Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

"Also... take this opportunity to think carefully about... your relationship with the village."

Lost in thought, he did not immediately return to the cabin, but instead headed towards the central tower.

Since the [Forest Sanctuary] was built, I haven't had time to upgrade the [Unicorn], and there are still a few spells that aren't at max level.

Perfect timing, let's take this opportunity to get all these things done.

……

Konoha Village, Hokage Building.

The sky outside the window was already bright, but the atmosphere inside the Hokage's office remained heavy.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, his face showing deep fatigue and his eyes bloodshot.

He didn't sleep all night, working tirelessly to address the potential repercussions of Danzo's death.

Two Hokage advisors sat on either side of the sofa in front of them.

Koharu's face was extremely ugly. She forcefully slammed a preliminary report submitted by the Dark Division onto the ground, making a crisp "smack" sound.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd! Hiruzen! Senju Seigo has done such a thing, does he really think he can get away with it peacefully?"

Her voice was sharp with anger: "What were those clan leaders thinking? Huh? Killing a Konoha elder in public and slaughtering their own village's ninjas!"

They even... they even laid a hand on you, the Hokage! This isn't just simple insubordination; it's blatant rebellion! It's trampling on the authority of the village and the Hokage!

Mitokado Yan pushed up his glasses, and the look behind the lenses turned gloomy:

"Danzo's actions may be radical, but in any case, he is an elder of the village and the Hokage's assistant. Even if there are any improprieties, they should be decided and dealt with by the village's higher-ups."

What right does Senju Seigo have? A mere Konoha Jonin, to do such a thing, just because he's earned merit? If this kind of behavior sets in, what order will Konoha have left?!

Koharu Utatane said, "Hiruzen, Danzo's concerns were not unfounded. He had reminded us many times before that we should test Senju Seigo."

It now appears that Senju Seigo's "Will of Fire" has encountered serious problems.

Mitokado Homura said, "That's right. He has no respect for the village's authority, no adherence to the rules, and acts solely based on his own whims. This... how is this like the Senju?"

Koharu, gritting her teeth, exclaimed, "He's more like an Uchiha!!"

The third generation listened silently to the heated words of his two old friends, and then lit his pipe, which had been extinguished at some point.

How could he not be angry and heartbroken!

Danzo and he had known each other for decades. Although they had occasional disagreements, they were also partners who had supported Konoha to get to where it is today.

Watching Danzo being killed right before his eyes by a junior almost consumed him with a sense of powerlessness and defeat.

"Okay..."

The third generation leader finally spoke, his voice extremely hoarse, "Saying all this now... is useless; the dead cannot be brought back to life..."

He said this from the perspective of Shadow, not... an old friend.

"The most urgent task..."

The third generation leader took a deep breath. "The most urgent task is to deal with Qingwu, and... how to stabilize the situation inside and outside the village."

"Deal with? What's there to deal with?"

Koharu Utatane exclaimed excitedly, "Such a lawless, disrespectful, and ruthless individual who slaughters his colleagues should have his chakra sealed and be imprisoned forever!"

She didn't directly say "a life for a life," which shows she was considering the attitudes of the third generation and the various families.

Mitokado Homura was relatively calmer. "What Koharu said is radical, but the reasoning is correct. Hiruzen, last night you publicly betrayed his confinement territory, so we will not punish you for now."

That was already an extreme act of tolerance, even... one could say it was weakness!

Observing the Third Hokage's expression, Mitokado Homura continued, "What will other ninjas think of this, especially some young ones who are overconfident in their strength?"

"They'll think that as long as they're strong enough and have enough merit, they can ignore the rules and do whatever they want. Hiruzen! The foundation of Konoha cannot be shaken!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" The Third Hokage raised his bloodshot eyes and looked at the two of them.

"Did you capture him on the spot last night? Or issue an S-rank wanted notice for a rogue ninja? Can any of you guarantee that you can capture Qingwu, who has mastered Wood Release and Sage Mode, in the Forest of Death?"

"Even if we can take it, what will be the cost? Can Konoha withstand another internal strife and the loss of top-tier combat power?"

This is the fundamental reason why the Third Hokage didn't react immediately last night.

"You all know what happened last night. What was the attitude of the Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame, and even the Ino-Shika-Cho clans?"

"Are they pleading for Qingwu? Not entirely! They are expressing their dissatisfaction with Danzo and the Root's long-standing practices!"

"It also serves as a reminder to the village of Qingwu's value and...influence!"

The Third Hokage's words made Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions even more unpleasant.

But they had to admit, this was reality!

"Are we just going to let him get away with it? What about the Hokage's authority? What about the village's rules?" Koharu Utatane was unwilling to accept this.

"Of course not!" A hint of exhaustion flashed across the Third Hokage's face. "Punishment is necessary, but the method and approach must be carefully considered."

"Xiaochun, Yan, you should know... direct and intense confrontation is not good for Konoha right now."

"Danzo... is dead. Most of the Root members have been slaughtered, and the rest have been taken into custody. Shisui has been taken to the territory. The threat to the Uchiha may be temporarily relieved."

