The streets of Konoha Village were vibrant.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the sweet, glutinous scent of dango shops.
In the distance, the powerful shouts of young men from the training grounds mingled with the crisp clanging of kunai.
Su Yu walked among the crowd.
He wasn't wearing his usual white robe, but had changed into a simple dark blue casual outfit.
This made him look like an ordinary villager.
Every step he took was slow and steady.
His gaze swept over the familiar scenes.
The sign for Ichiraku Ramen hadn't been hung yet, but in its place, a small noodle shop already emitted the faint aroma of bone broth.
The Yamanaka family's flower shop was at the street corner, where several women in aprons were trimming flower branches.
In the Nara family's pharmacy, a sleepy-eyed man was yawning, seemingly unconcerned with business.
All of this was both strange and familiar.
It was like watching a well-made movie, and he himself had finally stepped from the audience into the screen.
This feeling was peculiar.
Su Yu could feel a gaze constantly following him.
Neither too far nor too close, neither hurried nor slow.
Like a persistent shadow.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The corner of Su Yu's mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.
He didn't look back, nor did he try to shake off this "tail."
He knew this was Tobirama's surveillance of him, and also a silent warning.
"You are free, but you are still under my watchful eye."
Su Yu turned into a small alley.
The alley was narrow, and the sunlight was blocked by the eaves on both sides, making it somewhat dim.
He stopped, his back to the alley entrance.
The footsteps behind him also ceased.
After about ten seconds of silence.
Su Yu suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but clear as it echoed in the narrow alley.
"Mr. Hiruzen, aren't you tired of constantly following me?"
The light and shadow at the alley entrance flickered.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure emerged from the shadows.
His expression was a bit awkward, but more so, wary.
"Dr. Su, Hokage-sama has ordered me to ensure your safety."
This was a very official reason.
"Safety?"
Su Yu turned around, a playful smile on his face.
"In this Village, besides Hokage-sama, who else could pose a threat to me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
He didn't know how to answer.
Tobirama had indeed not told him the true purpose of monitoring Su Yu.
But he could guess.
His teacher didn't trust this man.
This man who appeared out of nowhere, yet could easily see through people's hearts.
"Dr. Su, please don't make things difficult for me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was sincere.
"I am just following orders."
"I understand."
Su Yu nodded, walked past him, and returned to the sunlight.
"However, next time you can stay a bit further away."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, suppressed the helplessness in his heart, and followed again.
Only this time, the distance between him and Su Yu was much greater... For the next two days, Su Yu acted like a true tourist.
He explored every street and alley of Konoha Village.
He lingered at the Memorial Stone for a long time, looking at the unfamiliar names carved upon it.
Outside the Ninja Academy, he listened to children reciting the Ninja Code.
He even watched a preliminary Chunin selection match with great interest.
He appeared curious about everything, like a country bumpkin who had just arrived, trying hard to integrate into this bustling Village.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi, like a dutiful bodyguard, stayed by his side.
His nerves were constantly on edge.
The more harmless Su Yu appeared, the stronger his internal vigilance became.
Because he had personally experienced what kind of eyes, capable of seeing through the Soul, were hidden beneath that gentle and harmless exterior.
This huge contrast made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel an unprecedented pressure.
He even began to wonder if Su Yu's every stop, every gaze, had some deeper meaning he couldn't comprehend.
After two days, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt more exhausted than after completing three consecutive A-rank missions.
His abnormality, of course, did not escape the eyes of his teammates.
At the training ground.
A shuriken cut through the air, precisely hitting the bullseye.
A young man with short black hair and a cross-shaped scar on his chin retracted his hand.
His eyes were gloomy and sharp.
"Hiruzen, what have you been doing these past two days?"
Danzo Shimura's voice carried a hint of accusation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands, which were practicing hand signs, paused slightly.
"Nothing."
He didn't want to explain too much.
This was his teacher's order, and it needed to be kept secret.
"Nothing?"
Danzo sneered, walking up to him.
"Do you take me for a blind man?"
"You've been following a strange man for the past two days, even neglecting your daily training."
"Who is that person?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
"Danzo, this is Hokage-sama's order, you have no right to question it."
"Hokage-sama's order?"
Danzo's eyes grew even more sinister.
"Someone who can make our teacher personally order his most talented Disciple to 'protect' him closely, could he be an ordinary person?"
"Hiruzen, you are too naive."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart skipped a beat.
"What do you mean?"
"I've looked into him."
Danzo's tone was icy.
"Three days ago, he appeared out of nowhere in the Hokage Building. Our teacher gave him the identity of a 'Psychological Advisor' and the authority of a Special Jonin."
"A person of unknown origin, with no achievements, yet receiving such treatment."
"Don't you find it strange?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent.
But he chose to trust his teacher.
"Our teacher must have his reasons for doing this."
"Reasons?"
The corner of Danzo's mouth twisted into a mocking arc.
"The only possibility is that man is very dangerous."
"So dangerous that even our teacher cannot fully control him, and can only keep him under his watchful eye."
