-------------
📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
---------
Uchiha Haru casually handed the scroll to the Third Hokage.
Many of the scrolls here were sealed. Without knowing the proper sealing method, they couldn't be opened, and the forbidden techniques sealed inside would remain hidden.
This was considered the last line of defense protecting the forbidden jutsu.
The Third Hokage took the scroll, performed a few hand seals to remove the seal, and then carefully broke it open.
Just as he was about to return the scroll to Haru, Danzo stopped him.
"Wait, Third Hokage," Danzo said with a cold smile. "Aren't you curious to see what ninjutsu Uchiha Haru managed to get?"
Earlier, during their skirmish, Haru had targeted Danzo relentlessly. If it weren't for the Sharingan and Izanagi, Danzo would have died countless times.
Now that Haru had apparently only grabbed two scrolls and walked out so quickly, Danzo wasn't about to let that slide.
Of course, he would use this opportunity to vent his anger.
The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo.
They had known each other for decades. Originally, both were disciples of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and had served on the same team.
Later, when they both became Hokage, one took the light path, the other the dark, supporting each other from opposite sides. They shared an unspoken understanding.
With just a few words, the Third Hokage understood what Danzo meant.
Coincidentally, he was angry too.
"Very well," the Third Hokage nodded, then looked at Haru. "Uchiha Haru, you should have no objections?"
Haru said nothing and gave a casual wave.
He had witnessed this scene many times in the simulation system.
It was absolutely priceless.
Every time, he could make such a serious man crack a smile.
"Alright," the Third Hokage said with a smile and slowly began to unfurl the scroll.
Danzo leaned forward in anticipation, eager to see Haru's reaction.
Just thinking about it lifted his spirits, even relieving the sourness from the previous night.
But as the scroll opened slowly, the Third Hokage and Danzo found nothing to laugh about.
They saw only three words written clearly on the scroll:
Flying Thunder God!
Damn!
It was the Flying Thunder God Technique!
Among all forbidden jutsu, the Flying Thunder God Technique was considered one of the most powerful.
It had already shined brilliantly in the hands of the Second Hokage and had shown miraculous abilities.
Later, it was passed down to Minato Namikaze, who refined and innovated it even further.
This forbidden technique had been elevated to a whole new level.
It was a true SSS-level space-type ninjutsu!
Uchiha Haru actually got it just like that?
Imagine—Haru, who had already reached the pinnacle of physical ability, now mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique...
The ultimate close-combat skills combined with unparalleled speed!
Oh my God!
It was terrifying to even imagine how strong he would become.
The Third Hokage swallowed hard, looked at Haru in disbelief, and hurriedly opened the next scroll.
His expression instantly darkened, as if a shadow had fallen over him.
Danzo's mouth hung open slightly, his face stunned.
Because the name written on the second scroll was:
Instant Body Technique!
Snap! Ta-da!
The scroll slipped from the Third Hokage's hand and rolled slowly to Haru's feet.
The Instant Body Technique!
This wasn't some simple, low-level speed-up jutsu that a Chunin or even a Genin could perform.
No, this was a true forbidden-level Instant Body Technique.
Compared to the Flying Thunder God or other forbidden techniques, the reputation of the Instant Body Technique might seem modest, given its simple name.
But that didn't mean it lacked power.
On the contrary, it was incredibly potent.
Since its inception, countless talented shinobi had attempted to master it.
But only one had succeeded.
That was Uchiha Shisui.
The direct descendant of Uchiha Kagami.
A loyal and esteemed member of the Uchiha clan in Konoha.
Because of this, he had gained the trust of the village and was able to practice this technique.
Ultimately, Shisui lived up to expectations and became the only ninja to master it successfully.
Thanks to this Instant Body Technique, Shisui built such a legendary reputation that ninjas from other villages trembled at the mere mention of "Instant Body Shisui."
Now, this forbidden jutsu had fallen into the hands of Uchiha Haru!
The Third Hokage and Danzo were left with only two thoughts in their minds:
Terrifying.
What was even harder for them to understand was how Haru could have chosen these two SSS-level forbidden techniques so quickly from the vast array of scrolls.
It was no exaggeration to say that winning the lottery was more likely.
"Have you seen enough?" Haru asked with a slight smile, snatching the scroll from the Third Hokage's hand and picking up the one that had fallen to the ground.
There was no doubt—he was in an excellent mood.
"You..." Danzo instinctively wanted to protest.
After all, these two forbidden techniques—no matter which one—were Konoha's greatest treasures. How could they willingly allow such powerful secrets to spread?
But when he saw Haru's eyes growing colder and more focused, he held back.
