The blade, imbued with chilling cold, pressed straight towards Su Yu's throat.
Danzo Shimura's face was twisted beyond recognition; his sinister eyes now held only the madness and destructive desire of someone whose facade had been shattered. He wanted to kill this man, this man who, like a ghost, saw through his every secret!
"Danzo! Stop!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's furious roar erupted almost simultaneously. His body blurred into an afterimage, and with all his might, he grabbed Danzo's knife-wielding wrist.
Metal clashed against bone, emitting a dull thud.
The tip of the short blade stopped less than an inch from Su Yu's neck, its sharp Saber Qi making the air tremble slightly.
Yet, from beginning to end, Su Yu didn't even blink.
He didn't even look at the death threat so close, nor did he pay attention to the fierce conflict between the two future Konoha higher-ups beside him.
He turned his body slightly, as if completely ignoring Danzo's presence, his gaze calmly passing over that crazed face and settling on a large tree not far away.
Uchiha Kagami stood there quietly. He had originally only followed them because he sensed that Hiruzen and Danzo's Qi was somewhat off, but he hadn't expected to witness such a thrilling scene.
When Su Yu's gaze fell on him, Kagami's heart skipped a beat.
What kind of gaze was that?
Calm, indifferent, and even with a hint of... inquiry?
It was as if this conflict, which could change the power structure of Konoha's higher-ups, was merely a play in his eyes. And he, Uchiha Kagami, was not a bystander, but a key character invited onto the stage, needing to make a choice.
"Let go of me! Hiruzen!" Danzo's wrist was squeezed painfully, but he still struggled wildly, growling like a beast in his throat, "This unknown fellow is a menace to the Village! He must be eliminated now!"
"Calm down!" Hiruzen Sarutobi held him tightly, veins bulging on his forehead. He looked at the eyes of his former comrade, red with jealousy and anger, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness and disappointment, "Mr. Su Yu is an Advisor personally appointed by Hokage-sama! What are you doing now? Do you intend to defy Hokage-sama's orders?!"
"Hokage-sama has also been deceived by him!" Danzo roared, spitting saliva, "He can see through people's hearts! This ability is more terrifying than any Ninjutsu! If we keep him, the entire Konoha will have no secrets! Hiruzen, you are too naive! For the Village, sometimes extraordinary measures must be taken!"
"For the Village? Or for your pathetic self-esteem?"
Hiruzen's retort made Danzo's body stiffen abruptly. He hadn't expected the usually gentle Hiruzen to say such sharp words.
Just as the two were at a stalemate, with the atmosphere extremely tense, a gentle but firm voice rang out.
"Danzo, that's enough."
Uchiha Kagami stepped out from behind the tree.
He walked steadily, his gaze clear and firm, looking directly at the frenzied Danzo.
"Kagami? You..." Danzo's pupils constricted slightly when he saw who it was.
"I saw everything." Uchiha Kagami's voice was calm, "Your accusations against Mr. Su Yu, Mr. Su Yu's analysis of you, and... the entire process of you drawing your blade."
He turned his gaze to the short blade still firmly held by Hiruzen, and shook his head gently: "No matter who Mr. Su Yu is, he is currently an Advisor appointed by Hokage-sama. For you to draw your blade against the Village's Advisor just because your inner thoughts were seen through, this is truly an act that shakes the Foundation of the Village."
These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Danzo's head.
He gasped violently, some of the madness in his eyes receding, replaced by a humiliated sense of betrayal.
His best friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi, turned against him for an outsider.
His comrade, Uchiha Kagami, also a Disciple of Master Tobirama, blamed him indiscriminately.
Why?
Why was everyone siding with that unknown fellow!
"You... you've all been deceived by him..." Danzo's voice was hoarse, tinged with despair.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that Danzo seemed to have calmed down a bit, loosened his grip slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Danzo, put away your blade and come with me to see Master. You need to explain yourself clearly to Master."
Danzo didn't speak, but just stared intensely at Su Yu.
And Su Yu finally withdrew his gaze from Uchiha Kagami. He glanced at Danzo, who was restrained by Hiruzen, with an expression like he was looking at an unreasonable child.
Then, he made a move that surprised everyone.
He took a step, slowly, and walked past Danzo, as if the short blade that had just tried to take his life was nothing more than a harmless twig.
He walked up to Uchiha Kagami, a lazy smile on his face.
"Hello, Mr. Uchiha Kagami." Su Yu's tone was as if he had just met the other person, "I am Su Yu, the Village's psychological Advisor. The scene just now must have made you laugh."
Uchiha Kagami looked at the man in front of him, with his pale skin and incredibly clear eyes, and the shock he felt internally was immeasurable.
Facing a death threat without changing his expression, dissecting Danzo Shimura's inner self completely, and then casually greeting him afterwards.
What kind of being was this man?
"Mr. Su Yu..." Uchiha Kagami composed himself, and bowed slightly, "It is I who should apologize for my comrade's rudeness."
"Oh, no need for that." Su Yu waved his hand, looking indifferent, "Young people, you know, hot-headed and impulsive, it's understandable. A little psychological issue, a few more consultations will fix it."
His words were not loud, but they clearly reached the ears of everyone present.
"Pfft--"
Hiruzen Sarutobi almost choked.
A little psychological issue?
