[62] : The Scapegoat

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The Third Mizukage's expression darkened. He didn't believe Hiruzen's claim that the Uchiha who stole the Forbidden Scroll was a missing-nin.

He saw it as a flimsy excuse.

"Do you think Kirigakure is afraid to go to war with Konoha?"

The Mizukage stood up and glared at Hiruzen.

"I know you suspect I'm lying, Mizukage, but he really is a missing-nin. He defected a year ago. You can investigate if you don't believe me."

Hiruzen said calmly.

"His name is Uchiha Ryota. Feel free to investigate. He's the only one I know of with the Mangekyō Sharingan. He's been classified as an S-rank missing-nin."

Hiruzen was indeed referring to Uchiha Ryota, the one Shin had seen on the mission list.

He glanced at Danzō. Ryota's defection and Mangekyō Sharingan awakening were connected to Danzō.

Ryota was talented and powerful, a genius of the Uchiha Clan. Naturally, he had caught Danzō's attention.

Danzō had tried to recruit Ryota into Root, but Ryota had refused and even injured the Root Agents sent to persuade him.

This had offended Danzō, who believed that any talented Shinobi who wouldn't serve him should be eliminated, especially an Uchiha.

Danzō had captured Ryota's parents and used them as bait to lure Ryota into a trap.

He didn't know what had happened after that. All he knew was that all his men were dead, and so were Ryota's parents.

The last report he received was that Ryota had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Hiruzen had learned of this incident and helped Danzō clean up the mess.

Otherwise, with the Uchiha Clan's genius suddenly becoming a missing-nin, and with evidence pointing to Danzō's involvement, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have let it go so easily.

Hiruzen had appeased the Uchiha Clan with various concessions.

But now this had happened. Had Ryota become that strong? Strong enough to infiltrate Kirigakure and steal the Forbidden Scroll?

Hiruzen was worried. Ryota's parents were dead, killed by Danzō's men. Would Ryota seek revenge on Konoha?

The world only knew of Madara Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, but Hiruzen had another teammate, Uchiha Kagami, who had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, though he was now deceased.

As Kagami's teammate, Hiruzen understood the terror of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

And the more he understood, the more worried he became. This was all Danzō's fault. He had to stop Danzō from doing whatever he pleased, even if he claimed it was for Konoha's sake.

But was it truly for Konoha's sake?

Perhaps Konoha held some importance in Danzō's heart, but it definitely wasn't his top priority. Danzō was a selfish man; he only cared about himself.

After a lengthy discussion, Hiruzen finally managed to appease the Mizukage.

The Mizukage left, determined to declare war on Konoha if he discovered Hiruzen had lied to him.

Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to the Anbu.

"Find Uchiha Ryota. We have to find him."

"Leave Uchiha Ryota to me. I will find him and eliminate this threat."

Danzō's eyes gleamed.

Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Can your Root handle him? You know how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan is."

To be able to infiltrate Kirigakure single-handedly and steal the Forbidden Scroll... Hiruzen didn't believe Kirigakure was that weak.

He was wary of Ryota now. The Mangekyō Sharingan was the eye that could subdue even Tailed Beasts.

He was overestimating Ryota, though.

It was Shin who had infiltrated Kirigakure, not Ryota. If Ryota had tried, he would have been killed instantly.

Ryota was just a scapegoat, blamed for something he didn't do.

And now he would be hunted by both Kirigakure and Konoha.

Especially Kirigakure. If they found him, even the Mizukage might personally pursue him.

And if Shin learned that Ryota had the Mangekyō Sharingan, he might hunt him down to copy it.

Ryota's situation was tragic. He might as well change his name to "Uchiha Deadmeat."

...

Meanwhile, the true culprit was still enjoying himself in the Land of Water.

"This croquette is disgusting."

Shin tossed the croquette aside. It was made with squid meat and tasted fishy.

Kushina and Mikoto also made faces and discarded their croquettes.

"How can you make croquettes with squid? Do they even know how to cook?" Kushina complained.

"Look, they seem to be enjoying it. Maybe it's just their taste," Mikoto said.

Just because they didn't like this strange croquette didn't mean others didn't.

"The takoyaki here is good, Shin. Try it."

Kushina offered Shin a takoyaki ball.

"Mmm, it is good. And cheap too."

Anything seafood-related was cheap in the Land of Water. As an island nation, they had plenty of seafood.

"We've been in the Land of Water for days. When are we leaving?"

Kushina asked.

She wasn't used to the Land of Water. It was humid, and there was always a thick fog in the mornings and evenings.

And the worst part was the fishy smell that blew in from the sea when it was windy.

The locals were used to it, but Kushina wasn't.

The Land of Whirlpools was also an island nation, but it was closer to the mainland and had a different climate.

Kushina wasn't used to it, and neither was Mikoto. Even Shin found it a bit unpleasant.

"Let's leave today then," Shin said.

He decided to take Kushina and Mikoto to a food street in one of the towns before they left. They might not come back to the Land of Water again, so they might as well enjoy a feast.

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