Naruto Card King

"Ah! Sorry, sorry! My apologies, cough, cough..." Tsunade panicked as she accidentally sprayed water all over Haruto Saito's face. She hurriedly tried to wipe his face with her sleeve but ended up coughing uncontrollably because she had choked on her drink.

"I'm fine!" Haruto Saito stepped aside to avoid her, raising his hand to wipe the water off his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened as he shot a sharp glare at Tsunade.

This woman was just causing trouble here!

"You guys continue talking!" Tsunade noticed Hiruzen's glare and quickly turned her back to them, walking away with her cup of water. She put on an innocent expression as if saying, "Don't look at me, I don't know anything, I didn't do anything."

She didn't leave the room but instead sat down on a nearby sofa, pretending to be invisible while clearly eavesdropping.

Hiruzen ignored her and turned his attention back to Haruto Saito, tapping his fingers on the table absentmindedly.

"Choked on water?" Hiruzen asked in a deep voice.

"Yes! He choked on water, and I seized the opportunity." Haruto Saito responded with absolute certainty.

An irrefutable answer!

Anyone could choke while diving underwater, no matter how strong they were. It was logically sound, even if the reasoning seemed absurd—it was flawless.

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at him.

"Lord Hokage, it's not a matter of belief; it's a fact. You all claim that the assassin was an elite jonin. I didn't know that at the time—it was Lord White Fang who informed me. However, he never displayed the strength expected of an elite jonin. Choking on water has nothing to do with strength. Anyone can choke as long as they're underwater. Just now, Lady Tsunade choked while simply drinking water. Isn't she stronger than most elite jonin?"

Haruto Saito felt like a genius. Even he was impressed by his own words.

Hiruzen squinted his eyes and turned to look at Tsunade.

Tsunade immediately looked up at the ceiling as if she had discovered a fascinating pattern on it.

"Since you insist, I'll take it as the truth." Hiruzen finally said. His words were carefully chosen—while he clearly didn't believe it, he also had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

Haruto Saito understood the implication but chose to act as if he didn't.

"It seems you have developed sufficient self-defense skills," Hiruzen continued, his voice slightly lowering. "I have decided that, starting today, the Anbu protection around you will be revoked. You are now free to move around the village as a Konoha genin and may take on missions. I hope you will work hard and contribute to the village."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Haruto Saito accepted the decision enthusiastically. He was overjoyed.

Finally, he was rid of those useless Anbu members. Over the past few weeks, he had faced multiple life-threatening situations, and each time, he had resolved them on his own. The Anbu had never truly protected him—they had only been watching him.

"You are dismissed." Hiruzen tapped the table.

"Yes!" Haruto Saito turned and quickly left.

Just as he reached the door and was about to step out, Tsunade suddenly stood up from the sofa and followed him.

"Tsunade, don't cause trouble!" Hiruzen reprimanded coldly.

"Yes, yes, I know!" Tsunade turned back with a cheeky smile but still followed Haruto Saito out of the office.

Hiruzen sighed helplessly.

"This kid has secrets. Given his current strength, it is highly unlikely that he killed an elite jonin alone," Danzo, who had been silent since entering the room, spoke in his raspy voice. "However, on the other hand, he could be an extraordinary genius. Killing an elite jonin is nearly impossible for him, but if he were fighting a standard jonin, he might stand a chance."

"Killing a jonin?" Hiruzen looked at Danzo.

"Yes." Danzo nodded. "On the way here, I tested his strength. He is not only capable of performing B-rank ninjutsu, but he has also mastered an A-rank close-combat jutsu. He claims he created it himself. It's unbelievable. Even if he didn't create it, the fact that he has mastered an A-rank jutsu at his age is exceptional."

"A-rank jutsu? Has he regained his memory?" Hiruzen frowned.

Haruto Saito came from the Hidden Rain Village, so the jutsu he knew should have been learned there. Since he had lost his memory, if he still knew how to use A-rank jutsu, it likely meant he had recovered his memories.

"Lord Hokage," White Fang interjected, "I still believe there is a high probability that someone is secretly protecting him. If such a person exists, they must have contacted him. Only through this contact could he have relearned his ninjutsu despite his amnesia."

"Hmm…" Hiruzen pondered.

"This is a threat. If he were just a regular genin, it wouldn't be a concern. But now…" Danzo's eyes gleamed coldly. "I say we should eliminate him as soon as possible to avoid trouble in the future."

White Fang glanced at Danzo but said nothing.

Hiruzen remained deep in thought. The office was silent for a long time.

"White Fang." Hiruzen finally spoke.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Increase surveillance on the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. Record any unusual activity. This mission is top secret."

"Yes."

"Make the arrangements."

White Fang bowed respectfully before vanishing in an instant.

"You truly want to use this boy as a catalyst?" Danzo removed his mask and placed it on the table, turning to Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, you're playing with fire. If the Uchiha and Hyuga clans discover your plan, do you realize the consequences?"

Hiruzen walked to the window, gazing at the bustling village outside.

"The great calamity is coming. If we don't eliminate internal threats, how can we win the next Shinobi World War?" Hiruzen sighed.

"Between the Hyuga and the Uchiha, the Uchiha are the real threat. If we eliminate them… If you agree, Root can handle it. I guarantee that before the full-scale war begins, the problem will be solved." Danzo stood beside Hiruzen, also looking out the window.

"And what about afterward?" Hiruzen glanced at Danzo. "If the Uchiha fall, the Hyuga will become too powerful. Their influence might surpass mine as Hokage."

Danzo fell silent. Hiruzen was right. The two great clans balanced each other. If one declined, the other would grow unchecked, making them harder to control.

"But that boy—he is unpredictable." Danzo rasped. "He lied to us. If we can't fully control him, he could throw everything into chaos."

"Don't overestimate him," Hiruzen replied. "The news of him killing an elite jonin has spread. Without Anbu protection, the Uchiha will try to recruit him to use against the Hyuga, while the Hyuga will attempt to assassinate him. Trapped between them, he is as good as dead."

Danzo remained silent.

Hiruzen knew Danzo didn't care about Haruto Saito—he simply opposed Hiruzen's plan.

"Still… I worry," Hiruzen muttered.

"About what?"

"That someone really is protecting him. That would introduce too many uncertainties."

"I can test him. I'll send assassins after him. If someone protects him, we'll find out."

"And if no one does?"

"Then we kill him."