The Hand of God Creates the Strongest Hidden Mist Village

Chapter 48 Hiruzen, Calm Down

The text on the scroll is cold and cruel, clearly recording the attack on the Cangnan supply station, the heavy losses, and the confirmed information that three Jonin were killed in action.

Especially the part about Sarutobi Shinnosuke at the end, which roughly describes how he was tricked by a Kirigakure ninja disguised as an Uchiha, and ultimately died in battle alongside Gekko Kazama in the central warehouse, his remains never recovered...

"Shinnosuke, dead?!"

Danzo looked on in disbelief, then suddenly looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly, the muscles in his cheeks twitched uncontrollably, veins bulged on his forehead, and his terrifying aura grew increasingly fierce, even causing cracks to appear on the floor and walls of the Hokage's office!

"Hiruzen, calm down!"

Danzo growled.

The importance of this intelligence is beyond doubt. If the information is leaked due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger, it will be a devastating blow to Konoha's morale!

But Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed unable to hear Danzo's shouts anymore.

His hands gripped the reel tightly, his eyes fixed on everything on it, as if trying to see through it completely.

He simply couldn't believe that Shinnosuke was dead.

The son he had placed his hopes on since childhood, whom he had nurtured with all his heart and soul, whom he regarded as his pride and future heir, had actually died just like that!

He died at the hands of Kirigakure, right there in the supply depot...

"puff!"

A mouthful of blood gushed from Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth, staining his Hokage robe red.

His body swayed violently, and the terrifying aura dissipated instantly. He was about to collapse, but Danzo reacted quickly and caught him.

"Hiruzen!"

"I...I'm fine..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became extremely hoarse due to extreme emotions. He pushed Danzo's hand away, swayed slightly, and finally sat back down in his seat.

But now, where is the trace of the shrewd and composed demeanor he displayed earlier?

Seeing his best friend like this, Danzo's expression became increasingly complicated.

Although he and Shinnosuke were not related by blood, he had watched the child grow up and had called him "Uncle Danzo" since he was a child.

In terms of talent and ability, Shinnosuke is undoubtedly a genius. He can learn all kinds of ninjutsu in no time and understand them very quickly.

In terms of temperament and shrewdness, Shinnosuke not only inherited Hiruzen's composure, but also learned his decisiveness.

On tactics.

On character.

In terms of magnanimity!

Under their tutelage, Shinnosuke achieved near perfection, becoming an undisputed pillar of the Sarutobi clan and even the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

He's even basically secured the title of the next Hokage!

But now, this genius who carried the hopes of the family and the village, this culmination of their countless expectations, has died!

The office was deathly silent.

Danzo could clearly hear Hiruzen Sarutobi's extremely suppressed breathing.

The Third Hokage, who was usually gentle and composed, and who sheltered Konoha like a towering tree, seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

The pain of losing a child is heart-wrenching!

"I am deeply saddened by your passing."

Danzo crouched down, picked up the broken pipe, placed it on the table, and slowly said, "But now is not the time for sadness. You are the Hokage, Konoha needs you, everyone needs you."

"Danzo..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head, looking at his best friend beside him, and the sorrow in his heart seemed to find some solace and support.

He took a few deep breaths and finally calmed himself down a bit.

"You're right, Danzo, but Shinnosuke won't just go white-stockinged like that."

"Kigakure will have to pay the price!"

He looked at the scroll again, his gaze icy.

Perhaps to clear himself of suspicion from the Uchiha clan, Fugaku wrote a great deal of detailed information in the scroll, including even the information he obtained from Hyuga Ryosuke's mind using genjutsu.

He then emphasized that Uchiha Makoto was definitely not a member of the Uchiha clan, that no one in the Uchiha clan had ever been named Uchiha Makoto, and that he would cooperate with the investigation to the fullest extent possible.

"Hiruzen, you and I both know that the transplanted Sharingan cannot be turned off. In addition, the Byakugan has confirmed that the person did not use the Transformation Jutsu, so the Uchiha identity is basically confirmed."

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's increasingly fierce gaze, Danzo said in a deep voice, "Of course, I'm not targeting the Uchiha."

"The Uchiha clan contributed greatly and made significant sacrifices on the battlefield in Kirigakure. That's a fact. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to stop Kirigakure."

"But this time, it's the same fact!"

"We all know Shinnosuke's abilities, and with the addition of Kazama Gekko, even if Jiraiya and Orochimaru came, they wouldn't be able to defeat him in such a short time."

"Most importantly, the enemy has a thorough understanding of the defensive deployment of the Cangnan supply station, and they have almost perfect positioning for both attack and retreat!"

"A being who possesses the Sharingan and knows the Cangnan Supply Station inside and out..."

"Enough, Danzo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly spoke, interrupting Danzo.

"There's no need to say anything more if there's no evidence. You've seen Fugaku's battle report; the list of Uchiha casualties at the front is accurate, and he even offered to cooperate with the investigation."

"Unfounded suspicions at this time will only undermine morale and allow the Mist Village to benefit. Say no more!"

Danzo obediently shut his mouth and said no more.

But he believed that these words were enough.

His old friend's political acumen was in no way inferior to his own. With the Uchiha identity confirmed, Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions could not be dispelled by Fugaku's few words. On the contrary, he might even think that Fugaku was putting on a show, using a retreat as a tactic to advance!

Coupled with the pain of losing his son, Hiruzen Sarutobi now absolutely despises the Uchiha clan from the bottom of his heart, wishing he could annihilate the entire clan and reduce them to ashes!

But as the Hokage, he had to consider many more things.

Moreover, the current battlefield is inseparable from the Uchiha clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, even closing his eyes.

Danzo did not disturb him and waited quietly.

"Pass on the order!"

After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally opened his eyes, his tone icy: "Classify the attack on the Cangnan Supply Station as top secret and do not disclose it to the public for the time being. In particular, the news of Shinnosuke's death must be kept strictly confidential."

"Issue the order! Commend the Uchiha clan for their valiant fighting and immense sacrifices on the battlefield of Kirigakure. Their compensation and merit awards will be increased by 20%."

"However, given the significant threat posed by the Kirigakure 'Mist Blade' squad and their potential possession of tactical intelligence targeting the Uchiha clan, to ensure the stability of the defensive line, the frontline troops are hereby ordered to consolidate their defensive perimeter effective immediately. The specific handover of defense duties will be coordinated by Jiraiya upon his arrival!"

"Issue the order! Establish a special investigation team, personally led by you, to thoroughly investigate the Cangnan supply station incident!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi issued a series of orders, finally looking at Danzo.

"Danzo, I authorize you, in the name of the Anbu, to conduct the most rigorous secret investigation of all Uchiha clan members on the front lines. At the same time, give me the fullest extent of your power to investigate this Mist Blade Squad and everything about Uchiha Makoto!"

"yes!"

Danzo nodded emphatically, turned around, and prepared to leave to carry out the order.

Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to him.

Danzo turned back.

"Find them."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were bloodshot, his body trembled, and his voice was like that of ice that had stood for millennia.

"Find that Mist Blade Squad, find that Uchiha Makoto! I want him, and all his accomplices, to pay for their crimes in blood!"

"...I will!"