As Danzo stormed out of the office, the Third Hokage let out a long, heavy sigh.
For the first time, he questioned it—Was Root truly what it was meant to be?
Was this… really the same organization Danzo once built in the shadows?
And Danzo's obsession with the Uchiha—was it really all for the good of Konoha?
Then there was the final matter: the Sharingan. The one in Danzo's eye. Was it really Kagami's, like he claimed? Or had it come from Uchiha Shō?
Sarutobi looked down at the other report on his desk.
It was a compilation of rumors—whispers spreading both within the village and at the front-line camps. It also included a disturbing note: Danzo and the village's advisors had bypassed the Hokage's authority to have Uchiha forces pulled from the front.
Unacceptable.
The Third realized he needed to reevaluate everything about the Uchiha situation. From the ground up.
If that Sharingan was Shō's, then Ishiki had been nothing more than Danzo's scapegoat.
If it was Kagami's… then Sarutobi felt cold, but he knew where his duty lay.
Sighing again, he picked up Ishiki Kujo's file.
The ANBU had found no anomalies. In the eyes of the village, Ishiki was an exemplary medical-nin—ambitious, respected, and popular at the Konoha Hospital. His bedside manner was impeccable, his techniques precise.
On the battlefield, he was disciplined. He followed the Three Medical-Nin Laws to the letter. He was ready to die for his comrades.
By every metric, he was the ideal Konoha shinobi.
A shining example of the Will of Fire.
During his deployment, Ishiki had treated dozens of wounded ninja, dramatically reducing Konoha's casualties. Among frontline medics, he ranked first in popularity and trust.
"...A flawless record," Sarutobi muttered. Even he had to admire it.
But that was precisely the problem.
Flawless. Controlled. Capable of summoning massive chakra. Mysterious origins. A past veiled in just enough shadow to keep people guessing.
The Third Hokage felt uneasy.
Because to him… Ishiki Kujo was starting to look exactly like another genius he once nurtured.
Orochimaru.
The Root incident, Tsunade's decision to not mentor him, even his connection to the so-called "disappearance incident"—these were all shaping the Hokage's perception.
Originally, Sarutobi had considered grooming Ishiki for ANBU.
But Ishiki's growth had been meteoric. Now, the Hokage wanted him to become the next great pillar of the village—maybe not a second Minato, but at least a new Legendary Sannin or successor to the White Fang.
The village needed shinobi like him.
Even if Ishiki eventually took over Root, Sarutobi would've seen it as a win.
But now… that idea felt dangerous.
Ishiki would need more observation. And time.
Especially with how closely tied he was to the chaos in Root and the Stand incident.
Sarutobi's gaze shifted to another letter on his desk. It was from Orochimaru.
The contents were simple: if Tsunade rejected Ishiki, he wanted the boy transferred to his tutelage.
He believed in Ishiki's potential.
After a long moment of thought, the Hokage picked up a slip of paper, dipped his brush, and wrote a single word:
"Approved."
If anyone could mediate between Danzo and Ishiki, it was Orochimaru. Perhaps something could still be salvaged.
Decision made, the Hokage sent the message via messenger pigeon.
Not long after, a knock came at the door.
Uchiha Shisui entered.
Sarutobi quietly closed the files on his desk and handed Shisui a sealed scroll.
"Your next mission," he said. "You're to observe and investigate Ishiki Kujo. One month duration."
He had authorized Orochimaru to train Ishiki. He had blocked Danzo from further interference. But with so many loose ends… Sarutobi couldn't afford to leave the boy unchecked.
And if anyone could do it unseen, it was Shisui.
Ishiki had secrets—likely tied to his meteoric rise in power. Sending an ordinary jōnin to watch him would be a waste. They'd be noticed. Or worse—fooled.
But Shisui? Sarutobi trusted him implicitly.
The Uchiha prodigy looked up, hope in his eyes. "Does this mean the village no longer suspects the Uchiha?"
If suspicion still lingered, Shisui assumed his mission would've been to watch his own clan.
And to be honest, there had been tension among the Uchiha. Aggressive voices rising. Dangerous whispers growing louder. Shisui feared what might happen if that discontent was left to fester.
Sarutobi nodded. "I've always believed the Uchiha are loyal to Konoha. Any doubts… are my own failings."
Shisui's eyes shone. "No, Hokage-sama. You've already done more than enough. Clan Head Fugaku always tells me the Uchiha are part of Konoha—and we must trust the village."
The Hokage smiled. "Fugaku is a good leader. And you, Shisui—I've always had faith in your heart."
"I won't let you down."
Shisui accepted the scroll. But as he opened it, his brow furrowed.
"...Ishiki? Is he connected to the Disappeared Ability Incident?"
It didn't sit right.
He had worked with Ishiki briefly. Their teamwork had been seamless. He remembered how much Ishiki cared—for the village, for his comrades. Even for the Uchiha.
Shisui knew sincerity when he saw it.
Sarutobi hesitated, then spoke carefully: "According to ANBU, Ishiki does carry some level of suspicion. Not high—but not zero."
He leaned forward. "There are two reasons for this mission. One: search for tiny, easily overlooked golden disk-shaped organisms that might appear near him."
Shisui's eyes narrowed. He'd heard the reports from Root.
"Two," the Hokage continued, "is protection. If someone does try to move against him, I want you there. I want him alive."
"Protection?" Shisui repeated, surprised.
"Your mission is still observation," Sarutobi clarified. "But you'll know when it's time to act."
Shisui bowed. "Understood."
He tucked away the scroll and left the office.
Though puzzled, his mood was light. He didn't fully understand why Ishiki had become a target, but if something dangerous was hidden beneath the surface, he would uncover it.
For the sake of the Uchiha.
For the village.
For the truth behind that crimson eye.
—
Ishiki, meanwhile, left the Hokage Tower and made his way home.
Orochimaru's letter had said nothing useful. Just vague pleasantries and a request to return to the field soon. Apparently, the camp medics missed him.
Naturally. Sarutobi would've read it. No secrets allowed.
When Ishiki got home, Renge wasn't there. Only when he arrived at the hospital did he learn the truth.
She hadn't even known he'd been taken by Root.
"You were with Guy last night, right?" Renge blinked. "Why'd you come to the hospital today? No rest?"
Ishiki smiled and placed the takeout he'd brought on her desk. "Just wanted to check on you."
"So much food… you're eating with me, then," she grinned.
"Gladly."
"Oh, and by the way," she added, almost sheepish, "Shizune says Lady Tsunade left the village last night. So… don't bother trying to find her."
"…Damn," Ishiki muttered, clicking his tongue.