Sarutobi Hiruzen, needing to maintain appearances, stayed behind to discuss matters with the Sand's high-ranking officials.
But our "Shadow of the Pot," Shimura Danzo, had no such obligations.
His mind was entirely consumed by Uchiha Yato's Mangekyo Sharingan—and that colossal skeletal construct, Susanoo.
"Him!"
"He was hiding this power all along?!"
As a former disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Danzo knew full well that the Mangekyo Sharingan signified Kage-level strength.
He had no choice but to shelve his previous schemes. Though he craved power, he wasn't a fool.
A similar thought crossed Chiyo's mind. The Uchiha Clan had produced another Mangekyo Sharingan wielder—this was critical intelligence.
As the Hidden Leaf's exchange event drew to a close, the Sand shinobi prepared to depart. The day had passed without further incident.
...
Night fell over the Hidden Leaf Village.Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone in the Hokage's office.
At this moment, he still found it hard to believe what he had witnessed during the day.
Uchiha Yato had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and could successfully wield Susanoo.
This weighed heavily on the thoughts of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He truly didn't want to resort to the same methods against Uchiha Yato—after all, he had practically watched the boy grow up.
He couldn't act as ruthlessly as someone like Shimura Danzo, a pure self-serving opportunist.
Just then, Shimura Danzo strode in and said, "You're troubled about Uchiha Yato as well, aren't you?"
"You should have listened to me back then—just finished him off in one go."
"Now that he's awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, he's fully matured. There's no suppressing him anymore."
Not willing to lose face, Sarutobi Hiruzen retorted,
"Don't trouble yourself over it. Just make sure you don't give him any reason to target you. If he really decides to make an example out of someone, even I won't be able to stop him."
Hiruzen's words were unusually harsh, but Danzo knew his limits and wouldn't push further.
Taking another drag from his pipe, Hiruzen sighed and said helplessly,
"As long as he doesn't betray the Hidden Leaf, I believe in his Will of Fire."
Danzo had more to say, but given the circumstances, he held back.
Instead, he changed the subject, inquiring about the final arrangements for the Sand shinobi and the handling of Hatake Sakumo.
Hiruzen was indeed troubled. The best-case scenario would have been Hatake Sakumo dying in battle.
Then, if he could find a way to eliminate Chiyo, the two villages might have stabilized.
But now, things were far more complicated. He had already eroded Sakumo's trust in the Hokage's inner circle.
And with Sakumo being a formidable Kage-level fighter, outright killing him was nearly impossible.
Hiruzen said, "Just send him to the Land of Lightning to continue his ambush operations."
"Keep a closer eye on his son. That's all."
Just like in the original timeline, Danzo had already devised a vicious plan to eliminate Hatake Sakumo—
By destroying his reputation, making him feel abandoned by his own beliefs, and driving him to suicide.
At the very least, he would lose the people's support and be disqualified as a Hokage candidate.
...
Meanwhile.
Uchiha Yato arrived at the Sand shinobi's quarters.
He addressed Chiyo directly, "Granny Chiyo~"
"Don't stare at me with such a stiff look~"
His tone made Chiyo uncomfortable, and Pakura, hiding behind the screen, shuddered in disgust.
Chiyo steadied herself and said, "Speak properly, or we have nothing to discuss."
Yato immediately shifted his demeanor.
Chiyo continued, "First, we'll collect on the promise you made earlier. We're taking three things."
"The first is what you call 'canned goods.' We want 3,000 units, all meat-based."
"The second is your Ninjutsu—the one that released that massive cloud of gray smoke."
"Lastly, I originally wanted money, but instead, I want you to answer a question for me."
Yato clarified bluntly, "I made a bet with you, but I'm not the clan head. So, the final say still lies with the Uchiha leader."Chiyo initially thought Uchiha Yato was trying to renege on his promise and had no intention of paying the so-called wager.
But then, for some inexplicable reason, Uchiha Yato pulled Uchiha Kei in from the doorway behind him and sat him down at the entrance.
