Hokage Invitation

"What is this? Isn't he just completely letting himself go?" Just as Uchiha Sasuke was soaking in the hot spring with his eyes closed to relax, Naruto, who was on the other side of the spring, complained with a face full of dissatisfaction. To come and check on what was wrong with Sasuke along with these people, Naruto had spent all his money on this hot spring visit!

"That may be true, but we still haven't figured out why he ended up like this, have we?" Facing Naruto's complaint, Shikamaru also looked at Sasuke, who was enjoying himself in the hot spring, with some confusion.

It was just too strange. Why would Sasuke, who had always been one to "hang his head from the beam and prick his thigh with an awl" when it came to training, turn into this current state?

"I'm out of potato chips, I'm going to get some!" Just as Shikamaru was still deep in thought, Choji tossed his empty chip bag aside and headed off into the distance.

"Idiot!"

Faced with Choji's behavior, Naruto couldn't help but curse. Wasn't this just blatantly exposing them?

"If only... forget it!" Sasuke, who was soaking in the hot spring, suddenly thought of the girl painting on the hillside, and he stood up to leave the spring.

After getting dressed and walking out of the men's bath, Sasuke encountered Ino and Sakura at the entrance, who had been trying to peek. Sasuke was caught off guard by this; were these two really that hungry for him?

"Nice color!" Just as Ino and Sakura were at a loss for what to do, Sasuke offered a casual compliment before leaving the hot spring shop.

"Ah..." After Sasuke left, Ino was the first to react and quickly scurried away. To think that she had been seen by Sasuke... it was just too shameful.

"What color?" Sakura, who was a step behind, watched Ino run off and shook her head in confusion. Then, as if she had realized something, she also ran away frantically.

After leaving the hot spring, Sasuke arrived at a barbecue restaurant. After all, if the body had enjoyed the hot spring, the mouth had to enjoy itself too!

After a hearty meal, Sasuke slowly walked toward the Uchiha clan compound.

Just as Sasuke approached the Uchiha district, an Anbu suddenly appeared before him.

"The Hokage wants to have a word with you!" After the Anbu said this to Sasuke, he began to size him up.

"Fine!" Realizing that this was someone sent by that old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief. After all, it would be quite simple for Root to disguise someone as an Anbu captain.

Of course, the reason Sasuke felt relieved was that it wasn't yet time to make a move against Danzo; he still wanted to stay in Konoha for a while longer.

"Let's go!"

Seeing that Sasuke had agreed, the Anbu began to lead the way. Naturally, the meeting place wouldn't be the Hokage's office; Sarutobi Hiruzen felt this matter was quite dishonorable, and if those people in the office heard it, his glorious image would be tarnished.

Sasuke followed the Anbu into a forest where there was a pavilion. At this moment, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was sitting in the pavilion, slowly waiting for Sasuke's arrival.

"My lord, Uchiha Sasuke has been brought here!" After the Anbu brought Sasuke to the spot, he said respectfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Very well, Kinoe, you may step down!" Facing the Anbu's report, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to signal him to leave.

Kinoe? Tenzo? Yamato? That guy who could use Wood Style? The First Hokage used Wood Style to conquer the world, and Yamato used it for landscaping? What a familiar face!

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen address the Anbu by that name, Sasuke's expression was subtle. He hadn't expected that the person who just left would be one of his future targets! After all, Yamato was the only person to survive the implantation of Senju Hashirama's cells!

"Uchiha Sasuke, long time no see! How has life been lately? Is there anything you need help with?" After the Anbu left, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the playboy-dressed Sasuke and asked with a smile.

"Long time no see, Lord Hokage. Life is going quite well!" Looking at the hypocritical Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke also replied with a smile. After all, he had gained so much general proficiency from the Anbu that life was indeed going well.

"That's good!" Hearing Sasuke's reply, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled calmly.

"Lord Hokage, is there something you wanted to see me about?" Facing such an old fox, Sasuke went straight to the point; he didn't want to converse much with this old man who had bad breath.

"Sasuke! The development of Konoha has been restricted. Would you be willing to contribute to the village?"

Facing Sasuke's inquiry, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him with a gentle gaze, though in his heart, he was already laughing out loud.

Judging from these four years of observation, this kid has already been brainwashed by the "Will of Fire." I will take the Uchiha territory without any hesitation!

Faced with such a question from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke was momentarily stunned. Damn, he really is eyeing the Uchiha territory? You cunning, treacherous old fox!

"But I'm just a student! How could I possibly help Konoha?" Looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen's somewhat strange expression, Sasuke asked curiously.

"Look here! You are the only one left in the Uchiha clan, but you occupy so much land. Isn't that a bit of a waste..."

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen started, Sasuke understood that he was indeed after the Uchiha land. Well played, Third Hokage.

"If we had the vast land of the Uchiha to develop, Konoha would become even more prosperous!"

Watching Sasuke's hesitant expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen began his seduction. After all, this was a golden opportunity for the Sarutobi clan to thrive, and he absolutely could not give it up.

As for why he didn't just seize it by force? Did he think Uchiha Itachi was just for show? If that guy came to Konoha to stir up trouble, wouldn't his own glorious image be completely ruined? So, it was better to trick Sasuke!

"But this..."

Faced with someone as blunt as Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke was momentarily taken aback. I have never seen such a shameless person, actually managing to link his own ambition to Konoha.

"If you are willing to give up the Uchiha territory, I can give you an S-rank ninjutsu scroll! That way, you can become stronger and avenge your Uchiha clansmen!"

Watching the hesitant Sasuke, Sarutobi Hiruzen unceremoniously took out several scrolls and placed them on the table. Sarutobi Hiruzen had come prepared this time.

"S-rank?"

Faced with such generosity from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke's expression showed some surprise. This old man had actually changed; what was going on?

"Yes, S-rank!"

Thinking that Sasuke was intimidated, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled unobtrusively. After all, it was impossible for the current Uchiha Sasuke to possess S-rank ninjutsu; the high-level ninjutsu of the Uchiha were currently still sitting in the Sarutobi clan's warehouse!

"This..."

With a plan forming in his mind, Sasuke pretended to hesitate...