Negotiations with the Third Hokage

Three days later, at the Hokage Building.

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. As Konoha's Third Hokage, he handled a great deal of official business every day, from the village's development to assigning ninja missions. Every matter required his decision.

"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku has arrived with his eldest son, Xingye," his assistant reported after knocking and entering.

The Third Hokage set down the document in his hand, a complicated look passing through his eyes.

"Show them in."

A moment later, Fugaku entered the office with Xingye.

Fugaku wore the formal attire of a clan head, his bearing steady and imposing. Six-year-old Xingye followed behind him in ordinary training clothes, but his eyes held a maturity beyond his years, drawing several glances from the Third Hokage.

"Fugaku, please sit," the Third Hokage said with a smile.

Fugaku bowed respectfully, then sat in the chair opposite the desk. Xingye remained standing beside his father. Rather than sit, he bowed respectfully.

"Xingye, you can sit too," the Third Hokage said.

"No, Lord Hokage. I'm fine standing," Xingye replied, his tone respectful but neither servile nor overbearing.

The Third Hokage gave a slight nod and did not press him.

"Fugaku, what brings you here today?" the Third Hokage asked bluntly.

Fugaku glanced at Xingye beside him, then said, "Lord Hokage, some ill-intentioned people have been spying on the Uchiha Clan lately. My son Xingye was even attacked."

The Third Hokage's expression shifted slightly.

"An attack?" he asked with a frown. "Tell me exactly what happened."

Fugaku recounted how Root had attacked Xingye in the forest three days earlier. Of course, he left out the details of Xingye defeating the Root members and merely said that he had "escaped by sheer luck."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened as he listened.

"Root?" He took a deep breath. "Fugaku, are you certain it was Root?"

"I'm certain," Fugaku replied gravely. "Their clothing and the nature of their chakra were unmistakable signs of Root."

The Third Hokage fell silent.

He knew Danzo had recently stepped up surveillance of the Uchiha Clan, but he had not expected him to go so far as to send people to attack one of its members—especially the clan head's eldest son.

"I'll investigate this thoroughly," the Third Hokage said. "If Root was responsible, I'll give the Uchiha Clan an explanation."

"Lord Hokage, we don't need an explanation," Xingye suddenly said.

The Third Hokage and Fugaku both turned to look at the six-year-old.

"What do you need, then?" the Third Hokage asked.

"We need fairness." Xingye met the Third Hokage's gaze. "Lord Hokage, I know you have reservations about the Uchiha Clan. But we have never intended to betray Konoha. We only hope to be treated fairly."

The Third Hokage fell silent. The boy's words reminded him of Shisui Uchiha—an idealist who had once tried to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha peacefully.

"Xingye, you're only six. Why would you say something like that?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Because I've seen it," Xingye replied calmly. "I've seen the unease in my clansmen's eyes, the hesitation in yours, and the ambition in certain people's hearts. I don't want the Uchiha Clan to become the spark that ignites a civil war in Konoha, nor do I want Konoha to grow weak because of infighting."

The Third Hokage's heart gave a slight jolt.

Was this child really only six?

"Then what do you want?" the Third Hokage asked.

"We're willing to devote all our strength to Konoha," Xingye said. "In return, we hope Lord Danzo will stop secretly monitoring us. It makes us uneasy."

The Third Hokage turned to Danzo, who was present as one of the village's advisers.

Danzo's face was ashen, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Xingye, are you threatening me?" Danzo asked coldly.

"No, this is a negotiation," Xingye replied calmly. "Lord Danzo, what do you want? You want peace in Konoha and to protect this village. But will spying on the Uchiha Clan really accomplish that? It will only make us more uneasy, and might even turn us into the very 'threat' you fear."

Danzo fell silent. He could find no argument against the child's reasoning.

After weighing the pros and cons, the Third Hokage finally made his decision.

"Very well," he said with a nod. "I'll speak with Danzo and put an end to the excessive surveillance of the Uchiha Clan. At the same time, I hope the Uchiha Clan will demonstrate its loyalty to Konoha."

"That's what we've always done," Fugaku said gravely.

"Good," the Third Hokage replied. "Also, to strengthen the ties between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha, I suggest increasing your share of the village's missions so you'll have more opportunities to serve the village."

"It would be our honor," Fugaku said with a nod.

The meeting ended on relatively friendly terms.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Danzo watched Xingye's departing figure from the shadows, his expression cold.

"Brat, you think you can change anything?" Killing intent flashed in Danzo's eyes. "The Uchiha Clan must be eliminated eventually."

But Xingye had already sensed Danzo's killing intent. Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face.

"Danzo, your anger is exactly the result I wanted," Xingye thought to himself. "The angrier you get, the more likely you are to make a mistake. And I'll wait in the shadows for that opportunity."

Just then, the system's notification sounded in Xingye's mind.

[After speaking with the Third Hokage, you have obtained a trait]

[Select a trait to plunder]

Xingye's heart stirred, and the system interface immediately displayed the Third Hokage's talents:

Hiruzen Sarutobi:

[Fire Release Mastery (Purple)]

[Earth Release Mastery (Purple)]

[Political Wisdom (Gold)]

[Leadership (Gold)]

[Observation (Green)]

Xingye selected [Observation (Green)].

[Plunder successful]

[Obtained talent: Observation (Green)]

[System notification: Trait level upgraded]

[Observation (Green) → Observation (Blue)]

A warm current flowed into Xingye's mind, and his powers of observation instantly improved. He could now read other people's subtle facial expressions and body language more precisely, allowing him to judge what they were really thinking.

"This talent is very useful," Xingye thought to himself. "Being able to see through what someone really thinks gives me a major advantage in negotiations."

He looked up at the distant Hokage Building, his eyes glinting coldly.

"Third Hokage, Danzo, do you think you're the only ones playing this game?" Xingye murmured. "From today on, I'm a player too."