Late at night, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone at the window, gazing out at the bright lights of the village.

Bang!

The door was thrown open, and a man and a woman strode in.

"It's been a long time, old man," the man said, a wide grin on his face. "You're looking well. You're already a living fossil, so why are you still worrying about all this useless nonsense? Just retire already, and stop bothering me while I'm busy gathering material for my next book."

"Hmph!" the woman added, her arms crossed. "If it wasn't for the Anbu pestering me for days on end, saying some top-level incident was about to happen, I never would have come back!"

The two of them casually plopped down on the sofa, their words full of complaints, showing no respect for the man who was once their teacher.

"Hehe…" Faced with their sharp tongues, Hiruzen didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he smiled with genuine relief. "The fact that you're here proves you still care about these old bones of mine, doesn't it? My two beloved students, Jiraiya and Tsunade."

"Ugh," Tsunade curled her lip in disgust. "Can you stop being so sappy? If you have something to say, just say it! Why were you in such a hurry to call us back?"

Jiraiya leaned back comfortably against the sofa cushion. "So, tell me. Is this about Orochimaru, or the Uchiha? Or are we expected to solve both problems at once?"

"You certainly know a lot, Jiraiya."

"Tsk. Don't underestimate my intelligence network, old man."

"Then… do you know the origins of a boy named Shiro Uchiha?"

"Shiro Uchiha?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, stroking his chin in thought. After a long moment, he shook his head. "Is there such a person in the Uchiha clan? I've never heard of him."

"The fact that even you don't know him is enough to prove how mysterious this person is," Hiruzen said, his brow furrowed. "I first saw this child after the Chunin Exams began. I am curious about his parentage."

Tsunade looked disdainful. "Is he really that strong?"

"I do not know," Hiruzen admitted, his voice low. "I cannot see through him at all."

At these words, Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged a shocked look, both of them stunned into silence. For their old teacher to make such an admission was the highest praise imaginable. In an instant, their interest in this mysterious boy was piqued.

"Don't worry," Jiraiya said, his voice now serious. "I will do my best to investigate him thoroughly." He silently repeated Shiro's name several times in his mind.

"Haha, that won't be necessary," Hiruzen said with a smile, shaking his head. "Tomorrow is the final day of the Chunin Exams. I plan to wipe them out then and there."

"?"

"Tomorrow? How is that possible?" Tsunade said in shock. "As far as I know, high-ranking officials and leaders from the various great nations will be here to watch the finals. Are you going to make your move in front of all of them?"

"That doesn't sound like a wise decision, old man," Jiraiya added.

"Don't worry," Hiruzen said. "I'm not so senile as to make a direct move. I have my own plans." With that, he proceeded to explain his entire strategy to them. After hearing it, Jiraiya and Tsunade were speechless, unable to process the audacity of it for a long time.

"…"

"Is this… is this really possible?"

"We have to do it, no matter what," Hiruzen sighed helplessly. "The three Uchiha Genin are far too powerful. If we do not do this, Konoha will suffer an even greater humiliation."

"Since you already have a solution," Jiraiya asked, "why did you call Tsunade and me back?"

"I just want to be absolutely sure. The Uchiha clan is more than just those three, and Orochimaru is here as well. If they were to collude, it would be difficult to handle."

Hiruzen took a deep puff of his pipe and continued, "With the two of you here, I can finally feel at ease."