Danzo: Plan Complete!

Moreover, Setsuna Uchiha was well aware of his reputation in Konoha; once his cover was blown, it would be difficult to find another chance to get close to Uchiha Shingen.

Right now was likely his only opportunity to make contact with Uchiha Shingen ahead of time.

Therefore, even as he listened to the two men's filthy banter, Setsuna Uchiha patiently waited on the sidelines.

Yet, the two men, already caught up in their excitement, had no intention of stopping anytime soon.

It wasn't until the sun dipped below the horizon that they reluctantly set down their teacups, leaving behind a thick stack of manuscript paper on the table, densely packed with notes written by Jiraiya.

Refusing to give up, Setsuna Uchiha kept a quiet vigil by the tea stall, observing Uchiha Shingen.

But the more he watched, the harder it was to reconcile the youth before him—who was enthusiastically discussing erotica with Jiraiya—with the image of the outstanding Uchiha elites he remembered.

What the hell!

Aren't normal Uchiha geniuses supposed to be stoic, cold-on-the-outside-but-warm-on-the-inside types?!

When did such a specimen emerge?!

As he pondered this.

Setsuna Uchiha's gaze caught sight of Shisui in the distance, helping an old lady cross the street, and his expression darkened further.

Is this kid crippled by that nonsense Will of Fire that Hiruzen Sarutobi keeps spouting?!

Forget it.

He is still a genius of the clan, after all; I'll lend him a hand if I can later on.

Thinking this, Setsuna Uchiha spent the next few days guarding that tea table, becoming something of an NPC that refreshed at the same time every day.

The members of the South District 4 Third Squad gradually grew accustomed to his presence.

They didn't know the true identity of Setsuna Uchiha, only that among the captain's partners in writing erotica, there was now an old man in his seventies or eighties who refused to give up on his wicked ways.

"What do you mean Setsuna Uchiha has started writing erotica with Jiraiya?!"

Beneath Konoha.

Inside the Root base.

Danzo flipped through the scroll in his hand repeatedly, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

If not for the fact that the ninjas responsible for monitoring Uchiha Shingen were the elite he had personally trained, Danzo would have almost suspected that the Third Hokage had already reached his tentacles into Root.

And that this was just a ruse by the Third Hokage to blind him.

But after careful consideration, Danzo dismissed this possibility.

Having fought the Third Hokage in the shadows and the light for decades, he was naturally familiar with his old rival's style.

Danzo's impression of Setsuna Uchiha remained fixed on the man who had once led the Uchiha against the Second Hokage, a ruthless figure whose killing intent hadn't diminished in the slightest despite being imprisoned for decades.

But you're telling me that as soon as a man like this gets out of prison, his first move isn't to stir up trouble for the Uchiha, but to write erotica with Jiraiya?!

To hell with that!

Is this really Setsuna Uchiha?!

"That is the situation, sir."

The Root ninja who came to report felt equally awkward.

They had monitored countless dangerous individuals, including Konoha's current jinchuriki, Kushina, but they had truly never seen a situation like Setsuna Uchiha's!

Even if this old guy had the heart for it now, he surely lacked the strength, right?!

"Things cannot be that simple."

Danzo set down the report, unable to stop himself from rubbing his brow.

He forced himself to calm down, peeling back the layers to see the essence of the matter.

"The Setsuna Uchiha I remember is a mad dog through and through."

"Even if he saw through my plans, he would never allow the Uchiha to reconcile with Konoha. What he has always wanted is to use the Uchiha to dominate and seize control of Konoha."

"This guy is likely..."

"He's targeting Uchiha Shingen!"

In Danzo's mind, the image of the youth from that night resurfaced.

Even by his standards, he had to admit that the talent Uchiha Shingen displayed was the greatest he had seen in decades.

Even Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang whose name had echoed throughout Konoha in recent years, was likely far inferior.

It was no surprise that such a person would attract the attention of Setsuna Uchiha.

Gradually.

The train of thought in Danzo's mind became clear:

"This old man is likely planning to win over Uchiha Shingen and groom him as his successor."

"Given the talent and intellect that brat has displayed, if Setsuna Uchiha truly succeeds, Konoha won't know a moment of peace for the next few decades..."

"Damn it!"

"Not only are the Uchiha and Sarutobi fighting me for him, but now even this old geezer has to stick his nose in!"

Danzo couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.

If he hadn't been so overbearing when he first met Uchiha Shingen, perhaps Uchiha Shingen would already be his right-hand man by now.

It might have even been possible to bring Shisui into his fold as well.

Unfortunately.

None of that is possible now.

The last incident had already sent the Third Hokage into a rage; if he tried it again, Hiruzen would likely seize the opportunity to strip him of his authority over Root.

Even if he could secure the support of several Hokage advisors by then, he likely wouldn't be able to stop it.

Furthermore, with Jiraiya guarding Uchiha Shingen's side every day, the chances of him forcibly moving against Uchiha Shingen to eliminate the threat once and for all were slim to none.

Danzo was fretting over how to handle this matter.

A Root ninja suddenly flashed into the main hall of the Root base, and without waiting for Danzo to speak, he stated directly:

"Lord Danzo, there is urgent intelligence."

"The Uchiha will hold a clan meeting in two days. The specific purpose is currently unclear, but it is likely related to Setsuna Uchiha, who was just released from prison."

"An Uchiha clan meeting?!"

The gloom on Danzo's face vanished instantly:

"I knew Setsuna Uchiha wouldn't just sit still. It's only been a few days and he's already losing his patience?!"

"He really is getting old. Knowing he doesn't have much time left, he's inevitably becoming reckless."

Aburame Ryoma, who had been hiding in the shadows beside Danzo, emerged and asked skeptically:

"Do you mean he intends to use this opportunity to challenge Fugaku Uchiha?!"

"Exactly."

Danzo nodded slightly, his indifferent eyes gleaming with the light of someone who saw through everything:

"That old man is definitely not the type to be content living under someone else's thumb. This clan meeting is likely his doing; he intends to seize power from Fugaku Uchiha."

After a moment of contemplation, Aburame Ryoma said:

"Does this mean that Setsuna Uchiha's recent habit of staying by Uchiha Shingen's side was to test his stance?!"

Danzo leaned on his cane, regaining his usual posture of a man in absolute control:

"It makes no difference now. Regardless, with Setsuna Uchiha in the mix, Hiruzen wanting to win over the Uchiha... is a pipe dream!"

Watching Danzo's expression, Aburame Ryoma suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

He pondered for a few seconds.

Only then did he recall that Danzo had worn this exact same expression when he had previously insisted, with absolute certainty, that Fugaku Uchiha and the Third Hokage had already joined forces.

For a moment, Aburame Ryoma hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

"Lord Danzo, I..."