Clashing with Shimura Danzō's Root is practically a fact of life in Konoha, something one has to taste sooner or later; Shuji had never been unprepared for it, especially from the moment he awoke to find Hashirama's cells in his body—head‑on collision with that man was always going to happen.
He simply hadn't expected the spark of their first clash wouldn't be his secret, but a mere mission payout.
Striking Root would not earn punishment from the Third; Shuji knew that well, because his actions were, in effect, safeguarding the village's interests—and thus the Hokage's.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's habit of "not dealing with" Root is a constant; even faced with an assassination on himself, he'd grit his teeth for the village's post–Nine‑Tails stability, let alone over a ledger snatch that failed where Root's own people got pummeled.
But that line—"I'll reprimand him, and order him to restrain his subordinates"—carried weight: it was a promise that there would be no targeted follow‑up from Danzō's side; and if there was, Hiruzen would step in.
As for how far that intervention could go… Shuji harbored no illusions; all of Hiruzen's support was bounded by what he personally could do, and as Hokage he could only ensure that the village's regular forces would not become an obstacle; beyond that, it was all on Shuji.
Uchiha Shisui is the sharpest example: the Third promised him full operational authority, and what then?
Shisui went to Danzō's "meeting," never expecting Izanagi as a hidden trump, and had his Mangekyō Sharingan stolen; deeming himself unable to halt a clan coup via Kotoamatsukami, he chose suicide—to delay the Uchiha revolt with his life and entrust everything to Itachi.
And the Third? He did nothing.
Had Shisui won his duel of stratagems with Danzō and resolved the Uchiha problem his way, the Third would have endorsed him, suppressing Root and all other dissenting voices.
If he couldn't? If he lost? If his eyes were gone? Then he was the cost Danzō paid to "protect Konoha."
If even Shisui—bearer of a Mangekyō Sharingan—met such an end, Shuji hardly imagined himself an exception; whatever boldness a young prodigy might have had, he could see plainly that the aging Sarutobi's heart held to stability alone—waiting, until the jinchūriki grew; enduring, until a new generation arose to carry the standard.
—
After rushing home without sleeping, Shuji slept half a day in the old estate and woke in the afternoon; Granny Momoka was out—rare for her.
She had left food, so Shuji ate a little to dispel fatigue and hunger, then left a note saying he'd eat out that night so she needn't cook for him; he changed into casual clothes and headed out.
He'd promised to treat his squad once they were back, and there was gear repair to arrange.
The mission reward hadn't been settled, so the advance naturally fell on the captain—yes, "part of the job."
He wasn't short of funds, but in the mess with Danzō he'd forgotten to ask whether their busted gear could be reimbursed.
With the A‑rank mission bumped to S, the payout would start in the millions, plus the B‑rank share; not that he lacked money—but reimbursement was reimbursement.
He made a mental note to talk to Admin later.
The squad dinner would be at Anko's studio apartment. The Senju estate was remote, the Uchiha compound no closer; the ninja apartments were the compromise.
Around three in the afternoon, Shuji arrived; Itachi was already inside.
The young Uchiha clan heir, as ever, was perfectly courteous; he'd brought a gift, and Shuji didn't even look—one whiff of sweetness in the air was enough.
Unlike last time, Shuji arrived empty‑handed. So when Anko opened the door, she circled him and mimed holding a package.
"Captain, where's your stuff? Where's the gift?"
"Don't have one."
"How rude, Shuji—bringing a house gift is basic courtesy! You remembered last time, but now that I've joined you get careless—can I re‑apply to Team Five and start over…?"
After the Degarashi Port mission, Anko had clearly loosened up; that grim, bottled‑up air was gone.
"I'll pick up the tab tonight. Let me in, Lady Anko," Shuji said expressionlessly.
"Mmm… in that case, fine."
Shuji glanced at the table: dango, split three ways. The two had waited patiently for him before eating—as dango lovers, the highest respect for their captain.
Anko closed the door and sat with Shuji.
"Itachi, captain brought nothing; he'll repay us with dinner tonight."
Wasn't that already the plan? Itachi looked at Anko, puzzled. The purple‑haired kunoichi put on a helpless face; children really couldn't get the kind of joke only "fourteen‑year‑old adults" understood.
"What did Hokage‑sama say about Root?"
Anko sobered, voice turning serious. Shuji had explained on the road, but Root's background touched the village advisors—she still had a thread of worry.
"No issue. The Third said he'll reprimand Root." Shuji spared the complicated bits and simply stated Sarutobi Hiruzen's stance.
The kunoichi relaxed.
So a decisive, proactive strike actually settles things better and keeps the situation under control, Itachi thought, feeling he'd learned something.
As for senpai's view of the Uchiha…
He was troubled: after returning to the compound, his father Uchiha Fugaku had asked for details about the mission.
He said nothing about his injuries—or that blonde lady; but Fugaku had guessed: chakra like that, medical prowess like that, and her tie to senpai—no one but Tsunade‑hime, the Senju Princess.
A promise was a promise; Itachi would keep senpai's secret.
Most crucial was his father's instruction.
Fugaku wanted Itachi to sound Shuji out on the clan; he felt Shuji accepting Itachi into Team Five was itself a sign of goodwill toward the Uchiha.
He'd mentioned this "probe" before they left Degarashi, urged it again upon return, hoping Itachi would serve as bridge; if Shuji yielded no opening, they'd have to try other paths.
Mind storming, ears listening, eyes watching, body following the rhythm.
Team Five went first to Aoki Ninja Tool Shop; this time senpai asked the owner for an itemized bill.
Anko‑senpai swapped her torn purple coat for a soft, beige new one; his own gear stayed mostly the same, with modest adjustments in armor thickness at key points per Shuji's advice.
Then they ate together and broke up.
"Itachi, you have a question for me."
Even Anko had noticed, so she made an excuse and waved goodbye first. Her figure soon vanished at the corner of the street.
Streetlamps flickered on, stretching their shadows; the evening breeze carried a hint of chill.
"Senpai… how do you view the Uchiha clan?"
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild