Naruto: The Flame That Reshapes Fate

Among the older generation in Konoha, it was widely known that the Second Hokage had six students: Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and the most overlooked of them all—Akimichi Torifu.

Of course, the term "student" was a stretch.

All of them had received instruction from the Second Hokage during their time at the Ninja Academy, but only Sarutobi Hiruzen was considered a true personal disciple. The Second Hokage, however, never denied the others from calling him "teacher," which was seen as tacit approval.

Now, all of the Second Hokage's former students had risen to become Konoha's top leadership—each a prominent figure in the village.

Only Uchiha Kagami, who died young, and the low-profile Akimichi Torifu remained largely unknown.

But those in the know never underestimated the strongest among the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. As the former personal bodyguard of the Second Hokage, Torifu had left behind numerous legendary tales in the ninja world. After aging—and more accurately, after the night of the Nine-Tail's attack—he chose to retire and live in seclusion.

These days, he only occasionally appeared in meetings as the head of the Akimichi clan, or as the combat representative of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio to maintain balance.

Like today. Torifu had come at the invitation of Nara Shikaku, attending in place of his old friend Chōza. Since the Third Hokage was planning to take action against the Uchiha, no one could be certain how far the situation might spiral. To prepare for possible fallout, the presence of a stabilizing force was necessary.

"Is that… Yang Release?"

Torifu murmured in a tone so quiet no one else could catch it.

With the Senju clan's glory long faded, the Akimichi clan had become Konoha's foremost masters of Yang Release techniques. Their signature expansion jutsu was derived from Yang Release.

The old, rotund man saw it clearly—Rēn's punch that sent Danzō flying was definitely a manifestation of Yang Release, similar to Tsunade's monstrous strength. Though he wasn't a sensory-type ninja and couldn't confirm the exact mechanics, one thing was certain—it was definitely Yang Release.

"Torifu, what is it?"

The Third Hokage spoke up.

He would never underestimate this thoughtful old classmate. Among the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Torifu had stood out enough to be taken in as a student by the Second Hokage. That alone made him far from ordinary.

"Nothing, just that this scene reminded me of something from long ago. When Uchiha Madara left the village, I was still a child."

"Is that so?"

The Third Hokage gave him a long, deliberate look. He wasn't deaf—he had heard the words "Yang Release."

"Torifu, what are you talking about? That brat couldn't possibly be compared to Uchiha Madara!"

Koharu interrupted sharply.

"Sure, if you say so."

Torifu didn't bother to argue. There was no benefit in winning, and losing wouldn't help either. Why waste the energy?

He simply gazed at the hole in the wall and the renewed fight in the hallway between Rēn and Danzō, then said, "Sarutobi, are you really prepared to go to war with the Uchiha? If you don't get things under control, this will get out of hand. Don't say I didn't warn you. Unless you bring back Jiraiya and Tsunade, the village may not have the strength to deal with the Uchiha right now."

As he spoke, he was also quietly contemplating: was the Uchiha clan about to rise to new heights again?

People often assumed that the Ino-Shika-Chō clans were firm allies of the Sarutobi, but this alliance hadn't existed for very long. It began with Sarutobi Sasuke, the father of the Third Hokage—a powerful ninja whose name was known even during the era of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara. In fact, Uchiha Sasuke's name was derived from him.

Before Sarutobi Sasuke's rise, the Sarutobi clan had been an unremarkable family among the many ninja clans. They had no kekkei genkai, no secret techniques, and were even less known than their contracted summon beasts, the monkey tribe.

In contrast, the Akimichi clan had a far longer lineage. They had inherited secret Yang Release techniques. Torifu understood very well that those who could master either Yin or Yang Release were monsters.

After all just the Yang Release has protected the Akimichi clan against any would-be attacker and allowed them to have one of the longest lineages in this village.

The most recent example: Senju Hashirama had mastered Yang Release to its peak. Uchiha Madara had pushed Yin Release to an unmatched level. In all the history recorded by the Akimichi clan, no one surpassed those two.

And now, an Uchiha had grasped Yang Release. Coupled with the Sharingan—an inherent symbol of Yin Release—this was a truly dangerous combination.

Especially with that overwhelming vitality that leaked through when he threw that punch…

The fat old man subtly made a hand signal. Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi, confused, still chose to slow their steps, not following the Third Hokage too closely or trying to stop the fight between Rēn and Danzō.

In the corridor, Rēn and Danzō were already in full combat.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Bullet!"

Danzō immediately launched his most proficient wind-style technique.

Having been caught off guard and struck by Rēn's punch, his internal organs had been shaken. Fueled by rage, he attacked with full killing intent.

"This jutsu is pointless. Thife, has age made you senile? "

Rēn's face showed no emotion. He flicked several shuriken. Infused with chakra, each had the destructive power of a D-rank Noble Phantasm.

The high-pressure wind bullets were easily shattered by the shuriken, which continued forward and punched several holes in the walls. The destructive force was enough to make even the Third Hokage hesitate.

Wasn't Uchiha shuriken-jutsu known for its subtlety and precision? When did it gain this kind of raw power?

Unconsciously, he recalled Torifu's earlier comment—"Yang Release"—and began to wonder. Without Jiraiya and Tsunade, could the village really handle the Uchiha?

"Torune!"

Danzō growled.

A dark cloud of insects surged from the corridor's side, accompanied by a buzzing that grated the nerves, swarming toward Rēn.

"Shisui."

Rēn glanced coldly at Danzō. Who did he think he was dealing with? He wasn't just some loner anymore. He was now head of the Uchiha clan and the newly appointed Commander of the Konoha Police Force.

Flames erupted in the hallway as Shisui intervened to block Aburame Torune.

If it had been an order to attack the Third Hokage, Shisui might have hesitated. But there was no need for restraint against Danzō's lackeys.

"Everyone, this is a personal matter between my clan and Danzō. Please don't interfere."

Rēn turned back to the clan heads in the meeting room, issuing a warning.

At the same time, it was a clear signal: the Uchiha were not seeking conflict with the other clans—so long as others didn't go looking for trouble.

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