"Itachi..."
The Third Hokage mentiohe h a plicated expression. "He infiltrated the Akatsuki as a spy."
"That child..."
"Even as a boy, he had a strong sense end always thought deeply about everything. He single-handedly elimihe Uchiha to stop their rebellion and protect Konoha."
Link remained silent, refraining from making righteous accusations or critig anyone. From the Hokage's perspective, Itachi was a necessary evil—someone who had severed his bonds aions to protect the vilge’s is.
It was akin to how the First Hokage had chosen to kill his closest friend to protect the vilge. The darkhat surrounded Konoha had been pnted from the very beginning, when proteg the vilge at all costs became an uioned principle.
Ironically, the Will of Fire passed down from the First Hokage—advog absolute dedication to the vilge—had found its true heir in Danzo, who embodied the ninja world's shadows. It was also Danzo’s ideology that influeachi after he joihe Anbu.
The Third Hokage’s approach, however, leaned closer to the Sed Hokage’s philosophy of appeasement. Promoting individuals like Kagami Uchiha aachi mirrored this softer policy.
But Link wasn’t particurly ied in the Will of Fire or the tired stories of old. To him, the Uchiha were merely stepping stones for Sasuke’s growth—a destio perish.
The Third Hokage sighed deeply and said, "The tragedy of the Uchiha was a result of my y, an irreparable loss."
"Link, I’m an unfit Hokage." His tone carried a quiet resignation as he calmly aowledged his fws.
"I’m gd you’ve grown into who you are now, but I don’t think you should have been exposed to such darkness so early—"
"Lord Hokage," Link interrupted, meeting the old Kage’s gaze calmly. "I’m not a child anymore. her is Sasuke. In times of eople e would already be otlefield."
“A child...”
The Third Hokage lowered his eyes, recalling the tless wars he had lived through, watg the vilge’s childre off to fight. The pain of seeing the very lives he sought to protect being lost, one by one, weighed heavily on him.
"I uand," he said, adjusting his hat. "I’ll have a talk with Sasuke."
"As for the Akatsuki, you don’t o worry about them—"
He left the reasoning unsaid.
"Then, if you’ll excuse me." Link bowed slightly. "Lord Hokage."
Given his current status, rank, and strength, there wasn’t much more Link could say. As for Danzo?
If the Third Hokage could have dealt with Danzo, he would have done so long ago. Danzo wasn’t just an individual; he was the leader of Konoha’s militaristic fa and had widespread support within the vilge.
Even the Uchiha had trusted Danzo’s logie extent.
Rather than relying on the vilge to handle Danzo, it was better for Link to find an opportunity to take him down alongside Sasuke.
…
After Li, a frog hiding in the er let out a "pop" and transformed into Jiraiya, arms crossed.
"That boy seems a little too mature for his age," Jiraiya remarked.
"Reminds me of Orochimaru..."
He thought back to the past.
Whether it was the loss of both parents, the way Orochimaru had bee silent and mature afterward, or his relentless pursuit of power—it was all eerily simir.
Jiraiya had always believed that Sasuke was the one who most resembled Orochimaru, given how both had lost their parents to Konoha’s maations and were prodigies in their ht.
But during his brief time in the vilge, Jiraiya had discovered another child who was even more remi of Orochimaru—Link.
"No," the Third Hokage said, exhaling deeply. "Jiraiya, you o learn to trust the geion..."
He had once believed he could ge Orochimaru, p everything into his studee seeing the ambition and mali Orochimaru’s eyes. Though the oute had left him heartbrokeill believed in the importance of trust.
"If we ’t trust our own people, then who we trust?"
"Old man, I’m not staying in the vilge," Jiraiya said seriously. "And I’m definitely not taking on the role of Hokage."
"You look like you’ve got another 20 years left in you!"
"I’m old," the Hokage said with a smile. "At most, two more years. If there’s no suitable didate by then, you must return to take my pce."
"No way!" Jiraiya waved his hand in refusal. "Besides, I’ll be leaving the vilge in a few days. Like I said yesterday, I’m taking Naruto with me."
At the mention of Naruto, the Hokage’s expression softehat little boy who dreamed of being Hokage was walking the same path as his father.
"By the way, old man," Jiraiya said with a mischievous grin, "Naruto told me he beat you with that jutsu..."
The Hokage’s face lit up, and he ughed. "Yes, that jutsu... Hehehe."
…
Konoha Hospital, Sasuke Uchiha’s Room
"Link—"
Haruno Sakura, heartbroken after beied by Sasuke, looked up—or rather, forward—and saw the newly minted Special Jonin standing in front of her. "You’re here to see Sasuke too?"
"He just told me he’s going to sleep—"
"Link."
Sasuke, wearing his hospital gown, stood in the doorway, pletely ign Sakura.
"Sorry," he said.
He had thought he could trol his emotions, but seeing his deceased father and ing face-to-face with Itachi had shattered that resolve.
Not only had he failed to protect his rades, but he had also bee a burden. Waking up in the hospital only firmed that he’d o be rescued again.
This realization burned inside him, fueling his desire to grow stronger.
"It’s fine," Link said casually as he stepped into the room.
Sakura tried to follow, but Sasuke shut the door behind him without hesitation.
"I didn’t expect to enter him so soon," Sasuke admitted. "We’re still far from his level."
"It doesn’t matter," Link replied. "You’re improving quickly. In another year or two, the time for revenge will e—whether it’s him or Danzo."
To be ho, Link was impressed. Sasuke had taken a Tsukuyomi head-on and only been unscious for a few hours.
Was it because of his three-tomoe Sharingan? Or perhaps the events of the Uchiha massacre, being repyed for someone who already khe truth, had less impact?
Sasuke’s tense expression softened as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"There won’t be a ime," he said firmly. He wouldn’t allow himself to bee a burden again.
Bleam
