Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 68 The Fourth Hokage

Hyuga Kanan moved swiftly along the planned route without stopping. Finally, she returned to the Konoha headquarters' perimeter by evening.

After showing Kanan his patrol mission scroll certification and his obvious eye roll, he returned to the main camp under the strange gazes of the Konoha guards.

Soon, Hyuga Kanan was surrounded by a team of ANBU ninjas, who seemed to be preparing to capture him and take him back to the command post.

Hyuga Kanan was also somewhat confused, but he did not resist and was directly disarmed by the team of ANBU ninjas and taken to the command post.

He now wants to know what's going on at headquarters, as he's clearly being treated like a prisoner and kept under surveillance.

After overhearing conversations among the Konoha ninjas along the way, he realized that he had been thrown out by that old guy Danzo Shimura to take the blame. The entire Konoha squad had been wiped out, with only Danzo Shimura still alive. Even the powerful Kagami Uchiha had been killed. This huge loss was obviously a devastating blow to Konoha.

It should be noted that this Konoha squad consisted of at least elite Chunin-level ninjas, not to mention Uchiha Kagami, one of Konoha's strongest ninjas. Now, they have all been sacrificed, leaving only Shimura Danzo alive.

Even a high-ranking Konoha official like Danzo Shimura couldn't bear this responsibility. The most terrifying thing was the accountability brought about by the loss of the Uchiha Mirror by the Uchiha clan, which Danzo Shimura dared not take on at this stage.

Therefore, Hyuga Kanan became the culprit for the losses in this mission.

But to condemn oneself before even returning, and to openly admit to abandoning the mission and escaping, is too reckless.

Abandoning a mission and running away is a 'forbidden act' for ninjas, while adhering to a mission is considered 'politically correct'. Such a charge could easily lead Konoha to label Hyuga Kanan a rogue ninja. Even if he wasn't directly labeled a rogue ninja, it would easily leave a stain on his record and provide ammunition against him. This is why the Anbu squad treated him like a criminal and kept him under surveillance.

Amidst the pointing and whispering of Konoha ninjas along the way, Hyuga Kanan was taken directly to a solitary confinement cell to await questioning by Konoha's higher-ups when they had time.

Hyuga Kanan coughed lightly, a strange smile on his face, and asked the ANBU squad guarding him:

"I haven't even returned yet, and they've already convicted me. Is this the rule of Konoha? Was this an order personally issued by the Third Hokage?"

After speaking, he stared into the eyes of the leader of the dark squad opposite him, trying to glean something from them.

"Hmm?" The leader of the ANBU squad looked at the Hyuga clan brat in front of him with some surprise, unsure how to answer the question for a moment. But he still spoke in a cold tone, "We are just following orders. Others will investigate you later."

The members of the secret service exchanged glances, each seeing disbelief in the other's eyes.

In the eyes of the ANBU squad, a young ninja like Hyuga Kanan committing a serious crime by deserting during a mission out of fear, not only because he was afraid of the mission, but also because he caused heavy casualties among the Konoha ninjas who were on the mission. His guilt was even greater. So even if he didn't feel panicked, he would still show signs of unease.

But now, with a strange smile, he calmly inquired about Konoha's rules and regulations.

Hyuga Kanan looked at the group of people in front of him and instantly realized that in the eyes of these Konoha ninjas, he was just a low-ranking genin with no real strength. He was only being suppressed because he was a member of the Hyuga clan; otherwise, he might have been executed by order of the Konoha leadership.

"It seems your mission is to find an opportunity to execute me directly! To protect the reputation of the Konoha leadership, but because I am a member of the Hyuga clan, and the son of the Hyuga clan head, the Konoha leadership hasn't arranged for you to act immediately. Now you're probably sending someone to the Hyuga clan to check on my situation!"

Several members of the secret service team stood there dumbfounded, their faces showing surprise.

Hyuga Kanan's words were as if he were standing next to Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's assistant who gave him the orders, and he even guessed that Hyuga Kanan's situation in the Hyuga clan was being investigated immediately.

"No need for investigation. My situation is even worse in the Hyuga clan. The elders of the Hyuga clan's main branch have always wanted to find an opportunity to kill me. Now that Shimura Danzo has given you this order, they will only be overjoyed and will not blame you. What are you waiting for? Just do it! Let me see if Konoha still has any rules and regulations."

Hyuga Kanan looked calmly at the few ANBU members in front of him and spoke casually.

After exchanging glances, the ANBU members looked at Hyuga Kanan with utter confusion. Was this brat from the Hyuga clan trying to urge them to act quickly?

The leader of the ANBU was also unclear about the situation, but regardless, they only needed to carry out Lord Danzo's orders. Thinking this, he gripped the ninja sword slung behind his back, clearly preparing to attack.

