Visiting the Hokage

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe while reviewing Uchiha Xiao's file. He chuckled, but just as he set the papers down, a clansman rushed in to report.

"R-report, Lord Hokage! The Uchiha clan head has brought a young man to pay a visit."

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze, then stood up. "You said... you said the Uchiha clan head is here?" He set aside his pipe, straightened his posture, and furrowed his brows. Why would they visit in the middle of the night?

"Show them to the main hall. I'll be there shortly." With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately changed into a more formal kimono.

He then headed toward the main hall, where Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao were already seated in the guest chairs. Whether intentional or not, they had occupied the two primary seats.

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, then laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Having the Uchiha clan head visit my Sarutobi estate truly brings honor to my humble home!"

Uchiha Hirotomo glanced at Uchiha Xiao, and upon receiving a nod, began to recite the script they had discussed earlier.

"Lord Hokage, you are too kind. I, Uchiha Hirotomo, have long admired you and wished to pay my respects, but the war was urgent and kept me occupied. Now that things have finally eased, I brought a promising junior from the clan to visit." Uchiha Hirotomo's words were polished and logical.

Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally noticed the exchange of glances between Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao, but he didn't call them out; some things were better understood in silence.

"Oh, Clan Head Hirotomo, what are you saying? I am a newcomer myself, serving as Hokage for the first time. I lack experience and will surely need the support of the Uchiha clan." Sarutobi Hiruzen probed.

Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback; they hadn't rehearsed this part. He looked toward Uchiha Xiao, who stood up, pulled Uchiha Hirotomo with him, and bowed to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage, you are too modest. You are the Hokage, the supreme leader of the village. It is we, the Uchiha, who hope to receive your guidance. Furthermore, the Uchiha are willing to fully support all of your decisions."

Uchiha Xiao didn't fall for the trap; instead, he cut straight to the point, signaling the Uchiha clan's alignment with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned, then flushed with excitement as he hurriedly helped Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo back up.

"Oh, quickly, quickly, stand up! Clan Head Hirotomo, Xiao, what are you doing!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes crinkled with a smile. This was a good thing; with Konoha's most powerful clan backing him, the other ninja clans would likely follow suit without much trouble.

"Someone, bring tea for our guests! Honestly, you lot have no sense of propriety!" He said, ushering them back to their seats.

The Sarutobi servants scrambled to brew tea. These were honored guests!

As Sarutobi Hiruzen guided Uchiha Xiao back to his seat, he patted him on the shoulder with an enigmatic smile.

Uchiha Xiao offered a faint smile in return. Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to return to his own seat, Uchiha Xiao used a ninja scroll to summon a gear pouch and handed it to him.

"Lord Hokage, this is a complete set of ninja gear we traded for from the Ninja Cat clan. I heard your eldest son has started at the Ninja Academy, so please accept this small token of our sincerity." Uchiha Xiao extended the pouch.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "This... I cannot accept your gifts. You are my guests; I should be the one treating you well. Take it back."

Uchiha Xiao persisted. "Lord Hokage, you fought a brilliant battle for Konoha. You've worked hard, and we simply wish to express our gratitude. Please, accept it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with righteous indignation. "Protecting the villagers is the duty of the Hokage. What is this? Take it back at once!" He pushed it away again.

Uchiha Xiao played his trump card. "Oh, Lord Hokage, this is the sincerity of the Uchiha clan. We don't have much, but we have plenty of high-quality ninja gear. As soon as we heard the young master was starting school, we sent over the newest and best batch so he could test them out. Besides, the young master has been a great help to us!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at Uchiha Xiao. This kid was a talent. He was clearly giving a bribe, yet he framed it as if the young master had helped them. And that comment about having plenty of high-quality gear—was he implying he could supply the village?

After a moment of thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "Haha, then I shall thank Young Master Xiao and Clan Head Hirotomo on behalf of my son."

Uchiha Xiao quickly replied, "Lord Hokage, please don't say that. I believe Young Master Shinnosuke will become a pillar of Konoha and a powerhouse in his own right!"

This barrage of flattery made Sarutobi Hiruzen laugh out loud, and he patted Uchiha Xiao's shoulder repeatedly. Beside them, Uchiha Hirotomo fell into deep thought; perhaps Uchiha Xiao was better suited to be the clan head than he was.

Soon, the Sarutobi servants brought three bowls of tea to the Hokage, the Uchiha clan head, and Uchiha Xiao. Just as the three of them took a sip, a man rushed in—the same clansman from before. "R-report, Lord Hokage, outside..." He stopped when he saw Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao, falling silent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "Clan Head Uchiha and Young Master Xiao are our own people. Speak freely!"

Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo stood and bowed. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and gestured for them to sit and listen.

"Yes! Lord Hokage, the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans are here to visit!" As he spoke, he glanced at the two Uchiha men.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted. The Ino-Shika-Cho had remained neutral, neither supporting nor opposing him. Now that all three had come together, his old friend Akimichi Torifu must have put in a good word!

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up and said to Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Xiao, "Please wait a moment, both of you. I will go receive the three clan heads, and then we can all discuss matters together!"

"As you should!" Uchiha Hirotomo smiled. Uchiha Xiao sat to the side, sipping his tea. He had guessed that the Ino-Shika-Cho were coming to align themselves. Hmph, regardless, my Uchiha clan was the first to pledge support, and in terms of influence and strength, we are far more important.

Just as Uchiha Xiao expected, a moment later, the three clan heads walked into the hall, chatting and laughing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Upon seeing who they were, Uchiha Hirotomo gasped. Akimichi Torifu, a member of the Second Hokage's guard, along with Yamanaka Unkai and Nara Rokumei—these three were the current generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho.

He glanced at Uchiha Xiao; no wonder this guy had insisted they visit overnight. Uchiha Xiao, however, didn't even blink, continuing to sip his tea.

Sarutobi Hiruzen then introduced them to the Ino-Shika-Cho. "Ah, I forgot to mention, tonight is truly a good day. The head of the Uchiha clan and an outstanding member of their clan have also come to visit."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said this deliberately, wanting to see how both sides would react.