Power Struggle

Kurenai sat beside him, the two of them sitting shoulder to shoulder.

Kurenai had just taken a shower, and her hair was still damp.

Uchiha Yan could still smell a faint floral fragrance.

Kurenai was watching the television program in front of her with a look of intense focus.

Of course, to Uchiha Yan, this kind of television program was simply boring to the extreme.

And so, Uchiha Yan took the opportunity to lie down on Kurenai's ample thighs.

Feeling the weight on her legs, Kurenai looked down, only to find her line of sight blocked by the fullness of her chest.

She leaned forward and realized it was Uchiha Yan, who was lying on her lap with a shameless expression.

At this moment, Uchiha Yan was admiring the peaks, and upon seeing Kurenai's delicate, pretty face, he greeted her naturally.

Seeing his shameless look, Kurenai helplessly reached out to pinch his ear, then let him do as he pleased.

However, in the end, Uchiha Yan was still pushed out by a blushing Kurenai.

This time, Uchiha Yan had taken the initiative, and Kurenai, usually a master of verbal sparring, had become the shy one instead.

After Uchiha Yan left, Kurenai looked in the mirror to tidy up her disheveled clothes.

She looked at her flushed face and amorous eyes in the mirror and spat softly.

It was unclear whether she was scolding herself for being weak-willed, scolding Uchiha Yan for being shameless, or perhaps both.

After Danzo finished processing some documents in Root, he said to his confidant beside him, "Come with me to the Uchiha compound. Be discreet."

The confidant nodded slightly and turned to leave to prepare the route.

Yet, what they did not know was that their actions, which they believed to be covert, were being watched clearly by the Anbu.

In the Hokage's office, an Anbu wearing a mask reported on Danzo's situation.

"Lord Hokage, Danzo and his confidant's movements are very secretive, and it is unclear where they are going, but our men have been monitoring them."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He tapped his pipe against the desk and said indifferently, "Continue the surveillance."

"Yes." The Anbu bowed and then vanished from the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was expressionless, making it impossible to discern his mood. After a long while, he muttered to himself, "Danzo, I hope you do not cross the line. Otherwise, even if you are my friend, I will not let you off."

Having said that, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked to the window and looked out at the bustling Konoha, murmuring to himself, "Asuma has no interest in this position, but fortunately, Konohamaru has been born. I wonder if he is interested in this seat."

As his voice fell, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his chair, puffing on his pipe.

He recalled the things some of the people around him had said to him.

Without exception, they were all urging him to decide on a candidate for the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible.

However, he did not want to yet; he was prepared to keep working until Konohamaru grew up.

After all, besides himself, who else could firmly suppress Danzo?

People always change; Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer the young warrior who had voluntarily chosen to stay behind to cover the retreat during a crisis.

He had become the Third Hokage, who thought first of his own power and his own descendants.

Danzo and his confidant arrived at the Uchiha compound very discreetly.

In Danzo's own view, this was a gesture to demonstrate his sincerity in cooperating.

Yet, his every move was seen clearly by the Anbu.

When the report of Danzo's movements was handed to Sarutobi Hiruzen, he remained silent for a long time.

His expression was dazed for a moment, but eventually, his eyes turned resolute.

He muttered to himself, "Danzo, this is what you forced me to do. Anyone who wants to threaten my Will of Fire, my Konoha—I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, will not let them off easily."

However, at this moment, he still held a shred of wishful thinking; what if Danzo was merely putting pressure on the Uchiha clan?

He said distractedly, "Understood. Report back if there are any further developments."

Uchiha Yan returned to the compound, where two members of his clan stopped him and said respectfully, "Lord Yan, the Clan Head requests your presence."

Although Uchiha Yan was puzzled, he nodded and said, "No problem."

When Uchiha Yan arrived at the secret chamber, he realized something was wrong.

Because in the chamber, there were not only Uchiha Fugaku and several hawkish elders, but also two uninvited guests: Danzo and his confidant.

Uchiha Yan's expression shifted slightly.

He looked at Uchiha Fugaku with some curiosity, trying to find something in his face.

It was a pity that Uchiha Fugaku's expression remained unchanged. Seeing Uchiha Yan walk in, he said indifferently, "Sit down, Yan."

Uchiha Yan quickly calmed himself and took a seat in an empty spot.

At this moment, Danzo spoke slowly, "Clan Head Fugaku, can we begin discussing matters now?"

Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "I wonder, Lord Danzo, what business you have with us Uchiha?"

Danzo's tone was extremely flat. "I have come to save the Uchiha."

His words were startling, and Uchiha Fugaku frowned immediately upon hearing them.

Uchiha Fugaku said with an unpleasant expression, "Lord Danzo, I don't know what you are talking about."

Danzo revealed a smile of absolute certainty.

He said indifferently, "Clan Head Fugaku, is the Uchiha's current situation really as good as you say?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku frowned and replied, "Everything is fine with the Uchiha; there is no need to trouble yourself, Lord Danzo."

Isn't the reason we Uchiha are in this state exactly because of the schemes you and Sarutobi Hiruzen cooked up? he cursed inwardly. And now you're pretending to be the good guy?

Danzo's tone remained steady. "I know that because of certain events, Clan Head Fugaku harbors some misunderstandings toward me."

"I promise you, Clan Head Fugaku, that once the matter is settled, you shall become one of Konoha's advisors, and the position of the Seventh Hokage will belong to the Uchiha."

Having said this, he looked at Uchiha Fugaku with a confident expression.

Danzo was already fantasizing about Fugaku bowing down to him the moment he heard his offer.

However, to his surprise, Fugaku's tone remained perfectly calm.

"Oh, thank you for your high regard, Lord Danzo. However, we Uchiha only wish to live our lives in peace. We'll pass on this matter; the Uchiha are not interested."

Upon hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, the composed expression Danzo had been wearing vanished instantly.

He looked at Uchiha Fugaku with curiosity and asked in confusion, "Are you not even curious about what it is I'm proposing, Lord Fugaku?"

Uchiha Fugaku's expression did not change. He stood up and gestured toward the door. "We will report your words today to the Hokage truthfully, Lord Danzo. We Uchiha are just a small clan and cannot withstand such turmoil. Please see yourself out, Lord Danzo."

Hearing Fugaku's words, Danzo suddenly realized something: he didn't trust him.

He remained in his seat and said indifferently, "What if I were to make you an advisor, Lord Fugaku? Would you consider what I have to say then?"

Uchiha Fugaku was slightly taken aback, then he smiled and said, "If that were truly possible, I would indeed be curious to hear what it is you wish to discuss with us Uchiha."

"However, for now, Lord Danzo, please see yourself out."