Extra Chapter 14: The Old Man in the Dark

"You're welcome."

Uchiha Sasuke gazed at Karin, who was tearfully thanking him. His voice became increasingly suppressed and low, his eyes filled with indescribable heaviness.

"No need... to be polite to me."

Sasuke's voice grew even heavier, and the anger within his chest couldn't be completely vented. He could only take a deep breath to suppress his emotions.

Don't be so polite!

The Karin of the real world was never timid or polite! Apart from her superior, Akihara Kagura, Karin never minded receiving help from anyone in the Root. She knew she could assist anyone too! Despite being the same person...

Just because this world lacked Akihara Kagura, the fates of the two Karins had undergone drastic changes, to the point that even Sasuke found it hard to accept.

Such drastically different fates...

Made Sasuke feel even more suppressed and pained.

"Sasuke-kun!"

Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto rushed over.

The two companions of Team 7 had never seen Sasuke like this before.

All along, Sasuke had been calm and rational, but at this moment, he seemed somewhat unsettled, especially showing cruelty and severity when he killed the Grass ninja.

After the battle, Sasuke seemed to want to forcibly act gently towards the red-haired girl from the Grass Village, fearing that she would be scared...

"Do you need to wipe your face?"

Yakushi Kabuto approached, handing a clean tissue to Karin, with a warm smile on his face, introducing himself proactively: "I am Yakushi Kabuto, a friend of Sasuke-kun."

"Ah, thank you..."

Karin quickly took the tissue.

The red-haired girl seemed to recall something, wiping the tears from her eyes with her sleeve and then hastily cleaning her glasses with the tissue. Although she had already sensed Sasuke's chakra, she still wanted to clearly see the face of the black-haired boy.

"Let's go."

Sasuke frowned so deeply it seemed he could crush a mosquito, avoiding eye contact with Karin and heading off in one direction first: "There are two squads from the Grass Village participating in the Chunin Exams. Another team is still alive in this forest…"

"Huh?"

The group couldn't help but look at each other in astonishment.

Are we going to hunt down the other Grass ninja team now?

"..."

Karin observed this group of Konoha ninjas, feeling out of place and secretly wanting to slip away.

"Hey, come with us."

Sasuke sternly stopped Karin's movements, coldly ordering: "Don't leave my sight until we exit the Forest of Death…"

What was the Karin of this world thinking?

In this crisis-ridden Forest of Death, someone like her who was not good at fighting would only become prey for other teams, and even the beasts in the forest could hurt her!

"Yes…"

Karin had no choice but to nod and agree.

"..."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, glancing at the stunned red-haired girl beside him, his smile suggesting he saw through everything, and he followed Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun."

Walking behind Sasuke, Kabuto carefully recalled: "The Grass Village is small, and their strength is not significant in this forest…"

"Although I'm not entirely sure of Karin-san's abilities, her ability gives two genin enough confidence to confront another team head-on…"

"Such a unique ninja as Karin-san is very rare even in the ninja world. The Grass Village probably doesn't have a second person like her. If the other Grass ninja team relies on Karin's abilities, they should be heading this way immediately…"

"..."

Sasuke glanced at Kabuto in surprise.

Even though he had long been aware of Kabuto's wisdom, occasionally hearing Kabuto's reminders still made him feel a sense of admiration. No wonder Kabuto was always highly regarded by Akihara Kagura.

I have to admit…

Kabuto's analysis was very accurate.

"However…"

After reminding Sasuke, Kabuto added: "The powerful ninjutsu Sasuke-kun just used should have scared many nearby…"

"Then let's find everyone around us…"

Sasuke raised two fingers, pressing his hand on the ground. A sensing jutsu immediately detected all the enemies near Team 7!

"Huh?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow in slight surprise: "There are three teams around us, one being the Rain ninja who just fled, but there are still others approaching us…"

"After all, this is an exam…"

Kabuto smiled, seemingly understanding why those people were approaching: "Although there was a commotion here, others couldn't see exactly what happened. In this forest where hiding is crucial, they naturally assume that those exposed are prey…"

"Comparatively…"

Kabuto's glasses reflected a ray of light in the sunlight, his eyes lifting to look at a camera device on a distant tree: "Perhaps our examiners have already noticed the commotion. The higher-ups of the village, who are knowledgeable and experienced, might already know what technique Sasuke-kun just used, which could bring trouble…"

"Doesn't matter."

