I Have a Bunch of Relatives Who Want to Be Hokage Chapter 28

With that in mind, Uchiha Shingen left Uchiha Fugaku's house.

He was even less afraid of Root trying to get rough with him.

Leaf Village's military forces were divided into three parts: the ANBU, the Police Force, and the regular army. Of those, the weakest was not the Police Force, but the ANBU.

So-called special missions were, bluntly put, all covert military operations. Such operations did not actually require particularly strong frontal combat power, which was why there were not many jonin in the ANBU. Their elite strength was made up of special jonin.

The ANBU might have more people than the Police Force, but if they really lined up for a fight, the Police Force would not lose.

Other than those of the Uchiha Clan, Leaf Village's jonin were basically concentrated in the regular army. There was even a dedicated organization responsible for assigning them: the Jonin Council.

Its previous leader had been Namikaze Minato.

In the original timeline, the Uchiha Clan being wiped out overnight had been entirely a cruel twist of fate. No matter how poor the Uchiha Clan's reputation was, it would not have made the regular army of Leaf Village truly regard them as enemies. If the Hokage Building wanted to do such a thing, it could only use the ANBU—and the ANBU genuinely lacked the ability to destroy the Uchiha Clan.

The fundamental cause had been trouble from within.

After returning home, Uchiha Shingen, already in a bad mood, grew angrier the more he thought about it. He was so angry he nearly could not sleep. Before drifting off, he decided that if anyone from Root came to yap at him, he would beat them up.

"Danzo, you've fucking crossed the line!"

And so, Uchiha Shingen, who had fallen asleep in anger, woke up angry the next day as well.

He had even dreamed that he beat Root's men half to death and hung them outside the Hokage Building. To seize the initiative in public opinion, he had also hung up a banner that read: "A warrior may be killed, but not humiliated."

Uchiha Shingen was someone who considered the bigger picture. Even when fighting, he had to fight openly and honorably.

Since he had woken up angry, he did not stop to embrace the sunlight. After getting up and washing, he headed out.

Uchiha Fugaku probably knew that he was in an incredibly foul mood and feared that he might actually lose his mind and go pick a fight with Root, so he specially approved leave for him during this period.

After leaving the house, Uchiha Shingen still went to the training grounds.

The matter of Root taking an interest in him had not spread through the clan. Otherwise, everyone would probably have been making a huge fuss over it.

Shimura Danzo had never said anything good about the Uchiha in public. Likewise, his reputation within the Uchiha Clan was utterly foul.

So much so that Shimura Danzo had given up trying to recruit from the Uchiha Clan long ago. As the Hokage's former advisor and the second-in-command of Leaf Village's ninja forces, he needed to save face too.

God knew what had gotten into him, making him suddenly come back again.

Was it because he was no longer the Hokage's advisor? So he cared less about saving face now?

Uchiha Shingen did not understand, nor did he want to.

He only wanted certain people to understand that the reason he usually did not lose his temper was because he did not think it was worth it. Once he decided it was worth it, then unless he got to vent properly, the matter would not be over.

A few more days passed peacefully, and the talks between Leaf Village and the Hidden Mist Village finally drew to a close.

Uchiha Shingen also began leaving the clan compound.

He had no time during the day because of training, so he went out at night, with a clear destination: Leaf Village's commercial street.

He had already arranged it with his friends. Tonight, they would not go home until they were drunk. Whoever nursed their drink would get everyone's concentrated fire and be turned into a mermaid.

At night, the commercial street entered its busiest and liveliest hours. Lights blazed brightly, and the voices of the crowd surged like waves.

Young people traveling in groups of twos and threes streamed endlessly through the streets.

The roadside food stalls had put up canopies and set up their woks. Over a hundred stoves grilled, fried, stir-fried, and boiled food. The steam-filled glow was thick with enticing aromas. Drawn in by the enthusiastic calls of the servers, customers chose their seats, ordered a few large and small dishes, chatted loudly, and ate to their hearts' content.

To Uchiha Shingen, the beauty of daily life lay in the nights of this city.

Anyone who tried to take that from him would have their ashes scattered.

