"Naruto… that guy is still alive. Can't loot a corpse…"
"Then—if I slap him twice right now, would that count as defeating him?"
"In that case… would there be a chance to copy an entry?"
By the banks of the Naka River, the two-and-a-half-year-old's eyes flickered brightly.
He felt like—
He'd found a system bug!
The Konoha Twelve were supposed to be born one after another this year, right?
So if he went door to door, patting butts and pinching cheeks one by one…
Hiss!
At the thought, Uchiha Arata split into a wide grin.
One hand on his forehead, bending over in laughter.
"Hahahahaha! I really am a genius!"
System: ...
Crack!
At that moment, the Four Red Yang Formation above suddenly opened.
The manic laughter came to an abrupt halt.
As he turned around, he happened to see a smoking pipe flickering under the moonlight.
The Third!
"Hm? There's still a survivor? A child?"
Seeing someone inside the barrier, Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively tensed.
His grip tightened on his staff.
Anyone who survived the Nine-Tails' chaos was bound to be extraordinary.
"A child?"
"And that fan crest outfit… you're from the Uchiha clan?"
But when he clearly saw the child's appearance and clothes, doubt flashed through his deep-set eyes.
The Uchiha clan was supposed to be confined.
So where did this two- or three-year-old come from?
Behind him, the Hokage's guard squad hurried over as well.
When they recognized Uchiha Arata, Shiranui Genma spat out the senbon in his mouth and blurted out in disbelief,
"Oi? Could it be—has the Fourth Hokage's son already grown this big?"
The other Genma Squad members: ...
The accompanying ANBU: ...
Sarutobi Hiruzen: ...
Uchiha Arata: ...
For a moment, Jin almost thought he'd turned into Nezha.
He complained inwardly, but on the surface he put on a naïve, bewildered expression.
Clutching a token timidly, he spoke in childish tones,
"G-Grandpa… I—I'm Jin. A-an uncle wearing a… painted mask said… said there's candy here."
He deliberately emphasized painted mask.
At the same time, he let the token in his hand reveal just enough of the engraved rune.
This intentional move did exactly what he wanted—everyone noticed.
As he spoke, his watery eyes were fixed firmly on the Third Hokage.
If this old man made even the slightest wrong move—
He'd immediately activate Golden Body and run under the cover of Weak Sense of Presence.
As for Flying Thunder God?
He hadn't even started training yet—there really was no chakra in his body.
That said, he also believed the Third wouldn't do anything to him.
This old man could be dark-hearted at times—
But when it came to children in the village, he always showed a loving side.
No matter who it was.
Even if he schemed behind the scenes, on the surface he was always kind and benevolent—
And liked to recite that whole Will of Fire spiel.
Painted mask?
And this token…
On the right, Shiranui Genma and the other two instantly grasped the implication when they heard those words and turned around to leave.
When it came to power struggles between major clans in the village, they couldn't stay.
All they needed to do was handle their own duties properly.
Whoosh.
Suddenly—
Behind the Third Hokage, an ANBU appeared in a flicker of body movement.
The scroll in his hand glowed red as he reported in a low voice:
"Token ID B–74. Affiliated with Root's Third Reconnaissance Unit."
The wrinkles on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face deepened, deep enough to crush flies.
That was indeed a Root unit designation.
And the corpse of that man was lying outside.
Clearly, little Uchiha Arata hadn't lied.
How could a two-and-a-half-year-old child who hadn't even begun training possibly appear here alone?
"So… you wanted to frame the Uchiha clan?"
"But… framing an Uchiha toddler? Danzō, have you lost your mind?"
A flash of cold light passed through the Third's eyes.
When he lowered his gaze again, only warmth remained.
"It's alright, it's alright. You should hurry home now."
He patted Jin's small shoulder.
From his palm, thin threads of sensing chakra seeped in—
Circling once.
Empty.
Completely empty.
Though the child's muscles and bones were dense, there was not the slightest trace of chakra.
Which was normal.
Uchiha children typically didn't begin refining chakra until around four or five years old.
Only after confirming there wasn't a shred of chakra in the body did Hiruzen finally relax.
With a comforting tone, he said,
"Good child. Where the leaves dance, the fire will never be extinguished."
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never be extinguished!"
Jin raised his fist and made an energetic cheering motion.
Then he turned and ran off.
"What a truly upright child…"
Watching his retreating figure, a trace of emotion surfaced in the Third Hokage's eyes.
But when he thought of how Danzō hadn't even spared this child, his heart sank.
He removed the pipe from his mouth and tapped it against the tree stump beside him.
Bang. Bang.
"Danzō… your hands have stretched too far!"
…
Achoo!
At the same time, inside the Hokage Tower.
Danzō, in the middle of a passionate speech, suddenly sneezed.
"Danzō, are you alright?"
Across from him, Utatane Koharu looked at her old friend with concern.
"I'm fine! Right now, I'm powerful beyond measure!"
Danzō rapped his cane against the floor.
"The Fourth Hokage has died. What do you think is the most urgent matter now?"
"Stabilizing the village?" Koharu asked reflexively.
"Exactly—stability! With the Fourth fallen, the village is leaderless. I believe it's necessary to first select a Fifth Hokage to take charge!"
"And at present, the only ones qualified to run for Hokage are the heads of the major clans—but none of them compare to me, Danzō!"
"My love for this village runs deep!"
"I am the roots buried in the soil, holding the village aloft!"
He poured out the words he'd been holding back for years.
He had waited out the Third.
Waited for the Fourth to die.
And even driven the village and the Uchiha into opposition!
Now, at last—
It was his era!
As the thought struck him, brilliant Wind Release chakra erupted from his body.
His presence was overwhelming.
Even the two advisors couldn't help but nod in admiration.
This old friend truly looked heroic and imposing.
After a brief hesitation, Koharu nodded.
"You really are more suitable as the Fifth Hokage. However—"
However?
Hearing the hesitation, Danzō smiled faintly.
"However, I will hand over the village's financial authority to the two of you to manage."
"In that case, there's no one more suitable than you."
The two exchanged a glance and agreed without hesitation.
Bang!
At that very moment, the tightly shut door to the Hokage's office was suddenly pushed open!
Thunk.
When they saw the familiar smoking pipe, all three fell silent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in slowly.
Those weathered eyes looked as though they saw nothing at all.
Step by step, he moved behind the Hokage's desk.
Pulled out the chair.
Sat down.
You—
Danzō ground his teeth.
That seat was supposed to be his—any moment now!
But the Third ignored him completely.
Both hands pressed against the Hokage's desk, he looked at everyone present and said in a deep voice,
"The duties of the Hokage will be temporarily assumed by me. You all—who agrees, and who objects?"
"I agree!"
"I agree as well! The village is in chaos—Sarutobi, your return truly resolves an urgent crisis!"
Koharu and Mito Homura exchanged a glance and nodded immediately.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Meanwhile, Danzō slowly raised a question mark in his mind.
Huh? Wait—what?