"What did you say?!"
When he learned that his son was tied to a utility pole, completely naked, with a rope tied around his privates and a piece of paper hanging from it, his expression froze, and the documents in his hand fell directly onto the table.
The Anbu ninja could only repeat himself.
The Third Hokage's face was grim. With his son being humiliated like this, he couldn't just let it slide. If it was just a fight where he got beaten up, he might have feigned ignorance, but this was blatant humiliation!
"Did he get into a conflict with anyone?"
"No, young master did not get into any conflict with others. Today seems to be a class gathering. If it's possible, then it would be Uchiha Ronglin."
The Anbu ninja hesitated for a moment but reported truthfully.
"Uchiha Ronglin?"
The Third Hokage was stunned, frowning, "Are you sure it was him?"
"Uh..."
The Anbu ninja didn't know how to explain. Where would he get evidence? Such words couldn't be spoken carelessly, otherwise, if Ronglin found out, he would suffer greatly.
Although he wasn't old, everyone in the Anbu knew this kid couldn't be provoked. Otherwise, he'd use the excuse of a junior challenging a senior to beat you up, and you'd have nowhere to complain.
The biggest problem was that Ronglin had actually done it!
In the Anbu, the members of the First Squad didn't do anything foolish due to White Fang's reminder, but it was hard to say for members of other squads. Newcomers are always bullied; that's common knowledge.
However, these people never expected Ronglin to retaliate openly. He would challenge you as a junior; if you didn't accept, you were scared, a coward. If you accepted, he would beat you senseless.
After a few such incidents, no one dared to trouble Ronglin again.
Ronglin found that sometimes, being a junior was indeed very useful.
"You may leave now."
The Third Hokage sighed. Not to mention there was no evidence; even if there was, what could he do?
The little guy he watched grow up was starting to protest, but this protest was a bit too much.
However, the Third Hokage's thoughts had indeed wronged Ronglin. Ronglin hadn't thought of any protest. The reason he did such a thing to Asuma Sarutobi was because Asuma had brought it upon himself.
No Zuo No Die!
"Ah!"
A shrill scream echoed in the dark night. Asuma Sarutobi became utterly famous.
Although Ronglin didn't beat him up, after tormenting him this way, he completely became a celebrity in Konoha. The phrase "I am a tiny little bird" even became a surefire weapon for many to mock Asuma.
The next day, the village was abuzz with discussions about Asuma's miserable state, along with triumphant laughter, turning Asuma Sarutobi into a complete laughingstock.
If Dan Kato was mocked, Asuma Sarutobi would be even more disgraced than him.
Especially when children his age heard about it, they all laughed hysterically, some even deliberately seeking out Asuma to annoy him. In a word, Asuma Sarutobi's day of disaster had arrived.
He could only hide himself, not daring to go out. Even when going on missions, he would leave home early, before others woke up, and exit the village.
He was scared, afraid of being mocked. What frustrated Asuma Sarutobi was that he still didn't know who did it!!!
It wasn't easy to catch Ronglin red-handed. Besides, even if he did, what then? Was a prank between children a serious crime?
If he wasn't convinced, he could get his own back. "I'm waiting."
Although Asuma Sarutobi and the Third Hokage both suspected Ronglin, they could only swallow their grievances.
"When are we departing?"
Uchiha Fugaku remained his usual self, with an unchanging expression, just like Kakashi.
"Three days later."
Ronglin sat opposite Uchiha Fugaku and said, "I came back this time mainly to send Diqin back. Gathering intelligence is very dangerous, and I don't want her to continue following me."
"Indeed, it's not good for a girl to run around everywhere."
As the clan head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku was still a chauvinist. Like most Uchiha, he believed that women should stay at home, taking care of their husbands and children. Why run around?
"Furthermore, I want to know who was involved in my transfer back."
This was the main point. Sending Uchiha Diqin back was secondary. Ronglin's primary goal was to find out who was trying to sabotage him, pulling him away from his period of rapid development.
"Shimura, Hyuga, and some subordinate small clans. Of course, a few old geezers from the Senju clan also jumped out, so Tsunade could only choose to yield."
Looking at Ronglin's calm gaze, Uchiha Fugaku wanted to see some anger, but he was disappointed. Ronglin listened quietly: "What a grand gesture, they really value me."
The reason the Shimura clan did this was simple: to help Orochimaru. Only when their ally Orochimaru climbed higher could they gain more benefits. The Hyuga clan simply harbored the attitude of preventing his growth.
As long as you're in the village and don't have too high a reputation, and have no chance to compete for the Fourth Hokage position, you're ultimately just one person. What if you add the Uchiha?
The Hyuga clan, which had been silent, began to act. As for the old geezers from the Senju clan, their excuses were similar to the Hyuga's. It could be said that their standing out was largely due to the Hyuga clan's covert activities.
Since the Warring States period, the relationship between the Hyuga and Senju had been good. The Hyuga had given the Senju too much support, so it was normal for the Senju to repay them.
If it weren't for a few old guys from the Senju clan jumping out, would Tsunade, with her personality, have feigned ignorance?
Even so, Tsunade almost had a fallout with the Third Hokage.
Between two choices, the Third Hokage ultimately decided to appease these clans by transferring Ronglin back, preventing him from using the war to increase his reputation.
If his reputation in the village grew higher, his chances of competing for the Fourth Hokage position would also increase. The Hyuga, Shimura, and other subordinate small clans naturally wouldn't watch Ronglin grow stronger without acting.
"Although we Uchiha have been fighting, unfortunately, we haven't been taken seriously."
Mentioning this, Uchiha Fugaku wanted to flip the table. This favoritism was simply too much!
But the higher-ups would rather favor the Hyuga than align with the Uchiha.
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