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  ...

  A few days ter.

  Sdalous rumors about the Uchiha abruptly resurfaced among the Konoha popuce.

  However, this time, the people of Konoha seemed to have gained a newfound awareness, refusing to allow their emotions to be maniputed by the “secret ninja.”

  This se was akin to children being more curious about something the more their parents forbade it.

  Not only did it fail to suppress positive public opinion towards the Uchiha, but it also made the image of the secret ninja increasingly ive in Konoha.

  “Shh, be careful what you say. This is a forbidden topic.”

  “Audacious! Do you have a death wish?!”

  “I heard the ‘secret ninja’ are a bounty of 500,000 ryō for rebels colluding with fn vilges. You dare wade into these murky waters at a time like this?”

  “Who are these secret ninja anyway? How such a dark force exist in our free and harmonious Konoha?!”

  “This topic is untouchable!”

  An invisible air of oppression once again enveloped Konoha.

  A silent sensus seemed to have formed among the vilgers:

  [Regarding the secret ninja]

  [Don’t think about it; if you must think, don’t talk about it; if you must think and talk, don’t write about it; if you must think, talk, and write, don’t sign your name; if you disregard all these rules, you’ll probably be taken away by the secret ninja.]

  This phenomenon seemed to intensify in taverns, teahouses, and ninja tool shops throughout Konoha.

  Kied vilgers, overhearing strangers sighing nearby, would immediately intervene before a word oken, subtle warnings:

  “Stranger, if you don’t want to be apprehended by the secret ninja… please refrain from engaging in versations that defy them.”

  However, the turning point seemed to stem from a rumor, the in of which remained unknown:

  [Asuma Sarutobi, son of the retired Third Hokage, publicly protested in support of the Uchiha ninja and was subsequently arrested by the secret ninja.]

  [In prison, Gojo Kaigetsu, advisor to the Fourth Hokage, patted Asuma’s shoulder and said, “Do what you believe is right! Just like I did!”]

  [Asuma Sarutobi gazed into the distah a resolute expression…]

  [An anonymous minister… If a vilge chooses to suppress the will of its vilgers and ninja to pursue freedom, it is undoubtedly a failed vilge.]

  Gojo Kaigetsu and this anonymous minister seemed to have bee spiritual leaders for the Konoha vilgers, emboldening them to speak the truth.

  Thus-

  More and more voices began to rise from the popuce.

  The old ramen shop owner: “…If the secret ninja e to arrest me, no one will speak up for me anymore.”

  A random er at a ninja tool shop: “If we remain indifferent to the injustice, bullying, and persecution faced by the Uchiha, we will ultimately be the ones who suffer!”

  A ninja who had undergone “re-education” at the Konoha Military Police Force: “I’ve been to the Military Police Force headquarters. Their soldier pills are quite delicious.”

  A member of a small ninja : “Proteg the Uchiha means proteg ourselves!”

  Fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy, still wet behind the ears, even paraded a bewildered Asuma Sarutobi, holding banners aing Gojo Kaigetsu’s fight for freedom of speech.

  “Stop perseg the Uchiha! Stop perseg the Uchiha! Stop perseg the Uchiha!”

  …

  …

  “Damn these unruly civilians! Unruly civilians!”

  Danzo Shimura’s face darkened pletely, his rage boiling over as he hurled his teacup to the floor.

  He couldn’t uand why his previously infallible methods had failed.

  He had clearly ordered Root ninja to warn the major s, and Mito Kadach had been spreading subtle pressure throughout the vilge…

  Initially, events unfolded as he had pnned, but soon, it was as if they had hit ro and bounced back with eveer force.

  “They even dare utter such absurd statements as proteg the Uchiha.”

  “What went wrong?! Why aren’t the usual methods w anymore?”

  “I uand now. They side with whoever wins.” Homura Mitokado, his face grim, pushed an article forward. “Danzo, take a look at this ‘Adaptability’… It’s about the source of the rumors.”

  “Someone is orchestrating all of this from the shadows!”

  Danzo took the new issue of “Iki,” his anger growing with each line he read.

  Secret ninja… or rather, Root.