He couldn't help but restrain himself.
Now was not the time.
The bigger the fist, the more justified it is.
If he made a move now, it would ignite a fire that could shatter all previous peace talks—and no one wanted to imagine what chaos that would bring.
Within such a short distance, Uchiha Haru could kill him again in an instant with his overwhelming physical prowess. There simply weren't many chances left for him to die—there were still too many things that hadn't healed.
The strain of using the technique twice in such quick succession weighed heavily on him. He didn't want to die like this.
The Third Hokage felt unwilling deep in his heart, but what could he do? The scroll was already in Haru's hands.
Could he really take it back? Was he that powerful? He could only admit defeat.
Looking at the expressions of the Third Hokage and Danzo—both ashen-faced and broken—Haru chuckled softly, then vanished with a flicker.
Now that everything was settled, there was no reason to linger. It was time to deal with other matters.
After Haru's departure—
Boom!
Danzo slammed his fist onto the table, shattering it instantly. The fragments tumbled to the floor with a deafening crash.
A loss.
A massive loss.
The Third Hokage's face was grim, unusually so for someone who rarely showed his emotions.
After a long sigh, he said quietly, "Send someone immediately to follow the Uchiha clan."
"Are you planning to attack them again? Or just keep an eye on their movements?" Danzo asked.
The Third Hokage looked up and gave Danzo a strange look. "Attack? Keep an eye on them? Do you want every ninja you send to come back as corpses?"
"With Uchiha Haru's extraordinary sensory perception, he'd know immediately if something happened."
"So what exactly do you intend to do...?" Danzo's voice was laced with confusion.
If the Third Hokage's words weren't true, what other purpose could there be?
"Protect," the Third Hokage said gravely, his expression darkening once more.
"Protect?" Danzo echoed in disbelief.
They were enemies of the Uchiha clan, not allies—why would they send people to protect them? Wasn't that contradictory?
"I don't understand!" Danzo snapped.
"The Uchiha clan is seriously weakened and has left Konoha. That will inevitably attract countless forces eager to spy on them secretly—or even attack."
"Even if Uchiha Haru is present, there's no guarantee he can always protect every member of the clan. If someone kidnaps clan members or tortures them while Haru is away... or uses other means, all our efforts would be exposed."
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes, his expression troubled.
Danzo understood immediately.
The Third Hokage wasn't aiming to protect the Uchiha clan members themselves, but rather the secrets they carried.
Just thinking about it made the Third Hokage feel a deep sense of grievance.
Their plan—the night of the Uchiha clan's extermination—had failed.
They had lost heavily.
Even the two SSS-level forbidden techniques, the Flying Thunder God and the Instant Body Technique, weren't enough to secure victory.
And now they had to send people to protect them?
Was this how things were done?
Frustrating.
It was infuriating.
Yet, given the current situation, they had no choice but to act this way.
Otherwise, all previous efforts would have been in vain.
"Understood," Danzo said at last.
"I will arrange it immediately."
He nodded, then turned away.
This matter was a secret among secrets.
Ordinary Konoha ninja—even those in the Anbu—were not privy to it.
Only his "Root" organization could be trusted unconditionally.
That was why Danzo and Root could even exist.
As he walked toward the door, Danzo suddenly stopped, glanced back, and narrowed his eyes.
All along, he had never underestimated the Third Hokage—his longtime partner, someone he had grown up with, trained alongside, and who was at least his equal in every way.
But today, the Third Hokage's actions surprised and impressed him profoundly.
Whether during the negotiations with Uchiha Haru or dealing with the aftermath of the Uchiha clan's crisis, the Third Hokage's judgment was almost always ahead of his own.
This was completely different from the impression Danzo had of him in the past.
It seemed that Uchiha Haru wasn't the only one capable of hiding his shortcomings—his good partner, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, was also a master in his own right.
…
Uchiha Haru returned to the clan members waiting not far from the entrance to Konoha.
Seeing him return, everyone rushed forward, asking anxiously if anything had happened.
Haru was now the backbone of the Uchiha clan.
This was not only because he had just rescued them all from Konoha but also because everyone understood clearly that the clan was in a precarious position—a future uncertain, surrounded by darkness.
Only Haru could lead the Uchiha clan out of the mire, into the light, and restore their lost glory.
"Uchiha Haru, where do you think we should go now that we've left Konoha?"
"Where can we find a place to stay?"
After brief greetings, the clan members immediately voiced the question that hung over all their heads.
Having left Konoha behind, where could they go?
The current ninja world was full of suspicion and mistrust.
Who would accept them?
Where could they find refuge?
------------------
This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones
-------------
📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
---------