Root Headquarters.
In the archive room.
Yugao took a deep breath.
She slowly read through the documents in front of her.
But soon, her expression changed as she comprehended the contents, and her body trembled involuntarily.
Detailed records lay before her, recounting a series of covert and disturbing actions carried out by the high-ranking officials led by the Third Hokage.
All to consolidate their power and influence.
Deeds of unimaginable cruelty.
Yugao shuddered, a cold sweat running down her back.
She could no longer bear to view those supposedly righteous leaders—who claimed to act in the village's best interest—with the same respect.
Some of the darkest secrets seemed to paint the Third Hokage as uninvolved or even oblivious, without any hint of culpability.
But over and over, Sarutobi's clan and the Third Hokage himself appeared to be the greatest beneficiaries.
Yugao wasn't naive, she could understand the implications.
Claiming ignorance was just tacit approval.
Otherwise, if the Third Hokage really were so easily deceived and repeatedly kept in the dark, how could he have led Konoha for so many decades?
Not to mention.
Behind him stood the powerful Sarutobi clan.
The Sarutobi clan was not some small, insignificant family—even back in the Warring States period, they were prominent.
Second only to the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans.
Inuzuka, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans were all allies, close to the Sarutobi family for generations.
Who could possibly undermine him?
"Kiyoshi…. Can you seal my memories?"
Yugao looked at the young man before her with a conflicted expression.
She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her chaotic thoughts, and let out a bitter laugh.
"Otherwise, I'm afraid that when I face the Third Hokage and others, I might give something away. I can't bear to look at them anymore."
She hadn't doubted the authenticity of these records.
Some of the truths she had already sensed during her time in the Anbu.
Comparing her knowledge with the Root archives—
It only made everything clearer to her.
With that, the dignified, righteous image of the Third Hokage and the others was utterly shattered in her heart.
What remained—
Were heartless, cold politicians willing to sacrifice anything to achieve their ends.
It made her feel a chill deep within.
"Don't worry about anything, leave it all to me."
Kiyoshi gently held Yugao in his arms. "Konoha belongs to all of us, not just to a few. They don't represent the village."
He softly caressed Yugao's beautiful face, smiling as he comforted her. "Relax. Don't overthink it."
"When the new Hokage takes office, these shadowy figures will be swept away. Everything will improve."
Though he spoke these words aloud, Kiyoshi felt no personal attachment.
To be honest, he wasn't that selfless. At his core, he was a deeply independent person.
He couldn't imagine sacrificing himself for Konoha like the Hokages of the past.
But with Tsunade taking power, he didn't mind helping to improve Konoha.
With such vast resources available, why would he let them go to waste?
This was a mutual benefit, nothing more.
"Is that so?"
Yugao looked up slightly.
Her gaze fixed on the young man before her, with his unreal beauty.
She stared in a daze, asking, "Kiyoshi, do you.. want to become Hokage?"
With her ideals and beliefs shaken so deeply in such a short time, she was left feeling confused and disillusioned, leaning into Kiyoshi's embrace without resistance.
If Kiyoshi did want to rise to power, with his strength, it wouldn't be an issue.
However, he was too young.
Even though Kiyoshi, as a descendant of the Senju clan, possessed the legendary Wood Release once used by the First Hokage to bring peace, ultimately, he still lacked the reputation needed to convince the people.
In that case, regardless of whether he rose through a political coup or if the Third Hokage voluntarily stepped down, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary chaos.
It might even cause considerable unrest.
"Me? I have no interest in being Hokage, it's far too exhausting." Kiyoshi shook his head directly and smiled. "But I do hope for Tsunade-nee to take the role."
"Lady Tsunade?"
Yugao blinked.
She nodded in realization, a hint of anticipation and hope flashing in her eyes. "If it's her, maybe Konoha's future really could change for the better?"
With Tsunade's achievements and reputation as one of the Sannin, if she were to become the Fifth Hokage, there would be few in the village who could object—even the great clans wouldn't have grounds to oppose her.
She truly was the best candidate.
No matter what, Yugao was still a member of Konoha.
Naturally, she hoped Konoha's future would be brighter.
….
Later that afternoon.
Kiyoshi left Yugao's house.
With his swift and direct manner, he headed straight to the Hokage's office.
With his special status, there was no need for him to be stopped.
He was quickly led into the Hokage's office, where he met the Third Hokage.
"Kiyoshi, back already?"
The Third Hokage, seated behind his desk, put down the file he was reading.
Looking at the ridiculously young man before him, he smiled and asked, "What brings you to see an old man like me today?"
He had already received a report from the Anbu.
Yesterday, Kiyoshi had arrived back in the village.
And, he'd even met with Yugao, an Anbu member whom he'd once saved and had some prior contact with.
The two seemed to have a good relationship.
The Third Hokage found this quite pleasing.
After all, in his eyes, while Kiyoshi was an unparalleled talent, a once in a century prodigy who, even at a young age, possessed the terrifying strength to subdue a tailed beast.
He was still young, with an impressionable mind. It would be easy for him to become estranged from the village due to outside influences or rash conclusions.
The more ties Kiyoshi had to Konoha,
The more reassured he felt.
"It's like this, Hokage-sama."
Kiyoshi smiled and said, "Lately, I've been working with Tsunade-nee on developing new medical ninjutsu, but we're short on personnel.
I'd like to request someone from you on a long-term basis."
"Oh?"
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow in surprise. "So you're working with Tsunade to develop new medical ninjutsu? That's wonderful news."
"But who is it that you need?"
He asked, curious.
Could it be that Kiyoshi wanted someone like Yamato, a former Anbu member who had survived experiments with the First Hokage's cells and possessed Wood Release?
Hiruzen remained outwardly calm.
He pondered his options internally.
"Uzuki Yugao."
"...."
The Third Hokage's eyelid twitched.
He gazed wordlessly at Kiyoshi, who was obviously giving him an excuse.
Are you seriously asking to borrow an Anbu kunoichi who only knows assassination but has average skills, just because you need another hand in medical research?
"Are you going to agree or not?" Kiyoshi asked, smiling.
"Oh, Kiyoshi..."
The Third Hokage showed a helpless expression.
He drew a deep puff from his pipe and began his well-prepared lecture.
"The Anbu is not—"
But he stopped mid-sentence.
A small scroll was placed lightly before him.
And the words written on it made the Third Hokage's eyes contract sharply.
"This is…."
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