"..."
After his recruitment offer was rejected, Shimura Danzō did not bother Shisui Uchiha again for some time.
Minato Namikaze, the successor chosen by Hiruzen Sarutobi, had returned, which meant the selection of the Fourth Hokage was about to begin.
So he intended to back Orochimaru in the contest to become Konoha's Fourth Hokage!
Though his chances were slim, the position of Hokage held far too much allure for him. He still wanted to give it a try.
Even if he could only work behind the scenes!
Unfortunately, the final result could be summed up in a single word.
Failure...
At Root headquarters, Shimura Danzō swept the documents off his desk and roared in frustration.
"Damn it! Why? Why could Minato Namikaze become the Fourth Hokage, but not you?!"
"That bastard Hiruzen! Why does he oppose me at every turn? Only I can bring Konoha a more prosperous future as Hokage!"
"Heh heh heh..."
Faced with Shimura Danzō's reaction, Orochimaru could only respond with a cold chuckle.
He had never held many illusions about that teacher of his.
His defeat in this selection had been within his expectations, too.
But since his dear teacher had treated him this way, there was no longer anything he needed to hold back over...
As Orochimaru entertained these thoughts, a Root ninja suddenly appeared before him and Shimura Danzō and spoke respectfully.
"Lord Danzō! The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, just sent someone to summon Shisui Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan in person. We have yet to determine the exact reason."
"Shisui Uchiha?"
Hearing that name again, Shimura Danzō slammed his hand down and cracked the desk before him. After signaling for the Root ninja to leave, he turned to Orochimaru.
"We lost the Hokage selection, and that's that. Regret will get us nowhere now! I need you to devote all your energy to your research. We don't have much time left."
At this, Shimura Danzō clenched his fist, his eyes brimming with greed.
"I must integrate Hashirama Senju's cells as soon as possible and obtain the power of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"
"Only then can we regain the upper hand! Only then can I complete my plan and become Konoha's Hokage!"
"Heh heh heh, I'll do my best..."
While Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru spoke, elsewhere, Shisui Uchiha turned toward the Hokage's office, a sharp gleam in his eyes.
"The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, huh?"
To be honest, unless it was necessary, he really did not want much contact with Minato Namikaze.
The man was too flawless, too powerful. He feared his identity would be exposed!
And if it was exposed, unless he used his Mangekyō Sharingan or revealed his Wood Release...
With his current strength, the outcome of a battle against Minato Namikaze would be far too uncertain!
One of the abilities he took the most pride in was his speed, and speed happened to be Minato Namikaze's specialty as well!
With that thought, Shisui Uchiha straightened his clothes.
A moment later, his body blurred.
Before long, he arrived at the door to the Hokage's office, knocked, and called out politely.
"Lord Fourth Hokage!"
"Come in."
"..."
Creak.
Rather than using the Body Flicker Technique, he simply opened the door and walked in.
Until he possessed sufficiently powerful strength, he would never lightly pick a fight with Minato Namikaze.
But his refusal to attack did not mean Minato Namikaze would do the same.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Shisui Uchiha had barely stepped through the door when a volley of shuriken came flying straight at him, targeting vital points all over his body.
Tch!
Seeing Minato Namikaze take the initiative to attack, a sharp glint flashed through Shisui Uchiha's eyes.
Sharingan, activate!
In the next instant, the six shuriken flying through the air seemed to freeze in his vision.
Dodging them now would be effortless!
Whoosh!
But just as Shisui Uchiha dodged those six shuriken, two throwing darts that had already been aimed at his vital points suddenly appeared, moving at incredible speed.
Trying to test my strength?
At this point, if I don't show a little of what I can do, I might only arouse unnecessary suspicions.
Shisui Uchiha's mind raced. A moment later, he drew a Kusanagi Sword.
Uchiha Style: Flash Cut!
Clang!
Clang!
"Oh? You didn't even use the Body Flicker Technique. You certainly live up to the name Body Flicker Shisui, who earned such distinguished merit for the village during the Third Shinobi World War. Just as Lord Third said."
"You're strong."
The blond-haired Minato Namikaze sat in his chair, his eyes narrowed as he gave Shisui Uchiha a faint smile.
"Shisui, how would you like to work at my side from now on?"
Before you continue