Yoncher looked at Danzo and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The good die young, while villains keep on living.
If he didn't act now to kill Danzo, then according to the story's flow, Danzo would live for many more years.
But if he killed Danzo here and now, how drastically would the plot change afterward?
Come to think of it, being a "precognitive" observer of the storyline itself was already an enormous cheat.
Because he knew what was coming, he could avoid danger and chase fortune instead.
Yet by killing Danzo now, this advantage might vanish far earlier than expected.
This wasn't just about Danzo.
Many times, a single sentence or decision could completely change the course of history.
Like back then, when Tobirama died.
Suddenly, a scene flashed through Yoncher's mind—Senju Tobirama fleeing with Danzo and others.
In the end, the Second Hokage stayed behind to cover their escape—and died.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and several others survived, eventually forming Konoha's legendary F4.
Now imagine—if things had gone just a little differently back then...
A new vision flashed through Yoncher's mind:
Tobirama: Who will cover our retreat?
Hiruzen: I will.
Tobirama: You're the fresh blood of the village. I should do it instead—you'll become Hokage tomorrow.
Danzo felt regret, his heart burning with resentment, demanding another chance.
Danzo: Let me go.
Tobirama: Fine. Then you do it. We're pulling out!
History changed forever.
Without Danzo—the scheming bastard stirring chaos—countless lives would have followed different paths.
Among these altered fates, none were more crucial than Kabuto Yakushi.
As an orphan, Kabuto was used as a pawn by Danzo. He even killed the orphanage director he loved most—Nonou Yakushi—and ultimately lost himself completely.
Years later, driven mad, Kabuto summoned an army of Impure World Reincarnations, joining forces with "Masked Madara" to ignite the Fourth Great Ninja War, costing countless lives.
During that war, the ninja killed by the Impure World Reincarnation technique could never have guessed their deaths all came down to that immortal bastard, Danzo.
Had Danzo died sooner, perhaps countless fates would've been rewritten.
Moreover, with the Second Hokage alive, Konoha might have become steadier and stronger.
Unfortunately, such a scenario had never happened.
It was just Yoncher's daydream.
Even so, thinking about that image still made him chuckle like an idiot.
"Haha..."
Feeling something off, Danzo lifted his head slightly and glanced toward Yoncher.
Their gazes locked.
Instantly, a surge of anger exploded in Danzo's chest without warning!
What the hell is wrong with this kid?
What does he mean, staring and smiling like an idiot at me?
How dare he!
Doesn't he fear I'll kill him?!
After silently cursing under his breath, Danzo suppressed his rage and returned to his usual cold, indifferent expression.
He didn't take this lowly soldier seriously—not even slightly.
Whether or not this young man held evidence implicating him—proof of his secret experiments with Orochimaru—meant absolutely nothing to Danzo.
A mere Uchiha brat daring to challenge him, the head of Root? Impossible.
Moreover, Uchiha Yoncher could never have any evidence.
He had already taken and destroyed all the evidence.
However...
Out of sixty children, only Uchiha Yoncher and Kinoto survived?
Could it be that kid successfully transplanted Hashirama cells and gained Wood Release?
If so, either bring him under my control or wipe him out completely!
[Unnamed rage and killing intent from Danzo Shimura, Emotional Value 14]
Huh, the grumpy old coot is finally spouting nonsense.
At his age, still can't even control his emotions. You still think you deserve to be Hokage?
Go eat shit.
Yoncher cursed under his breath, shifting his gaze toward Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head of the Uchiha.
Since his grandfather was Kagami Uchiha and he had a genius younger brother named Shisui Uchiha, the clan head treated him decently.
Therefore, Yoncher didn't hold any dislike toward this leader.
Actually, Fugaku's strength wasn't weak at all.
But his personality was somewhat soft and timid, always seemingly dragged along by other clan members.
On the night of the Uchiha massacre, when Fugaku saw his own son wielding a blade, slaughtering their clansmen all the way up to his face, he chose suicide without resisting at all.
That's why many people called him useless.
Of course, Yoncher would never dare say the word "useless" out loud.
If he did, the next second he'd be arrested by Konoha's Military Police Force.
Because essentially, it would mean leaking the Uchiha's core secret.
Shifting his sights away, Yoncher looked at Setsuna Uchiha standing nearby with a goatee.
Setsuna Uchiha served as the great elder of the Uchiha clan.
