In the Hatake Clan, I Call the Shots

They arrived at the academy.

Ling Tian watched Kakashi go inside.

Then he left.

He still had things to do.

It was a shame. Not only had he missed Dai, but he hadn't run into the future Might Guy either.

Perhaps the father and son had decided to take advantage of the fine weather and run a few laps around the Leaf Village before heading to the academy.

Ling Tian walked alone through the streets around the Ninja Academy. The sun had risen in the east, and more villagers were out on the streets.

Aside from a few Shinobi, most were civilians. Shinobi generally didn't walk anywhere—they usually vanished with a whoosh.

Along the way, Ling Tian had already heard some civilians discussing his older brother, but the situation was still under control.

As before, this was just gossip to the villagers. Life was too dull, and it was nice to have something to talk about.

After all, what Shinobi hadn't failed before, right?

But to some clan Shinobi and elite Shinobi, the Hatake Clan was probably on its way out.

White Fang might still be far beyond their reach, but if they sided with the Hatake Clan now, they didn't have his strength to protect themselves.

Along the way, Ling Tian smiled at every villager who greeted him.

Eventually, he reached the sparsely populated outskirts.

The Uchiha Clan Compound. This was his first visit.

Though they lived in the Leaf Village, the Uchiha Clan was like a village within a village.

The moment he arrived, his distinctive long, silver-white hair and the Hatake Clan crest revealed his identity.

The two elite Chunin at the gate hurried to greet him. "Lord Xianyu, what brings you here?"

"Please let Clan Leader Fugaku know I'd like to see him."

"May we ask what you wish to see him about? That way, we can pass it along. If you'd rather not tell us, that's fine too."

The Uchiha Shinobi was quite respectful. He was only a Chunin, while this was the younger brother of Konoha's White Fang, a man who cut down Jonin like grass. Even arrogance had to depend on whom one was dealing with.

"It's fine. There's nothing to hide. I have some business to handle, and I need a few Shinobi to provide an escort," Ling Tian said with a smile.

These Uchiha aren't as brainless as the rumors make them out to be.

His first impression was quite good.

"Of course. Please wait a moment while I inform him."

The gatekeeper Shinobi promptly vanished with a whoosh.

This man was a major merchant. They couldn't afford to be careless.

Still, it was rather strange that he had come to them instead of posting a mission at the Hokage Tower.

Surprised as he was, it didn't slow him down.

The Uchiha Clan wasn't having an easy time of it.

Aside from the Police Force, their Shinobi were all sitting idle at home. Their civilians couldn't go out on missions either. Making ends meet was hard.

After the man left, Ling Tian looked at the remaining guard and asked with a smile, "I haven't asked your name yet."

"Just call me He Bian, Lord Xianyu."

He Bian Uchiha was flattered and delighted. "Please wait a moment. Shu Bian will be back soon."

Riverbank? Treeside?

What's with these names?

"No problem."

Ling Tian waved casually and asked, "By the way, He Bian, can't you go to the Hokage Tower to take missions?"

He Bian Uchiha found it a little hard to explain. With a wry smile, he said, "We're responsible for the Leaf Village's security, so outside of wartime, we don't have to take missions elsewhere."

"Oh, I see!"

Ling Tian smiled. "Not having to take missions sounds great. No need to risk your lives. I'm honestly envious! As expected of the First Noble Clan. You're the only ones in the village who enjoy that privilege."

"..."

That killed the conversation.

Fortunately, Shu Bian soon returned.

Ling Tian followed him through the gate. The Uchiha Clan Compound was large, with plenty of clan members, but the number of Shinobi was nothing special. Most were still civilians.

They were quite curious about this stranger who had suddenly appeared.

Their curiosity made Ling Tian's scalp prickle. Why did he feel like a talking monkey being pointed at by tourists?

Fortunately, their destination wasn't far, and they soon arrived.

He followed Shu Bian into a mansion and through a maze of turns before finally reaching the reception hall.

Fugaku Uchiha was alone in the reception hall. When they entered, he immediately dismissed his clansman.

Fugaku Uchiha was the chief elder's only son. Born in the fifteenth year of the Leaf Village, he was twenty-three this year, an elite Jonin, and unmarried.

He was the second clan leader since Madara's departure from the Leaf Village. The first had died on the battlefield. Ling Tian suspected Madara might have personally purged him from the clan.

Once the other man had left, Fugaku Uchiha frowned. "Did Lord White Fang send you?"

"What, can't I come on my own?"

Ling Tian made himself right at home, taking a seat without waiting for an invitation.

"Speak. What do you want?"

Fugaku Uchiha's voice was cold.

He thought little of Ling Tian's claim.

Ling Tian smiled. "Didn't I already tell your clansmen? I have a business venture, and I need to hire some Shinobi to help."

You can look down on me all you like. I'll keep smiling.

If you lash out at someone who's being friendly, that only proves the Uchiha Clan has no manners.

"If you want to post a mission, you should go to the Hokage Tower," Fugaku Uchiha said.

Ling Tian smiled. "The Hokage Tower can't accept this mission."

"What mission? Let's hear it."

Fugaku Uchiha grew serious.

"I need one Kage Level fighter and some Jonin. If necessary, I may need the support of your entire clan."

Ling Tian spoke calmly, a smile in his eyes.

Fugaku Uchiha's expression darkened as soon as he mentioned a Kage Level fighter. When Ling Tian finished, he said bluntly, "If that's all you came here to say, you can leave now."

Ling Tian frowned. "Clan Leader Fugaku, if your clan hadn't shown us goodwill, I wouldn't have come here today. I'd have gone to another clan."

"Be my guest."

"Don't you want to hear what I'm offering in return?"

Fugaku Uchiha said nothing, his expression still cold.

Left with no choice, Ling Tian said, "Besides the Police Force, an Advisor position and the Intelligence Department."

Fugaku Uchiha frowned but remained silent, considering the offer.

The terms were tempting, but the job wouldn't be easy.

At first, he'd thought Ling Tian had come seeking help. White Fang needed an ally now.

But once Ling Tian spoke, he understood. This fellow wanted a coup!

White Fang was strong, and the Uchiha Clan was currently the First Noble Clan in the Leaf Village, but a coup with just the two of them was utterly impossible.

Even if White Fang could overpower the Third, it would still be impossible. The Leaf Village's overall strength was simply too great.

"Orochimaru will give us his full support."

As though he had read Fugaku's thoughts, Ling Tian sweetened the deal.

Sure enough, Fugaku Uchiha could no longer maintain his cold expression. "You convinced Orochimaru?" he asked in shock.

Ling Tian nodded. "Orochimaru is willing to fully support our coup. Of course, you can choose to make him Hokage instead. But if you choose my older brother, I can promise that once Kakashi comes of age, he'll marry an Uchiha girl of your choosing."

Fugaku Uchiha asked, "Can you speak for Lord White Fang?"

Ling Tian answered without hesitation. "In the Hatake Clan, I call the shots."

"..."