Chapter 52 : Investigation??

When the meeting concluded, Namikaze Minato lingered for a moment, eyeing Uchiha Sogetsu with a mix of concern and disbelief. 

The young Uchiha's innocent and cheerful demeanor seemed at odds with the ruthless plan he'd just presented. Minato couldn't help but wonder: How could someone so outwardly friendly devise such a diabolical scheme?

At the same time, a sense of relief washed over him. As a Jonin, he was safe from whatever might happen during this year's Chunin Exams. If he were still a Genin, he'd dread facing Sogetsu's twisted tactics.

With a heavy sigh, Minato silently wished for the best, thinking of the hopeful candidates taking the exams. 

"May they come out of this without any lasting trauma," he murmured. When it came to Obito and Rin, all he could do was hope they would make it through unscathed.

As people left the meeting, the representative from the Hyuga clan shot a harsh glare at Uchiha Sogetsu before storming off, muttering curses under his breath. 

He was heading back to his clan to warn everyone to be extra cautious during the Chunin Exams. It was better to back out than to end up with psychological scars from Uchiha's ruthless approach.

Orochimaru, always intrigued by chaos, smirked as he looked at Sogetsu. "Interesting idea," he said with a hint of amusement. "You've done extensive research on genjutsu. Perhaps we could discuss it more in-depth when the opportunity arises."

Without waiting for a response, Orochimaru departed, unconcerned with the skeptical gazes of the others.

The two advisors left with a sour expression, clearly displeased with how things had turned out. Their authority had been undermined, and their pride took a hit. They didn't even bother with a polite farewell as they exited the room.

Uchiha Sogetsu, on the other hand, felt no remorse for his scheme. If anything, he seemed quite pleased with himself. He mused to himself, "Why should I shelter others from the storm if I'm not the one caught in the rain?"

It didn't bother him to leave people without protection, especially when it made his life more interesting.

Just as he was about to leave, a series of translucent words appeared before his eyes. "New mission?" he thought, his curiosity piqued. With a sly grin, he prepared for whatever came next.

[Side Mission: The Deepest Fear]

[Fear is one of the most intense human emotions. Your task is to instill a memorable fear into the Genin participating in the Chunin Exams.]

[Reward: Witch's Ring

 - Made from the Beyonder characteristic of Demoness Pathway Sequence 5: Affilictions

 - A silver-black ring with a unique shape and inlaid with rubies.

 - Extraordinary ability: Significantly enhances the wearer's charisma, endows them with witch-like characteristics, and can create viruses and bacteria, leading to the spread of various plague diseases. The first ten minutes after wearing it are safe, but as time and the spread of these diseases increase, the negative effects also escalate.

 - Negative effects: Prolonged wear subtly corrupts the user, gradually transforming them into a Demoness Sequence Beyonder.]

The side mission's details left Uchiha Sogetsu speechless.

It's not that the rewards were bad, but they seemed a bit too risky.

The negative effects of this item were greater than its benefits!

However, everything has two sides.

Although the negative effects were severe, the ring still had its uses.

After pondering for a while, Uchiha Sogetsu came up with a plan, and a cryptic smile spread across his lips.

It felt like things were about to get interesting.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...

Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi were about to leave when they were stopped by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Shikaku, Inoichi, hold on a moment," Sarutobi said.

After the others left, Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and gave a signal to the ANBU guard. The guard immediately closed the door, understanding the implication. He then stood outside, ensuring that no one could eavesdrop on the conversation.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen sat down, he lit his pipe again, a sharp glint in his otherwise clouded eyes. He asked, "Shikaku, what do you think of Uchiha Sogetsu?"

Nara Shikaku took a moment to ponder before he answered. "He's the 'exception' among the Uchiha clan," he said thoughtfully, recalling his recent interactions with Sogetsu. "He comes across as a kind, polite, and gentle young man."

His evaluation was impartial and didn't carry any hint of bias despite Sogetsu's Uchiha heritage. From what he had seen, Sogetsu was genuinely charming and had a calm demeanor that drew people in.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't seem entirely satisfied with this response, furrowing his brow as he took a few more puffs of his pipe. He then turned to Yamanaka Inoichi and asked, "Inoichi, what's your opinion on him?"

Yamanaka Inoichi glanced at Shikaku, feeling a little uneasy. He didn't know Sogetsu well, but when the Hokage asked, he had to come up with something. "Hokage-sama, I don't interact with him much," he said, "but Uchiha Sogetsu has a good reputation in Konoha."

Despite having to improvise, his answer wasn't wrong. Sogetsu's role as a psychiatrist in the village had garnered him a positive reputation among Konoha's ninjas. 

His gentle nature and lack of arrogance were unlike the typical Uchiha attitude, making him quite popular among the civilian population.

"Alright, I understand," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. Initially, he had seen potential in Sogetsu and thought he could be useful for the Hokage's faction, much like Uchiha Kagami had been. He could also help calm the more restless elements among the Uchiha clan.

However, Danzo had been in his ear, whispering his usual anti-Uchiha rhetoric. It was as if Danzo had a personal vendetta against the Uchiha, constantly promoting the idea that they were a threat to the village. 

The more Danzo spoke, the more Hiruzen found himself questioning his own initial impressions.

One of Danzo's comments, in particular, had stuck with Hiruzen, making him decide to conduct his own secret investigation into Sogetsu. 

He needed to be sure about the young Uchiha's true intentions, especially with Danzo's constant pressure in the background.

Hiruzen, have you forgotten about the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan? 

This question jolted Sarutobi Hiruzen's memory back to the man who had been a shadowy figure in Konoha's history for decades—one of the village's founders, Uchiha Madara.

Although the Uchiha clan hadn't seen a Mangekyō Sharingan in decades, Hiruzen knew he couldn't ignore the possibility. 

He might not need to worry about someone with the standard three tomoe, but an Uchiha with a Mangekyō Sharingan was a different story entirely. 

If the Uchiha clan became even more restless, who could predict the chaos they might cause?

As a Hokage, he knew he had to quell any threat before it had a chance to grow.

"Shikaku, let's continue our investigation," Hiruzen said, exhaling slowly. The past few days of non-stop work had left him feeling drained. "But be discreet, and try not to let him catch on to us."

********

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