Danzo was quite displeased with Hiruzen's actions. It was only midnight, prime time for work.
Torune, standing to the side, stifled a yawn, unsure what to say.
Why risk his life at such an old age?
Constantly pushing himself like this, wasn't he afraid of sudden death?
Danzo was still venting, "Can Hiruzen even be Hokage? If he can't, there are plenty of others who can."
"Tobirama-sensei shouldn't have let him become Hokage back then. If he had chosen me, the entire Ninja World would have been unified by now."
Torune lowered his head.
Damn it, he'd heard something he shouldn't have again.
He had followed Danzo for many years. Naturally, he had heard many things he should and shouldn't have heard.
For instance, when the Fourth Hokage, Minato, passed away, Konoha was leaderless.
Danzo had thought his chance had come, but who would have thought that the retired Hiruzen would be rehired and stay in that position for another four or five years?
Danzo wondered where that old monkey got such a strong desire for power.
Even more infuriating was that he was still in good health and wouldn't die anytime soon.
How much longer would he have to wait before it was his turn to become the Fifth Hokage?
Another example was that Hiruzen was a softie and should have killed all the Uchiha to eliminate future troubles.
Watching the agitated Danzo, Torune was quite helpless.
He usually showed no emotion, but whenever the Uchiha were mentioned, he would become extremely agitated.
If he were to execute plans targeting the Uchiha, he would be so excited he wouldn't sleep for three days and three nights.
Like today.
Torune knew that Danzo was currently eager to uproot the Uchiha. But it was clearly not an opportune moment.
You stay awake, but you won't let the Hokage sleep?
Fortunately, Danzo realized this and decided to wait until tomorrow morning.
Late at night, the entire village was quiet.
Inside Root, Danzo was writing "A Report on the Uchiha clan's Heinous and Unforgivable Crime of Unauthorized Contact with the Jinchuriki, Demanding Severe Punishment."
He was just waiting to vehemently accuse Hiruzen tomorrow, then strike hard.
Then he would annihilate the Uchiha in one fell swoop, and he would take dozens of Sharingan for future use.
At Naruto's home, Naruto had long since fallen asleep. He had a dream where he was no longer an outcast but had made many good friends.
A white-haired ninja had also taught him many powerful Ninjutsu.
"Hehe." Naruto grinned widely.
"I'm the Hokage."
—
In the hospital, Itachi lay on his bed, looking at the moon, seemingly not in a good mood.
Even after successfully being promoted to Chunin, he still felt some guilt. He believed he had not fulfilled his father's instructions. More importantly, he had let down Sasuke's hopes.
Sasuke, who had come to keep him company, had long since given in to sleep, occupying half of Itachi's bed.
Itachi stroked Sasuke's head and said, "Sasuke, this is the last time."
—
At Kakashi's home, the lights were on.
He had finally finished his work summary for the day.
He thought about reporting to Hiruzen first thing tomorrow, then doing the endless work that always awaited him.
He also thought about finding a chance to buy the latest edition of "Icha Icha Paradise."
—
In the Uchiha compound, at Satoshi's home.
Satoshi gently wiped the blade, looking pensive.
Ever since activating Tobirama's sensory abilities, few people could track him without his knowledge.
Not even the famous Copy ninja, Kakashi.
Furthermore, he could also feel scrutinizing gazes occasionally cast from the tall buildings around the Uchiha compound.
Let alone the supposedly evil Uchiha natives, even he felt a bit unnerved by being constantly watched.
Could the Uchiha be blamed for rebelling?
If he were the clan head, he would have flipped the table long ago.
As for Naruto, their contact would surely cause dissatisfaction among many people.
Satoshi placed his short sword back on the rack.
Since that's the case, I must quickly get stronger so these decaying old men no longer dare to target me.
Early the next morning, Satoshi arrived at the Military Police Force and found Inaho, who was dealing with villagers' complaints.
Their reasons for complaining were strange. They accused the Military Police Force of not enforcing the law with a smile.
Inaho was furious. "You idiots are fighting in the street, and I'm supposed to enforce the law with a smile?"
"Are you trying to die?"
"If this were outside the village, I would have beaten you so badly your own mothers wouldn't recognize you."
But Inaho couldn't say that. If he didn't resolve their issues, these troublesome villagers would complain to the Hokage.
Then even clan head Fugaku would be scolded along with them.
The few ninjas from the Military Police Force were lectured for half a day. After finally getting rid of the two villagers, Inaho felt half-dead with exhaustion.
Looking up and seeing Satoshi approach, Inaho smiled. "Satoshi, what's up?"