"However, the external pressure from Cloud Village, Rock Village, Mist Village... still exists. Qingwu... he cannot be dealt with now, at least not completely driven to the opposite side of the village."

Mitokado Homura's eyes flickered slightly: "Hiruzen, you mean..."

The third generation leader said slowly, "A high-level meeting must be held, and his final punishment must be decided. However, how to punish him... can be arranged."

“Didn’t Qingwu resign from his position as captain of the Shadow Guard? That counts.”

"Also, wasn't the Death Forest legally given to him? Then expand the confinement area. In name, it could be 'reflecting on his mistakes,' but in reality, it's just temporarily isolating him."

"That's all I can think of for now. Although I'm reluctant, we must be careful about this. Do you understand, old friends?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu: "..."

What's the difference between this and the temporary punishment from last night?

The third generation leader, knowing his old friend didn't understand, sighed and explained:

"It was originally made for people who don't know the truth, to make them understand that the rules of Konoha cannot be trampled on."

"Spread the word that this time it was only because the major families pleaded for leniency, and it was a special time... cough, but if there is a next time, we will not tolerate it!"

"You bastard—" Koharu Utatane retracted the words she almost uttered; she simply couldn't accept it.

"Even so, he killed Danzo, how can we let him off so easily? He must pay a sufficient price."

Mitokado also said, "What I'm more concerned about is how to... restrain him?"

With peace talks with Kumogakure still pending and the Mizukage of Kirigakure about to arrive, Homura Mitokado could understand the Third Hokage's decision to temporarily suppress the incident.

But... what happens next? There has to be some kind of reckoning, right? Otherwise, if they dared to kill Danzo this time, wouldn't they kill the Hokage next time?

“Restraints…” the Third Hokage murmured, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Death Forest outside the window.

There seemed to be unusual energy fluctuations there, but they were very faint due to the distance, so he didn't pay much attention to them.

"Yes, it needs to be restrained. A powerful but uncontrollable weapon is more dangerous than the enemy. Danzo... perhaps saw this."

The third generation's fingers trembled slightly. "How can we restrain them? What suggestions do you have?"

From Ying's perspective, he knew he couldn't push Qingwu to the opposite side right now, but from his personal perspective, he hated this feeling of...being out of control!

Mitokado said, "At the high-level meeting, we insisted on a strict punishment stance, but the final decision... left room for leeway."

Everything is for the sake of peace talks and establishing diplomatic relations with Kirigakure, but at the same time, we must also make a show of force. Therefore, let's send people to keep an eye on the Forest of Death!

The Third Hokage asked him, "You mean... to make the confinement real and send secret agents to monitor him?"

Mitokado Homura nodded, "If it's just this much, it shouldn't touch him, right? In short, it should be all bark and no bite."

Senju Seigo's actions in seeking revenge for his friend are understandable, but his methods were excessive and lawless, and he must be punished. The villagers, especially the uninformed ninjas, must understand this.

The third generation leader fell into deep thought.

Mitokado Homura continued, "And the Uchiha... Hmph, they have something to hide. With Shisui staying in their territory, they'll probably cower away too."

"Perfect timing, we can take this opportunity to finalize things and keep them completely quiet for a while."

"But that Senju kid..." Koharu Utatane tried to steer the conversation back on track.

"Koharu," Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, a cold glint in his eyes, "Don't you understand? We just can't deal with it for the time being."

Our grief over Danzo's death is no less than yours. Don't worry, one day...

A secret conspiracy about how to "deal with" Qingwu, but in reality how to "control" and "utilize" Qingwu, was quietly reached among the three highest-ranking officials of Konoha.

Meanwhile, rumors that "Qingwu's crime is unforgivable, but it was temporarily suppressed only because many high-ranking officials in the village pleaded for him" are also about to start to spread.

The village naturally cares about its reputation.

The actual punishment may be more bark than bite, but at least the message that "this is wrong" should be spread.

……

The Forest of Death.

Qingwu clumsily prepared some food and ate it with Naruto after he got up.

He glanced out of the territory from time to time, wondering why Iruka hadn't come over yet.

Logically, if Kakashi needed anything, he would ask Iruka to take Naruto to school, and Iruka would definitely bring breakfast, which would save Kakashi some trouble.

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto suddenly put down his small bowl and waved to the outside.

Kakashi has taken Naruto as his disciple so that he can take better care of him.

Naruto has met the first person in his life who truly cherishes him.

Qingwu cast a questioning look at Kakashi as he walked in. Didn't they say last night that something had happened to the Anbu?

Kakashi patted Naruto's head, then looked at Qingwu with a complicated expression. "Iruka can't get in. The Forest of Death... is sealed off."

"Huh?" Naruto's eyes widened. "Did Brother Qingwu get locked up again for making a mistake?"

Children speak without restraint.

Naruto had heard at school that Seigo went to the front lines because he had made a mistake, so he naturally assumed... it was the same thing again.

……