Mikoto, Making Tea

"Except for the Security Division personnel, not a single person was injured."

"After investigating through the night, we now have reason to suspect that this evil enemy force incited the villagers in an attempt to undermine the Security Division system left behind by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."

"Their goal was to weaken the village's internal defenses, seize the Jinchuriki while Konoha was in chaos, and ultimately conquer Konoha."

Eiji put down his pen. "Just write something simple. I'm not very good at writing work reports."

Inaho and Tekka, standing nearby, gazed at him with undisguised admiration.

"Eiji, I want to learn how to write reports."

That very evening, Eiji's work report reached Hiruzen's hands.

He read it carefully three times. He recognized every character in it, but somehow couldn't understand them when they were strung together.

How had so many spies infiltrated the village out of nowhere?

And why hadn't these spies acted in secret? Instead, they had swaggered through the streets in broad daylight.

Hiruzen couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Yet he couldn't say exactly what it was.

If he had to put it into words, Eiji was... excessively righteous in an almost sinister way.

According to the information provided by the onlookers, after those "spies" had been exposed,

they had taken out Explosive Tags and prepared to put on a fireworks show.

At that extremely dangerous moment, everyone had wanted to run for cover. Only Eiji had charged forward without hesitation.

He had engaged them in a fierce battle and ultimately protected the villagers' property.

Of course, those fellows had nearly been beaten to death in the street by Eiji. He had dislocated their joints on the spot.

If there hadn't been children nearby, he probably would have simply stabbed them to death with two strikes.

The last White Hair to be so violent toward outsiders had been his teacher, Tobirama.

Bah, bah, bah. Why was he comparing the two again?

Aside from both having white hair, the two of them clearly had nothing in common, okay?

Hiruzen hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Eiji.

"Eiji, well done. Without you, who knows how many casualties there would have been today."

Eiji looked righteous. "Lord Hokage, it was simply the Security Division's duty."

Hiruzen nodded lightly. "Leave the rest to the Anbu. The waters here run deep. You won't be able to handle it."

Unexpectedly, Eiji decisively refused Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage, maintaining order within the village is the responsibility Lord Tobirama personally entrusted to the Uchiha.

"This happened within Konoha itself, so the Security Division has a duty to investigate it to the very end.

"Please rest assured, Lord Hokage. I will uncover the truth behind this matter."

Hiruzen fell silent for a while.

He felt somewhat irritated.

He didn't know why, but whenever Eiji mentioned Lord Tobirama, he felt uneasy.

He was clearly an Uchiha, yet he treated Lord Tobirama's words as absolute law.

This was no longer something an ordinary Uchiha could do.

Could Kagami's will really have such a far-reaching influence?

No, he needed to find time to rewrite the Will of Fire.

Hiruzen took a drag from his cigarette and realized that he had apparently zoned out.

"Lord Hokage, we can't hesitate any longer. The situation is extremely urgent."

"No one can say for sure whether they have other accomplices hidden in the village. If they hurt any villagers, how could I face the villagers' trust?"

Hiruzen thought about it. It did seem to make some sense.

Of course, Hiruzen kept his guard up as well.

"I'll arrange for an Anbu squad to assist you. Eliminate the security threat as soon as possible."

"Understood, Lord Hokage."

[You successfully fulfilled the Security Division's duty and received the current Hokage's recognition. As expected of you—the great Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama]

[Quest Reward: Water Style: Hard Whirlpool Water Blade]

At Root Organization, Danzo's face was so gloomy it seemed water might drip from it.

"What did you say? Hiruzen not only failed to punish Eiji, but also ordered them to investigate the whole matter?"

"Yes, Lord Danzo," Ryoma said cautiously. "A few villagers even said that Eiji saved their lives. They called him a good man."

Danzo smashed the teacup on the table.

"He's nothing but crap! He's an inherently evil Uchiha. Everything he does is an act!"

A wave of unease surged through Danzo's heart.

Hiruzen's decision was practically handing the Uchiha a knife.