After watching the actions of the ANBU members, Hyuga Kanan couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. His eyes were full of undisguised disdain.

You're something else, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Seeing that several ANBU members were about to draw their ninja swords and were ready to make their move, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still able to remain calm. Or did Hiruzen Sarutobi also want to take this opportunity to let them kill him?

Indeed, Hyuga Kanan had already sensed that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was standing outside the detention room. Hyuga Kanan deliberately said these words to see if the Third Hokage truly possessed the principles of a Hokage.

Hyuga Kanan doesn't want to defect from Konoha yet, as a stable environment for training is the best option.

However, if the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, really just stands by and does nothing, then Kanan Hyuga is prepared to defect directly. With Hiruzen Sarutobi caught off guard, Kanan Hyuga is confident that he can escape from Konoha's headquarters.

Upon entering the Konoha headquarters, Hyuga Kanan scanned the entire headquarters with his divine sense, preparing to escape immediately should any unforeseen circumstances arise.

Originally, the greatest dangers to him came from the two powerful Kage-level shinobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kagami Uchiha, especially since Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan had a strong restrictive effect on him. However, Kagami Uchiha has already sacrificed himself, so Hiruzen Sarutobi, a Kage-level shinobi known for his offensive prowess, is not as restrictive on him. After all, he didn't want to confront Hiruzen Sarutobi head-on.

Since reaching the advanced stage of Qi Refining, Hyuga Kanan's physical abilities have improved significantly. While he might not yet be a match for these Kage-level powerhouses, if he were determined to escape, his current physical attributes and speed would allow him to flee at will. Furthermore, he could use his divine sense to continuously confirm his direction, ensuring his complete escape.

As the ANBU squad continued to approach him, Hyuga Kanan secretly prepared himself. If they made a move against him, he would launch a thunderous counterattack.

Just as the ANBU squad drew their ninja swords, preparing to attack, the sound of coughing outside interrupted their offensive rhythm. Instantly, the ANBU squad sheathed their swords and turned to look at the doorway.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the door with a smile, his gaze fixed on Kanan Hyuga.

Hyuga Kanan looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with an indifferent expression. Just as she was about to retaliate, Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted the conflict with a cough.

"Lord Hokage!"

The ANBU squad panicked when they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi standing at the door. Their actions just now were tantamount to disrespecting the Hokage's authority and defying his orders.

Hiruzen Sarutobi simply nodded slightly to the ANBU squad, then waved for them to leave before turning his gaze back to Kana Hyuga.

He had a feeling that if he didn't speak up to stop her, Hyuga Kanan would definitely rebel. And judging from her expression, it seemed like she already knew he was outside the door.

"Hyuga Kanan, right!"

Hyuga Kanan nodded slightly in acknowledgment. His gaze shifted to Sarutobi Hiruzen, awaiting his response.

"Do you have anything to say about this mission? Judging from the fact that you returned alone, Danzo doesn't seem to have wronged you!"

Seeing that Hyuga Kanan was waiting for his question, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked again with a kind smile.

"Oh! I'd love to know how our Lord Danzo described this mission. How did he define my solo operation? And what was Konoha's decision regarding Danzo?"

Hyuga Kanan maintained his indifferent expression, seemingly unconcerned about the mission itself. Instead, he seemed more curious about how Shimura Danzo would describe the mission to Konoha and how he would judge his actions after his return.

He also wanted to know how the Third Hokage made his judgment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback by Hyuga Kanan's words, clearly surprised by the question. He had considered that Kanan might directly refute him, loudly proclaim his innocence, or simply remain silent. But Kanan was directly asking him what Danzo had told Konoha and how Danzo had been punished. He decided to ask what he wanted to know first.

"Elder Danzo is currently seriously injured and has not provided details about what happened during the mission, but he emphasized that they were ambushed because you fled directly! I am also very curious to know why you did not act with them."

Hyuga Kanan shook his head dismissively, even more disgusted by Konoha's actions. Danzo was a high-ranking member of Konoha, yet he was not punished at all, while he, a mere genin, was directly suppressed and even considered to be killed.

But it doesn't matter anymore. What happens to Konoha in the future has nothing to do with me. Konoha is just a place I'm staying temporarily. If I'm not comfortable there, I can just leave.

"Then Lord Danzo certainly didn't mention that I had already planned a route back to headquarters that would completely avoid all areas where Kirigakure was active. But Lord Danzo directly rejected the route I had scouted back to headquarters, emphasizing the strength of himself and his group. As a lowly genin, I naturally had to take the safest route that I had planned myself. So we split up at that time, because bringing back as much intelligence as possible safely was the most important thing."

"So, isn't it perfectly normal for me to come back alone?"

"I know."

Hiruzen Sarutobi would fall into deep thought after giving a single reply.