Chapter 58: Guess

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Guess

"These are..."

Looking at the suddenly appearing Uchiha ninjas, Orochimaru frowned deeply and turned his gaze toward Uchiha Xuan, who was teasing the ninja hawk.

"Quite clearly, they are here to pick us up."

With a flick of his wrist, Uchiha Xuan released the ninja hawk and spoke with a smile.

"If I remember correctly, almost the majority of the Uchiha clan’s ninjas serve as guards in Konohagakure’s Police Force. So many Uchiha... where did they get the village exit orders?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and looked at Uchiha Xuan.

"You guess?"

Watching the ninja hawk soaring freely in the sky, Uchiha Xuan’s smile remained unchanged as he spoke softly.

’What a pity, you’re actually so composed. It seems you won’t be getting these eyes back.’

..........

Konohagakure, Hokage Building.

"Well done. During your return to Konohagakure, news of your achievements has spread throughout the Ninja World. It was Hanzo himself who leaked the information. Among them... Xuan, your performance... was a bit too astonishing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the three members of the "Gambling, Drinking, and Smoking" trio and Uchiha Xuan standing before him, speaking with a smile.

"Old man, you better properly record the merits from this mission! And also, I want a vacation!"

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Tsunade stepped forward and slammed her hand on his desk, shouting loudly.

"Your temper hasn’t changed at all, has it? I know you’re tired, but regarding the Land of Wind..."

Looking at Tsunade pounding his desk, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s mouth twitched as he spoke with a troubled expression.

"Don’t even think about it! Right now, the Hidden Sand Village has gone to attack the Hidden Stone Village. Plus, after Sakumo-senpai escorted us back from the front lines in the Land of Wind, he immediately returned there.

With Sakumo-senpai overseeing things, how could they possibly still need me there? And even if the Hidden Sand wants to target Konohagakure again, that would only happen after their conflict with the Hidden Stone Village is over. Before that, I want a vacation!"

Tsunade’s expression was serious, as if she would turn the Hokage’s office upside down if Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t grant her leave.

"Alright then, you can rest for a while. However, if Chiyo appears on the front lines of the Land of Wind battlefield, you must end your vacation and go there to take command. After all, you’re the only one in Konohagakure who can counter Chiyo."

Unable to do otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only agree to Tsunade’s demand.

"Who says that? There’s also... never mind, I can’t be bothered arguing with you about this. We’ve already reported everything we needed to. Is there anything else? If not, I’m going back to see Grandma and the others."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately wanted to protest and say something, but in the end, she gave up arguing with Sarutobi Hiruzen about her thoughts. Instead, she stood up, crossed her arms, and spoke loudly to him.

"I suppose you must be tired from the journey. Go back and rest for now. However, remember to attend the memorial service in a couple of days. We must honor the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the village... Orochimaru, stay behind."

"Got it, got it. Xuan, let’s go."

Click.

As the door to the Hokage’s office closed, only Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen remained inside.

"Is the information released by Hanzo true?"

Without any pleasantries, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his most accomplished disciple and asked in a low voice.

"Such as?"

A slight smile curled at the corner of Orochimaru’s lips as he looked at his stern-faced teacher and asked.

"Uchiha Xuan’s strength."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up and spoke gravely.

"Not only is it true, but... he also has another side you’re unaware of."

Hearing this, Orochimaru’s smile deepened. Recalling the several individuals who had followed them all the way, only to vanish not far from Konohagakure, his expression turned playful.

"Another side?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, wanting to press further, but saw Orochimaru already turning toward the office door.

"Orochimaru."

"Old man, I’ll give you a piece of advice Tsunade once told me. Actually, never mind—it doesn’t suit you. But you just need to know that Uchiha Xuan is not Uchiha Kagami, nor is he an ordinary Uchiha.

If I had to say, he... is like a mirror. Malice reflects greater malice, while goodwill... well, who knows."

With that, Orochimaru opened the door and walked out of the Hokage’s office.

Staring at the closed door, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s brow remained tightly furrowed.

At less than eleven years old, he could engage with Hanzo of the Salamander and even gain the upper hand...

’What Orochimaru said... Uchiha Xuan, will you become a threat to Konohagakure? At such a young age, with such strength, if he were influenced by the Sharingan...

But Madam Mito approached him so early—she must have noticed something. I’ll need to keep an eye on him... Still, I should speak with Madam Mito.’

After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi Hiruzen took out his pipe, placed it in his mouth, and looked toward the direction of the Senju Clan Territory.

.................

On the streets of Konohagakure, Tsunade and Uchiha Xuan walked side by side.

"Those Uchiha ninja earlier..."

As they walked, Tsunade hesitated, wanting to ask. She had been curious since before they reached Konohagakure but hadn’t found a chance to speak with Uchiha Xuan alone.

"They were just using a... ’ninja tool’ related to space-time. Let’s call it that for now."

Understanding what Tsunade was thinking, Uchiha Xuan explained softly.

"But that counts as leaving the village without permission... Xuan, doing something like that..."

Tsunade’s expression was complicated. She suddenly felt she couldn’t understand the person beside her. After all, ninja were the ones who valued rules the most within the village, because breaking those rules would lead to punishment.

And now, Uchiha Xuan was clearly testing those boundaries.

"Explaining this would be complicated, so I won’t go into it. Well... see you later. I have matters to attend to."

Looking at Tsunade, Uchiha Xuan smiled faintly and spoke softly. Without waiting for her reply, he vanished before her eyes using the Flying Thunder God.

"You brat, pulling that trick again... Wait! He just used the Flying Thunder God, didn’t he?! When did he place the mark in Konohagakure?! Has he been back to the village before? When was that?!"

Staring at the spot where Uchiha Xuan had vanished, her sharp mind taking over, Tsunade immediately realized something was off.

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