Ishiki Kujo now sat alone in a single-occupant cell, quietly awaiting the Third Hokage's judgment.
For two days, medical-nin had been cycling through—running chakra diagnostics, administering mild electric therapy, and giving him written psychological evaluations. Once they finally confirmed he no longer showed signs of "berserker instability," they stopped bothering him.
Ishiki wasn't worried. He knew Sarutobi had far too much on his plate. Cleaning up the disaster in Root wasn't something that could be done overnight.
What surprised Ishiki, though, was that Danzo already possessed a Sharingan at this point in history. He'd always assumed Danzo acquired one after the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
After all, Sharingan weren't candy—you didn't just find them lying around.
Byakugan could be lost or stolen, sure, but Sharingan? In decades, the only confirmed case of a non-Uchiha wielding one was Kakashi—and even then, it had been entrusted to him by Obito himself.
Ishiki was sure Hiruzen had seen the Sharingan in Danzo's eye. And so had several ANBU.
But knowing the Third, Ishiki expected him to cover for Danzo.
Because that's how it always went.
The moment Danzo was involved, the Third transformed—from a leader of a village to a doting father, so blinded by "loyalty" and "regret" that all rationality went out the window. Boundless indulgence. No consequences. No accountability.
If Ishiki remembered correctly, after Minato's death, the Third had left the village to report to the Daimyō about reassuming the position of Hokage. And during that trip?
Danzo actually sent Root operatives to assassinate him.
Failed, obviously.
And when Hiruzen returned? Danzo was sitting in the Hokage's chair, like he owned it.
And what punishment did he get? Nothing. Not even a slap on the wrist. That level of absurdity was practically legendary.
Sure, maybe that was anime logic—TV exaggeration—but after everything Ishiki had seen so far, he wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly how things had gone down in real life too.
So no, he didn't expect Hiruzen to punish Danzo.
No expectations meant no disappointment.
Still, the fact that Danzo had a Sharingan actually helped Ishiki's case. Because the truly important lost item in the Disappeared Ability Incident wasn't the stolen Byakugan—it was a missing Sharingan.
No one cared about a Hyūga branch member's eye. But a Uchiha's? That was sacred.
And now the missing Sharingan had been found—in Danzo's head.
So what did Ishiki have to do with anything?
He'd sensed during the battle that Survivor had taken casualties, so he deactivated the Stand. The fact that it had been discovered didn't surprise him. After all, he'd used the Byakugan himself—he knew how sharp that gaze was.
But he didn't mind people seeing Survivor. In fact, the more witnesses, the better.
Because even if it didn't completely erase suspicion, it complicated things. It made people cautious. It made them calculate.
If Hiruzen believed Survivor really came from Ishiki, he'd have to ask himself:
What would happen if that thing ever activated in the middle of the village?
The best scenario for Ishiki now was that Hiruzen hoped Survivor had nothing to do with him. Because if he was the source… eliminating him wouldn't be easy or risk-free.
And if Hiruzen did decide to eliminate him? Ishiki wasn't going to sit and wait to die.
He didn't mind defecting.
Sure, staying in Konoha was nice. But life outside the village worked just as well for someone like him.
He had power. Wherever he went, he'd survive.
And Konoha's "Hunt the Rogue Ninja" system? Please.
He didn't believe for a second they'd send someone like Jiraiya or Orochimaru just to kill him.
And even if they did? He wasn't arrogant enough to say he could win, but with The President and Matatabi by his side, no one would be able to catch him.
Still thinking through the variables, he was surprised when the Third summoned him sooner than expected.
Escorted into the Hokage's office, Ishiki noticed something right away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked… older.
"Ishiki," the old man said with gentle gravity, "after ANBU's investigation, you've been cleared. You're not involved in the Disappeared Ability Incident, nor in Troy's death. You're free to return home. Report to Konoha Hospital as soon as possible."
The Third's expression warmed.
"And don't speak of what happened in Root. Take some time off. Oh—and don't forget the Chūnin Exams are tomorrow."
Ishiki widened his eyes slightly. "So… Lord Danzo doesn't suspect me anymore?"
"He doesn't," Hiruzen replied with a smile. "Orochimaru confirmed you weren't responsible for Troy. And if the other incident had anything to do with you, why would I assign you to investigate it?"
His eyes twinkled. "Also… I heard you've earned the recognition of the Ninja Tortoise Clan. Impressive."
"That's thanks to Might Guy," Ishiki smiled back.
Inwardly, though, his thoughts swirled. Orochimaru? Taking the blame for Troy? That was… unexpected.
And as for Hiruzen's response—no mention of how Danzo had tried to pin everything on him, no word of consequence.
Figures.
The "son" gets immunity.
"Oh, by the way," Hiruzen added, reaching for his desk. "Orochimaru left this letter for you."
Ishiki took it, bowing slightly. "Then I'll take my leave, Hokage-sama. Miss Renge must be worried."
"Go on," Hiruzen said kindly. "She'll be glad to see you."
But as soon as Ishiki left—
A raspy voice growled from the shadows of the office:
"You're just going to let him go, Hiruzen?"
Danzo.
His voice was flat, dangerous. "I'm certain he's responsible. He orchestrated everything."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "What would you have me do? Imprison him? That would only drive him further from the village. What would we gain?"
"He's a threat! Worse than a threat—he's a ticking bomb! That Stand of his—if it goes off inside the village, do you know how many would die?!"
"I know exactly what you're talking about," Hiruzen said, voice icy. "That… electrical creature that stirs violence. It could cause catastrophe."
"Exactly!"
"You're certain it came from him?"
Danzo didn't hesitate. "Yes. Even if he faked the symptoms, I know—he's just like me."
Hiruzen stood. His expression turned grim.
"Then tell me, Danzo… that Sharingan in your eye. Was it Kagami's? Or Uchiha Shō's?"
Danzo stiffened.
Hiruzen's voice deepened. "Tell me something else—what kind of man are you, Danzo? A fool playing with forbidden tools? Or someone who truly believes Konoha belongs to him?"
"You claim Ishiki caused the chaos in Root," Hiruzen continued, "but all I saw down there was unauthorized machinery. Illegal experimentation."
"Who's the real threat, Danzo? Him—or you?"
Danzo fell silent.
"…If you intend to groom him as the next Hokage, you'll regret it," he finally said.
Hiruzen didn't flinch. "Tsunade has already met him. He's not cut out for the role."
"Humph."
Danzo's scowl deepened.
"Don't lay a finger on him again," Hiruzen warned. "And stop your experiments. Secrecy isn't permanent. If the Uchiha learn what you've done—not even I can protect your position. Or your eye."
He drew his pipe from the drawer.
"And if it all comes out? You'll never be Hokage."
Danzo struck his cane to the floor with force. "As long as the ANBU and that brat keep their mouths shut, no one will know."
He turned, grim-faced.
"And the eye was Kagami's."