A stretcher carrying Might Guy arrived as Uchiha Akira and his group of four successfully returned to Konoha.
Upon learning that Might Guy had been brought back on a stretcher, the Third Hokage naturally asked what had happened.
Might Guy then recounted their encounter with Orochimaru to the Third Hokage.
Although Orochimaru had initially spared Uchiha Akira after their meeting, the mission was, after all, personally assigned by Pain, and as a member of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru couldn't simply disobey.
So, Orochimaru held back a bit during his fight with Might Guy. He severely injured Might Guy but also left with some injuries of his own, retreating afterward.
This allowed Orochimaru to save face with the Akatsuki by claiming that he had completed his task.
The news that Orochimaru had been thwarted by a Konoha ninja surprised many in the Akatsuki. However, after Orochimaru recounted the legendary exploits of Might Guy's father, Might Duy, who used the Eight Gates technique to take down several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, they understood.
With that context, the Akatsuki members could accept that Orochimaru might fail when facing such a powerful technique.
Back in Konoha, learning that Orochimaru had attacked the team, the Third Hokage felt a mix of clarity and shock.
He wasn't surprised because he had anticipated that Danzo wouldn't act directly but would instead use other means to target Uchiha Akira.
However, he was shocked to discover that Danzo could actually contact Orochimaru!
Orochimaru was his disciple, his most cherished student, no less. Even though Sarutobi had cut ties with him, Danzo could still contact him?
This made the Third Hokage feel a bit unsettled, as if the symbolic red hat of the Hokage on his head was turning an ominous shade of green.
…
After returning to Konoha, Might Guy naturally went to the hospital to recuperate.
Uchiha Akira, feeling responsible for Guy's injuries, visited him in the hospital, bringing some fruit as a gesture of goodwill.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan's leadership became increasingly concerned after learning that Uchiha Akira had been attacked by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was an S-class rogue ninja from Konoha and a candidate who had once been in the running to become the Fourth Hokage.
The relationship between the Uchiha clan and the higher-ups in Konoha was already tense, and the fact that their most promising young member had been targeted by Orochimaru only fueled their anxiety.
"Damn that useless Orochimaru!"
In the Root base, Danzo was fuming after hearing that Uchiha Akira had returned to Konoha unscathed.
To ensure the success of his plan, he had specifically requested Orochimaru for this task. Danzo had even made a deal with Orochimaru, offering him more Hashirama cells in exchange for Uchiha Akira's life.
Yet, Orochimaru had failed?
"Such a miscalculation!" Danzo muttered in frustration, shaking his head after his outburst.
He had assumed that removing Shisui and replacing him with the seemingly odd Might Guy would guarantee success.
But who could have predicted that Might Guy, after opening the Eight Gates, would be able to battle Orochimaru to a standstill?
"Danzo-sama, the Third Hokage has summoned you!" A Root ninja approached, informing Danzo.
"Sigh…" Danzo sighed deeply, rising to make his way to the Hokage's office.
Danzo had a good idea why Sarutobi was summoning him—it was undoubtedly about the Orochimaru incident.
Over the next half-month, the news of Uchiha Akira's promotion to Chūnin spread throughout Konoha and even reached other ninja villages.
A six-year-old Chūnin, a prodigy—this news shook the five great ninja villages.
During this time, Uchiha Akira tried to take on a few B-rank missions to earn some money but was sternly stopped by the elders of the Uchiha clan.
The clan's leadership clearly didn't want Uchiha Akira to leave the safety of the village alone.
Thus, despite his growing sense of urgency and the desire to rapidly improve his strength, Uchiha Akira found himself wasting half a month of precious time.
The date of the Uchiha clan's downfall was drawing ever closer, with only about half a year remaining.
Finally, Shisui returned from his mission at the Konoha-Kirigakure border.
Once back, Uchiha Akira wasted no time in pulling Shisui along to take on missions with him.
With Shisui, reputed to be the strongest Uchiha of the current generation, accompanying Uchiha Akira, the clan elders finally felt reassured.
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 90 at patreon.com/Emik01.