What kind of empty promise was he supposed to draw up?
The old man—the Third Hokage—hesitated for a moment.
The Uchiha weren't the thorn in Konoha's upper ranks anymore, so how was he supposed to keep a grip on Itachi and Shisui now?
Itachi-san was curious, too.
Old man.
Hurry it up already…
Over on the Hyuga side, that old bastard Danzo had them stuffed to the brim.
So if the Uchiha were going to stand up for you, there's no way we're getting freeloaded, right?
What?
Old man—you really plan to freeload?
Seeing the Third Hokage stall and dither, danger gathered in Itachi's eyes.
Old man… you don't want the Uchiha to learn from the Hyuga and go over to that old bastard Danzo's side instead, do you?
Maybe that thought finally struck home, because the Third Hokage's expression gradually firmed.
Give it.
The Uchiha had to get something.
He couldn't keep doing what he'd always done—kneeling down with his ass in the air and letting the Five Great Clans squeeze them out.
Never mind whether that would make Itachi and Shisui grow cold and disloyal.
He couldn't even get past Danzo's little game.
The old man was sure of it: if he dared to freeload the Uchiha, then that old bastard would absolutely pry at the Third Hokage's own foundation.
So… what to give them?
Money?
The old man couldn't bear it.
Power?
He wasn't considering that for now.
The Uchiha already had plenty of authority as the Police Force.
If they grabbed even more, the old man worried they'd start growing ideas they shouldn't have.
For a moment—
the Third Hokage fell into the same awkward predicament as Danzo.
Damn it.
Was the mighty Hokage really going to have to bow his head to the Uchiha today?
Itachi and Shisui exchanged a subtle look.
As expected.
Just like that man said.
The old man wouldn't give the Uchiha anything at all.
If Danzo weren't lurking in the shadows with hungry eyes, the Third Hokage wouldn't even consider the matter.
So Itachi quickly stepped forward, like he was swearing loyalty, and offered a line.
"Hokage-sama, about the Uchiha clan's reputation…"
"Oh?"
That snapped the Third Hokage awake so hard he nearly slapped his own thigh.
Right!
The Uchiha's reputation among Konoha's civilians wasn't exactly good!
If he couldn't offer anything tangible, helping their image was still something, wasn't it?
Just a few words. Easy.
The old man's face instantly bloomed into a chrysanthemum of a smile.
He grabbed Itachi's hand and refused to let go.
What a perfect beast of burden…
He'd actually volunteered to give up benefits and asked for nothing but a tiny scrap of reputation.
With the Uchiha the way they were, would salvaging a bit of reputation even matter?
It wouldn't.
At least, in the old man's eyes, it wouldn't matter at all.
So to him, Itachi was showing loyalty.
Good, good, good!
Worthy of the finest beast of burden his Third Hokage's discerning eye had picked out!
"Itachi, Shisui, you two have worked hard.
"Fine. Tomorrow I'll make arrangements. You Uchiha should do some publicity yourselves as well."
"Hokage-sama, we haven't worked hard at all. The one who's worked hard is you."
Mmm~
The old man liked hearing that.
Say more.
Once they left the Hokage Building, Itachi and Shisui looked at each other.
Shisui couldn't help letting out a cold laugh.
"Let's go. At least we got a promise out of him."
That Third Hokage… he really is a piece of work.
Itachi sighed inwardly.
With Danzo no longer available as a scapegoat, the old man's true face was showing more and more.
Capable, strong, and genuinely wanting Konoha to grow.
But in Itachi's eyes, he clearly didn't have the makings of a true ruler.
He wanted the horse to run, but he wouldn't give the horse any grass.
What kind of ruler does that?
Would it kill him to bend over and feed the damn horse once?
Honestly, even that old bastard Danzo was better than the Third Hokage.
At least Danzo knew to hand the Hyuga some money!
"Let's go. That promise is enough."
After all, reputation matters.
That was that man's exact words.
Itachi mulled it over for a long time and still couldn't figure out what reputation was supposed to be good for.
They had no desire to compete for the Hokage's seat.
But since that man said it, Itachi would try listening for now.
It's not like that man would harm him.
Why?
Because his mother, Mikoto-sama, had made him acknowledge that man as his godfather.
Shisui scratched his head, still not quite understanding.
Was this Mikoto-sama's idea—some way to deepen the Uchiha's ties with that guy?
At the same time…
Konoha, Root headquarters.
Clan Head Hiashi Hyuga chuckled as he reached out to receive the banknotes.
Across from him sat Root's current director—Torune Aburame.
Torune, Danzo's trusted right-hand man, a jōnin who'd earned his share of bloody merit for Root.
And right now…
Torune really wanted to curse.
Are you hearing this?!
Danzo-sama!
If you're going to give money, then give money—why the hell is it coming out of my Root budget?
And fine, if it's budget, whatever—why are you giving away half of it?!
What, is Root the stepchild here?!
That can't be right…
Danzo-sama!
Did you forget the vows you once swore with Root?!
Hiashi's mouth twitched.
Let go, damn it!
If you won't let go, I don't even dare yank it harder.
…What if these adorable, precious bills get torn?
Torune's hand was trembling.
He watched, helpless, as Root's banknotes slid bit by bit toward the Hyuga.
His heart was bleeding.
"Heh heh heh… Root is certainly enthusiastic. Um, Torune-dono, shouldn't you let go now?"
"…Clan Head, that's Root's money."
"Oh, I know. Hokage-sama said it belongs to the Hyuga now."
"…Fine. Clan Head, could you at least spend it slowly?"
"Why?"
Because it hurts…
If you have to spend Root's banknotes, then spend them somewhere Root personnel can actually see it.
At least let us have a sliver of participation, okay?
Participation my ass.
What a lunatic…
Hiashi's mouth twitched even harder.
He finally pried Torune's fingers off one by one.
Watching this guy pinch the bills with two delicate fingers like some sort of flower gesture, refusing to let go no matter what…
Hiashi snapped.
Let go already—
or I'm going to complain to that old bastard Danzo!
In the end, Torune chose to release them.
But his eyes were bulging.
He stared as the banknotes—supposedly Root's—were counted one by one in Hiashi's hands.
It was like watching your own money get toyed with right in front of you.
Yeah.
That was the right amount.
Hiashi was satisfied.
He stuffed the banknotes into his pocket—
not letting Torune see them.
Your banknotes…
Sure are nice.
(End of Chapter)
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