This left Uchiha Kei somewhat awkward, but he steeled himself and entered, maintaining the dignified demeanor befitting the head of a great clan.
Uchiha Kei said, "I'll increase the canned goods to 5,000 portions for you."
"As for that Ninjutsu, you'll have to ask Uchiha Yato. After all, I haven't seen that technique in the clan's collection."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yato pulled out a Ninjutsu scroll from his robe.
He handed it directly and unabashedly to Chiyo, which instead made her feel suspicious.
Unable to resist, she asked a question.
"Aren't you afraid the clans of the Hidden Leaf will come after you later, accusing you of selling information privately?"
Uchiha Yato replied, "Even if I give it to you, there's no guarantee you'll be able to learn it."
Chiyo didn't react much to this, but Pakura behind the folding screen had a much stronger response.
Pakura, the Scorch Release user, wielded a Bloodline Limit, but she was also a master of fire techniques and was extremely indignant.
Uchiha Yato didn't humor Chiyo and said bluntly, "Then why not let that little fireball-tossing girl come out and give it a try? Let's see how long it takes her to learn."
This was essentially pouring fuel on the fire—coming out would mean she had been eavesdropping, which was somewhat unethical.
Not coming out would mean she didn't dare accept the challenge, implying she lacked skill.
And Uchiha Yato, ever the considerate one, made a gesture and added, "If you're weak, just practice more~"
"If you can't handle losing, then don't play~"
(Imagine the meme-worthy expression—it'd definitely hit differently.)
The combination of his teasing gesture, expression, and tone instantly sent Pakura into a rage.
Without another word, she stormed out from behind the screen, opened the Ninjutsu scroll, and began studying it.
But to her shock, the scroll documented the application of two different Ninjutsu techniques.
This left her momentarily unable to grasp it, much less utilize it.
Uchiha Yato could only wave his hand and say, "So don't question my words. I'm a good guy—everything I say is true."
Just as Chiyo was about to ask one final question, Uchiha Yato cut her off. "It's getting late. You all should head back now."
Chiyo asked, puzzled, "But I still have one more question."
Uchiha Yato replied flatly, "Didn't you already ask me earlier?"
This infuriated Chiyo so much that she mentally cursed him out for at least a solid minute.
Uchiha Yato, fearing Chiyo might suddenly fake a heart attack and frame him, quickly added, "Actually, there's something I'd like to clarify with you all."
Hearing this, they realized the most important matter of the night had finally arrived, so they calmly sat back down, ready to hear what Uchiha Yato had to say.
Uchiha Yato stated, "Today, it was indeed Hatake Sakumo who won. I showed no favoritism, and I hope Granny Chiyo can understand that."
Without giving Chiyo or the other Sand shinobi a chance to argue, Uchiha Yato continued, "What happened on the battlefield should stay on the battlefield.""Today's spectator seats also include Hatake Sakumo's son. I don't think Granny Chiyo would want this hatred to be passed on to the next generation."
While Granny Chiyo rationally understood Uchiha Yato's words, emotionally she still couldn't let go of the fact that her son and daughter-in-law's warm home had disappeared.
Her grandson—Sasori—was also not in a good state now.
Knowing that a few words wouldn't completely ease Chiyo's heart, Uchiha Yato continued.
"I believe Granny Chiyo noticed today."
"Hatake Sakumo held back. Otherwise, his earlier kunai could have broken through your defenses."
This was what pained Chiyo the most—her enemy had spared her life for various reasons.
She hadn't told anyone about this after returning, and the Sand ninja who heard these words were momentarily at a loss for what to say.
Uchiha Yato gave them time to think before Chiyo finally spoke. "I understand. You're right. Let the pain of the older generation remain buried beneath the sands."
Their positions were different; otherwise, this could have been such a harmonious resolution.
Because of these events, Uchiha Kei had doubled the items previously requested by Chiyo and her group.
After discussing other matters, Chiyo and the Sand ninja left the meeting place.
Once they were gone, Uchiha Yato said, "Alright, the matter is resolved. You can rest easy now."
"Next, let's talk about what's between you and me."
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