Chapter 35: Hiruzen Sarutobi Is Absolutely Mad!

Fugaku Clan Head was, without a doubt, the current leader of the Uchiha clan. Even if the rest of the Uchiha ninja behind him were deeply dissatisfied, they could do nothing but fall silent in the face of their stern, authoritative leader.

"Danzō-sama," Fugaku said, his voice low and tense, as he turned to leave. "The Uchiha clan has no ambitions toward the village. There’s no need for the village to continue distrusting us so deeply."

Without waiting for Danzō’s reply, Fugaku clenched his jaw and walked away, leaving only a distant silhouette behind.

Inside, Fugaku sighed inwardly.

He knew he’d once again backed down—this time, in front of so many of his own people. And worse, this retreat might leave Uchiha Iizumi utterly isolated.

But Fugaku believed he had no choice. If he didn’t step back now, the relationship between the village and the Uchiha clan would be beyond repair.

The village already distrusted them. If a violent clash erupted with Root’s forces now…

Could the Uchiha even remain in Leaf Village?

"I’m sorry, Iizumi…" Fugaku looked up at the full moon hanging above, whispering softly. "I’m doing this for the greater good. Let whatever blame come—let it fall on me alone. As long as the Uchiha clan can survive in peace, I’ll bear it all."

He saw the truth clearly.

The Uchiha clan might seem powerful, but against the entire village, they were nothing more than a single arm trying to stop a storm.

"I’m doing this… to protect the clan."

The shame in his eyes faded slightly.

…

"Hmph. Uchiha…" Danzō’s gaze grew darker, more sinister, yet he didn’t lose control—he didn’t attempt to stop Fugaku’s departure.

"Sir! Hokage-sama has returned!" At that moment, a Root ninja suddenly announced.

Danzō froze. "So soon?!"

Only a few minutes had passed, and sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged with a group of Anbu Ninjas returning to Leaf Village.

"Hmm?" Danzō frowned instantly. Something was wrong.

He noticed that nearly every Anbu Ninja was carrying a corpse.

Even the monkey—Hatake Kakashi—was cradling a dead body in his arms.

So many dead.

Under the pale moonlight, Danzō scanned the lifeless forms. But one face he desperately wanted to see—was missing.

Most of the bodies wore Anbu uniforms. Some looked like researchers. All were horrifically mutilated—limbs torn off, bodies shattered, scattered like broken dolls.

And beneath the air, a faint scent of burning lingered.

"Rin, where is Uchiha Iizumi?!" Danzō’s brow furrowed deeply, his voice sharp with urgency.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzō with a single, weary lift of his eyelid.

Then, without a word, he simply walked past him—ignoring every single Root ninja as if they were nothing more than ghosts.

Danzō’s temper flared.

"Rin!"

"Sir," a voice cut in. An Anbu Ninja stepped forward, blocking Danzō’s path. His tone was low, urgent. "Hokage-sama has just suffered the loss of his son. Please do not disturb him."

Loss of his son?

Danzō’s pupils narrowed.

That meant… the corpse in Kakashi’s arms was Hiruzen Shintetsu?

The monkey’s eldest son… dead?

And killed by Uchiha Iizumi?

Danzō’s breath quickened.

This was a blood feud now. The monkey must be furious—surely he’d ordered the Anbu to hunt Iizumi down and kill him on the spot.

"And as for Uchiha Iizumi…" the Anbu continued hesitantly, "he left the Secret Research Base. He should have already returned to the village. Probably took the shortcut—jumped straight over the wall. Too lazy to come through the front gate."

Danzō froze.

"What… do you mean?"

His eyes, dark and burning with disbelief, betrayed his shock. His face twitched, strained from suppressing rage.

"Are you telling me… Rin let that inherently evil Uchiha child go? Even after he killed your own heir?"

"Yes."

The Anbu’s answer was simple. Final.

Danzō was stunned.

He knew the monkey was old, weak now—no longer the fiery, determined man he once was. But he never thought he’d be this… indecisive.

After losing his son—how could he let the killer walk free?

Was he a saint?!

"Rin!" Danzō’s voice cracked with fury. His face darkened, nearly twisted with rage. He nearly screamed, but managed to hold back, only shouting after the retreating figure: "What in the name of the Fire Nation are you thinking?! That evil Uchiha boy murdered your son! He killed dozens of Anbu! And you’re still letting him stay in the village?!"

He didn’t understand.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused—just for a moment.

"Old man…" Hiruzen’s teeth ground so hard that blood welled at the corners of his mouth. He stared down at the face of Hiruzen Shintetsu, his son, cradled in his arms.

"Old man… I am preserving Shintetsu’s final Fire Nation Will. He did not want to see our village—our home—waste itself from internal conflict… even without an outside enemy."

"This… was his last wish."

"I…" Hiruzen took a deep, shuddering breath. "I must fulfill it. And Uchiha Iizumi… Uchiha Iizumi… did not… kill the wrong person. That was Shintetsu’s own words."

Danzō stood frozen.

His mind reeled. Had he misheard?

Was the dead Shintetsu insane?

And was Rin—Hiruzen Sarutobi—completely mad after losing his son?

Damn it…

Was there any sane person left in this village?

…

Meanwhile.

Izumi, who had followed Uchiha Iizumi back to the village, dragged her exhausted body toward the Uchiha district.

She parted ways with Iizumi halfway through the dark alley.

"Ahhh… so tired…" Izumi murmured, barely able to keep her steps steady. She felt utterly drained—body and soul.

She couldn’t count how many people Iizumi had killed tonight.

Especially when the lava rain fell—there couldn’t have been a single survivor in that Secret Research Base.

And even Hiruzen Shintetsu—the Hokage’s own son—had fallen to Iizumi’s blade.

Was this… Absolute Justice?

Even the Hokage’s heir held no privilege before Justice.

"Maybe… this is why I kept pushing myself, even when I wanted to collapse," she whispered to herself. "Because I had to keep following behind my senior."

Then—she nearly collided with a tall, looming figure.

She reacted fast, jerking back.

She looked up—stunned.

"Fugaku Clan Head?"

Fugaku froze, recognizing her instantly.

"Izumi?"

He suddenly remembered something.

"Has Iizumi… returned?"

"Yes," she answered quickly. "Iizumi-sama should’ve already gone home."

"...Then… that’s good." Fugaku exhaled, relief washing over him.

Iizumi was alive.

But guilt stirred again in his chest.

…

At that same moment.

Back at his home, Uchiha Iizumi turned his attention to the final gift left by Hiruzen Shintetsu—the one who had once been his mentor.

The reward.

The prize.

From the killing of the Red Mark Evil Offenders.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end