Konoha.
Hokage Building.
"What?"
"Uchiha Madara?"
In the Hokage's office, the old man, dressed in a red and white Hokage robe, looked at the three people before him, his wrinkled face twitching involuntarily.
If only Uchiha Fugaku had come to declare that the true culprit behind the Nine-Tails' attack was Uchiha Madara, then Hiruzen Sarutobi would have simply dismissed it as a foolish move made because his clan's land had been relocated to a corner of Konoha.
But now, not only Kakashi, but also Might Guy, stated that an unknown Uchiha had claimed to be Uchiha Madara and admitted to being responsible for the Nine-Tails' attack.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to take this matter seriously.
Kakashi and Might Guy were both outstanding talents of their generation.
Not only that, Kakashi was also Minato Namikaze's disciple, a true and trusted member of the Hokage lineage.
He was someone Hiruzen Sarutobi could trust.
When Kakashi was previously unconscious in the hospital, Hiruzen Sarutobi even made time in his busy schedule to visit him.
"It's like this, Hokage-sama."
"Although I don't believe he is Uchiha Madara, his strength is absolutely not to be underestimated."
Kakashi calmly looked at the old man before him.
Uchiha Fugaku subconsciously glanced at Kakashi upon hearing this.
He doesn't believe that person is Uchiha Madara?
"What do you mean by that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, his brows tightly furrowed.
Minato Namikaze's death was too sudden; he hadn't even left him a dying message, so even Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't clear about the situation Minato Namikaze had faced.
But... thinking of the arrogant man in his memory, clad in crimson armor, with black hair like a waterfall, looking down on the world, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that now was a time of many troubles.
The Fourth Hokage, in whom he had placed such high hopes, had just sacrificed himself, and now someone was appearing under the name of Uchiha Madara...
"Although I don't know Uchiha Madara well, I have learned about this man from records."
"With Uchiha Madara's wild and uninhibited style, he would never conceal his true face."
"Since he concealed his true face, why would he still use Uchiha Madara's name?"
"That person's space-time ninjutsu is indeed extremely excellent, even stronger than my teacher's, but being strong doesn't mean he is Uchiha Madara."
Listening to Kakashi's analysis, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't show any smile. Instead, he took a deep drag from his pipe, and as a light blue smoke billowed from his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly:
"Space-time..."
He knew all too well the power of space-time ninjutsu.
As a disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Hiruzen Sarutobi had once tried to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But unfortunately, he lacked the aptitude for it.
As for the mysterious person claiming to be Uchiha Madara, even without Kakashi saying more,
Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely did not believe that person was Uchiha Madara.
He had seen that man with his own eyes, and just as Kakashi said, that man would never conceal his true face.
But... an unknown Uchiha clan member...
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze now turned meaningfully towards Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku felt his scalp tingle under that gaze, and almost instinctively, he immediately knelt on one knee, speaking in a deep voice:
"The Uchiha clan has always had a custom of retrieving bodies. Since the village's founding, no clan members have ever been left outside!"
"Unless..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened upon hearing this; he thought of a possibility.
Before the founding of Konoha.
"Unless the person is a clan member from before Konoha was founded."
As Uchiha Fugaku's words rang out, they confirmed what Hiruzen Sarutobi had been thinking.
Before the establishment of ninja villages, ninja clans had a habit of migrating.
While top-tier ninja clans like the Uchiha clan migrated very rarely, it did happen.
It was not impossible for Uchiha clan members to have been lost during this process.
Kakashi, standing nearby, was slightly stunned upon hearing this.
Where did that come from?
"I will go back and review the records immediately to investigate if any clan members were lost outside."
Looking at Uchiha Fugaku, who was bowing his head and dared not look him directly in the eye, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and helped him up, saying:
"Fugaku, what are you doing? I have no intention of blaming you."
"It's just that with Minato's sacrifice, there are bound to be some rumors in the village. I hope Fugaku won't take them to heart."
Uchiha Fugaku was helped up by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and looking at the old man before him, his unease slightly receded. He then continued:
"With an outsider possessing the Sharingan of my Uchiha clan, my Uchiha clan will definitely pursue him with the entire clan."
Uchiha Fugaku was practically gritting his teeth at this moment.
The Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha was already difficult, and now with this troublesome matter, it was even harder to move forward.
"Fugaku's abilities, I have never doubted."
"Go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in his heart upon seeing the man's demeanor.
He had never doubted Uchiha Fugaku's loyalty to Konoha.
No, it shouldn't be described as loyalty.
It should be described as a heart that yearns for peace; Hiruzen Sarutobi had never doubted that.
But having a heart that yearns for peace does not mean Uchiha Fugaku is very capable.
"Yes."
Uchiha Fugaku immediately accepted the order and exited the Hokage's office.
His immediate priority now was to find out which branch of the clan had members lost outside.
To trace the origins and thus find the unknown Uchiha's lair.
With Uchiha Fugaku's departure, only three people remained in the Hokage's office.
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi.
However, compared to his interaction with Uchiha Fugaku earlier, he was much more casual.
This was not due to a lack of regard for Kakashi.
On the contrary, Hiruzen Sarutobi was very close to the Fourth Hokage's direct disciple.
It was precisely because of this closeness that he was casual.
"How do you feel after getting a new eye?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke like a kind elder from next door.
"I feel pretty good, much better than before."
Kakashi subconsciously touched his left eye and replied.
Kakashi's words actually surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi a little.
That previous Sharingan was a jonin gift given to Kakashi by his teammate. Now, why...
"Those who have passed on have passed on. The living should carry the hopes of the deceased and continue to move forward."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled upon hearing this, stepped forward, and patted Kakashi's shoulder, saying:
"It's best that you think this way."
"If you need anything, just tell this old man."
"I believe Minato would also be relieved to see you like this now."
Kakashi's eyes shifted slightly at this, then he pulled out the broken White Fang blade and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I was planning to go to the Uchiha clan and ask Clan Head Fugaku to request the Ninja Cat clan to forge a new blade for me."
After the incident with Uchiha Obito, asking the Ninja Cat clan to forge a blade was already a sure thing. If he got Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval, it would be a hundred percent certainty.
"That would be simple then."
"I'll mention it to Fugaku later, and that should be enough."