And also was the instigator and leader behind the movement for rebellion within the clan.
The Uchiha clan drifting further from the central power, the growing discontent among the clan toward Konoha's higher-ups – a large part of this turmoil came from this old bastard's machinations.
This old geezer was cunning and ruthless, definitely a tough one.
Back during the time of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, he incited the Uchiha against the village until the Second Hokage discovered it and had him arrested by Anbu, imprisoning him afterward.
After finally getting out of prison, instead of keeping a low profile, he started stirring up trouble again.
Among the Uchiha there were hawks and doves, and this guy was the hawk faction's leader, constantly plotting a coup to seize the Hokage position.
When it came to coups, Setsuna could proudly declare: Nobody understood them better than him!
Sigh... Not one of these guys has a normal mind.
As Yoncher rolled his eyes,
Suddenly,
The meeting room doors behind Yoncher exploded open violently!
Boom!
The heavy door flew inward, crushing both Uchiha Yoncher and Hattai Uchiha who stood directly before it!
Everyone stared in shock
Tsunade stormed in, her expression dark and stormy.
Crash!
She stomped onto the heavy door pinning down Yoncher and Hattai, radiating raw intimidation, coldly shouting, "Where's Uchiha Yoncher!"
What just happened?
Did Yoncher offend Tsunade-sama?
A hand extended from beneath the large gate, waving back and forth twice.
Then, Uchiha Yoncher's voice rang out: "I'm here!"
Tsunade quickly pulled back her foot.
The massive gate was pushed open, revealing two figures scrambling out.
One was Uchiha Yoncher, the other was Uchiha Hattai.
Uchiha Hattai gave Tsunade a messy bow, then glared furiously at Uchiha Yoncher.
Yoncher was stunned. "What are you staring at? It wasn't even me who kicked the door! I'm a victim too, seriously! I've seen bullies before, but never one so spineless and arrogant at the same time! If you've got guts, why don't you glare at Teacher Tsunade instead?"
If Tsunade-sama hadn't come for you, would I have suffered this misfortune? Uchiha Hattai swallowed his rage.
In this gathering full of important figures, where would Uchiha Hattai dare to speak up?
[Angry from Uchiha Hattai, Emotional Value 11]
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sighed and said, "One of the legendary Sannin, kicking doors while entering—what kind of example is that!"
No one else spoke.
Dared not speak.
Among so many people present, only Hiruzen Sarutobi dared to scold Tsunade.
When Tsunade flew into a rage, even Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado would get beaten up; Danzo had to steer clear.
Who would dare to challenge her with an angry stare?
Then they heard Tsunade say coldly, "Uchiha Yoncher is my disciple. You'd better handle this matter fairly and impartially."
"Let no one bully him, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Everyone present was shocked!
Even the Third Hokage could hardly believe his eyes as he stared at Tsunade.
Since Nawaki and Dan passed away, Tsunade had been depressed, losing interest in everything except gambling, not caring about anything anymore, even planning to leave the village and wander.
Never thought she'd actually accept Uchiha Yoncher as her disciple?
What did Uchiha Yoncher do to earn her favor?
Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Setsuna's eyes both subtly changed expression.
Uchiha clan's first genius, Shisui Uchiha, already closely associated with the Hokage administration at such a young age...
Unexpectedly, his older brother Uchiha Yoncher also became Tsunade's disciple!
"This brat, this idiot! He actually became Tsunade's apprentice?" Uchiha Setsuna slightly constricted his pupils, unable to stop himself from snorting coldly in his heart.
As for Uchiha Fugaku, he turned his eyes, seemingly thinking about something.
[Deep disgust from Uchiha Setsuna, Emotional Value 9]
Inside Uchiha Yoncher's heart surged waves of emotion.
He hadn't even done anything yet, but Elder Fukasaku of the Uchiha Clan had already died.
That hawk faction leader probably believes by becoming Tsunade's disciple, he has gotten far too close to the Hokage administration—he must be furious enough to kill him.
Uchiha Yoncher shot a glance at Tsunade and instantly felt more confident.
Just now he had been wondering how to skillfully manipulate everyone's emotions without getting killed himself.
Now Tsunade had arrived to support him.
These two Hashirama cell fragments were secure!
[Lightning Release Suit] was secured!
Uchiha Yoncher swaggered proudly beside Tsunade, riding on her reputation and basking in her power.
