Fugaku Was Stunned! The Third Hokage's Scheming!

Shinichi and Fugaku talked for a long time, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

Shinichi was about to head home when Fugaku called him back, actually inviting him to stay for a meal.

After their heart-to-heart, Fugaku seemed ready to treat Shinichi as a close friend.

That was only natural. The age gap between them wasn't particularly large, and with Shinichi displaying a maturity far beyond his years, Fugaku found it difficult to regard him as a young man.

Following the principle of "Well, I'm already here," Shinichi gladly accepted Fugaku's invitation. Of course, he didn't forget to send a Shadow Clone home specifically to cook for Naruto and the others.

Rather than count on that hopeless Kakashi to look after the children, he would sooner believe the sun would rise in the west tomorrow.

"Don't be shy. Help yourself."

The table was covered with a lavish assortment of dishes, all prepared by Fugaku's wife, Uchiha Mikoto.

Shinichi tried a few bites and found that the food was actually quite good. Her cooking skills were almost on par with his.

He took another look at the gentle, capable Uchiha Mikoto. Not only was she beautiful, she was also an excellent cook. What a waste, pairing her with a poker face like Fugaku.

"What a waste!"

Shinichi couldn't help exclaiming.

"What?"

For a moment, both Fugaku and his wife looked puzzled.

Even Itachi, who was feeding Sasuke beside them, wore a strange expression.

This wasn't his first time meeting Shinichi, and he already knew the man was odd. Still, Fugaku rarely treated anyone so warmly, and his taking the initiative to invite Shinichi over spoke to just how remarkable the man was.

Most importantly, even Shisui, whom Itachi had always respected, had nothing but praise for Shinichi.

That made him intensely curious about Shinichi.

What sort of charm did this man possess to make everyone around me admire him so much?

Oh, no, not everyone.

His little brother Sasuke didn't seem to admire Shinichi at all. In fact, he even looked a little put off by him.

"Nothing."

Right in front of Fugaku's entire family, Shinichi casually remarked, "I mean, Mikoto, you're so beautiful and capable, yet you married an old stick-in-the-mud like Fugaku. What a waste! How does that saying go again... Oh, right. A beautiful flower stuck in a pile of cow dung!"

All four members of the family froze.

What kind of guest says something like that?

Itachi and Sasuke were utterly bewildered. Fugaku's mouth twitched in embarrassment, and he thought Shinichi was definitely getting back at him for urging him to become Hokage earlier.

Mikoto, the woman in question, found it rather amusing and couldn't help laughing. "Oh, not at all. You're far too kind, Shinichi!"

"No, I've never been one for polite flattery, especially with Fugaku. Ask him if you don't believe me."

Shinichi spoke in complete earnest.

At that, Fugaku's expression darkened further.

It was true. Ever since they had met, Shinichi had never bothered being polite to him.

"Hee-hee! I never imagined my husband would make friends with someone as funny as you!"

Mikoto shook with laughter.

"I never imagined he'd have the dumb luck to marry such a wonderful woman, either. Talk about an eye-opener!"

Shinichi sighed. "Mikoto, tell me honestly. Did you forget your glasses when you were choosing a husband? Otherwise, with everything you have going for you, how could you possibly have picked him?"

"Oh, stop it. I'm not nearly as wonderful as you make me sound..."

He was clearly insulting her husband, yet Mikoto found his words immensely pleasing and laughed even more happily.

Nobody felt uncomfortable hearing sincere praise directed at them.

Especially when the person delivering it possessed an absurdly powerful ability like [Talk no Jutsu King].

"..."

Fugaku's face was nearly black as soot. He was still sitting right there! Couldn't they show a little restraint when talking smack about him?

He suddenly deeply regretted inviting this irritating fellow to stay for dinner.

Wasn't I just asking for trouble?

Regardless, Shinichi thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The food tasted good, and he could take all sorts of shots at Fugaku. How Fugaku felt about it wasn't his concern.

"Fugaku, thanks for having me! I'll come again!"

Shinichi waved and turned to leave.

"Don't come back!"

