Preparing to Meet the Daimyo

"But I do not wish for the person I send over to be treated unfairly."

"That goes without saying; I will speak with Utatane Koharu."

The Administration Department is currently under the charge of Utatane Koharu.

Minato Namikaze is also concerned that the person he sends over will be unable to access the core operations.

They would always be stuck doing menial tasks and would never receive any real training.

"Then let us consider this matter closed." Sarutobi Hiruzen delivered the final verdict.

"Of course." Minato Namikaze smiled slightly.

The two reached a consensus that this matter would not be brought up again in the future.

Sarutobi Hiruzen also smiled inwardly: The emotional appeal is still quite useful.

It is just a pity for Shimura Danzō; he would find another opportunity to bring him out later.

"Very well, if there is nothing else, I shall go find Shimura Danzō now."

"Understood, Third Hokage, take care."

Shimura Clan Compound

A roar erupted, accompanied by the sound of objects being smashed.

"What!"

"What does Minato Namikaze think he is doing? By what right does that wet-behind-the-ears brat act like this?!"

"Stripping me of my position as an elder is one thing, but why cut my Root in half?!"

Shimura Danzō's eyes looked as if he wanted to devour someone, and his chest heaved with rage.

"Danzō, your men were caught red-handed; what else is there to say?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said impatiently, "Besides, he is the Hokage now. You, just stop thinking about other things."

Hearing this, Shimura Danzō became even more incensed.

It is only because I am not the Hokage that I am being pushed around.

Thinking back to Sarutobi Hiruzen's words about how "he is the Hokage now," his resolve to become Hokage only hardened!

I will prove to our teacher that I am the one most suited to be Hokage!

Seeing Shimura Danzō with his head bowed, Sarutobi Hiruzen assumed he was feeling distressed and said, "I will find an opportunity later to help you regain your position as an elder. Do not feel slighted."

He even patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.

The implication was clear: do not even think about restoring Root to its original state.

Little did he know, a sinister plan was already brewing in Shimura Danzō's mind.

Konoha Police Force

Police Force Chief's Office

"Poof."

A cloud of white smoke dissipated.

A chubby little orange cat appeared, walking with a lazy gait.

Masaki Uchiha, who was busy working at his desk, saw the orange cat and lowered his head to continue working, though he still asked, "Which side is the news from?"

The orange cat's name is Natsume.

He is Masaki Uchiha's intelligence officer.

He is responsible for gathering intelligence from the ninja world.

After Masaki Uchiha became the clan head, he had even more subordinates gathering intelligence, as many in the Uchiha Clan use cats as their summoning beasts.

Thus, Natsume became the intelligence specialist for the Uchiha Clan.

"I just received news from Kaito Uchiha."

"Since it is marked as top-secret intelligence, I delivered it personally." After speaking, the cat flipped its paw, and a top-secret intelligence report appeared.

"Intelligence sent by Kaito? Let me see." Masaki Uchiha, who had been working, knew exactly what it was related to the moment he heard it was from Kaito.

Opening the report, he saw that, as expected, it was a success.

The report indicated that Kaito Uchiha had already established a connection with the Daimyo.

He needed Masaki Uchiha to find time to go to the capital and have an audience with the Daimyo.

The mission assigned last time could be considered successfully completed.

Masaki Uchiha laughed heartily; the plan was proceeding smoothly.

He immediately pulled a blank intelligence scroll from his desk and picked up his brush to write.

"Deliver this intelligence to Kaito and tell him to meet at the gates of the Capital of the Land of Fire at noon, five days from now."

Natsume took the scroll with his cat paw and said, "What about my reward? I'm the one who personally delivered this intel, you know."

"I knew you wouldn't forget about that. Here." Masaki Uchiha pulled two 1,000-ryo banknotes from his raccoon wallet and handed them to Natsume.

Upon receiving the money, Natsume's eyes narrowed into slits of pure joy.

"See you later then, meow."

"Poof."

The smoke cleared.

Natsume had used the Reverse Summoning Technique to depart.

"Shisui." Masaki Uchiha called out.

"I am here, Clan Head." Uchiha Shisui emerged from the corner; he had been there the entire time.

"Gather the guard unit. We are departing for the Capital of the Land of Fire today."

"Understood."

Uchiha Shisui has been very diligent lately; I should reward him with a ninjutsu when the time comes.

Five days later.

At the main gate of the Capital of the Land of Fire.

Kaito Uchiha and a group of clansmen who had arrived with him were waiting to welcome Masaki Uchiha.

Someone shouted, "The Clan Head is here!"

Kaito Uchiha stood on his tiptoes to look, spotting Masaki Uchiha protected within the crowd by the guard unit.

He immediately led the others forward to greet him.

"Clan Head, this subordinate has fulfilled the mission," Kaito Uchiha said solemnly.

"Hahaha, why are you being so formal with me, kid?" Masaki Uchiha laughed, punching Kaito Uchiha on the shoulder.

"Clan Head, I am no longer the person I once was."

Masaki Uchiha chuckled, "Good, it's good that you've matured. Your brother can rest easy now."

"Tell me about the situation in the capital."

Hearing that they were discussing official business, the others immediately dispersed, leaving space for the two to talk while simultaneously preventing others from eavesdropping.

"Yes. Following your instructions, I led our clansmen and took down all of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."

"This incident successfully piqued the Daimyo's interest in our Uchiha clan, and he expressed a desire to meet with us."

"That is why I rushed to send the message back, requesting that you come to have an audience with the Daimyo."

Upon hearing this, Masaki Uchiha asked, "Did the Daimyo mention anything else?"

"No, he only said he wanted to meet us. I declined, saying that my personal standing was insufficient and requested that our Clan Head come to meet the Daimyo to show proper respect. The Daimyo agreed."

Kaito Uchiha's expression turned serious.

"Very well, let's rest for a day and go to see the Daimyo tomorrow." Masaki Uchiha had been traveling for days; while he wasn't tired, his clansmen certainly were.

It was better to rest for a day to recharge their spirits so they could go together tomorrow; there was strength in numbers.

"Understood. I have already arranged our accommodations. Please, follow me."

Masaki Uchiha looked at the clansmen gathered around and said, "Let's go. We're going to enjoy the noble life in the capital, hahaha."

Hearing their Clan Head say this, everyone felt a bit eager.

In truth, the profession of a ninja is one of licking blood off the edge of a blade.

With their heads constantly on the chopping block, they never knew when their time might be up.

They didn't exactly live meal-to-meal, but they were certainly better off than commoners and worse off than merchants.

Compared to the nobility, there was no comparison at all.

The word "enjoyment" had always been very distant from ninjas.

Since the Clan Head had given the word, they were definitely going to enjoy themselves to the fullest.