Everyone present: "..."
Seeing that kid playing high and mighty like that, many couldn't help but feel a wave of resentment for no clear reason.
That brat is kind of annoying...
"Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly, "We called Yoncher here simply to learn more about his abduction and experimentation. How could we possibly bully him?"
"You know that already — he's the son of my dear friend Kagami Uchiha!"
"Is that so?" Tsunade scoffed coldly, pointing at two nearby ninjas. "If you only want to understand his abduction and experimentation, why bring members from the interrogation department?"
Konoha's interrogation department's official name was "Konoha Torture & Interrogation Unit," primarily handling interrogations of rogue ninjas and spies along with intelligence analysis.
And the man and woman Tsunade pointed at were exactly members of this interrogation unit!
"Cough cough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat twice before saying, "We had them come simply because they excel at intelligence analysis — nothing else intended."
"Skilled in intelligence analysis?" Tsunade snorted lightly. "Then shouldn't you have summoned Shikaku Nara instead?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Tsunade slapped his face hard, making him feel rather embarrassed by this open humiliation.
Actually, Koharu Utatane wanted these interrogation department members here specifically to pressure Yoncher and apply certain coercive measures.
As the Third Hokage, his failure to voice objections amounted to tacit approval.
Now the blame was squarely on him — Hiruzen Sarutobi could do nothing but swallow his pride and take it.
But now there's a problem —
With Tsunade throwing a wrench into things, those interrogation squad members probably wouldn't dare act freely anymore.
"Alright, continue!" Tsunade declared loudly. "I'll just listen from the side!"
The male and female interrogation specialists exchanged glances, their eyes flashing slight embarrassment.
Truthfully, when they came here originally, they did plan on being somewhat strict with Uchiha Yoncher to extract more genuine information.
But now with Tsunade causing this disruption...
Even with the Third Hokage supporting them, they couldn't afford to be reckless anymore.
Never mind using special methods — if they even treated Uchiha Yoncher roughly, Lady Tsunade might intervene directly, right?
Both looked simultaneously at the Third Hokage.
What are you looking at me for? I can't do anything about her either... Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained a serious expression as he nodded heavily. "Proceed."
"Yes sir!" The female interrogation officer stepped forward toward Yoncher. "Uchiha Yoncher, immediately after your return, Anbu members went to the location you described, but that experimental facility was already engulfed in flames."
"Did you set the fire yourself?"
Burned down already?
Man, Danzo moves fast.
"I didn't start the fire," Yoncher replied calmly. "Although I couldn't find any useful evidence inside, I believe Anbu officers might discover some clues, so I didn't burn it out of frustration."
The female interrogator continued, "Regarding the fifty-nine gravesites you mentioned, Anbu found nothing either."
"Anbu only discovered excavated earth, but no bodies were found."
"Are you certain that besides yourself, fifty-nine other children participated in the experiments—and all of them died?"
Damn you, Danzo...
A surge of killing intent flared in Yoncher's eyes!
Did Danzo actually desecrate those children's graves to destroy the evidence?
Leaving them with no resting place at all?
This monstrous bastard!
Yoncher's gaze settled on Danzo.
The murderous intent in his eyes was completely unrestrained!
Meeting Yoncher's stare, Danzo's own eyes flickered with a sharp gleam.
And the surrounding crowd noticed something unsettling in Yoncher's stare—as if they, too, had been pulled into their own thoughts.
Out of the corner of his eye, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo and frowned instinctively.
Yoncher silently withdrew his gaze and said, "Yes. Besides me, there were fifty-nine other children."
He always insisted on saying fifty-nine instead of fifty-eight because he didn't want to drag Yamato into this.
Revealing Yamato's involvement right now would bring him no benefit at all.
Worse yet, it might even put Yamato's life in jeopardy.
After all, years later Danzo trained Yamato thoroughly, but eventually Yamato was still recruited by Hiruzen Sarutobi and joined Anbu.
In Yamato's matter, Danzo ended up with nothing to show for it—didn't gain so much as a single strand of hair.
Therefore, there was absolutely no need to stir up unnecessary trouble now.
Yoncher still remembered that when he first awoke, he had received sorrowful and affectionate Emotional Values from Yamato.
That boy had never said a word to him, yet somehow, a bond had already formed between them.
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Thank you for reading, Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.