Sasuke stood up, clapping his hands, indifferent to the exposed power: "That was the second stage of Susanoo, merely a basic use of the Sharingan's ability…"

"That alone is astonishing."

Kabuto recalled his own shock upon seeing Susanoo.

Of course.

Kabuto was more curious about why Sasuke moved so fast, though his curiosity was suppressed by reason. Kabuto understood that it might be Sasuke's secret, and it wasn't the right time to ask.

"If I'm not mistaken…"

A strange cold smile appeared on Sasuke's face: "The higher-ups of the village are probably already discussing Susanoo. They might not know how to handle me yet, and I'll probably have to leave Team 7 after the Chunin Exams…"

To be honest…

Sasuke himself understood this kind of situation.

Susanoo implies the emergence of a Mangekyo Sharingan capable of controlling the Tailed Beasts. Konoha, which has the most fearsome Nine-Tails, wouldn't want such power to fall into someone else's hands.

As the head of the Root and advisor to the Hokage in the real world, Sasuke himself wouldn't tolerate anyone outside the village leadership wielding such power. The authority over life and death cannot rest in others' hands...

"Danzo will likely soon learn about this…"

Kabuto glanced at Sasuke, earnestly reminding him: "For some reason, Danzo has always been very interested in the Sharingan…"

On the other hand,

Nothing escaped the expectations of Kabuto and Sasuke.

Konoha's higher-ups gathered in the examination room, the jonin around them with their mouths agape, looking shocked at the sight of the giant purple half-body avatar crushing a Grass ninja…

"Hokage-sama, what kind of technique is that!"

A jonin looked at the Third Hokage in the center.

"Who would have thought…"

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was also stirred, gripping his pipe tightly, muttering to himself: "Susanoo... has appeared again…"

Susanoo!

A power capable of destroying everything!

If it were just Susanoo, it wouldn't be a problem, but the only ones who can use Susanoo are from the Uchiha clan. There is only one Uchiha in the Forest of Death!

Uchiha Sasuke!

That twelve-year-old boy, his Sharingan has evolved into the Mangekyo Sharingan, and at his age, he can already use the terrifying eye technique of Susanoo!

That brat...

He's really a bit too strong!

The only consolation for Sarutobi Hiruzen is that the Uchiha clan has been wiped out, leaving only Uchiha Sasuke as the sole survivor...

Otherwise, if such a terrifying genius had emerged during the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the higher-ups of Konoha, the leadership would never have slept peacefully at night.

No...

No, wait...

The Mangekyo Sharingan has the ability to control tailed beasts...

Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered Sasuke's teammate, Uzumaki Naruto, and his feelings became complicated, causing his brow to furrow deeply.

"Hiruzen."

Homura Mitokado, the Hokage advisor, looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a frown, feeling uneasy: "Isn't that boy Sasuke a bit too strong..."

"To reach such a level at this age..."

Koharu Utatane was also uneasy, subconsciously recalling the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the higher-ups, thinking about how easily the Uchiha could lose control!

"Enough."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the two advisors, calming them down and advising them not to lose their composure over Uchiha Sasuke: "The Uchiha clan was wiped out four years ago, and now only Sasuke remains..."

From any perspective, Uchiha Sasuke should not be a threat to Konoha, but rather an asset. Having a powerful ninja in the village is a good thing...

That being said...

The fact that Uchiha Sasuke has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan means he has the potential to control the Nine-Tails, meaning he could start a Nine-Tails rampage if he wanted to...

The last Nine-Tails incident caused massive losses for Konoha, and the lingering scent of blood has lingered in Konoha for twelve years without dissipating!

The village's most powerful and dangerous weapon is now in the hands of an untrustworthy boy, which inevitably makes people feel uneasy and fearful...

What if one day Sasuke discovers the truth about the Uchiha clan's demise, or if his emotions become unstable, and he directly uses his Mangekyo Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails inside Naruto? It could create a terrifying Nine-Tails rampage!

Coincidentally...

The Uchiha clan has never been particularly rational in their actions!

Sasuke killed a Grass ninja without hesitation by controlling Susanoo to crush him to death! He doesn't seem to be a rational person either!

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen tightened his grip on his pipe, recalling possible future events, and his brow furrowed even deeper.

