In peaceful times, time passed quickly. Konoha remained a picture of peace, and aside from occasionally seeing people from outside the village while buying groceries, Uchiha Shunichi could hardly sense anything unusual.
No, there was still something unusual. There were far more visitors in Konoha, including quite a few nobles from the Land of Fire.
The main matches of the Chūnin Exams seemed to be a rather famous event, and Sarutobi Hiruzen apparently intended to use this opportunity to expand Konoha's influence.
"Uchiha Shunichi, the Hokage has a mission for you." Just as Uchiha Shunichi thought he would stay home until the matches officially began, an Anbu appeared before him and spoke.
"Mm, what mission?" Uchiha Shunichi did not find it strange.
In fact, at a time like this, Sarutobi Hiruzen would not waste any of the forces under his command. Even Root had been sent out to maintain order in the village.
After all, Root's masks were not much different from the Anbu's. Aside from their more extreme methods, they were basically another Anbu.
As for Shimura Danzō... sometimes, his opinions were not important.
"This is the mission list. There will be no teammates for this mission; you may judge the situation yourself. If anything unusual happens, act immediately!" The Anbu handed over the mission list, then used the Body Flicker and left at once, looking extremely busy.
Uchiha Shunichi opened the mission order with a puzzled expression. There was only one task written on it: monitor the Sand Shinobi!
The mission made Uchiha Shunichi frown slightly. Normally, ninja missions came with teammates, except for a select few ninja.
And Uchiha Shunichi was certain he had not yet reached that level.
"Was it because my recent actions had been too conspicuous?" Uchiha Shunichi muttered as he tucked the mission order into his clothes.
Though the mission contained some suspicious points, Uchiha Shunichi had no intention of refusing it. As long as no one was the first to tear away that thin layer of pretense, he was still a ninja of Konoha.
It was perfect. With a mission that allowed him such a wide range of movement, Uchiha Shunichi could investigate Danzo's whereabouts.
Although he had already found his residence, Uchiha Shunichi had no desire to make a move in a place like that.
After returning to his room and packing his ninja tools, Uchiha Shunichi set out immediately. Though this was a solo mission, he still had to take over a shift.
That was right—he was replacing Gekko Hayate. There were still more than twenty days to go, and ninja were human after all. They needed rest.
"High mountain!"
"Flowing fire!"
After exchanging passwords, Uchiha Shunichi appeared beside Gekko Hayate.
"I really didn't expect you to be the one taking over my mission. Be more careful at night. These Sand Shinobi are very active after dark." Gekko Hayate looked at Uchiha Shunichi and kindly reminded him.
"Mm, I know." Uchiha Shunichi seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he only nodded.
In his memories, Gekko Hayate died at night. Since he had taken over this dangerous mission, there was nothing Uchiha Shunichi could do if Hayate could not complete the daytime work.
Clearly, Gekko Hayate had no idea that Uchiha Shunichi was worried for his safety. On the contrary, he was concerned about whether this teammate of his could complete the mission.
After all, no matter how talented he was, he had only graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago!
So, after leaving his post, Gekko Hayate went directly to see Sarutobi Hiruzen.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was discussing something with Danzo. When the knock sounded, both men fell silent at the same time.
"Come in!" Sarutobi Hiruzen calmed himself somewhat before calling toward the door.
"Lord Hokage, isn't it too hasty to have a child who only recently graduated from the Ninja Academy take over my mission?" As soon as Gekko Hayate saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, he immediately voiced his thoughts.
"Hayate, Konoha is short on manpower right now, so I need every ninja to make use of their abilities."
"Besides, I believe you are already well aware of that child's strength. I trust him," Sarutobi Hiruzen said earnestly.
At those words, Gekko Hayate was left momentarily speechless.
"Your timing is perfect. I was just about to ask you whether the Sand Shinobi have made any unclear movements lately." Sarutobi Hiruzen changed the subject, clearly unwilling to continue discussing Uchiha Shunichi.
Uchiha Shunichi's assessment of the Hyuga clan not long ago had given Sarutobi Hiruzen a terrible headache. He had only just managed to settle the Hyuga clan down, so naturally he did not want any further complications.
As for assigning a mission to Uchiha Shunichi...
He truly trusted Uchiha Shunichi's strength. After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen most of Uchiha Shunichi's training over the years.
After Gekko Hayate reported on his mission's progress, he left. Once he was gone, Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen resumed their discussion about Uchiha Shunichi.
"Hiruzen, that child is far too dangerous." Shimura Danzō was the first to state his opinion.
"I know, but only two members of the Uchiha Clan remain. And that child's Mangekyō Sharingan is extremely unusual—it cannot be transplanted. You have tried it yourself." Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was somewhat grim.
"Give him to Root. I am confident I can control him!" Shimura Danzō promised Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared directly at Shimura Danzō for a long time. In the end, he shook his head. "That child will not adapt to it. If we take too hard a stance, it will have the opposite effect."
"Do you remember what he said to Neji Hyuga? I suspect that if he were in Neji Hyuga's position, he really would gouge out his own eyes."
Shimura Danzō grew somewhat impatient when he heard Sarutobi Hiruzen refuse. But he had no way to explain what method he intended to use to control Uchiha Shunichi.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not know about Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, and Danzo could not let him find out.
"That child is dangerous. You know the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan as well. I do not want him to become the next Madara, and he is already showing some signs of it."
"Once his strength reaches its peak, even we will have no way to control him."
Shimura Danzō tried to persuade him again.
This time, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for much longer. He seemed somewhat tempted, yet also afraid of something.
In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "No. The chance of that child losing control is too great. I cannot harm someone from the same village over something that has not happened yet."
"Danzo, remember this! What happened to the Uchiha Clan can only happen once. It must never happen again!"
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