Kurenai sat beside him, the two of them sitting shoulder to shoulder.
She had just taken a shower, and her hair was still damp.
Uchiha Yan could still smell a faint floral fragrance.
Kurenai watched the television program in front of her with complete concentration.
Of course, to Uchiha Yan, this kind of show was unbearably dull.
So he took the opportunity to lie down on Kurenai's plump thighs.
Feeling the weight on her legs, Kurenai looked down and realized that her view was blocked by the ample curves of her chest.
She leaned forward and saw Uchiha Yan lying across her lap with a shameless expression.
At that moment, Uchiha Yan was admiring the mountain peaks. When he saw Kurenai's delicate, pretty face, he naturally greeted her.
Seeing his shameless expression, Kurenai helplessly reached out and pinched his ear, then let him do as he pleased.
But in the end, Kurenai, her face bright red, still pushed Uchiha Yan out.
This time, Uchiha Yan had made the first move, and Kurenai, usually so sharp-tongued, had ended up the one blushing.
After Uchiha Yan left, Kurenai finally looked in the mirror and straightened her rumpled clothes.
She gazed at her reflection, her face flushed and her eyes brimming with tenderness, then gave a soft scoff.
She didn't know whether she was scolding herself for lacking restraint, Uchiha Yan for being shameless, or both.
After taking care of some paperwork at Root, Danzo said to his trusted subordinate, "Come with me to the Uchiha compound. Keep it discreet."
His subordinate nodded, then turned and left to prepare their route.
What they didn't know was that their supposedly discreet movements were being watched closely by the Anbu.
At the Hokage Office, an Anbu operative wearing a mask reported on Danzo's movements.
"Lord Hokage, Danzo and his trusted subordinate are moving very discreetly. We don't know where they're going, but our people are keeping them under surveillance."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He tapped his pipe against the desk and said calmly, "Keep watching them."
"Yes." The Anbu operative bowed, then vanished from the Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression gave nothing away. After a long while, he finally muttered to himself, "Danzo, I hope you won't cross the line. If you do, even though you're my friend, I won't let you get away with it."
After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked to the window and gazed at bustling Konoha, murmuring to himself, "Asuma has no interest in this position. Still, at least Konohamaru has been born. I wonder if he'll be interested in it."
When he finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat back down with his pipe.
He recalled the things some of those around him had said to him.
Without exception, they had all urged him to choose the Fifth Hokage as soon as possible.
But he didn't want to yet. He planned to stay in office until Konohamaru was grown.
After all, who else but him could keep Danzo firmly in check?
People changed. Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer the young shinobi who had volunteered to stay behind in a crisis.
He had become the Third Hokage, thinking first of his own power and his descendants.
Danzo and his trusted subordinate made their way to the Uchiha compound, taking great care to stay out of sight.
In Danzo's eyes, this was a way of proactively demonstrating his sincerity about working together.
But the Anbu were watching his every move.
When Danzo's movements were reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen,
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a long time.
His expression wavered, but eventually his eyes grew resolute.
He murmured to himself, "Danzo, you've forced my hand. I won't let anyone who threatens my Will of Fire, my Konoha, or me, Sarutobi Hiruzen, get away with it."
Still, a sliver of hope lingered in his heart. What if Danzo was only pressuring the Uchiha Clan?
He said distractedly, "Understood. Report back to me when you have more information."
Uchiha Yan returned to the compound, where two members of the Uchiha Clan stopped him and said respectfully, "Lord Yan, the clan head requests your presence."
Uchiha Yan was puzzled, but nodded and said, "No problem."
Only after entering the secret chamber did Uchiha Yan realize something was wrong.
Uchiha Fugaku and several Hawk Faction elders weren't the only ones there.
There were also two unwelcome guests: Danzo and his trusted subordinate.
Uchiha Yan's expression shifted slightly.
Curious, he looked toward Uchiha Fugaku, trying to read his face.
But Uchiha Fugaku's expression was as calm as ever. When he saw Uchiha Yan enter, he said mildly, "Have a seat, Yan."
Uchiha Yan quickly composed himself and took an empty seat.
Just then, Danzo spoke slowly. "Clan Head Fugaku, can we begin our discussion?"
Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "What business does Lord Danzo have with the Uchiha Clan?"
Danzo's tone was completely even. "I'm here to save the Uchiha."
His startling words made Uchiha Fugaku frown.
Uchiha Fugaku said, displeased, "Lord Danzo, I don't know what you're talking about."
Danzo gave him a confident smile.
He said calmly, "Clan Head Fugaku, is the Uchiha's current situation really so good?"
Uchiha Fugaku frowned at his words and replied, "Everything is fine with the Uchiha Clan. There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Lord Danzo."
Then he cursed inwardly: Isn't our situation your doing, along with Sarutobi Hiruzen's? And now you're pretending to be the good guy?
Danzo kept his tone steady. "I know that certain things have caused Clan Head Fugaku to misunderstand me."
"I promise you this, Clan Head Fugaku: once we succeed, you'll become one of Konoha's advisers, and the position of Seventh will belong to the Uchiha."
After speaking, he looked at Uchiha Fugaku with confidence.
Danzo was already imagining Fugaku bowing down to him as soon as he heard the offer.
But to his surprise, Fugaku's tone was perfectly calm.
"Oh, thank you for your generous offer, Lord Danzo. But the Uchiha only want to live peaceful, ordinary lives. Let's leave it at that. The Uchiha aren't interested."
At Uchiha Fugaku's words, Danzo's smug expression vanished.
He looked at Uchiha Fugaku in confusion. "Aren't you curious about what I'm proposing, Lord Fugaku?"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression didn't change. He stood and gestured toward the exit. "We'll report your words to Lord Hokage truthfully. We're a small clan and can't afford to get caught up in trouble. Please leave, Lord Danzo."
Hearing Fugaku's words, Danzo suddenly understood. They didn't trust him.
He remained seated and said calmly, "What if I make you an adviser, Lord Fugaku? Would you consider what I have to say?"
Uchiha Fugaku paused, then smiled. "If that were really possible, I'd be curious to hear what you have to say to the Uchiha."
"But for now, Lord Danzo, please leave."
Before you continue