But the joys and sorrows of different people were never shared.

There was a kind of person in this world whose talent was pouring cold water on others when they were happiest.

Uchiha Shingen had imagined all sorts of ways Shimura Danzo might come bother him, but he had never expected this...

Outside the izakaya, the owner's body was trembling. His friends wore expressions as though they were constipated, while Shimura Danzo, dressed in casual clothes, did not feel out of place at all. He was earnestly evaluating the restaurant's signature dish.

"This lettering is decent."

"Thank you for your praise, sir!"

"How long have you been in Leaf Village?"

"Not long. I only arrived this year."

"Mm, not bad. If you want to do business, you should come to Leaf Village. You have good judgment."

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I thought."

"Mm. Am I that frightening?"

"No, no. It is this humble establishment's honor that you would grace us with your presence, Advisor."

"Don't call me that. I have already stepped down. Just call me sir."

Watching this scene, Uchiha Shingen remained expressionless.

Fighting the former advisor in the street was not something a banner could solve.

Tch! If only this were somewhere without people!

Seeing his friends' faces already turning into deadpan masks—and soon becoming a pair of Big Sima and Little Sima—Uchiha Shingen, unwilling to witness such a horrifying sight, walked over.

"Boss." His face stern, he said, "What kind of business are you running? You're making Lord Danzo stand outside your door in the wind?"

Before the owner could argue, he waved a hand.

"Didn't I reserve a private room? Hurry up and lead the way. Bring out all your best girls... I mean, call them out. Lord Danzo isn't someone you can fob off with just any old goods."

I refuse to believe you, Shimura Danzo, would actually drink with courtesans! Even if you had the nerve to go in...

When it comes to gathering intelligence, I can't beat you.

But at this? I'm your daddy!

"Mm, this old man would also like to see what it's like." Shimura Danzo appeared utterly unfazed. "It has been a long time since I drank. Getting drunk once would be quite an experience."

Having said that, he walked inside without the slightest politeness.

The owner was dumbfounded, but he did not dare remain frozen and hurried after him.

Uchiha Tekka stared at Danzo's back with his mouth agape and muttered, "How the hell are we supposed to play this now...?"

"Enough whining. You guys go to another place first and give them my name. Today, I'll keep this old man company and have some fun with him." Uchiha Shingen was angry too. "Let's see what tricks he can pull!"

"No, Shingen, why is Danzo looking for you?"

"He wants to recruit me to work for 'Root.'"

"Is he insane?" Uchiha Tekka's expression changed drastically. "Who the hell would go to that ghastly place? You'd be worked to death there. I heard they even put seals on people's tongues."

Uchiha Inabi, standing nearby, could not hold back any longer. "Could you at least show a little knowledge? It's called the Tongue Curse Eradication Seal."

"Look at you, acting all smart! Is that the issue here?" Uchiha Tekka looked at him unhappily. "When has anyone from our clan ever gone there? Everyone knows what his relationship with our clan is."

"Alright, keep your voices down." Uchiha Shingen patted them both. "He's on the same level as the Hokage. Don't gossip about him behind his back."

After sending the others away, he entered the establishment. The owner was waiting for him.

"He really went in?"

"He really did..." The owner wore a miserable expression. "Master Shingen, nothing's going to happen, right?"

"Don't look so miserable. He won't make things difficult for a businessman like you." Uchiha Shingen casually reassured him. "Come on, take me there."

"Yes, Master..."

Serving as their guide, the izakaya owner shakily headed upstairs under Uchiha Shingen's urging.

Even he knew Shimura Danzo's reputation. Otherwise, he would never have built his business to its present scale. Merchants capable of opening establishments like this in all Five Great Ninja Villages were no ordinary figures.

A ninja's personal life might run parallel to that of ordinary people, but the ninja world was still part of society. Naturally, powerful ninjas influenced every aspect of it.

Shimura Danzo was precisely that kind of ninja.

In terms of influence over society, even the Five Kage's names might not carry as much weight as the title "Darkness of the Shinobi." The Five Kage would not lower themselves, but Shimura Danzo would.

Root's reach extended across the nations, leaving traces everywhere.

