I Have to Reward You Handsomely!

Shisui was far faster than Kazuhiko.

After all, one was known as Body Flicker Shisui, while the other was a medical ninja. The difference was only natural.

When Kazuhiko arrived at the training ground, Itachi was standing in the middle of it, holding several Kunai and staring at a target in the distance.

Hearing footsteps, Itachi turned to look.

Their eyes met, and his gaze paused almost imperceptibly.

He still remembered saying something like, "We won't see each other again."

So Itachi instinctively looked away, unconsciously tightening his grip on the Kunai.

It was a little awkward.

He probably ought to say hello...

Nearby, Shisui leaned against a tree with his arms folded. When he saw Kazuhiko, he gave him a faint smile.

"Brother Kazuhiko."

Shisui walked over and got straight to the point:

"Danzo invited me to join Root."

Kazuhiko was slightly taken aback. "When did this happen?"

"Earlier today. Lord Danzo said that if I joined Root, I'd be given the authority to deploy its ninja."

Shisui was clearly tempted.

"That way, I'd have a chance to gradually lift Root's restrictions on monitoring the Uchiha Clan and gain the power to truly protect both the village and the Uchiha."

As he spoke, Shisui looked toward Itachi.

"I was thinking... since the Third Hokage said Itachi has a Hokage Mindset, he'd be better suited for Anbu than I am. Then I could join Root without worrying."

Shisui turned back to Kazuhiko.

"What do you think, Brother Kazuhiko?"

I think you're completely delusional.

I'd sooner believe Itachi could outmaneuver Shimura Danzo than you could.

At least Itachi managed to keep Danzo from targeting Sasuke. You, on the other hand, just threw your life away in the original story—and donated a Mangekyō Sharingan with Kotoamatsukami to boot.

You took a winning hand and played it terribly.

Listen to your big brother, Shisui:

Root's waters run too deep. You can't handle them.

"So, are you saying that you think Itachi has a better chance of becoming Hokage than you do?"

Kazuhiko didn't directly contradict Shisui. Instead, he followed his lead, first smoothing things over.

Shisui's favorability had already reached the [Bond] level, but that didn't mean he'd believe anything Kazuhiko said.

You still had to dress up your words a little.

Itachi, who had been practicing his throws, turned around and stared at Shisui in shock.

Weren't you supposed to support me running for Hokage?

What was this about me joining Anbu?

Shisui shook his head.

"No..."

But then he smiled at Itachi.

"It's not that you have a better chance of becoming Hokage than I do. You're simply more qualified."

Shisui looked at Kazuhiko with complete sincerity.

"To bear the title of Hokage, strength is secondary. The Third Hokage led Konoha through three Shinobi World Wars and kept it standing tall. He did it through wisdom, not strength. After all..."

Shisui winked at Kazuhiko.

"The Third Hokage has no record of fighting another Kage, yet he's still called the 'Strongest Hokage.' I think that's the key to becoming Hokage: a 'Hokage Mindset'!"

Shisui, are you being serious?

Itachi stared at him, wearing a strange expression.

Kazuhiko couldn't quite figure out where Shisui stood.

Was the kid sucking up to the Third Hokage, or taking a jab at him?

If he was taking a jab, Shisui was holding the Third Hokage up as his model of a Hokage.

But if he was sucking up, what was that about the "Strongest Hokage" having no record of fighting another Kage?

You should be glad this wasn't the Uchiha Clan Compound, with no cameras around.

Otherwise, I'd say your days as an Anbu squad leader were numbered.

"So whether you're strong or not doesn't matter at all. A strong mindset is what you need to become Hokage!"

Shisui looked at Kazuhiko with regret.

"In my opinion, Brother Kazuhiko is the one who should lead the Uchiha Clan and bear the title of Hokage! It's just that your strength..."

Right now, I'm still a bit of a nobody.

But don't worry, brother. I'll catch up soon.

Once I'm back, I'll do ten pulls for Jonin. I'll take on the responsibility of leading the Uchiha Clan and bearing the title of Hokage. I won't lose!

No, this kid was just too good at playing along.

I had to give you some powerful traits and reward you handsomely!

[You bestowed the following traits on the target: Basic Taijutsu (White), Clone Technique: Beginner (White), Combat Thinking (White)]

[The current target already possesses these traits. Bestowal failed.]

sigh Kazuhiko lamented inwardly.

It was a shame he couldn't reward his first follower.

Once I've collected all your traits, you'll be the first to get any powerful ones I have left over!

"Since Itachi is more qualified than I am to become Hokage, I'll settle for the next best thing—"

Shisui's gaze was resolute.

"So I want to join Root, become its next leader, and support the Hokage."

From its founding to its dissolution, Root had had only one leader:

Shimura Danzo.

Kazuhiko was so curious he couldn't help asking:

"Why do you think you can become Root's next leader?"

"I've already learned Root's structure and duties through Anbu. And Shimura Danzo personally invited me to join Root as its leader and made me a promise. Given all that, I have no reason to think I couldn't become its leader."

Kazuhiko: ...

When people were pushed to their limits, they could be rendered speechless.

The national soccer team started preparing for the next World Cup early too. Was I supposed to believe that?

"Do you know Root has a secret way of controlling its ninja?"

Shisui shook his head.

"The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. It ensures Root ninja would rather die than betray Danzo or reveal Root's secrets."

Kazuhiko's expression turned grave. "And Danzo has other secret methods I don't know about, methods that can erase a ninja's emotions and control their mind. Is that the kind of Root you want to join?"

Shisui opened his mouth, looking incredulous.

To most people in Konoha, Root was little more than a legend.

They might have heard of Root, but they didn't know where it was or what methods it used.

Shisui's expression shifted several times. He hesitated before speaking.

"But if I don't go, the divide between the Uchiha and Konoha will only grow. And if the Uchiha want to produce a Hokage, they should draw closer to the Konoha High Command. Danzo's position in Konoha is second only to Lord Hokage..."

Itachi couldn't help chiming in:

"As far as I know, Root's ninja really would rather die than reveal any information. That fits the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. And their loyalty to Danzo is frightening. They're true death warriors."

Hearing Itachi confirm it, Shisui furrowed his brow.

"Shisui, a rift needs a bridge, not a sacrifice."

Kazuhiko made the final call:

"Shimura Danzo invited you with bad intentions. Refuse him outright, then watch out for him. In Konoha, Danzo is the Uchiha's number-one enemy."

Shisui and Itachi looked at him in confusion.

The Uchiha had plenty of enemies in Konoha. Any ninja who had targeted the clan could be counted among them.

But if you asked who they hated most, ninety percent of the Uchiha would say:

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

What had Shimura Danzo done to deserve being the Uchiha Clan's greatest enemy?

Was he stronger than the Second Hokage?

Or had he invented a bunch of forbidden techniques targeting the Uchiha too?

"Brother Kazuhiko, you seem very sure Danzo will act against the Uchiha."

Kazuhiko looked past Shisui at Itachi.

"Remember that 'dream of the future' I showed you? Danzo was the culprit!"