If it had been an ordinary Uchiha, Danzo wouldn't have cared. They were merely a group of cowards who were both brainless and, by now, even spineless.

Even if you stood right in front of them, slapped Fugaku twice, and taunted him with something like, "Come on, hit me,"

they might not even dare stab you.

But Eiji was different.

In Danzo's mind, Eiji had long since been labeled troublesome, evil, and cunning.

He was constantly creating trouble for Danzo, yet Danzo remained helpless against him.

Now, he even had leverage over Danzo.

Although Danzo had been extremely careful and had outsourced everything through layer upon layer of intermediaries, he still feared that Eiji would follow the scent and come after him.

Danzo knew that Eiji was the sort who could argue black was white. If Eiji found even the slightest evidence, it would be as terrifying as giving him Lord Hashirama's Wood Style.

"Stupid Hiruzen, do you even know what you're doing?"

"Have you forgotten Lord Tobirama's instructions? The Uchiha are extremely dangerous. Under no circumstances can they be given authority..."

Ryoma quietly took half a step back and covered his ears.

This is bad. I've heard something I shouldn't have.

What if Lord Danzo gets unhappy one day and kills me to silence me?

He won't. He probably won't... right?

Some rejoiced while others worried.

While Danzo was still fretting over whether he would bring disaster upon himself, cheers from the Security Division had already threatened to lift the roof off.

"How many years has it been? How many years has it been since the Security Division received the Hokage's recognition?"

"Who would have thought we'd be entrusted with such an important mission as investigating spies? The Uchiha have a bright future ahead of us!"

Inside the Security Division, the Uchiha could barely contain their excitement.

That was just how the adorable Uchiha were.

Give them the tiniest bit of false hope, and they would be as happy as fools.

The specific mission didn't matter. What mattered was that it represented the Hokage's attitude.

"Eiji," Shisui patted Eiji on the shoulder. "Perhaps you really can become the bond that maintains the connection between the clan and Konoha."

Eiji looked at Shisui as if he were looking at a complete idiot.

Are you kidding me? I'm already wondering when to rebel, and you're still going on about this?

Alas, whenever a person gained one thing, they lost another.

Shisui had gained a talent for practicing ninjutsu, but he had lost his clever brain.

As for Itachi—

A complete idiot. Nothing more needed to be said.

"Everyone, restoring the Uchiha's glory is a duty none of us can shirk!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Wave after wave of the Uchiha's wild laughter passed through the windows and reached the ears of villagers walking by.

A little child was frightened into bawling.

"Stop crying! If you keep crying, the lunatics from the Security Division will come and arrest you!"

The child covered his mouth and forcibly held back his tears.

With a creak, the Security Division's door opened.

Eiji walked out with his sword in hand. Fugaku had sent someone to summon him, though Eiji had no idea what the mission was.

The moment the child saw Eiji, he fainted on the spot.

I'm doomed!

They're going to arrest me!

Eiji gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you need help?"

"N-no, no, no, no, we don't!"

With that, the child's father scooped him up and ran for his life.

"What a lunatic."

Eiji muttered a few words, then soon found Fugaku sweeping the courtyard.

"Clan Head, you sent for me?"

When Fugaku saw Eiji arrive, he immediately tossed aside his broom.

"Come, come in quickly. Mikoto, we have an honored guest. Bring out my finest tea leaves."

Eiji was completely bewildered. He was just an ordinary Chunin without even a proper official position. What made him an honored guest?

With a stomach full of questions, Eiji sat down at the tea table.

The fair and beautiful Aunt Mikoto poured him tea, then left. Itachi and Sasuke sat rigidly nearby, looking extremely serious.

"Here, Eiji. Have some tea."

Fugaku seemed to be in a good mood today, and there was even a smile on his face.

Eiji asked cautiously, "Clan Head, you seem to be in a pretty good mood today?"

Fugaku nodded vigorously. "Eiji, you've really done me a huge favor!"