Chapter 44: You Questioned Me, and You Say There’s No Other Meaning?

There were not only Jonin but also a significant number of Chunin and Genin. And that was just within the Uchiha clan. When you factor in the other clans, it's easy to see just how much weight these families carry in Konoha.

It's no wonder the Third Hokage and Danzo were so bent on weakening the clans—it was a complete brainless move. If they were worried about the clans growing too powerful and threatening their authority, they should have just said so, instead of hiding behind the excuse of fostering civilian ninja.

The most ridiculous part? They kept talking about weakening the clans and promoting civilian ninja, but only other clans were weakened while the Shimura and Sarutobi clans grew stronger.

That's how we ended up with that infamous scene during the Fourth Great Ninja War—when the Sarutobi clan alone could mobilize thousands of ninja.

Thousands of ninja—what kind of concept is that?

The entire village of Konoha was in an uproar, but none of that had much to do with Takuya and his team. After resting, the three continued their journey back to Konoha.

As for the deadweight Daimyo officials, their own people would come to escort them back.

Even though the escort mission had technically failed, delivering the intel and earning battle merits meant Takuya and his team came out big winners.

"Takuya's team, please report to the Hokage's office immediately," came the message.

As soon as they returned to the village, it was clear that the atmosphere had become much more tense. The scent of war hung even heavier in the air.

The moment the three entered the village, an ANBU member appeared, summoning them to the Hokage's office.

Dragging their weary bodies, they made their way to the Hokage's office.

The building was buzzing with activity. With a new war looming, the Hokage's office was far from peaceful.

Knock, knock, knock.

Minato gently rapped on the door.

"Come in," came the Third Hokage's voice. The three opened the door and entered.

The office was packed with people, and one white-haired figure with a short sword on his back stood out.

It was Sakumo Hatake, Konoha's future White Fang—a man so powerful that even the Sannin would respectfully call him "senpai."

At this point, Sakumo hadn't yet earned the title of White Fang, but his strength was already that of an elite Jonin, far surpassing the Sannin.

When Takuya entered the room and locked eyes on him, Sakumo raised a hand and scratched his hair—the same color as Takuya's—before offering him a friendly smile.

Takuya blinked in surprise and nodded back in acknowledgment.

"Hokage-sama, Takuya's team reporting in," Takuya said, stepping forward as the team leader.

"Well done, children," the Third Hokage said, the tension on his face easing as a gentle smile replaced it. He raised a hand, beckoning Takuya to come closer.

Me?

Takuya glanced around to make sure the Hokage was addressing him before he stepped forward.

These are the kids who discovered the enemy?

It was said that this boy, Yagami Takuya, had wiped out an entire Jonin squad.

Takuya looked so young—barely in his teens, with a face still full of innocence. It was hard to believe he had taken down a Jonin squad.

Even if it was just a standard Jonin squad, with one Jonin leading three Chunin, it was still hard to imagine.

Many of the Jonin present wouldn't be able to take down such a squad single-handedly, especially considering how notorious Sand Village puppet masters were.

At the Jonin level, those puppet masters were especially tricky, with their poisons and endless attacks that could leave you flustered and vulnerable. One wrong move, and you'd be finished.

But this kid had managed to take down one of those puppet masters—something that seemed almost unbelievable.

"Child, could you tell us about your encounter with the enemy?" the Third Hokage asked. Even though the intel scroll had detailed everything, he still wanted to hear it from Takuya himself.

What a pain.

I'm exhausted. All I want right now is a good meal, a hot bath, maybe a soak in the hot springs, and then a long, deep sleep.

Takuya grumbled internally.

Under the watchful eyes of the Jonin and the Third Hokage, Takuya began, "Our team was escorting the Daimyo's officials to the Land of Rivers. We made camp near the border, where I was in charge of the night watch during the latter half."

"While setting traps, I noticed a large group of unknown ninja approaching. Realizing the danger, I woke my teammates and we evacuated the three important officials from the camp."

"Not long after we left, the camp was thrown into chaos as a Jonin squad pursued us."

"I told my teammates to keep moving while I stayed behind to cover our retreat."

"The intel says you used a genjutsu to control the enemy?"

