Knock, knock, knock.
Tatsuya walked through the hospital corridor and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
A hearty voice came from inside.
Pushing open the door, Tatsuya's eyes immediately fell upon Guy, who was wrapped up like a mummy.
This was the first time Tatsuya had seen Guy since returning to the village.
"Haha, Tatsuya, you're here!"
On the bed, Guy's face lit up with joy at the sight of Tatsuya.
Having been confined to bed for two months already, any visitor was a welcome sight for Guy.
"Guy, how are your injuries?"
Tatsuya approached, carefully examining the mummy-like wrappings around Guy, and asked with concern.
"Haha, I'm fine! I'll be up and about in another two months!"
Hearing Tatsuya's question about his injuries, the smile on Guy's face momentarily faltered, but he quickly recovered with a boisterous laugh.
"Is that so?"
Seeing the subtle shift in Guy's expression, Tatsuya's heart sank.
However, he didn't press the issue outwardly.
For the next while, both of them tacitly avoided the topic. Guy asked about the village and Tatsuya's current condition, expressing extreme envy that Tatsuya had recovered from his serious injuries so quickly. He even mentioned that once his injuries healed, he would do everything he could to catch up.
However, despite his words and demeanor, Guy couldn't quite hide the hint of forced cheerfulness and underlying gloom.
After spending about half an hour with Guy, Tatsuya decided to take his leave.
Leaving the hospital room, he headed straight for the hospital's main office.
He had to find out the truth about Guy's condition.
Tatsuya understood Guy's personality extremely well. If the situation wasn't serious to a certain degree, he wouldn't have displayed that kind of expression earlier.
Ever since the Leaf's Princess Tsunade had left the village, Konoha's medical ninjutsu capabilities had declined significantly.
The medical ninja in charge of treating Guy and Kakashi was named Arai Shun, the current leader of Konoha's medical team.
"Shun-senpai, how are Guy's injuries?"
After waiting outside the office for a while, Tatsuya finally caught Arai Shun returning from another ward and immediately asked, his voice filled with urgency.
"Have a seat, Tatsuya."
Hearing Tatsuya's question, Arai Shun didn't answer immediately. He dismissed the others present and led Tatsuya into the office.
"Senpai, how bad are Guy's injuries, really?"
Tatsuya's heart clenched, and he pressed the question again.
In the original story, this was the man who remained steadfast until the very end, even nearly kicking his way to a grand finale. If something had changed because of his interference, the impact would be enormous.
Moreover, given their current relationship, Tatsuya didn't want anything to happen to Guy.
Arai Shun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Guy's injuries are very severe. I'm afraid he may never be able to be a ninja again."
"What?"
Hearing this, Tatsuya sat stunned in his chair.
Although he had suspected something, Tatsuya hadn't expected the situation to be this dire.
"The Eight Gates is a forbidden technique in the first place. It releases the body's limits on chakra to unleash overwhelming power. The more limits that are released, the greater the damage to the body. Through years of unconventional, overloaded, and extreme long-term training, it is possible to increase the body's ability to withstand the burden of opening the gates, minimizing the destructive energy. But forcibly opening them is still not advisable. Guy's body, at his age, is fundamentally incapable of withstanding the burden of opening the Gate of Shock. It's a miracle that he was able to forcibly open it on the battlefield and survive. But the massive energy damage to his body is irreversible. Based on the current treatment progress, it will be a blessing if Guy can stand up normally again. Returning to the battlefield is impossible."
Arai Shun's voice was heavy with sorrow.
A moment later, Tatsuya walked out of Arai Shun's office with a grim expression.
Guy's condition weighed on Tatsuya's heart like a massive stone.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, were gathered.
"Hiruzen, the Uchiha clan has been showing unusual activity lately. It's time to make a decision and eradicate this malignant tumor."
Danzo looked at the Third Hokage, his tone forceful.
Recently, with the news spreading within the Uchiha clan that Uchiha Shisui possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and had demonstrated extraordinary power on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water, the entire Uchiha clan had become quite restless. Many radicals within the Uchiha clan believed that this was a good opportunity to seize control of Konoha.
Danzo had learned that Uchiha Fugaku had just convened a clan meeting, which is why he had brought Koharu and Homura to discuss the matter with Hiruzen.
"The situation between the village and the Cloud and Rock is not yet fully stabilized. The Uchiha clan hasn't shown any clear signs of rebellion. Taking action against them at this time would be detrimental to the village!"
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe a few times and shook his head, rejecting Danzo's proposal.
"Hiruzen, it's precisely because the situation with the Cloud and Rock is unstable that we cannot give the Uchiha any opportunity. As Lord Second once said, this clan is inherently a vessel of evil. If we don't take this chance to eliminate them now, once Uchiha Shisui, who possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan, recovers to his full strength, it will be too late! He now possesses power comparable to you and me!"
Danzo roared.
Hearing Danzo mention the judgment of his teacher, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the Third Hokage's expression darkened slightly.
In recent years, the Third Hokage had also felt that the Uchiha clan was becoming increasingly difficult to control.
Ever since the village had pushed the Uchiha clan to the outskirts, the rift between the village and the Uchiha had continued to widen.
When the Hokage faction's power within the village was strong, this conflict could be managed.
But as the Hokage faction's strength had been continuously weakened, this conflict had gradually become uncontainable.
Currently, within the Uchiha clan, the core leadership, led by Uchiha Fugaku, consisted of Uchiha radicals who desired to seize more power within the village.
They were constantly thinking about how to overthrow the Hokage faction's rule.
After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage still firmly refused. "Jiraiya and Orochimaru haven't returned to the village yet. Now is not the time to move against them."
Konoha was currently at its weakest point. Jiraiya and Orochimaru, the village's two strongest forces, were still on the front lines.
Taking action against the Uchiha clan at this time, if even slightly mishandled, would cause massive unrest within the village.
At this critical juncture, the village could not afford to expose its vulnerability to outsiders.
Danzo also heard the decisiveness in the Third Hokage's voice. He then proposed, "If we cannot take action against the Uchiha clan now, I suggest that Uchiha Shisui be placed under the control of Root, to prevent any Uchiha uprising."
The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed, and he stared at Danzo, warning him, "Danzo, Shisui belongs to Anbu Team Eleven. He is a hero who just saved the village. You cannot act rashly against him."
Danzo said, "But he is an evil Uchiha."
The Third: "Not all members of the Uchiha clan are rebels. Don't forget Kagami. Shisui is his descendant. I believe that he, who has made great contributions to the village, will not do anything to harm it."
Danzo roared, "Hiruzen!"
The Third Hokage resolutely waved his hand.
"Hmph!"
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, then Danzo let out a heavy snort and turned to leave.
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