Uzumaki Kushina truly felt incredibly powerless at that moment.

Uzumaki Kushina sighed deeply, "Why is it that companions from the same village must be filled with suspicion and distrust?"

Chiba gently ruffled Uzumaki Kushina's hair, comforting her, "There's nothing to be done about it. If people had no suspicion at all and only trust, in my opinion, it would be absolutely impossible to achieve, and it would also be a distorted state."

Uzumaki Kushina asked, puzzled, "Distorted? Isn't it good for everyone to trust each other? That way, there would be no wars, and this world would become very beautiful, wouldn't it?"

Chiba explained to Uzumaki Kushina, "In the real world, people have different behaviors and decisions due to varying values, interests, and motivations. If everyone unconditionally trusted each other, disregarding these differences, then this trust would lack a realistic foundation and appear distorted.

Human nature is complex and ever-changing; people sometimes act dishonestly or deceptively due to emotions like selfishness, fear, or jealousy. If everyone trusted each other without suspicion, then this trust would ignore this aspect of human nature, appearing overly naive.

In an environment of complete trust, people might overlook potential problems or errors because no one would question or challenge them. However, the existence of problems is unavoidable, and if suspicion and questioning are lacking, these problems might not be discovered and resolved in time, leading to greater crises.

Through challenge and questioning, people can learn new knowledge and skills and improve themselves. If everyone trusted each other without suspicion, then individuals might lose opportunities for growth because they couldn't learn from mistakes or improve themselves by challenging themselves.

In an environment of complete trust, people might lower their guard and overlook external threats and risks. This lack of self-protection mechanisms might instead make them more susceptible to attacks and harm.

Therefore, a state where everyone trusts each other without suspicion is distorted because it ignores the complexity of human nature and the variability of reality."

Uzumaki Kushina listened, stunned, staring blankly at Chiba and murmuring, "Chiba, why are you so perceptive?"

Chiba smiled and said, "Because, I'm not telling you ~"

Uzumaki Kushina pouted, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.

Chiba's perceptiveness naturally stemmed from having spent his early life amidst suspicion and distrust.

Back in Konoha, Chiba lived very cautiously. Once his intentions were discovered, Chiba would be plunged into an abyss of no return.

Uzumaki Kushina said to Chiba, "Chiba, let's try our best to help Miyuki. After all... if it weren't for Miyuki, I would be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Chiba pinched Uzumaki Kushina's face and said, "Alright, no matter what choice Miyuki makes, I will help her. If she wants to leave Konoha, I will help her leave. At that time, I'll persuade her to join Owl Organization. It'll be a good place for her to stay and can also help Yahiko and the others."

...

At this moment, inside the Root Base.

Danzo sat alone in his office, his fingers constantly tapping on the desk, his mind filled with thoughts of the meeting three days ago.

He had been targeted by Chiba, lost his position as Hokage Advisor, and was ultimately threatened.

But Danzo truly didn't dare to move against Chiba.

Chiba was so arrogant now, making the Konoha higher-ups lose face in front of everyone. If he really moved against Chiba, it would be fine if he could kill him, but if he couldn't, Chiba would definitely go all out against him.

He didn't have the confidence now, so he couldn't act rashly.

What angered Danzo even more now was that Hiruzen Sarutobi had betrayed him twice.

The last meeting was probably his closest to becoming Hokage, yet he was betrayed by Hiruzen Sarutobi again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, now reinstated as Hokage, needed to personally inform the Daimyo.

Since it was a reinstatement, Hiruzen Sarutobi probably wouldn't bring many people to see the Daimyo, which might be an opportunity.

Minato Namikaze was in a coma, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had volunteered to resume the Hokage position.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi died, then he could also volunteer to succeed as Hokage.

Chiba and Orochimaru had already completely offended Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, so Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado would definitely support him as the next Hokage.

Danzo's eyes flickered, and he immediately had an idea.

Danzo immediately sent someone to inquire about the date Hiruzen Sarutobi was going to the Daimyo's mansion, and soon Danzo received the news.

Tomorrow, Hiruzen Sarutobi and five Anbu would depart for the Daimyo's mansion.

Danzo immediately summoned ten Root Ninja, including the now ten-year-old, codenamed 'Kinoe,' the future 'Yamato.'

Half an hour later.

Ten Root Ninja, who had been summoned, knelt on one knee before Danzo.

Danzo closed his eyes and remained silent for a while. When he opened his eyes again, Danzo's gaze was incredibly sharp. He looked down at the ten Root Ninja and said, "Tomorrow morning at the Hour of the Tiger, the Third Hokage will depart for the Daimyo's mansion, accompanied by five direct Anbu as escorts. His purpose is to reassume the Hokage position while the Fourth Hokage is in a coma, with no knowledge of when he will awaken.

If he successfully takes office, Konoha will once again be controlled by a timid, indecisive leader. For the sake of the village, this situation must not come to pass.

Therefore, your mission is to swiftly end the Third Hokage's life en route. There is one crucial point to note: no one must know who did it. People must be led to believe it was done by rogue Ninja. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

The next day, at five in the morning.

The Konoha gate was wide open, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the entrance, and five Anbu knelt on one knee behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

One of the Anbu asked, "Third Hokage-sama, shall we depart?"

"Mm, depart."

...

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the five Anbu Ninja advanced towards the Daimyo's mansion.

The Root Ninja sent by Danzo had been secretly tracking them.

At the same time, another figure was tracking Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Root Ninja from a different direction.

This person was none other than Chiba.

However, this Chiba was merely a Shadow Clone.

Currently, Chiba was only 44,000 Witness Points away from being able to exchange for the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, so Chiba didn't want to miss any opportunity to gain Witness Points.

Therefore, Chiba constantly used Observation Haki to monitor the movements of Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because in the original timeline, Danzo would manipulate Kakashi, wanting to use Kakashi for his own purposes, and then assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was on his way to be appointed by the Daimyo.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered Kakashi and turned him against Danzo.

At the same time, Kakashi discovered during several missions that there was a Wood Style user among the Root, who was the future Yamato.

Chiba originally wanted to see how Hiruzen Sarutobi would fend off this assassination attempt without Kakashi.

However, Chiba felt that Danzo seemed to underestimate Hiruzen Sarutobi too much; the strength of these ten Root Ninja was simply not enough.

Moreover... Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't actually left Konoha, which meant that the Hiruzen Sarutobi heading to the Daimyo's mansion was an Anbu in disguise.

In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew that Danzo's Root Ninja planned to assassinate him.