*Bang!*
"Enemy ninja approaching!"
The signal flare and cry rang out at the same time.
Not long after entering the main gate of Konoha, Nakano Daisuke was quickly surrounded by a large group of Konoha ninja who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
"I surrender."
Without hesitation, Nakano Daisuke raised both hands, leaving the group of Konoha ninja completely stunned.
"You want to see Hokage-sama? Dream on!"
Two Konoha guards at the gate charged forward and beat him mercilessly. They clearly had the upper hand.
Nakano Daisuke, however, endured the beating without lifting a finger to defend himself.
"Sorry."
After the beating ended, the bruised and bloodied Nakano Daisuke was dragged away, still remembering to apologize before leaving.
When he was thrown into the interrogation department's prison with his chakra sealed, for the first time he felt a slight regret about his gamble.
If even this wasn't enough to earn an audience with the Hokage, then he'd essentially already forfeited his life.
He knew better than anyone that no one ever left an interrogation unit alive.
"Lord Fugaku, a newly captured Iwa ninja, is acting strangely."
"He claims he was ordered by Ōnoki to meet with Hokage-sama."
As Nakano Daisuke had anticipated, his message successfully reached the head of the interrogation unit.
"The Land of Earth is locked in fierce battle—yet someone dares come to Konoha?"
Fugaku showed clear surprise, then fell into thought.
"Take me to see him."
After a while, Fugaku decided to meet Nakano Daisuke first.
If there was nothing significant to say, they would extract all possible intelligence, and what awaited the Iwagakure ninja afterward would be death alone.
He hadn't forgotten how his own uncle was killed by a Rock ninja.
Led by his subordinates, Fugaku arrived at Nakano Daisuke's cell.
"Uchiha Fugaku?"
Before he could even speak, Daisuke recognized him immediately.
"You know me?"
Fugaku wasn't particularly surprised; given his standing within Konoha, it wasn't unusual for enemy ninja to recognize him.
"The leader of the Uchiha Clan? Of course I know who you are."
Daisuke spoke skillfully, showering the Uchiha with compliments.
"I don't have time to waste words with you."
"Convince me, and I'll take you to see the Hokage."
"Fail to convince me, and I'll send you to meet the Shinigami."
A ghost of a smile flickered across Fugaku's lips as he spoke the cruelest words with perfect calm.
"My homeland, the Land of Earth, is facing constant defeat under combined assaults from Cloud Ninja and Akatsuki."
"I've come here seeking aid."
"I hope Hokage-sama can set aside past grievances and lend us support."
Nakano Daisuke revealed everything truthfully, his voice so meek it sounded like a plea.
He understood perfectly that Konoha lacked for nothing, nor did he believe the destruction of the Land of Earth would pose much threat to Konoha.
This request for aid, in truth, was little more than a desperate beg for Konoha's mercy.
"Why on earth should we help you?"
Fugaku sneered, barely hiding his contempt. Secretly, he longed for the Land of Earth's downfall.
"I know this is sudden."
"And I understand I have no right to bargain with you."
"But I do carry here a personal letter from Tsuchikage-sama addressed directly to Hokage-sama."
"I sincerely hope you will deliver it."
Nakano Daisuke pulled out the envelope from inside his robe, his face drained of color.
He knew he'd already lost the gamble.
The former Uchiha clan leader had been killed by Rōshi, yet now he had fallen into the hands of the current Uchiha clan leader.
"Hand yourself over."
Fugaku's words, however, shocked him completely—it was an ending he had never expected.
"Take him away."
Fugaku rose and walked out. Although he had no respect for the Iwagakure ninja, he always knew his place.
No matter how deep the hatred ran between them and the Iwagakure ninjas, he would never act on such matters without Tsunade's approval.
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade — Please bookmark this page: (m.