Danzo had truly harbored Killing Intent just now! In your eyes, it's just "a little issue"?
And Danzo Shimura, who was assessed as having "a little psychological issue," had his anger, which had just been extinguished by Uchiha Kagami's words, instantly flare up again. He felt like his lungs were about to explode, and his whole body was trembling.
This was no longer a provocation; this was blatant humiliation!
"You..." Just as Danzo was about to erupt again, a cold, authoritative, and utterly emotionless voice, like the chill wind of winter, instantly enveloped the entire Naka River bank.
"Have you made enough noise?"
Senju Tobirama appeared in the scene at some unknown point.
He simply stood there, without radiating any Killing Intent, but the pressure that could freeze the Soul instantly tensed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Kagami's bodies, making them instinctively bow in greeting.
"Master!"
"Hokage-sama!"
Danzo's body also stiffened. He looked at his Master, his lips moved a few times, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Senju Tobirama's gaze coldly swept over everyone.
He first glanced at Danzo, whose wrist was held by Hiruzen, and whose blade was almost pointing at Su Yu. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Then, his gaze fell on Uchiha Kagami, who stood by with a complex expression.
Finally, he looked at Su Yu, who had been acting as if nothing was wrong the entire time.
"Su Yu," Senju Tobirama's voice betrayed no emotion, "It seems your work isn't going very smoothly."
Su Yu spread his hands, looking innocent: "No choice, there are always one or two patients who have strong resistance to treatment. In my professional Domain, this is called 'resistance'. It's a common phenomenon, a few more electric... cough, a few more chats will fix it."
He almost blurted out "a few more electrotherapy sessions will fix it."
Senju Tobirama: "..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Uchiha Kagami: "..."
Only Danzo felt his head burning with anger.
Patient? Resistance?
This bastard!
Senju Tobirama ignored Su Yu's nonsense. His gaze returned to his two Disciples.
"Danzo, Hiruzen, both of you, come back to the Hokage Building with me."
His tone was unquestionable.
"Yes!" Hiruzen immediately responded, simultaneously increasing the force in his hand, and forcibly snatched the short blade from Danzo's grasp.
Danzo's face alternated between green and pale, and he finally dropped his arm dejectedly. He knew that he had lost this matter completely today. Not only did he fail to ascertain Su Yu's true nature, but he also exposed his most shameful side to everyone, including his Master.
Senju Tobirama took one last glance at Uchiha Kagami, and said indifferently: "Kagami, you should go back too. Do not mention today's events to anyone."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Uchiha Kagami replied respectfully.
With that, Senju Tobirama turned and left. From beginning to end, he did not spare Su Yu another glance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, pushing the crestfallen Danzo, quickly followed. Before leaving, he gave Su Yu a complex look, his eyes holding apology, helplessness, and a hint of deep apprehension.
Soon, only Su Yu and Uchiha Kagami remained by the Naka River.
A gentle breeze blew, the willow branches by the river swayed softly, and the atmosphere was subtly quiet.
Su Yu stretched, breaking the silence.
"Sigh, really, my mood for a nice walk has been ruined." He complained, then looked at Uchiha Kagami and smiled, "Mr. Kagami, thank you for earlier."
Uchiha Kagami snapped out of his thoughts and quickly said: "No, I merely said what I should have said. Rather, Mr. Su Yu, you..."
He wanted to ask, aren't you truly afraid? That was Danzo Shimura's full-power attack.
Su Yu saw through his thoughts and shrugged: "Afraid of what? He can't kill me anyway. As for you, weren't you afraid of offending him by stepping forward just now? I've heard that Danzo Shimura is a very vengeful person."
Uchiha Kagami heard this and showed a gentle yet firm smile on his face.
"I trust my eyes, and I trust Hokage-sama's judgment." He paused, looking at Su Yu, his eyes filled with sincerity and curiosity, "Moreover, I also believe that Mr. Su Yu, who could say those words, is definitely not the 'menace' Danzo spoke of."
He was referring to Su Yu's words that dissected Danzo's inner self.
Those words not only defeated Danzo but also deeply shocked Uchiha Kagami, who was listening nearby.
It was the first time he had seen someone use words to so precisely peel open the inner world of a powerful Ninja.
"Oh?" Su Yu raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "Then what do you think I am?"
Uchiha Kagami thought seriously for a moment, then slowly said: "I don't know. But I feel that Mr. Su Yu, you are like a... witness, standing in a higher place, looking down upon all of us."
Su Yu was stunned by this assessment.
A witness?
He looked down at his Edo Tensei attire, and then thought about his ultimate goal of waiting for Nagato to feed him, and couldn't help but inwardly grumble.
Buddy, you think too highly of me.
I'm not a witness, I'm just someone waiting for a free meal.
However... this Uchiha Kagami is indeed quite interesting. He truly lives up to being someone who could teach Shisui, and one of the few in the Uchiha Clan who truly understood the will of fire.
His goodwill, perhaps it can be utilized... no, it's about establishing a good cooperative relationship.
Thinking of this, Su Yu's smile became even more benevolent.
"A witness? An interesting way to put it." He looked at Uchiha Kagami and extended an invitation, "If you have time, I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea, of course, the kind in my office, the tasteless kind. Perhaps we can talk more about 'human hearts'."
Uchiha Kagami's eyes lit up instantly.