Yato's Little Classroom

The next morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi sent someone to bring Uchiha Kei to the Hokage Building.

When Uchiha Kei arrived at the Hokage Building, he greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Good day, Lord Hokage. May I ask why you summoned me this time?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "It's nothing major. The Uchiha Clan has been rather busy lately, hasn't it?"

Uchiha Kei knew this was about Uchiha Kindergarten, so he simply said it outright.

"Not bad. Yato recently started an Uchiha Kindergarten."

"The Uchiha Clan's children are far too unruly, so Yato is keeping them in line."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Could this Uchiha Kindergarten be opened to all of Konoha?"

"I think what it teaches is quite good. It would also be a fine opportunity to pool our teaching resources."

This put Uchiha Kei in a difficult position. It could be considered a step toward integrating into Konoha.

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Kei said, "Since Uchiha Yato came up with this, we can ask for his opinion."

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could change his mind, he took out a scroll.

Then, Uchiha Kei used a summoning technique to directly summon Uchiha Yato.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was dumbfounded once again. He remembered that this was not how the Ninja Academy taught people to use the Summoning Technique.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprise, Uchiha Kei was overjoyed inside.

What a country bumpkin. Never seen anything like this, have you? I was shocked the first time too. I refuse to believe you've seen it before.

Yes, this was another one of Uchiha Yato's outrageous tricks.

He had exchanged for a summoning scroll that could summon people from the system shop. Uchiha Yato was essentially a summoned beast.

He had given the contract scroll to the Great Elder and the clan head. Whenever they needed him somewhere, they could summon him.

Uchiha Yato said, "Just a little trinket passed down by the Uchiha Clan."

"Nothing unusual. It's not worth mentioning."

Hearing Uchiha Yato's shameless humblebrag, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched.

They then resumed their earlier discussion and asked Yato for his opinion.

Uchiha Yato's language translation class was now in session!

(The words in parentheses are translations.)

Uchiha Yato thought for a while before saying, "Lord Third Hokage may not understand our clan's system."

(Yato: Don't speak nonsense about things you don't understand, old geezer.)

"Although the children's ninjutsu is provided by the clan, they personally earned all of it by exchanging points."

(Yato: Dream on if you think you can freeload. The children earned it through their own work.)

"The jonin primarily serve as protection. You can ask them about it; they haven't lied."

(Yato: Go ahead and find someone to make false accusations if you want! You're not getting it anyway.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "You're overthinking things, child. No one is doubting you."

(Hiruzen: Why are you saying the quiet part out loud? You should've said that to me in private.)

"But since we are all part of Konoha, could you help the children at the Ninja Academy? There are quite a few talented students among them."

(Hiruzen: I'm morally blackmailing you. Didn't you Uchiha want to establish yourselves in Konoha? Here's your chance.)

Uchiha Yato said, "They are all Konoha's outstanding future pillars. We Uchiha should not interfere too much, lest we invite suspicion."

(Yato: I have no morals, so you can't blackmail me.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi still spoke with a warm smile. "Look, it isn't good for the Uchiha to make yourselves so special, is it?"

(Hiruzen: If you don't give up something, I'll say the Uchiha Clan is making itself special.)

"And I understand the Uchiha's difficulties. How about this? Anyone who attends can pay 3,000 ryo in tuition fees. What do you think?"

(Hiruzen: I'm giving you a way out. Just make a token gesture.)

Uchiha Yato said, "That would be too troublesome. How about this? We hold a Konoha Exchange Meeting. They may not be able to learn ninjutsu, but they can still exchange insights on ninjutsu."

(Yato: Fine, I'll give you a way out too. You're not getting a single scrap for free, so bring something worthwhile to the table.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment before nodding, indicating his agreement.

Watching that exchange, Uchiha Kei was thoroughly delighted.

Yato gave Hiruzen Sarutobi no opportunity to take advantage of them. If he wanted something, he had to offer something in exchange. After all, they had broken no rules.

There was no point trying to morally blackmail him.

Not letting go until he saw the rabbit, plucking feathers from every passing goose, and skinning every beast that crossed his path—that was Uchiha Yato.

