"Mm!"
Uchiha Masayuki nodded with a serious expression.
"Be careful. That thing looks rather sinister."
"It'd be best if you can figure out how to break it, but don't force it if you can't."
"Also… you captured four of Danzo's jōnin subordinates. You didn't leave any traces, did you?"
"That old bastard won't let this go so easily."
Four jōnin.
Even for Danzo, that was bound to hurt.
Retaliation had to be expected.
Masayuki was already preparing to secretly dispatch several Uchiha jōnin to protect Sora for a while.
Even though he knew his son's strength was likely already close to elite jōnin level, he still couldn't help but worry.
"Relax. He's not a threat."
Sora waved his hand dismissively and continued his research.
"My strength isn't weak. I instantly took down four jōnin—no matter how many more come, it won't make a difference."
"Besides, my medical ninjutsu studies are temporarily complete. For the time being, I'll stay within the clan grounds. The risk will be much lower."
Still, passive defense wasn't ideal.
Sora thought for a moment, then said to his father:
"That said, we should give Danzo something to deal with. Otherwise, he'll just keep jumping around causing trouble."
"Father, next, secretly have some people use the Transformation Technique to disguise themselves as ordinary villagers and spread rumors in the village—say that Danzo has been grave-robbing the First Hokage and conducting cruel Wood Release experiments using villagers."
"Be careful with disguises and concealment. Don't leave any traces. Spread it a bit, then stop. Can you do that?"
He knew this wouldn't truly threaten Danzo.
But it would definitely disgust him, stir trouble, and force him to lie low for a while.
"That can be done."
Uchiha Masayuki nodded firmly, then looked at Sora with curiosity.
"Son… what you said about Danzo digging up the First Hokage's corpse for Wood Release experiments… that's not actually true, is it?"
Given how shameless Danzo was, Masayuki felt like it might actually be possible.
"It's true."
Sora nodded without hesitation.
"In fact, this probably isn't even the first time."
"The Third likely participated in it before as well."
"They failed, so the Third sealed the project and forbade it."
"But Danzo clearly isn't satisfied—he's been continuing it in secret."
"Obviously, he wants to obtain the First Hokage's Wood Release to satisfy his ambitions… just like how he covets the Uchiha's Sharingan."
If Sora didn't exist in the future, that old bastard would've nearly succeeded.
"Ha?"
Masayuki was stunned.
"The Third is involved too? What a pair of 'filial disciples.' Truly inheriting the fine tradition of betraying their master."
It was obvious—Masayuki held deep resentment toward the Second Hokage.
After all, the suppression and targeting of the Uchiha clan had started during the Second Hokage's rule.
And Masayuki had lived through that era personally.
"Leave this to me. I'll handle it perfectly."
"Spreading rumors? The Uchiha are professionals at that."
Masayuki patted his chest confidently.
"Mm."
Sora nodded, then reminded him:
"Make sure the people carrying out the task guard against the Third's Telescope Technique. That old man loves using it to spy on the village—don't get caught."
Though, more often than not, he used it to spy on bathhouses.
"Got it."
Masayuki nodded again.
"No time to waste. I'll go make arrangements now—before Danzo has time to target us again."
With that, he quickly left.
—
That very afternoon, rumors began spreading throughout the village:
Danzo had dug up the First Hokage's corpse and was conducting forbidden experiments.
He was trying to obtain Wood Release to seize the Hokage position from the Third.
It was also said that Danzo had always been dissatisfied with the Third's rule.
The rumors were vivid and detailed.
Afraid people wouldn't recognize "Danzo the rat," they even exposed a great deal of his personal information.
For a time, undercurrents surged throughout the entire village.
—
The moment the Third and Danzo heard the news, they immediately tried to find the source.
But it was already too late.
The culprits had long since stopped—no traces remained.
"Damn it! Who did this?!"
Danzo roared in fury.
"Danzo-sama, the Hokage requests your presence."
At that moment, a Root ninja arrived with an ANBU member and delivered the message.
Danzo's face darkened.
"I understand. Let's go."
As he walked out, he passed one of his Root operatives and coldly ordered:
"Owl—send people to investigate immediately. I want to know who did this by today."
"Yes, sir!"
Owl accepted the order instantly.
—
Meanwhile, at the ninja hospital—inside Tsunade's office.
Bang!
Tsunade smashed her desk into pieces with a single punch, documents scattering everywhere as she roared:
"Danzo! You deserve to die!"
In the next moment, she stormed straight toward the Hokage building.
Everyone she passed along the way fell silent, not daring to speak.
—
Halfway there, she ran into Orochimaru.
For this former teammate—now increasingly strange and distant—Tsunade felt growing disgust.
She knew he had been getting closer and closer to Danzo in recent years.
Given his obsession with experiments, she had every reason to suspect his involvement.
Clenching her fist, she shouted:
"Orochimaru! Were you involved in this too?"
"Ahahaha… how could I be?"
Orochimaru glanced nervously at her fist, forced a laugh, and quickly waved his hands.
"This has nothing to do with me. I only just heard about it myself. You should go find the real culprit—Danzo."
"That's all!"
The moment he finished speaking, he slipped away without hesitation.
No way was he going to take a punch from Tsunade in her current state.
That kind of treatment could be reserved for Jiraiya.
He had no intention of competing for it.
—
Far away, in the Land of Tea—
Inside a tavern, Jiraiya suddenly sneezed.
"Huh?"
He rubbed his nose, looking puzzled.
"Who's talking about me? Must be Orochimaru… I'll settle this with him when I get back."
Then, he immediately turned back to the girls beside him:
"Come, come! Let's continue…"
"Ah! Sir, are you okay? Did you catch a cold?"
"No, no! Must be a beautiful woman thinking about me!"
"Sir, how naughty~ You already have us and still think about other girls?"
"Hahaha! My bad, my bad…"