Watching Shinichi walk away, Fugaku finally lost his temper and shouted.

Damn it, I must have lost my mind to think of treating this guy to dinner!

Staying friends with Shinichi without letting him infuriate you to death was truly a challenge!

A certain head of the Hyuga Clan probably understood that all too well.

The Hokage's Office.

Under the moonlight, the Konoha F4 gathered once again.

"We just received word that the Hatake Clan's brat visited the Uchiha Clan Compound today. He apparently had a pleasant conversation with Uchiha Fugaku, who even invited him to stay for dinner."

Wearing his eternally lifeless expression, Danzo said coldly, "Hiruzen, I think you should prepare yourself now! The strength Hatake Shinichi has displayed is far too great. If he joins forces with the Uchiha Clan, it will pose a danger to Konoha!"

He was as eager as ever to target Hatake Shinichi.

There was no helping it. Shinichi's standing in the village was at its peak, and his reputation was beginning to eclipse even Hiruzen Sarutobi's as Hokage. Countless people already believed Shinichi would likely be the next Hokage.

Everyone knew the Hokage's seat had been Danzo's lifelong obsession. Naturally, he was consumed with envy and resentment toward Shinichi. How could he possibly refrain from targeting him?

"Shinichi is taking up a post with the Konoha Military Police Force on my orders. As Fugaku is its commander, there's nothing objectionable about Shinichi going to meet him personally. Danzo, you're worrying too much. Shinichi won't be a problem."

The Third Hokage spoke calmly.

"Hiruzen, you really assigned Hatake Shinichi to the Konoha Military Police Force? Aren't you afraid you're nurturing a tiger that will turn on you?"

Utatane Koharu couldn't help asking from beside him.

"With the Uchiha Clan involved, I believe we should exercise caution."

Mitokado Homura agreed.

"My mind is made up. There's no need for you three old friends to say anything more."

Facing his three old comrades, the Third Hokage showed a rare display of resolve and said solemnly, "As for Shinichi, I don't wish to hear any more remarks in the village that might harm his reputation."

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

Once again, Danzo flew into an impotent rage.

That line seemed to be gradually becoming his catchphrase.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, however, began to ponder after their initial surprise.

They both felt the Third Hokage had another motive and wasn't necessarily protecting Hatake Shinichi out of genuine concern.

"The Konoha Military Police Force? So that's it..."

As they grasped the key point, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a look of sudden understanding.

Everyone knew how deeply resented the Konoha Military Police Force was, yet the Third Hokage had spared no effort in giving Hatake Shinichi, Konoha's newly risen hero, a share of its authority.

On the surface, the Third Hokage was relinquishing power and deliberately grooming Hatake Shinichi as his successor.

But in reality?

This would likely damage Hatake Shinichi's reputation. Once Shinichi displayed even the slightest questionable behavior, the Third Hokage could use whatever pretext he pleased to drag his reputation down to rock bottom.

When that happened, given the prestige the Third Hokage had built over the years and the enemies Shinichi would make during his service with the Konoha Military Police Force, the villagers would naturally side with the Third Hokage rather than trust this so-called hero of Konoha.

"Hiruzen really is a cunning old fox!"

The more Koharu and Homura thought about it, the more alarmed they became. They couldn't help being shaken by the Third Hokage's scheming.

Power... truly did corrupt a person's heart.

At some unknown point, Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose name had once resounded throughout the Shinobi World, had abandoned his original ideals and become unwilling to relinquish the power in his hands.

Just as Shinichi had said, the Konoha High Command had long since rotted to the core!

When he had volunteered to join the Konoha Military Police, his goal hadn't merely been to save the Uchiha Clan. He had also wanted to lull the Third Hokage into a false sense of security and lower his guard as much as possible!

I hope Shinichi can be like Minato back then. Don't disappoint me...

A strange glint flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes as he thought to himself.

No matter how capable you are, what difference will it make even if you truly become commander of the Konoha Military Police?

In the end, you'll still be under my control as the Third Hokage!

Even if I truly hand my seat over to you, you'll only be a puppet Hokage, just like Minato Namikaze was!