Chapter 16

Hearing what Hiruzen Sarutobi said, Shimura Danzo, Koharu, and Homura Mitokado were completely dumbfounded.

What's going on?

Your son was beaten half to death by the other party, and you're taking the blame?

Well, actually, there was some reason behind it.

Half a month ago, after an S-class mission, White Fang chose to save Yusuke, leading to the mission's failure. Almost the entire village blamed White Fang and Yusuke, with White Fang receiving the harshest criticism, followed by Yusuke.

The pressure was so intense that White Fang committed suicide, leaving Yusuke mourning. Among those who criticized them, the most vocal were the members of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Among them, Sarutobi Shinnosuke led the group that blamed White Fang and Yusuke the most.

So, to sum up, Yusuke and Sarutobi Shinnosuke had an old feud. It's not an exaggeration to say that Shinnosuke's actions indirectly led to White Fang's death. That's why Yusuke fought with Sarutobi Shinnosuke and his group.

However, Yusuke dismissed it, saying they were overthinking things. Whether it was Sarutobi, Shimura, Uchiha, or Hyuga, as long as anyone dared to provoke him, they would be dealt with.

As for avenging White Fang, Yusuke had no such intentions. He dealt with Konoha purely for his own interests. At the very least, he'd keep an eye on Kakashi and ensure he wouldn't die—consider it a favor repaid.

"This time, it was Shinnosuke who made insulting remarks that led to the misunderstanding. I will make sure to discipline them strictly in the future," Sarutobi said, raising his head with a kind smile. He got up, picked up Yusuke's forehead protector, handed it back to him, and said with a warm smile, "Come, Yusuke, put on your forehead protector again. You'll always be a part of Konoha."

Sarutobi's ability to show no trace of darkness, even in such a situation, was truly remarkable. It's not for nothing that the Sarutobi lineage would endure for generations, while the Shimura clan would become infamous for ten thousand years.

Compared to Shimura Danzo, who always carried a look as if everyone owed him a fortune, Sarutobi knew how to win people over. Of course, it helped that they worked as a team, playing good cop, bad cop. But there was no denying that, whether in terms of ninja prowess or political acumen, Hiruzen Sarutobi far outclassed Shimura Danzo.

Danzo's character, however, meant he was only suited for scheming in the shadows. Once he stepped into the spotlight, the list of people wanting to kill him would be endless.

Yusuke smiled, took the forehead protector, and said, "Hokage-sama, you flatter me. You truly are the strongest Hokage, surpassing even the First and Second. With such magnanimity, how could the younger generation not learn from you? Hahaha~"

"Then, Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now," Yusuke said, hanging the forehead protector on his arm and leaving with a smile on his face.

Although Yusuke held no loyalty to Konoha, for at least the next twenty years, Sarutobi and the others wouldn't dare to act against him.

But Yusuke wasn't foolish enough to let his guard down because of this. At this time, there was no need for him to openly break ties with Sarutobi.

As Yusuke left, Sarutobi waved kindly, the two actors exchanging pleasantries.

"Are you that weak, Hiruzen?!" Danzo snapped as soon as Yusuke was out of sight, his face contorted with anger.

Sarutobi's previously kind demeanor vanished instantly. "We can't afford to lose a Kage-level powerhouse at this time," he said coldly.

But that didn't mean Sarutobi wasn't seething with anger over his son's humiliation. He just had to swallow it for now, given Konoha's precarious state.

Once Konoha recovered, it wouldn't be too late to settle the score.

However, this situation highlighted the difference in political acumen. Sarutobi wasn't as capable as he once was. In his later years, he became more timid. When the Hidden Cloud Village acted brazenly, he didn't dare to confront them, instead pleading for peace.

And Yusuke wasn't the White Fang. While Sakumo didn't dare to challenge Hiruzen, Yusuke wasn't afraid at all.

Not only was Yusuke unafraid, but if he wanted to destroy the Sarutobi, Shimura, or any other clan, he wouldn't hesitate. It just wasn't the right time yet.

...

After leaving the Sarutobi clan's grounds, Yusuke gently patted the slightly curly hair of the young Kurenai, who was waiting for him outside. "Have you been waiting long, little Kurenai?" he asked.

"Yusuke, Hokage-sama didn't blame you, did he?" Kurenai asked worriedly, clenching her little fists.

"How could Hokage-sama blame me with his magnanimity?" Yusuke chuckled, his words causing the Sarutobi clan guards and members of the Anbu to twitch in disbelief.

You beat the Hokage's eldest son to a pulp, and you still say he praised you?

If that were the case, they might start questioning whether something was wrong with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But they were indeed surprised to see Yusuke emerge from the Hokage's mansion unscathed. They had thought that, at the very least, Yusuke would be stripped of his ninja rank, if not imprisoned.

But nothing had happened.

Could it be that Hokage-sama was really that magnanimous? Could he truly be so virtuous as to not care about his son being beaten up?

As Yusuke led Kurenai away, he mused that the kids from Minato's group were still too young to understand Sarutobi's political maneuvering. If they truly understood, would they still allow themselves to be so easily brainwashed?