A Jonin with the Shimura clan's crest on his uniform stepped forward, questioning Takuya.

"I'm sorry, but I need to confirm the accuracy of the intel. I mean no offense."

You question me like that, and you say you mean no offense?

What is it with people connected to Danzo—why are they all so disgusting?

Shimura clan, huh?

"And how exactly do you plan to verify it?" Takuya asked coldly, glaring at the man.

This is going too far—why are you giving a kid such a hard time?

Even if this Yagami Takuya's feat of taking down a Jonin squad seems unbelievable, publicly questioning him like this is over the line.

Sakumo Hatake shot the man a disapproving look, wanting to step in on Takuya's behalf.

But the Third Hokage remained silent, so Sakumo held his tongue.

You're not going to intervene?

At a moment like this, the Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—was just sitting there, saying nothing.

Takuya understood. This Shimura clan jerk might not be acting on the Hokage's orders, but the Hokage was definitely doubting the intel's accuracy.

How infuriating!

Daring to doubt Takuya!

Minato glared at the man, and Mikoto puffed out her cheeks in anger, wishing she could slap him.

Takuya wasn't wrong—the Third Hokage did have his doubts.

Takuya was so young, after all. Even for a prodigy, this kind of achievement was almost unbelievable.

Not to mention, the intel stated that his Sharingan had already advanced to the three-tomoe stage. What kind of insane progress is that?

So when the Shimura clan Jonin stepped forward with his doubts, the Third Hokage chose to remain silent, not stopping him.

He wanted to see if it was all true.

Is Takuya really an extraordinary genius, or is he lying?

"What's the matter? Is this genjutsu difficult for you to perform?" the Shimura Jonin pressed, seeing Takuya's icy stare.

"Kid, don't even think about—"

As he continued his sneering remarks, a red light flashed in Takuya's eyes—the three-tomoe Sharingan spinning to life. The Jonin's consciousness was instantly dragged into a genjutsu.

"Whoa! It really is a three-tomoe Sharingan, and the kid's only nine, right?"

"The Uchiha have birthed a real monster."

"But he's not Uchiha—he's the sole heir of the Yagami clan. Apparently, he tried to rejoin the Uchiha but was turned away."

"..."

As they watched Takuya's three-tomoe Sharingan and the now-dazed Shimura Jonin, the gathered Jonin began to murmur among themselves.

When someone mentioned that the Uchiha had rejected Takuya's return, their expressions became rather complicated.

Are you Uchiha people crazy?

You're pushing away a prodigy like this?

In a corner of the office, the Uchiha clan representative, Jonin Uchiha Kaze, wore a face so dark it was like the bottom of a pot.

Inwardly, he cursed certain elders of his clan to high heaven.

There was no doubt that by tomorrow, the Uchiha would be the laughingstock of the other clans.

This kid is something else.

So young and already with a three-tomoe Sharingan, and his genjutsu is terrifyingly powerful.

Look at that Shimura Jonin—he's already trapped and doesn't even realize it.

Wait! What is he doing?

It's all true!

The Third Hokage felt a mix of surprise and resignation.

He was thrilled to see a true prodigy emerging within the village.

But at the same time, it was frustrating because this prodigy carried Uchiha blood, even if he hadn't officially rejoined the Uchiha clan.

"Has Shimura Hideitsu gone mad?"

Under the influence of Takuya's genjutsu, Shimura Hideitsu began to move like a puppet—he spun in place and then broke out into an awkward dance.

To be more precise, it was a cringeworthy dance.

His movements were stiff and awkward, clearly not the kind of person who knew how to dance.

And yet, under the spell of the genjutsu, he continued to dance awkwardly—a real cringe-fest.

"..."

"Pfft—"

In the Hokage's office, many Jonin began to stifle their laughter.

Shimura Hideitsu's dance was truly something that burned the eyes.

This kid, Yagami Takuya, is really something. Faced with doubts, he directly forces the guy to dance himself to death.

You could already imagine the aftermath—Shimura Hideitsu's cringe dance in the Hokage's office would soon become famous throughout Konoha, if not the entire ninja world.

"Hahaha..."

The first to break into open laughter was Sakumo Hatake.