Become a Traveling Merchant

Disgusted by the Root ninja's tactics, Uchiha Yashiro lost all appetite for cutting.

Instead, he kept pressing the Root ninja relentlessly, refusing to let up even after they had withdrawn.

The Police Department, already harboring grievances against Shimura Danzō, went so far as to invite Namikaze Yoru back to headquarters to record a statement, intending to use this to pressure the Hokage into demanding strict disciplinary action for Danzō's overreach.

After finishing his testimony, Namikaze Yoru sincerely thanked Uchiha Yashiro: "Many thanks for your timely intervention, Senior Yashiro. Having Root watching over my training these past days has been truly unbearable."

In response, Uchiha Yashiro merely waved his hand and replied, "As a member of the Uchiha Police Force, maintaining order in the village is the Uchiha clan's duty."

With that, he told Yoru to make himself at ease and returned to his busy work.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

Inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his throbbing temples as he read the urgent report from the Police Department, his mood complicated.

"How did Danzō provoke the Uchiha again?" The war had just ended, and the backlog of documents to process was mountainous; this sudden incident only added to his headache.

Rubbing his brow, he instructed the Anbu behind him: "Call Danzō over."

Before long, the bandaged Hokage Advisor appeared with a grim face. Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the scroll in front of him without a word.

Shimura Danzō picked up the scroll from the desk, gave it a cursory glance, and said without changing expression:

"Isn't the Uchiha Police Department overstepping a bit? Does my Root need to answer to them for its actions?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and took a deep drag:

"Danzō, this time you truly overstepped. Why were you monitoring a fellow village ninja?"

"A civilian ninja with such strength—I suspect something is off. Investigating him is for Konoha's safety."

Shimura Danzō, of course, wouldn't reveal the truth of being rejected by Namikaze Yoru, instead offering this excuse. Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a meaningful look and then said, "Regardless, withdraw your men immediately. This matter ends here."

"These inherently wicked Uchiha—the Third should have taken the chance to..." Danzō tried to argue further.

"Enough! Danzō, say no more. This is the privilege the Third granted the Uchiha." Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off sharply.

"The village needs the Uchiha's strength, both internally and externally."

"Hmph."

Cut off by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō fell silent verbally, but inwardly he seethed, believing the Uchiha Police Department's existence weakened his authority.

Having failed to achieve his goal, he simply chalked it up to Namikaze Yoru's good luck in hitching a ride with the Uchiha.

Leaving the Hokage Building, Shimura Danzō temporarily withdrew his surveillance on Namikaze Yoru, waiting for another chance to deal with him, and chalked this debt up to the Police Department.

At the Three-Color Dumpling Shop, Namikaze Yoru swallowed the last bite of glutinous rice dumpling with satisfaction. This tactic of diverting trouble was flawless—it both shook off Root's entanglement and let the Uchiha take the spotlight.

He figured this probably wouldn't fool Uchiha Yashiro, given the deliberate traces left behind.

He knew this little trick couldn't deceive Uchiha Yashiro, but with the Uchiha's proud nature, as long as it wasn't a scheme targeting them, they'd be happy to use it to assert their presence.

The current Uchiha, under the leadership of the Hawk Faction Elders, were highly cohesive and took a rather hardline approach, a far cry from the era of Fugaku Uchiha that would come later.

If not for the "false hawk" Fugaku Uchiha taking power during the Third War and constantly suppressing dissenting voices within the clan, which instead greatly intensified the Uchiha's internal conflicts, perhaps the clan wouldn't have been destroyed so quickly.

Namikaze Yoru specifically told the shop owner to put Uchiha Yashiro's future tabs on his account. A formal thank-you visit would seem too deliberate; this kind of subtle repayment suited the Uchiha's temperament better.

However, peace didn't last long before an unexpected task came knocking.

"Go to Kirigakure?" Namikaze Yoru stared at the mission scroll, his mouth twitching. "Sending a just-discharged Chunin to an enemy village for a mission?

Which genius came up with this?"

The Chunin issuing the mission scratched his head apologetically: "Actually... we originally planned to send Anbu. But Kirigakure's security is tight right now, and a fresh face like yours, who hasn't been seen much, is easier to slip in."

Namikaze Yoru read the mission details carefully: Kirigakure was experiencing internal turmoil recently, and someone needed to infiltrate and gather intelligence. The reward was astonishingly high, but the danger level was equally absurd.

"This mission..." He rubbed his chin and replied, "Could it be Danzō taking revenge on me?"

"Ahem, it was unanimously approved by the higher-ups," the Chunin quickly explained. "It's also a recognition of your abilities."

Like hell I believe you! Namikaze Yoru grumbled internally, deciding to pin this on Shimura Danzō for now.

Of course, it wasn't the long string of zeros in the mission reward that tempted him; rather, he wanted to take the chance to leave the village and explore on his own.

"Fine, I'll take this mission." Confident in his own strength, he accepted without hesitation.

Before departing, Namikaze Yoru prepared thoroughly. He deliberately put together a merchant's outfit, stuffed his bag with all kinds of trinkets—from small accessories to nail clippers, and even his self-studied "secret weapons"—everything in stock.

After perfecting his disguise, he held up the forged identification papers from Konoha and nodded approvingly at himself: "Now I'm just an ordinary traveling merchant."

Just as he stepped out of the village gate, Namikaze Yoru felt someone watching him. Turning around, he saw Tsunade standing on the hospital rooftop, nodding slightly at him.

"I'll be back," he mouthed, earning a playful glare from her.

Along the way, Namikaze Yoru put on a full performance, hawking his "premium goods" to everyone he met.

"Brother, take a look at this comb? Perfect for styling that hair of yours—such a unique shape."

"Sister, this mirror reflects so clearly, guaranteed to show you just how beautiful you are!"

The effect was remarkable: everyone he approached quickened their pace to get away.

Just as he was about to cross into the Land of Water's border, several Kirigakure Anbu suddenly emerged from the forest, surrounding him.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

Namikaze Yoru immediately put on a harmless, innocent smile, raising both hands high. "Brothers, I'm just a small-time Traveling Merchant."

As he spoke, he opened his pack and displayed its contents. "Want to take a look at the latest 'Sidan Kang'? The water in the Land of Water is hard—you should need this!"

The leading Mist Village Anbu frowned as he sized him up. "A Traveling Merchant? Coming to the Land of Water at a time like this?"

"Ah, life's pressures, you know." Namikaze Yoru sighed. "I've been wandering since I was young, scraping by wherever I can. Just thought I'd try my luck here."

While the other hesitated, he quietly surveyed the surrounding terrain, calculating inwardly: Looks like this trip to Mist Village won't be easy...