A Game of Wits with the Third Hokage

Three days later, Hokage Building.

Inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. As the Third Hokage of Konoha, he had to handle a massive amount of official business every day, from the village's infrastructure to the assignment of ninja missions; everything required his decision.

"Lord Hokage, Fugaku Uchiha has arrived with his eldest son, Xingye." The assistant knocked and entered to report.

The Third Hokage set down the documents in his hand, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes.

"Please, show them in."

A moment later, Fugaku walked into the office with Xingye.

Fugaku wore his clan leader attire, his demeanor steady and dignified. Six-year-old Xingye followed behind him, dressed in simple training gear, yet his eyes held a maturity that transcended his age, causing the Third Hokage to take a few extra looks at him.

"Fugaku, please, have a seat." The Third Hokage greeted them with a smile.

Fugaku bowed respectfully and sat in the chair opposite the desk. Xingye stood by his father's side, remaining standing, and offered a respectful bow.

"Xingye, you sit as well," the Third Hokage said.

"No, Lord Hokage, it is fine for this junior to stand," Xingye replied, his tone respectful yet neither servile nor overbearing.

The Third Hokage nodded slightly, not insisting.

"Fugaku, what brings you to me today?" the Third Hokage asked, getting straight to the point.

Fugaku glanced at Xingye beside him and said, "Lord Hokage, recently there have been some ill-intentioned individuals monitoring our Uchiha clan, and my son, Xingye, was even subjected to an attack."

The Third Hokage's expression shifted slightly.

"An attack?" The Third Hokage frowned. "Tell me the details."

Fugaku recounted the incident from three days ago where Xingye was ambushed by Root in the forest, naturally omitting the details of Xingye defeating the Root members and claiming only that he had "luckily escaped."

After hearing this, the Third Hokage's face turned grim.

"Root?" The Third Hokage took a deep breath. "Fugaku, are you certain it was Root?"

"I am quite certain," Fugaku said in a deep voice. "The attire of those three individuals and the characteristics of their chakra were clearly the hallmarks of Root."

The Third Hokage fell silent.

He knew that Danzo had indeed been intensifying surveillance on the Uchiha clan recently, but he had not expected Danzo to dare send people to attack the Uchiha directly, let alone the eldest son of the clan leader.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly," the Third Hokage said. "If it truly was the work of Root, I will provide the Uchiha clan with an explanation."

"Lord Hokage, we do not need an explanation," Xingye suddenly spoke up.

Both the Third Hokage and Fugaku looked at the six-year-old child.

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

"We need fairness." Xingye looked directly into the Third Hokage's eyes. "Lord Hokage, I know you have concerns regarding our Uchiha clan. But what I want to say is that our Uchiha clan has never thought of betraying Konoha; we only hope to be treated fairly."

The Third Hokage fell silent. This child's words reminded him of Shisui Uchiha from years ago—that idealist, that young man who tried to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha through peaceful means.

"Xingye, you are only six years old; why would you say such things?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Because I have seen it," Xingye said calmly. "I have seen the unease in the eyes of my clansmen, the hesitation in your eyes, and the ambition in the hearts of certain others. I do not wish to see the Uchiha clan become the fuse for a civil war in Konoha, nor do I wish to see Konoha weaken due to internal strife."

The Third Hokage's heart gave a slight jolt.

Is this child really only six years old?

"Then what is it that you want?" the Third Hokage asked.

"We are willing to contribute all our strength to Konoha," Xingye said. "In exchange, we hope that Lord Danzo will stop monitoring us in secret; it only makes us feel uneasy."

The Third Hokage turned his gaze toward Danzo, who was standing to the side (as one of the advisors, Danzo was also present).

Danzo's face turned livid, his eyes flashing with anger.

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

"No, this is a negotiation," Xingye said calmly. "Lord Danzo, what is it that you want? You want peace for Konoha, and you want to protect this village. But does monitoring our Uchiha clan truly achieve your goal? It only makes us more uneasy, which might actually turn us into the very 'threat' you fear."

Danzo fell silent. The logic of this child left him unable to refute.

The Third Hokage weighed the pros and cons and finally made a decision.

"Very well," the Third Hokage nodded. "I will speak with Danzo to cease the excessive surveillance of the Uchiha clan. But at the same time, I also hope that the Uchiha clan can demonstrate their loyalty to Konoha."

"That is something we have always done," Fugaku said in a deep voice.

"That is good," the Third Hokage said. "Furthermore, to strengthen the ties between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, I suggest increasing the mission quota for the Uchiha clan, giving you more opportunities to contribute to the village."

"That would be our honor," Fugaku nodded.

The meeting concluded in a relatively friendly atmosphere.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Danzo watched the retreating back of Xingye from the shadows with a cold gaze.

"Little brat, do you think you can change anything?" A murderous intent flashed in Danzo's eyes. "The Uchiha clan, in the end, must be purged."

But Xingye had already sensed Danzo's murderous intent, yet there was not a trace of expression on his face.

"Danzo, your anger is exactly the effect I wanted," Xingye mused to himself. "The angrier you are, the easier it is for you to make the wrong judgment. And I will be waiting in the shadows for that opportunity."

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

[Interacted with the Third Hokage, obtained entry]

[Please select the entry to plunder]

Xingye's heart stirred, and the system interface immediately displayed the talents on Hiruzen Sarutobi:

Hiruzen Sarutobi:

[Fire Release Mastery (Purple)]

[Earth Release Mastery (Purple)]

[Political Wisdom (Gold)]

[Leadership (Gold)]

[Read the Room (Green)]

Xingye selected [Read the Room (Green)].

[Plunder successful]

[Obtained talent: Read the Room (Green)]

[System prompt: Entry level upgraded]

[Read the Room (Green) → Read the Room (Blue)]

Xingye felt a warm current surge into his mind, and his observational ability instantly improved by a notch. Now, he could more accurately capture the micro-expressions and body language of others, thereby judging their true thoughts.

This talent is very useful, Xingye pondered to himself, being able to see through the true thoughts of others during negotiations will provide a great advantage.

He looked up at the distant Hokage Building, cold light flickering in his eyes.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, do you think you are the only ones playing this game?" Xingye muttered to himself, "From today on, I am also a player."