The room was simple. A bed, a table, and walls reinforced with sealing jutsu to prevent any eavesdropping. A medical-nin quickly examined Kenji and bandaged his superficial wounds. Uchiha Naoki, his arm heavily injured, was bound tightly with chakra-infused ropes and guarded in the corner by two Anbu members in blank, white masks.
Namikaze Minato stood by the window with his arms crossed, silently looking out, but his presence placed an invisible weight upon the entire room.
The door opened. Two figures entered, and the atmosphere in the room instantly grew more tense.
The man in front was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He wore the Hokage robes, his face etched with the wrinkles of worry and fatigue. Walking right behind him was Danzō Shimura, with his cold face and one bandaged eye, radiating a frigid, calculating aura.
"Kenji," the Third began, his voice weary but still full of authority. "I have heard Minato's preliminary report. You have done well. Exceedingly well."
Kenji tried to stand to salute, but Minato signaled for him to remain seated. "Just rest, Kenji. You've been through enough."
"Report to us in detail," Danzō said, his tone devoid of any warmth. "Every single detail."
With the utmost respect, Kenji began his tale. He spoke of the initial mission, the encounter with the Hidden Stone convoy, and how he seized the intel. He spoke of Ganseki, of the old man Sadao and his granddaughter Hana, of the old temple, and the warning from the now-deceased Morita Ryo.
He took out the secret Hidden Stone scrolls, which had been carefully dried. "This is the information on the enemy's strongholds and attack plans, Lord Hokage."
Then, he produced the profile page on "Karasu" that he had risked his life to obtain. "This is the proof of the traitor."
Finally, he placed the black crow feather on the table. "And this is the clue that Ryo-senpai left behind."
The Third Hokage picked up the profile page, his eyes darkening as he read the words. Minato also stepped forward to look, his calm face knitting into a slight frown.
Only Danzō showed no surprise. He merely glanced at the paper, then looked at Uchiha Naoki as one would look at an insect.
"An Uchiha," Danzō said, his voice laced with contempt. "I've said it before. That clan cannot be trusted. Arrogance and hatred run deep in their blood."
"Danzō!" the Third Hokage growled. "This is the betrayal of an individual, not an entire clan."
"You are too naive, Hiruzen," Danzō said with a humorless smile. "This isn't an individual. It's a symptom. A symptom of the disease you have ignored for so many years." He turned to the two Anbu. "Hand this traitor over to me. My Foundation has... effective methods to make him reveal all his accomplices."
Naoki, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly looked up and snarled, "You'll get nothing from me, you old hawk!"
"Silence, traitor!" the Third Hokage snapped, showing his anger for the first time. He turned to Danzō. "I will interrogate him personally."
"Time waits for no one, Hiruzen," Danzō retorted. "Every second we argue, his accomplices could be erasing their tracks. We must use strong measures. Hand him over to Root."
A silent confrontation took place between the two most powerful men in the village. Minato stood still, not intervening. This was the battle of a previous generation.
Finally, the Third Hokage sighed, a sigh filled with defeat. "Very well. Root will handle the interrogation. But I want a full report. And there are to be no 'accidents,' Danzō."
Danzō gave a slight nod, an almost invisible smile touching his lips. "Understood."
He gave a signal, and the two Anbu pulled Naoki to his feet. As he was dragged past Kenji, Naoki looked at him, his Sharingan now back to black, but the hatred within them had not faded in the slightest.
When they were gone, the room fell silent. The Third Hokage turned to Kenji, his gaze softened, filled with gratitude and also apology.
"Kageyama Kenji," he said formally. "You have completed an S-rank-plus-plus mission, saved countless comrades, and exposed a massive threat to the village. I, on behalf of the Hidden Leaf, express my deepest gratitude."
"It was my duty, Lord Hokage," Kenji replied.
"I know," the Third said. "And now, I have one final mission for you. What happened here, the identity of Karasu, the connection to the Uchiha clan... all of it must remain an absolute secret. You are not to disclose this to anyone. This order is of the highest level. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. Now go and rest. Go to the hospital and let them take care of you. You have more than earned your rest."
Kenji nodded, stood up, and bowed. As he walked out of the room, Minato followed. Before they parted ways, Minato placed a hand on Kenji's shoulder.
"Thank you, Kenji. You did something extraordinary," he said.
Then he leaned in close to Kenji's ear, speaking just loud enough for him to hear:
"Your war in the Land of Earth is over. But prepare yourself. The hardest battles... are often fought right within the walls of our own village. Rest well. You're going to need it."
With that, Minato smiled and left, leaving Kenji alone with his thoughts. He had returned, recognized as a hero. But he felt no joy. He felt only the burden of the truth he now carried, and an ill omen of the storm about to befall Konoha.