Scarlet Lotus Fairy: …
Eriri's comparison was so strange that even Li Mochou didn't know how to respond. She just twitched the corner of her mouth, speechless.
"Master, what's wrong?" The young girl next to her, Hong Lingbo, noticed her master's unusual expression and asked curiously.
"It's nothing." Li Mochou took a deep breath and adjusted her expression. "I'm just a little tired."
Tired?
Hong Lingbo froze for a moment, looking confused. Her master had been resting in the room for half the day—how could she still be tired?
Something's not right. This really isn't right.
Even someone like Hong Lingbo, who wasn't the sharpest, could tell that her master had been acting differently lately. The old Li Mochou had a short temper and never showed her any kindness. But now, she could actually talk to her calmly.
Logically, this should be a good thing, but to Hong Lingbo, it just felt off.
And before, her master was in a hurry to return to the ancient tomb and reclaim their sect's secret manual, *Jade Maiden Heart Sutra.* But now, she was in no rush, taking her time along the way. Even stranger, she would often just stare blankly ahead, wearing an expression that made no sense.
Like right now.
"Could it be that Master is possessed?" Hong Lingbo suddenly had a wild thought and blurted it out.
Crap!
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had messed up.
"Lingbo." Sure enough, in the next second, Li Mochou's icy voice rang out. "I don't think I've tested your martial arts in a while, have I?"
Gulp.
Hong Lingbo swallowed hard, her face filled with regret and fear.
Seeing her disciple's pitiful expression, the anger that had been rising in Li Mochou vanished instantly. But she still kept her cold face and said, "Don't try to act all pitiful. Get out."
"Yes, Master!" Hong Lingbo, feeling like she had just been granted a pardon, bolted out of the room.
This ungrateful disciple.
Watching her run off, Li Mochou shook her head slightly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
She knew exactly why her disciple had said that. It was simply because she had changed so much recently—no longer as ruthless and cold-hearted as before.
And it was all thanks to Konan and Eriri. Over time, they had helped thaw the ice around her heart.
Because of that, she now saw the group members as family. Even though some of them would sometimes say outrageous things that made her, as someone from ancient times, blush in embarrassment.
Curly-haired Guy: No way! I refuse to accept this! When did my dear Konan get married? I never agreed to this!
Doujin Artist: Idiot, can't you tell I was just using a metaphor? And what do you mean by "dad"? Don't think you can just claim Konan while she's not here!
Curly-haired Guy: Hmph, I'm not just claiming Konan. Gin-san here is the father of all of you!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: ? Get lost!
Doujin Artist: Haha, I wouldn't even want you as my son.
This is an Actor: Looks like Gintoki's coping skills are pretty strong. Has he already come to terms with it?
As always, Aizen ignored the nonsense and got straight to the point.
Curly-haired Guy: Ha! Like that would happen. It's just another layer added to the burden we already carry.
This is an Actor: I see.
Aizen understood what Gintoki meant. The so-called burden of daily life was really about fate and bonds. Shouyou had already died, and those ties and karma should have disappeared. But now, with Utsuro's appearance, this burden had taken on a new meaning.
It was clear that Gintoki had already made up his mind to settle things once and for all.
How would he go about it? Would he follow the original storyline step by step, or take a different path and storm the Tendoshu's headquarters? If possible, Aizen really wanted to see it happen. A master-and-disciple showdown like this would definitely be interesting.
Aizen's thoughts began to drift.
Bang.
At that moment, Danzo, who was sitting not far from him, suddenly slammed the long table. "I refuse!"
"Danzo." Sitting beside him, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't seem surprised by his reaction. He spoke calmly, "This is the joint decision of myself and the two other advisors."
Danzo's sharp gaze swept toward Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. The two only nodded slightly without saying a word.
"Aizen is mine!" Danzo's face darkened, his voice deep and cold.
"Root is also part of Konohagakure," Hiruzen said lightly, taking a drag from his pipe. "And I am the Hokage of Konohagakure."
Danzo fell silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke coldly, "You'll regret this, Hiruzen." With that, he grabbed his cane and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"I'm truly sorry, Hokage-sama," Aizen said sincerely, his face full of guilt. "Because of me, you—"
"No." Hiruzen raised a hand, cutting him off. "This was my decision from the start. Someone like you doesn't belong in Root."
He was serious.
Hiruzen knew Aizen well. The boy wasn't just exceptionally talented; he was also calm, humble, and completely loyal to the village—a perfect model of what a shinobi should be.
Hiruzen had once considered pulling Aizen out of Root and placing him under his own command, but both Danzo and Aizen himself had refused. It was only because of Danzo's recent actions that Aizen had finally been pushed toward Hiruzen's side.
Even so, Hiruzen could still see the guilt and reluctance in Aizen's eyes. He could tell that Aizen still had respect for Danzo and was struggling to let go. But instead of feeling uneasy about it, Hiruzen was actually pleased.
Because it showed that the young man in front of him valued relationships and bonds. That was a clear sign of the Will of Fire.
"But are you really sure?" Hiruzen's expression grew serious again as he looked directly at Aizen. "You want to work at the academy?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Aizen nodded firmly. "I've thought it through."
So, he still couldn't let go, huh?
Hiruzen remained silent for a long time before finally sighing. "I understand. I'll have someone bring you the paperwork later."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Once Aizen was completely out of sight, Hiruzen slowly pulled a few reports from his drawer. He flipped through them carefully, his brows furrowing deeply.
The title on the front page read: "Experimental Study on the Division of the First Hokage's Cells" and "The Concept of Sharingan and First Hokage's Cell Fusion." Even just the title alone was enough to be shocking.
"What do you think?" Hiruzen asked the two advisors. "How likely is this to be real?"
"80%."
"90%."
They had just reviewed the report, and it was highly detailed. Based on their experience, they could tell that there was little chance of it being fake.
"Danzo…" Hiruzen sighed again, lighting his lighter and setting the document on fire. "Let's just hope he doesn't keep going down this path."