  When had Root ever arrested Gojo Kaigetsu?! Which Fire try daimyo had made suents? And when had the Fourth Hokage visited Gojo Kaigetsu in prison?!

  Utter nonsense!

  Not only was it nonsense, but the rumor vely skipped the beginning and middle, jumping straight to the Fire try minister’s supposed statement…

  It was not only fabricated but also taken out of text!

  For the first time, Danzo experienced what it felt like to be wronged.

  “Hmph, if I weren’t in Konoha, I might actually believe the lies spewed in this ‘Iki.’”

  Danzo immediately stood up. “Let’s go, Homura. We’re going to the Hokage Tower to demand an expnation from the Fourth.”

  “I don’t care how Gojo Kaigetsu deals with other vilges.”

  “But to snder my reputation and sabotage my pn for the Uchiha… This ‘Iki’ must cease publication! And Gojo Kaigetsu himself must crify the false tent within!”

  Fuming, Danzo stormed towards the Hokage office, Homura trailing behind.

  Before they could push the door open, they overheard the jovial versation inside.

  “ Head Fugaku, thank you for the support the Uchiha has shown for Konoha’s development.”

  “This five hundred million ryō is a ‘token of gratitude’ from our elders.”

  Fugaku Uchiha spoke with heartfelt emotion.

  I days, Elder Setsuna, a promi hawk within the , had finally ventured into the vilge.

  Upon his return, his eyes were red-rimmed.

  He mumbled strahings like, “Do they think we ’t afford it? Give everyone a bottle.”

  Bae, he silently handed over his life savings to Fugaku, g it was money for soldier pills, entrusting Fugaku to pass it on to the Fourth Hokage for distribution.

  The reason behind these peculiar as… Fugaku uood after seeing the ninjas apanying Elder Setsuna with their pockets stuffed with various soldier pills.

  “However… we, the Uchiha, have one request regarding the use of these funds.”

  “Please speak freely.”

  Minato replied solemnly. At a time when the vilge desperately needed development funds, the Uchiha’s generous tribution was a godsend.

  All of this was thanks to Gojo Kaigetsu, who sat in his advisor’s seat with his hands behind his head, f a reverse triah his arms.

  Fugaku’s expression turned serious. “We request that this money not be used to fund the vilge’s ‘secret ninja.’”

  While the d the vilge had reached a historic reciliation, it didn’t mean the Uchiha had fiven Danzo’s fa, whose core principles were rooted in the Sed Hokage’s will.

  “Oh~ the secret ninja, you say~”

  Gojo Kaigetsu seized trol of the versation, patting his chest in assurance.

  “Of course, we certainly don’t advocate for secret ninja.”

  “This money will be used for stru within and outside the vilge. We’ll prioritize both aspects, ensuring both are robust…”

  Satisfied with the response, Fugaku nodded repeatedly. If not for the fear of eavesdroppers, he would have revealed his Sharingan to demonstrate his trust in the vilge.

  Only after Fugaku Uchiha had left did Danzo and Homura ehe Hokage office.

  Gojo Kaigetsu wasn’t surprised by their arrival in the slightest:

  “Well, well, if it isn’t Elder Danzo and Elder Homura. We just had a meeting, and guess who wasn’t invited…”

  “Hmph, I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

  Danzo marched towards Minato. “Fourth Hokage, I’m here to remind you of ohing.”

  “The Uchiha harbors treacherous ambitions. They still dream of usurping the First Hokage’s legacy. Fully accepting them is akin to shooting yourself in the foot with a kunai!”

  “I suggest you immediately halt the publication of ‘Iki’ and have Gojo Kaigetsu crify the false tent within!”

  “Then, have Root secretly arrest those who spread rumors ae the situation in Konoha with malicious i.”

  Minato’s usually amiable expression turned cold as he rested his on his interlocked fingers.

  “Elder Danzo, I am the Hokage.”

  “The pn behind ‘Iki’ has been personally approved by me and will remain in effect for at least five years.”

  “If your Roanization has nothier to do…”

  “Perhaps you should turn your attention takure in the distance!”

  ...

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