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject. "That reminds me of something related to the Konoha Exchange Meeting."

(Hiruzen: I just thought of another way to disgust you.)

Uchiha Yato said, "The Uchiha Clan's strength is limited, and we may not meet your expectations. If it's too difficult, then I'd rather not accept."

(Yato: Don't just think about making things difficult for me. If it's beyond what I can handle, I can't do it.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Your clan head is here as well. It would be appropriate for him to make the decision."

"It's simple. The Sand Shinobi are coming to Konoha to study, so how about having the Uchiha Clan provide them with lodging?"

(Hiruzen: You don't get a say. This is for the clan head to decide. The Sand Shinobi Village's matter is yours to handle, and if anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible.)

Uchiha Yato thought for a while but said nothing.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi had said from the beginning, this was a matter for the clan head to decide. It would not be appropriate for Uchiha Yato to overstep his authority.

Uchiha Kei, who had been listening nearby, more or less understood what was meant.

Uchiha Kei said, "That's fine. Since this concerns diplomacy, I can have the Police Force increase its vigilance."

Uchiha Yato immediately added, "Lord Hokage, this is official business. The Uchiha is short on funds, so could the Konoha Finance Department provide some support?"

(Yato: Pay us and we'll work. If you don't pay us, I'm walking away. If something happens then, it won't be my problem.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi's cheek twitched.

No, look at the Hyuga. They rush to help the Hokage, hoping to gain more benefits.

But you? You expect me to give you all kinds of benefits before you'll work. What is that supposed to mean?

The Uchiha are so wealthy and powerful. I don't believe you're short of such a trifling sum!

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "I understand. I'll have Elder Utatane arrange for the money to be given to you."

"This concerns the exchange between the two countries. Make sure you handle it properly, understood?"

(Hiruzen: I'll give you the money, but you'd better handle this well. This time, it concerns Konoha.)

Uchiha Kei said, "Rest assured, Lord Hokage. The Uchiha Clan will do its utmost."

The three of them then ended their conversation.

After Uchiha Yato and Uchiha Kei left, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to Sakumo Hatake.

"Sakumo, quickly get me that little bottle from the hidden compartment behind the third row of the bookshelf."

Upon hearing the Hokage's order, Sakumo Hatake immediately complied and took out a small gourd-shaped bottle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then said, "Sakumo, quickly give me the fast-acting heart pills."

These fast-acting heart pills had been given to Hiruzen Sarutobi by Uchiha Yato.

At the time, Hiruzen Sarutobi had said that their medical capabilities were lacking. Uchiha Yato said he had medicine that could save people in emergencies, then produced the fast-acting heart pills.

After Tsunade examined them, she confirmed that they could indeed be used for emergency treatment, though she had never seen such medicine before.

Then, right in front of both of them, Uchiha Yato said, "Country bumpkins. This is a secret Uchiha Clan medicine. How could we let all of you know about it?"

Whenever Uchiha Yato had something good on him, he claimed it was some secret product related to the Uchiha Clan. This made the Uchiha Clan seem even more powerful in the eyes of outsiders.

After being angered by Uchiha Yato several times, Hiruzen Sarutobi now regarded the fast-acting heart pills as life-saving treasure, which was why he kept them hidden in a secret compartment in the Hokage Building.

Meanwhile, the departed Uchiha Yato had no idea that he had angered Hiruzen Sarutobi enough to make him take the fast-acting heart pills.

On the way back, Uchiha Kei asked, "Yato, is it really okay to confront the Third Hokage like this? Aren't you afraid he'll target you?"

Uchiha Yato said, "Then are you going back to tell him that we're willing to do it for free?"

"If you don't act fierce and make them hurt, they'll keep carving meat off us forever."

Uchiha Kei said, "All right, I understand."

"Then what about the Sand Shinobi?"

Uchiha Yato said, "Simple. We work for money."

"If something happens, we'll deal with it when it happens."

The news quickly spread, and before long, many people knew about it.

After Danzo Shimura received the news, his mind was filled with thoughts of how to eliminate both the Sand Shinobi and the Uchiha Clan in one stroke.

A different kind of slaughter would soon arrive.