"And you, Hiruzen, you are our teacher's eyes."
Danzo stepped closer, staring intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Tell me, what abilities does that man possess?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt immense pressure.
He knew Danzo's personality.
Suspicious, aggressive, and willing to do anything for the Village.
If he knew Su Yu could see through people's hearts, he would definitely consider Su Yu the greatest threat and would spare no effort to eliminate him.
"I don't know."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to lie.
"I am just following orders."
"Is that so?"
Danzo's eyes were as cold as ice.
He stopped pressing Hiruzen Sarutobi and turned to leave.
"Since you won't tell me, I'll find out myself."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart jolted.
"Danzo, don't do anything reckless!"
He wanted to stop him, but Danzo was fast, disappearing into the end of the training ground in a flash.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face became incredibly grim... By the Naka River in Konoha Village.
Su Yu was sitting on the grass by the river, watching the sparkling water.
Not far away was the Uchiha Clan's settlement.
He could see some Ninja wearing clothes with the Uchiha fan crest patrolling on the opposite bank.
Their expressions were mostly serious and wary.
This was a defensive posture naturally arising from being isolated.
Su Yu sighed.
Tobirama's establishment of the Konoha Military Police Force was indeed a brilliant move.
It gave the Uchiha Clan power and status, and successfully isolated them from the Village's core power structure.
But at the same time, it planted a seed called "estrangement."
As Su Yu was pondering these issues, two figures appeared behind him.
One was Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had arrived, panting.
The other was Danzo Shimura, his face gloomy.
"You are Su Yu?"
Danzo's voice was devoid of any warmth.
Su Yu didn't turn around.
He continued to look at the river.
"Is there something you need?"
This dismissive attitude thoroughly enraged Danzo.
"I'm asking you a question!"
He lunged forward, trying to grab Su Yu's shoulder.
But his hand was stopped in mid-air.
"Danzo, stop!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood between Su Yu and Danzo, his expression serious.
"What are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do?"
Danzo's anger turned towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'd like to ask you, Hiruzen!"
"Why are you protecting a dangerous individual of unknown origin?"
"He's not a dangerous individual!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi roared.
"He's the Psychological Advisor personally appointed by Hokage-sama!"
"Advisor?"
Danzo sounded like he had heard the biggest joke.
"An Advisor who can make Hokage-sama wary?"
"Hiruzen, your mind is filled with idealism!"
"Anything that poses a potential threat to Konoha should be eliminated immediately!"
"This is what our teacher taught us!"
The argument between the two young men broke the tranquility by the river.
Not far away, a young man also wearing the Uchiha Clan uniform was attracted by the commotion and stopped.
He was about the same age as Danzo, but his eyes were completely different.
They were clear, pure eyes, like an unruffled lake.
Uchiha Kagami.
His gaze fell on the man who had remained quietly seated on the grass the whole time, as if nothing concerned him.
Just then, the man finally spoke.
"Are you done arguing?"
Su Yu slowly stood up, dusting off the grass from his clothes.
He turned around, looking directly at Danzo Shimura for the first time.
"Your name is Danzo, right?"
Danzo's brows furrowed.
"What if it is?"
"Your eyes are full of suspicion and aggression."
Su Yu's tone was calm, as if he were analyzing a case.
"You're accustomed to assuming the worst malice in others, because in your view, this is the most effective way to protect yourself and the Village."
Danzo's pupils constricted slightly.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"I'm not spouting nonsense."
Su Yu's gaze seemed to penetrate his skin, looking directly into his heart.
"You're very anxious."
"You're afraid of being left behind, afraid of being surpassed by your companion, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"You're jealous that he receives more trust from our teacher, jealous that he has access to secrets you don't know."
"Therefore, you're desperate to prove yourself."
"To prove that you are more decisive, more perceptive, and better able to see so-called 'threats.'"
"Am I right?"
"Boom!"
These words were like a heavy hammer, striking hard at Danzo's heart.
His face instantly turned pale.
These dark emotions, hidden deep within him, which even he himself was unwilling to admit, were so easily and nakedly spoken by this man.
How was this possible?
"You..."
Danzo's voice trembled with shock and rage.
He felt as if he had been stripped naked and thrown into a crowd, all his inadequacies and ugliness exposed for all to see.
"Shut up!"
He let out a roar of anger, and the Chakra in his body instantly surged.
"I'll kill you!"
He violently drew the short sword from his waist, and with a fierce killing intent, thrust it towards Su Yu's heart.
"Danzo!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cried out in alarm, immediately stepping forward to block him.
But Su Yu stood still, unmoving.
There wasn't even a hint of fear on his face.
He simply watched the frenzied Danzo quietly.
Then, he looked over Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi's shoulders, directing his gaze towards the Uchiha young man not far away, who had been silently observing everything.
Their eyes met.
Su Yu's gaze was calm and profound.
Uchiha Kagami's gaze was clear and curious.
At this moment, the cold glint of the blade and the angry shouts of his companion seemed to become a silent backdrop.