Chapter 17: Arrangements for Yamato

That night, within the Uchiha clan’s shrine, amid the priest’s lengthy prayers, the nine Sharingan eyes removed from Danzo’s arm were presented before the entire clan and sent inside the shrine.

After the ceremony concluded, the clan members gradually dispersed. Uchiha Tōkan once again entered the interrogation room.

The three Shimura Retsuto had been tortured for an entire day and were nearly exhausted, but the newcomer Shimura Hiro, upon seeing Uchiha Tōkan, kept cursing relentlessly.

Uchiha Tōkan merely scratched his ear, pretending not to hear.

The Uchiha chūnin responsible for interrogating him tightened his grip on the baton when he noticed this.

Uchiha Tōkan strode directly to the cell where the Wood Release ninja, not yet named Yamato by the Third Hokage, was held.

Since it had already been decided to present this man to Kakashi as his achievement, Uchiha Tōkan no longer troubled him. Aside from beating him on the first day, he was kept in solitary confinement thereafter.

Of course, a sealing jutsu personally placed on him by Uchiha Tōkan remained on his body. After all, he was a Wood Release user, albeit far inferior to the First Hokage. Without any precautions, ordinary chūnin in the interrogation room would struggle to control him.

In the corner of the cell, still known as Kai, Yamato awoke abruptly at the sound of movement.

Uchiha Tōkan entered the cell and lit the lamp, the sudden brightness causing Kai to squint.

Just as Kai was about to act, the clinking of chains and the sharp pain from the sealing jutsu on his body reminded him of his predicament.

“Let’s talk,” Uchiha Tōkan said, pulling a chair to sit opposite Kai.

“Hmph, I won’t say anything,” Kai replied stubbornly.

“By the way, how much does Danzo pay you to be so loyal?” Uchiha Tōkan chuckled.

“We follow Danzo-sama for the sake of Konoha. How can that be measured with money?” Kai answered righteously.

“Oh, so you don’t even get paid? Then what drives you to risk your life?” Uchiha Tōkan laughed.

“You, a naturally wicked Uchiha, could never understand Danzo-sama’s dedication to the village!” Kai’s face was full of fanaticism, making Uchiha Tōkan shake his head.

“Look at people like Yamanaka Fu, at least they have a family as a vulnerability — that’s why Danzo has messed them up. But you’re an orphan; is it really worth it?” Uchiha Tōkan had someone bring some food and handed it to Kai.

“Hmph,” Kai sneered, staring coldly at Uchiha Tōkan.

“Tell me, how did you acquire your Wood Release? Your crimes aren’t too severe. We have evidence that you were ordered by Danzo to assassinate the Third Hokage, but the Third Hokage was eager to find talented ninjas and likely won’t pursue it. As for other matters, Kakashi has pleaded for you. Out of respect for him, I won’t investigate rigorously. So, if you confess clearly, you can still be free.”

“I will never betray Danzo-sama!” Kai growled through clenched teeth.

“It’s not hard to guess—it was Orochimaru, right?” Uchiha Tōkan said. “The artificial Wood Release project wasn’t a secret to us shinobi. The Senju fools got swept up in it, and once a great clan of the Warring States era, they’ve been reduced to just a few cats. Eventually, due to the heavy sacrifices and no results, the Third Hokage halted the project.”

“But that old Danzo never gave up and continued his research in secret. His partner was Orochimaru, and you are the sole result of that project, aren’t you?” Uchiha Tōkan smiled at Kai’s incredulous expression. “Don’t look at me like that—I’m not an idiot. The orphanage in the village occasionally reports missing children; the Security Bureau has records, but due to Danzo’s influence, no one dared to dig deeper. Just before Orochimaru’s defection, missing child cases peaked; after he fled, the numbers sharply declined. Considering your age, it’s not hard to deduce the truth.”

Kai’s eyes flickered nervously. Uchiha Tōkan pressed on: “So why does an orphan, forcibly modified, remain so loyal to Danzo? Your true allegiance should be to the Hokage and the Will of Fire.”

“Now, you have only two choices: confess and live as a normal ninja under the sun, or continue resisting and die alongside the tool Danzo sees you as. The Tongue-Curse Seal on you has already expired. Think carefully—don’t waste the chance Kakashi begged for you.” With that, Uchiha Tōkan placed the food and water down and stood, leaving the cell.

Uchiha Tōkan held little hope of winning over Yamato. He knew his own limits; unlike Naruto’s silver tongue, his influence came from direct benefits. From the start, Uchiha Tōkan understood that Yamato was not someone the current Uchiha could keep—after all, he inherited the First Hokage’s Wood Release, and once Hiruzen Sarutobi regained his composure, he would demand Yamato back.

Thus, Uchiha Tōkan simply presented Yamato as Kakashi’s achievement, and his lengthy speech was meant to make him believe he was spared only out of respect for Kakashi.

***

In the Hokage’s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked continuously, while the two advisors who had been rebuffed by Uchiha Tōkan silently watched him.

“Hiruzen, we can’t let Uchiha Tōkan continue. He’s clearly using this investigation to eliminate dissenters,” Mitomon En broke the silence, “He even dared to arrest the Shimura clan leader. If this continues, we might be the next ones to spend time in the Security Bureau.”

“Tōkan wouldn’t do such a thing,” Hiruzen mused, finally looking up. He still feared the Kotoamatsukami that Uchiha Tōkan wielded. It had been less than three days since that incident at the village entrance. Danzo’s gruesome corpse was known to most core ninjas in the village. If he issued an order now to halt the Uchiha clan’s investigation, it would only raise suspicions.

“Hiruzen! We can’t hesitate any longer. Have you forgotten our teacher’s teachings?” Koharu Utatane reminded him.

“Alright, but we can’t just stop Uchiha’s investigation without cause.” Seeing the invocation of the Second Hokage’s authority, Hiruzen relented. “Kakashi, go to the Uchiha clan and have Uchiha Tōkan report the progress of the investigation by tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Kakashi emerged from the shadows of the office, acknowledged the order, and then disappeared into the darkness once more.