As the Hokage of the village...

He must protect the village at all costs!

As the Hokage responsible for the entire village's safety, he cannot pin all hopes on Sasuke always remaining calm. The key to such a dangerous weapon cannot be in the hands of a twelve-year-old boy!

However...

The Chunin Exams are still ongoing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't end this exam, which involved all the major nations, at this moment. He had to wait until the exam concluded before figuring out a solution.

At the very least...

He needed to disband Team 7.

While the Third Hokage was contemplating how to disband Team 7, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, the two Hokage advisors, exchanged glances and thought of an old friend.

This kind of matter...

Should be left to that old friend to handle!

No one in Konoha was better at dealing with the Uchiha than that old friend, who personally recruited a revered Uchiha and orchestrated a monumental clan extermination event, eliminating a persistent trouble for Konoha's leadership!

Unfortunately...

Because of that clan extermination event...

That old friend had been relieved of his duties by Sarutobi Hiruzen and forced into retirement.

"Should we call Danzo?"

Homura Mitokado softly mentioned the old friend's name, gently reminding: "Danzo taught Itachi to destroy his entire clan to protect Konoha..."

"Why not let him teach Sasuke?"

Koharu Utatane chimed in, sighing: "At least compared to us, Danzo is more adept at dealing with the Uchiha..."

"It's not the right time yet."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, rejecting the advisors' suggestion, and solemnly proposed his solution: "There's no suspense regarding Sasuke passing the Chunin Exams. He will certainly pass..."

"And once the Chunin Exams are over, I will promote Sasuke to Chunin. Kakashi will submit a report to promote him to Jonin, and this way, I can reasonably transfer him from Team 7 to the Anbu..."

"Just in time..."

"Before the Chunin Exams..."

"Sasuke can use his power to shine during the exams, allowing Konoha to win this military competition among allies..."

This would kill two birds with one stone.

For Konoha's political stability, this would allow Sasuke to play his part while maintaining stability.

"..."

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane nodded involuntarily.

Although the two advisors were very satisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrangement, they still planned to visit the retired Shimura Danzo later.

At the very least, they could get some information about the Uchiha from Danzo to prepare themselves mentally.

In Konoha Village.

Shimura Danzo's residence.

Root was disbanded four years ago after the Uchiha extermination incident.

As a retired elder, Shimura Danzo was nominally inactive, but he still secretly manipulated those former Root ninjas who remained loyal to him.

Danzo quickly received a report from a former subordinate, which specifically mentioned the important information about Sasuke awakening Susanoo!

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane visited Shimura Danzo, bringing up the Chunin Exams and Sasuke's Susanoo.

"Susanoo appeared in the Forest of Death..."

Shimura Danzo held a teacup in one hand and an intelligence report from his former subordinate in the other, emphasizing Sasuke's talent!

"Uchiha Sasuke..."

Danzo's one visible eye widened in disbelief: "That brat has also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan at such a young age..."

"Four years ago, I agreed to Itachi's condition to spare Sasuke's life..."

Danzo's face grew darker as he slowly extended a bandaged hand, pressing the intelligence report on his desk: "I didn't expect that brat to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in just four short years, a terrifying and troublesome genius, even more exceptional than Itachi..."

Quickly.

Danzo realized this was an opportunity!

An opportunity for his own comeback!

And he might gain another genius Uchiha!

As a former higher-up member of Konoha, Danzo understood his old friends well; they would never trust the future safety of the village to the mindset of a young boy. They would inevitably be wary of the dangers posed by the Mangekyo Sharingan!

Konoha's true leadership once consisted of four people...

The current three leaders weren't adept at dealing with the Uchiha; the only one who truly excelled at it was himself!

Of course...

Sarutobi Hiruzen might not agree.

But Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane would surely agree!

However, these concerns were trivial because Danzo had already colluded with Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams, planning a top-secret operation to eliminate Sarutobi Hiruzen!

"Hmph..."

"Monkey..."

"Everything is falling into place..."

"Whether it's the Mangekyo Sharingan..."

"Uchiha Sasuke..."

"Konoha..."

Danzo's visible eye became vicious, striking fear into anyone who saw the old man, and his voice was old and sinister, making him even more intimidating!

"Everything will fall into my hands!"

~~~

I always like Danzo who daydream