Satoshi didn't mince words and said directly, "Inaho-senpai, I'd like to borrow the clan's Ninjutsu scrolls."
"Alright, then follow me."
Yesterday, Inaho had returned to the clan and reported his conversation with Satoshi to the elders.
Upon hearing Satoshi express eternal loyalty to the Uchiha, the elders were beyond excited. They all declared Satoshi a promising talent, regardless of what Ninjutsu he used.
If it could defeat the opponent, it was good Ninjutsu.
Furthermore, if Satoshi made any requests, Inaho was to do his best to fulfill them.
Therefore, Inaho agreed very readily.
Anyway, it wasn't his property. If Satoshi wanted to learn, he could go ahead.
The two quickly arrived at the storage room, and Inaho took on the role of a guide.
"Satoshi, as you know, our Uchiha clan is very skilled in Fire Release, so there are many Fire Release scrolls."
"Here are sword techniques, here are taijutsu, and an introduction to genjutsu."
"The last row is for other Ninjutsu. Just pick what you need and take it back to study. Remember to return them when you're done."
"If you need it, you can ask the clan's seniors to teach you."
Under Inaho's enthusiastic gaze, Satoshi chose two scrolls related to Genjutsu and Fire Release.
"I'll start with these for now. I'll look at others after I've learned these."
"Alright." Inaho nodded and led Satoshi out of the storage room.
"The Military Police Force still has some work to finish, so I'll be going now."
"Wait a moment." Satoshi called out to him.
"I need to apply for some more explosive tags."
Inaho agreed readily, "It's just a few explosive tags. Go ahead and claim them."
Satoshi chuckled. "Really? It might be a little much."
Inaho suddenly had a bad feeling.
Facts proved Inaho right.
Satoshi took several empty scrolls and returned with them packed full.
He also found a few familiar clan members to carry a pile of weapons and deliver them to his home.
His already cramped small home now had no space to even set foot.
The clan member from the logistics department almost cried, "Satoshi, what about the other clan members?"
Satoshi patted his shoulder gently and said, "The situation is special right now. Please ask them to bear with it."
"No, you, I..."
Satoshi didn't care about others. Why didn't they give them to him when he applied before?
Now that he had the chance, he definitely had to get double back.
Inaho went to the Military Police Force to handle official business, while Satoshi happily returned home to organize his ninja tools.
Having been poor for so many years, suddenly making a small fortune made him a little unaccustomed.
After stuffing a pile of miscellaneous items under his bed, Satoshi sat on the sofa, studying the borrowed scrolls.
Let me see, what other simple and effective Genjutsu are there?
—
Hokage's Office.
Kakashi waited for a long time before Hiruzen finally found time to listen to his report.
As required, Anbu needed to report all major and minor affairs in the village daily, to facilitate the Hokage's arrangements.
Kakashi was well-versed in this. After standing at attention, he began to report in detail.
Hiruzen listened while smoking, his face expressionless.
Simple minor incidents were best handled by Anbu themselves.
But it wasn't until he heard Kakashi report that a member of the Uchiha had contacted Naruto that his eyes widened instantly.
And the person who contacted Naruto was none other than Satoshi, who had shone brightly in the Chunin Exams.
Hiruzen's brain worked rapidly, connecting various strange possibilities.
Were the Uchiha planning a rebellion?
"What did Satoshi say to Naruto?"
"He treated Naruto to a bowl of deluxe ramen."
Hiruzen pressed on, "And then?"
"Then Satoshi told Naruto that a Hokage needs to bear the hopes and approval of everyone in the village, and gain everyone's recognition."
"That's it?"
Kakashi nodded. "Then the two separated. I and Tenzo followed them separately to ensure they had no further contact."
Hiruzen's agitated mood calmed down slightly.
He had initially thought Satoshi was dissatisfied with the village and was planning to incite Naruto to rebel.
But judging by his words, it didn't seem to be related to rebellion.
Instead, it was like what Kagami had told-sensei Tobirama back then, about needing to gain the trust of the villagers and so on.
Connecting it again to Satoshi possibly inheriting Kagami's will, a complex feeling surged in Hiruzen's heart once more.
'Kagami... I failed to take good care of the Uchiha clan members. Please forgive me.'
At the same time, Hiruzen also had a bold idea.
If it was just eating a bowl of ramen, there shouldn't be any need to bring Satoshi back to Anbu for questioning, right?
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
Bang!
Danzo directly pushed open the door.
"Hiruzen! We must take action against the Uchiha!"