Of course the izakaya owner was terrified.

When they reached the private room's door, he swallowed. Just as he gathered the courage to pull it open, another hand landed on the door.

It belonged to a ninja wearing a mask clearly different in style from those of the ANBU, his gaze icy.

After receiving a glance from the Root ninja, the izakaya owner suddenly felt an urgent need to pee.

But the Root ninja only looked at him once before turning his gaze toward Uchiha Shingen behind him.

There was no warmth in his voice, either.

"Uchiha Shingen, Lord Danzo said you are to enter alone."

"Mm." Uchiha Shingen smiled as warmly as a spring breeze, brimming with enthusiasm. "First, apologize to the owner."

Both the Root ninja and the izakaya owner froze.

"Uchiha Shingen..."

A short blade pressed against the Root ninja's chin, cutting off the rest of his words.

"Say it: 'I'm sorry for affecting the owner's business.'" Uchiha Shingen's Sharingan shone with benevolent light, his expression gentle and his tone amiable as he instructed the other man on how to apologize.

"Huh? Master, there's no need for this... I'm fine... Holy shit!"

The blade pierced through the Root ninja's jaw and emerged from the top of his head.

Then he collapsed to the floor with a thud, blood spreading everywhere.

"Trying to use a substitution technique right in front of me? Are you fucking stupid?" Uchiha Shingen took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, looking thoroughly disdainful.

"M-M-Master!" Even the izakaya owner's voice cracked. It was hard enough that he did not dare shout too loudly, but his pitch was truly spectacular.

"Stop pretending." Uchiha Shingen glanced at him. "You own so many places. Haven't you seen enough dead people?"

The izakaya owner shut his mouth, looking utterly aggrieved.

"This month's cut from your shop is waived. Don't worry about this guy either. Until I call for someone, don't let anyone come in."

With that, Uchiha Shingen pulled open the door and entered the private room.

The private room was dim, with all the lights off. The only illumination came from the bustling night market beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Uchiha Shingen pressed the light switch, turning on the chandelier in the room.

In the newly lit room, Shimura Danzo sat on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand, not even sparing a glance at the lifeless body by the door.

Uchiha Shingen shut the door behind him, walked up to Shimura Danzo, took another glass, and poured himself some wine.

Then he sat down opposite him without saying a word, simply watching.

Shimura Danzo gazed at the nightscape outside for a while, took a sip of wine, and turned his head.

Danzo was not yet old, but the bandages over his right eye and right arm made him appear far frailer than Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Uchiha Shingen could see clearly with his Sharingan that Danzo's right arm was a prosthetic, while his right eye held a necrotic eyeball.

He had not yet gone down that path.

On one hand, this man had done countless things that violated basic morality. On the other, he believed those acts were right, and he had never hesitated to speak openly of his belief in "darkness."

On the surface, he even seemed somewhat tragic, but his ambition and selfishness ran deep. His temperament was extreme as well, and he was prone to turning minor matters into major ones. It would not be fair to call him completely evil, but he certainly could not be called good.

Sure enough, people never really changed. He had still turned into the same old piece of work.

"Uchiha Shingen, it seems your temper isn't as good as you usually make it out to be," Shimura Danzo said.

He did not care in the slightest that Uchiha Shingen was staring at him with both Sharingan activated.

"Lord Danzo, is 'Root' really so short-handed that it lacks even this many people?" Uchiha Shingen's eyes returned to black as he looked at him. "No matter what, they're risking their lives for the village. Can't you at least let them have a better image within the village?"

"They spend all year carrying out missions outside the village. It is only natural that they do not fit in," Shimura Danzo said indifferently. "I had originally intended to keep this person around and make use of him a little longer. Killing him has caused a loss."

"Then don't let him keep wearing Root's uniform," Uchiha Shingen said. "That is a uniform only Leaf Village shinobi are qualified to wear."

"Your hostility is too strong. We do not care about such things." Shimura Danzo set down his wineglass. "You seem to hold Root in rather high regard."

"Everyone does their own job, making things convenient for one another." Uchiha Shingen reminded him, "Making things convenient for one another is important."