.
He understood exactly what Mito meant by "position."
Hiruzen wasn't naïve enough to believe that a single verbal appointment could make him Hokage of the strongest village in the shinobi world.
Even if Tobirama had still been alive, pushing Hiruzen into the Hokage seat would have met fierce resistance. Tobirama had never been someone who could command Konoha absolutely.
Only Senju Hashirama had possessed that kind of authority.
And the reason was simple.
Hashirama's power was so overwhelming that it could force every mouth shut.
Tobirama, by contrast, had always relied on suppression and balance—coldly dividing interests just to keep Konoha's bloodline clans and secret-technique families willing to cooperate.
If Hiruzen truly wanted to inherit the Hokage position according to his teacher's final will, it would depend entirely on the woman standing before him.
Mito's meaning was unmistakable.
Do you love your brother…
Or do you love the Hokage's seat?
That answer carried crushing weight.
Weight heavy enough that hesitation crept into Hiruzen's heart. He froze for several seconds without even realizing it.
Beside him, Danzō burned with anxiety, practically ready to answer on Hiruzen's behalf.
Of course it's the Hokage's seat.
Kagami wouldn't die anyway. At worst, he'd spend half a year recovering. Hiruzen had already stood up for him—he'd repaid their bond more than enough.
Kagami, too, stared at Hiruzen, silently hoping he would let this go.
Hiruzen's defense had already been more than sufficient.
Mito merely wanted to vent her anger.
A little pain was nothing.
For a brother… I can endure it.
"Lady Mito," Hiruzen said, lifting his head. His eyes met hers without flinching. "Kagami is innocent. Please do not vent your anger on him."
His sense of righteousness would not allow him to abandon Kagami.
"Good."
Mito's voice dropped, sharp as iron.
"Very good."
"Monkey brat—playing the hero comes with a price."
"I hope you can bear it."
She slammed her palm against the table again, then ordered the Senju shinobi to escort everyone out—
Everyone except Hiruzen.
They had been confined on Senju grounds to seal information.
But now Tobirama's death was already echoing through Konoha's streets.
Keeping these useless brats here served no purpose.
It only wasted Senju rice.
—
Outside the Senju compound, the night lay quiet beneath a bright moon.
Koharu Utatane felt as though she had crawled back from the edge of death. She stared up at the sky in a daze and let out a trembling breath.
"So… we're really out?"
"Why?" Homura Mitokado snorted. "Do you want to go back in?"
Koharu shook her head so fast it was almost comical.
She had barely escaped that dragon's den. Why would she ever want to return?
She was only a bystander. Words like Hokage and Konoha's future were burdens far too heavy for someone like her.
Better to go home, wash up, and sleep.
Danzō, however, wasn't in the mood for jokes. He stared at the two of them, anger boiling over.
"Hiruzen still hasn't come out!"
Danzō's chest tightened.
His closest friend had been left behind inside the Senju compound. And judging from Mito's reaction, her fury was real—furious enough that Hiruzen's fate could turn ugly.
Hiruzen… you idiot.
No matter the era, he always tried to play the hero.
Back then, he had volunteered to die as bait in front of Tobirama.
Now, he had done it again.
"Relax," Kagami said quietly, worry etched into his face. "Hiruzen won't die."
Kagami was worried as well. He understood Mito wouldn't take Hiruzen's life—otherwise she wouldn't have released them.
If she truly intended to kill him, she could have kept all of them confined.
Still… Hiruzen's days ahead would not be easy.
Mito had anger with nowhere else to go.
And now only one person remained inside to receive it.
"You shut up," Danzō snapped at Kagami, eyes blazing. "Hiruzen being left behind is your fault."
"You and the Uchiha are all rotten."
"The news of Tobirama's death came from the Uchiha. I'll believe you for Hiruzen's sake—for now."
"But you'd better hope you didn't leak it."
"If I find out you did… I won't let you live."
Kagami didn't answer.
He wanted to argue.
But the words stuck in his throat.
Because he understood.
If he were in Danzō's position, he wouldn't believe himself either.
Including Mito, only seven people knew the truth.
And the news had exploded across the village almost instantly—traced back to the Uchiha.
Of those seven, only one carried the Uchiha name.
That towering black pot of blame now hung squarely over his head.
And he was far too small to carry it.
Danzō raged for a long while.
Kagami endured it in silence.
He felt guilty toward Hiruzen. And he had no way to refute Danzō's accusations.
Curse me if you want.
If it makes you feel better… at least it's something I can repay to Hiruzen.
Eventually, Danzō exhausted himself. He shot Kagami one last murderous glare and stormed off toward his home.
Koharu, Homura, and Torifu exchanged glances. With Danzō gone, none of them wished to remain entangled in this mess.
They didn't trust Kagami either—only their reactions were quieter, more restrained.
One by one, they offered stiff farewells and left.
Kagami remained alone beneath the moonlight, watching the backs of his former companions disappear into the empty streets.
Isolation seeped into his bones.
He slowly clenched his fists.
In his heart, he swore a silent oath.
He would uncover the truth.
The one who leaked the news—
Just you wait.
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