Last night—
While Hiruzen Sarutobi slept—
The Uchiha clan was annihilated.
By the time he awoke…
It was already over.
Before dawn—
Itachi Uchiha had infiltrated the Hokage Tower.
And met him.
A deal.
Massacre the Uchiha clan.Infiltrate the Akatsuki.
In exchange—
Sasuke lives.
If Konoha ever touched Sasuke—
He would retaliate.
At that moment—
Hiruzen had no reason to refuse.
As Hokage, he deployed every method at his disposal to suppress the aftermath.
But the results…
Were minimal.
The news had already begun to spread.
And Itachi—
The rogue ninja—
Had become a thorn lodged deep in his throat.
Because no matter how much he chose to believe Itachi—
A man who could slaughter his own clan for the sake of the village—
Deep down…
He could never fully trust him.
A wall remained.
Thick.
Unbreakable.
…
"Shenyue Yuan."
Hiruzen's aged gaze sharpened slightly.
"You've already been briefed on what Itachi has done."
"You were his classmate at the Academy."
"Based on your records—and your performance over the past year—"
"Your strength… your capability…"
"Are no less than his."
His voice grew heavier.
"And you are a civilian-born ninja."
"No notable background."
"After careful consideration—"
"The village has decided to assign you an S-rank mission."
A brief pause.
"Infiltrate the Akatsuki."
"Monitor Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja—Itachi Uchiha."
"Duration… three years."
…
Shenyue Yuan widened his eyes slightly.
Feigning shock.
"Unbelievable…"
"Itachi… would do something so unforgivable…"
But inside?
Calm.
Completely calm.
Infiltrate?
Even a dog wouldn't take that job.
Forget the dangers of the Akatsuki—
He had never planned to risk his life for Hiruzen… or Konoha.
With a system in hand—
The correct path was obvious:
Stay hidden.Grow stronger.Win later.
He was just about to refuse—
Perhaps with something absurd like:
"The Land of Rain is too damp. I have rheumatism."
Then—
Darkness lit up.
A panel appeared.
[Main Quest — Long Term][Infiltrate the Akatsuki. Become its leader.][Description: Bring your talent to Amegakure. Akatsuki needs a true god to lead it.][Note: Main quests cannot be refused or skipped. Failure to proceed will halt all other quests.]
…
Silence.
Shenyue Yuan's thoughts froze.
System.
I appreciate the enthusiasm.
But forcing it…?
…
Fine.
Lying low in Amegakure… is still lying low.
Hiding within Akatsuki… is still hiding.
Think bigger.
Don't limit yourself.
By the time he spoke—
His expression had already turned solemn.
"Hokage-sama."
"I can accept this mission."
A pause.
"But… before I leave, there is something I am concerned about."
"My teacher."
"I've heard your son—"
He didn't finish.
But the implication was unmistakable.
Hiruzen's eyes lit up immediately.
"Rest assured."
"During your mission, Kurenai Yuhi will act as your direct handler."
"As for Asuma—"
"I'll assign him to continue protecting the Daimyō. Away from Konoha."
Then—
He added, almost deliberately:
"Mission reward: one million ryō per year."
"Upon completion—your identity will be restored."
"No need for the Chūnin Exams. No need for Jōnin evaluation."
"You will be directly promoted to Jōnin."
"And…"
"One of the candidates for Fifth Hokage."
A grand promise.
An exceptionally grand one.
Shenyue Yuan considered it.
Then—
He frowned.
And slowly shook his head.
"You have… other conditions?" Hiruzen asked.
Shenyue Yuan spoke calmly,
"Itachi slaughtered the Uchiha and was labeled an S-rank rogue ninja."
"Akatsuki will naturally accept him."
"But me?"
"With my current identity—"
"They'll know immediately."
"I'm an infiltrator."
"…True." Hiruzen nodded, taking a slow drag from his pipe.
"What do you propose?"
Shenyue Yuan smiled.
Gentle.
Almost harmless.
"Hokage-sama…"
"What if I… wiped out the Hyūga clan?"
…
Silence.
Hiruzen's pupils shrank violently.
His hand trembled.
A chill ran down his spine.
"What are you thinking?!"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
He had always known Shenyue Yuan's thinking was… unconventional.
But this?
This crossed into madness.
Yes—
If Shenyue Yuan massacred the Hyūga—
He would replicate Itachi's feat.
Become an S-rank rogue ninja.
Shake the entire ninja world.
But—
Konoha would lose two major clans in succession.
The other great villages would descend like predators.
What would even be the point of infiltration then?
Hiruzen wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
At that moment—
He became certain.
Sending this boy away…
Was the correct decision.
Keeping him in Konoha—
Was like holding a tailed beast bomb with no timer.
No one knew when it would explode.
And yet—
It was precisely because of this monster—
This prodigy equal to Itachi—
That Hiruzen chose to take this risk.
Otherwise—
He would never have placed another spy within Akatsuki.
He fell into thought.
An identity needed to be fabricated.
An S-rank rogue ninja.
Assassinate the Hokage?
That would justify defection.
But S-rank…?
Not quite.
Unless—
The assassination succeeded.
No.
Absolutely not.
He rejected the idea instantly.
Because if Shenyue Yuan truly tried—
He might actually succeed.
Their strengths were too close.
"Hokage-sama."
Shenyue Yuan stepped forward.
Lowered his voice.
And whispered another plan.
…
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
Rapidly.
Calculating.Weighing.
Finally—
He leaned back.
"…You must guarantee."
"This is only an act."
Shenyue Yuan replied without hesitation,
"I will always be loyal to Konoha."
Hiruzen sighed softly.
"Good."
"Coincidentally… I've already disbanded Root."
He waved his hand.
"You may leave the village once you're ready."
"As soon as possible."
"Send Asuma in on your way out."
He had already anticipated Shenyue Yuan's concern.
That was why he summoned both of them.
Even a genius—
Once they have someone they care about—
Can be controlled.
Just like Itachi.
What young man does not fall in love?
Controlling Shenyue Yuan—
Would not be difficult.
Hiruzen understood this kind of leverage.
Very well.
His expression relaxed slightly.
Leaning back into his chair—
Time passed.
Then—
He noticed something.
Shenyue Yuan had not moved.
Still standing there.
Still staring at him.
"…You have another question?"
Shenyue Yuan nodded.
"Hokage-sama."
"Where exactly… is the Akatsuki located?"
"…?"
Hiruzen's headache returned instantly.
He took a deep drag from his pipe.
Exhaled slowly.
Forced himself to calm down.
Only after a long pause did he reply:
"…We don't know."
"But I believe—"
"For you—"
"That won't be a problem."
If Konoha knew—
He would not be this passive.
The two stared at each other.
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
Shenyue Yuan turned.
And left.
Hiruzen let out a long breath.
…
Outside—
In the corridor—
Asuma Sarutobi stormed forward like a raging bull.
On the verge of losing control.
Shenyue Yuan stood still.
Blindfolded.
Calm.
Ignoring him completely.
"Your father is calling you."
Asuma's anger… faltered.
"…You—"
He clenched his teeth.
Forced it down.
Brushed past him—
And entered the office.
Moments later—
Through the thick wooden door—
A cry rang out:
"NO—!"
"Father, please—yamete—!"
Then—
Hiruzen's voice followed.
Cold.Flat.
"Asuma."
"During work hours—"
"Address me properly."