The second clash with Danzo

The atmosphere in Danzo's office was oppressive.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood before the desk, wearing an obedient smile.

"Lord Danzo, you wanted to see me?"

Danzo raised his head, his sinister gaze settling on Uchiha Rìtiān.

"You've heard about the formation of the police force, haven't you?"

"I have." Uchiha Rìtiān nodded. "You're truly farsighted, Lord Danzo. With the police force established, the Uchiha Clan will be able to contribute more to Konoha!"

Danzo stared at Uchiha Rìtiān for a long while, then suddenly sneered.

"Brat, is that really what you think?"

Uchiha Rìtiān's heart lurched, but his expression betrayed nothing.

"Of course. Your decisions must be right, Lord Danzo."

Danzo fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I hear you're close to Shisui."

Here we go again.

Uchiha Rìtiān cursed inwardly, but said with a smile, "Shisui's really nice. He even teaches me the Body Flicker Technique."

"Shisui is a genius." Danzo's voice was low. "Unfortunately, his thinking is too naive."

Something stirred in Uchiha Rìtiān's mind. "Lord Danzo, what do you mean?"

Danzo didn't answer. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Once the Konoha Military Police Force is established, it will need a large quantity of equipment and supplies."

"I intend to give you that order."

Uchiha Rìtiān froze for a moment. An order?

"You mean... you want me to supply the police force with equipment?"

"Correct." Danzo nodded. "Your Uchiha Rìtiān Technology products are good quality, and the prices... are reasonably fair."

"Will you take the deal?"

Uchiha Rìtiān thought rapidly.

Why would Danzo give me this order?

Is he trying to win me over? Or use this to control me?

Either way, I have to take this deal.

Only an idiot would turn down money!

Besides, this deal will let me get even closer to the Uchiha Clan.

Two birds with one stone.

"Yes! Of course!" Uchiha Rìtiān nodded immediately. "I can't thank you enough for supporting my business like this, Lord Danzo!"

Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you afraid... this deal might be difficult to handle?"

"What's difficult about it?" Uchiha Rìtiān looked innocent. "As long as there's money to be made!"

Danzo stared at Uchiha Rìtiān for a long while, then suddenly smiled.

"You really are a money-grubbing little brat."

"Hehe, money makes the world go round." Uchiha Rìtiān scratched his head, looking every bit the mercenary businessman.

Danzo waved a hand. "All right, you can go. Someone will contact you about the details."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" Uchiha Rìtiān bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

Once outside the office, Uchiha Rìtiān let out a breath of relief.

Those few minutes had been more exhausting than a fight.

That scheming old bastard Danzo was testing me with every word.

Good thing my acting was solid enough that I didn't give anything away.

Ding! Second clash with Danzo successfully cleared.

Reward: acting +1, showing-off points +100.

Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. What the hell is acting +1? I'm not an actor.

Still... the police force's order is a good opportunity.

He could use this opportunity to put his plan to "improve the Uchiha's image" into action.

The corners of Uchiha Rìtiān's mouth rose into a mischievous grin.

Oh, Danzo. You'd never dream that the order you gave me would end up helping the Uchiha, would you?

Back at Uchiha Rìtiān Technology's main store, Uchiha Rìtiān immediately called Tetsuo over.

"Tetsuo, we've got a big deal coming."

"How big?" Tetsuo looked excited.

"An order for the Konoha Military Police Force's full set of equipment," Uchiha Rìtiān said casually.

Tetsuo's eyes widened. "The police force?! That's a huge order!"

"That's right." Uchiha Rìtiān nodded. "So I need you to expand production immediately and hire more people."

"No problem!" Tetsuo thumped his chest. "Leave it to me!"

Uchiha Rìtiān thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, and I need you to design a few new products."

"What products?"

"A Police Patrol Motorcycle, a Chakra Megaphone, and... a Uchiha Convenience Services kit."

Tetsuo looked puzzled. "I understand the Police Patrol Motorcycle, and I understand the Chakra Megaphone, but... what's a Uchiha Convenience Services kit?"

Uchiha Rìtiān gave a mysterious smile. "Don't worry about that. Just design it the way I tell you."

"I'll give you the detailed designs tonight."

Though puzzled, Tetsuo still nodded. "Yes, young master."

Uchiha Rìtiān nodded in satisfaction.

Let the plan to improve the Uchiha's image begin here.

Over the next few days, Uchiha Rìtiān was rushed off his feet.

He had to keep up with his schoolwork while managing Uchiha Rìtiān Technology's business, as well as learn the Body Flicker Technique from Shisui.

Though he was busy, his progress was enormous.

His Body Flicker Technique was already taking shape. Though he still couldn't compare to Shisui, he was already among the best of his peers.

After school that day, Uchiha Rìtiān was about to go find Shisui when he ran into Itachi at the school gates.

Itachi looked troubled, his brows tightly knitted.

"Itachi, what's wrong?" Uchiha Rìtiān walked over and asked.

Itachi glanced at Uchiha Rìtiān and fell silent for a moment.

"Uchiha Rìtiān, come with me."

Uchiha Rìtiān paused. Something's a little off with Itachi today.

He followed Itachi to a secluded corner.

"Itachi, what's going on?"

Itachi took a deep breath and looked at Uchiha Rìtiān, his gaze complicated.

"I've been selected to join ANBU."

Uchiha Rìtiān's heart lurched.

Itachi's joined ANBU.

What was coming has finally come.

"Itachi, that's a good thing!" Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile. "Once you're in ANBU, you'll be able to contribute more to Konoha!"

Itachi shook his head. "It's not that simple."

He looked at Uchiha Rìtiān and lowered his voice.

"Uchiha Rìtiān, I keep feeling... something isn't right."

"Lord Danzo recommended me for ANBU, but... his purpose doesn't seem to be that simple."

Something stirred in Uchiha Rìtiān's mind. Itachi really has noticed.

He hesitated, but decided to warn Itachi anyway.

"Itachi, be careful around Danzo."

Itachi froze for a moment. "You feel that way too?"

"Yes." Uchiha Rìtiān nodded. "Danzo... is far too hard to fathom."

"Once you're in ANBU, keep your guard up. Don't believe everything he says."

Itachi looked at Uchiha Rìtiān, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Rìtiān to say something like that.

Was this really a six-year-old child?

"I understand." Itachi nodded. "Thank you, Uchiha Rìtiān."

"No need for thanks. We're on the same side." Uchiha Rìtiān patted Itachi's shoulder.

Just then, an Anbu Ninja suddenly appeared before them.

"Uchiha Itachi, Lord Danzo summons you."

Itachi's expression changed, and he glanced at Uchiha Rìtiān.

Uchiha Rìtiān gave him a meaningful look, signaling him to be careful.

Itachi nodded and left with the Anbu Ninja.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood where he was, his brows tightly knitted.

Danzo's summoning Itachi so soon?

What exactly is he trying to do?

No, I have to find out.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes shifted, and an idea came to him.

He pulled a Listening Seal from inside his clothes.

This was one of his two remaining Listening Seals.

He had meant to keep them in reserve, but now it seemed he would have to use one early.

Uchiha Rìtiān picked out a direction and silently followed.