Disgusted by ROOT's tactics, Yashiro Uchiha lost all interest in sparring.
Instead, he turned his anger toward ROOT, pressing the issue relentlessly. Even after the ROOT ninja retreated, Yashiro didn't let it go.
The Police Force, which already had plenty of grievances against Danzo, brought Night back to headquarters to record his statement. They intended to use this to pressure the Hokage and demand serious punishment for Danzo's overreach.
After giving his statement, Night sincerely thanked Yashiro: "Thank you for standing up for me, Yashiro-senpai. Being watched by ROOT during training these past few days has been unbearable."
Yashiro simply waved his hand. "As a member of the Uchiha Police Force, maintaining order in the village is my duty."
He dismissed Night and went back to his busy work.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his throbbing temples, looking at the urgent report from the Police Force with complicated feelings.
"Why has Danzo provoked the Uchiha again?" The war had just ended, paperwork was piled high, and this sudden incident was just adding to his headache.
He massaged his forehead and ordered the ANBU behind him: "Call Danzo here."
Soon, the bandaged Hokage Advisor appeared with a gloomy face. Hiruzen pushed the scroll toward him without a word.
Danzo picked it up, scanned it briefly, and said without changing his expression:
"The Uchiha Police Force is overstepping. Since when does ROOT need to answer to them?"
Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe.
"Danzo, you crossed the line this time. Why were you surveilling a fellow Konoha ninja?"
"A civilian ninja with such strength is suspicious. Investigating him is for Konoha's safety."
Danzo naturally wouldn't admit he was rejected by Night, so he used this excuse. Hiruzen gave him a meaningful look and said, "Regardless, withdraw your men immediately. This matter ends here."
"Those naturally evil Uchiha... Sensei should have taken the opportunity back then to..." Danzo tried to argue.
"Enough! Danzo. Drop it. This is the authority Sensei granted to the Uchiha." Hiruzen interrupted him sharply.
"The village needs the Uchiha's power, both internally and externally."
"Hmph."
Though silenced by Hiruzen, Danzo was indignant. He believed the Police Force's existence weakened his power.
Failing to recruit Night, Danzo chalked it up to the boy's luck in connecting with the Uchiha.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Danzo temporarily withdrew surveillance on Night, waiting for another chance to deal with him. He noted this grudge against the Police Force in his mental ledger.
In the dango shop, Night swallowed the last bite of his sweet dumpling with satisfaction. This move to divert trouble was perfect. He got rid of ROOT and let the Uchiha take the spotlight.
He knew he couldn't hide his intentions from Yashiro Uchiha. The setup was a bit too obvious.
But given the Uchiha's pride, as long as the scheme wasn't targeted at them, they were happy to use it to assert their dominance.
The current Uchiha clan, led by hawkish elders, had strong cohesion and a tough style, far different from the Fugaku era later on.
If the "Fake Hawk" Fugaku hadn't taken power during the Third War and suppressed the reactionary voices within the clan, exacerbating internal conflicts, perhaps the Uchiha wouldn't have perished so quickly.
Night specifically told the shop owner to put Yashiro's future tabs on his bill. Visiting to thank him personally would seem too deliberate; this subtle repayment suited the Uchiha style better.
However, peaceful days didn't last long. An unexpected mission came knocking.
"Go to the Mist Village?" Night looked at the mission scroll, his mouth twitching. "Sending a Chunin who just got out of the hospital to infiltrate an enemy village? Which genius came up with this?"
The Chunin assigning the mission scratched his head awkwardly. "Actually... we planned to send ANBU. But the Mist is cracking down hard right now. A fresh face like yours is less likely to be exposed."
Night read the mission details carefully: Internal turmoil in the Mist Village; need to infiltrate and gather intel. The reward was astoundingly high, but so was the danger.
"This mission..." He rubbed his chin. "Is Danzo trying to get back at me?"
"Ahem, it was unanimously approved by the high council." The Chunin quickly explained. "It's also a recognition of your abilities."
I believe you, my ass! Night retorted internally, deciding to pin this on Danzo anyway.
Of course, he wasn't just swayed by the long string of zeros on the reward. He also wanted a chance to travel alone.
"Fine. I'll take it." Confident in his strength, he accepted readily.
Before leaving, Night prepared thoroughly. He got a merchant disguise and stuffed his bag with various small goods—from accessories to nail clippers, and even some "secret weapons" he researched in his spare time.
After applying a perfect disguise and holding his forged ID, he nodded in satisfaction. "Now, I am just an ordinary traveling merchant."
Walking out of the village gates, Night felt a gaze on him. Looking back, Tsunade was standing on the hospital roof, nodding slightly at him.
"Wait for me," he mouthed, earning a playful eye-roll in response.
On the road, Night fully embraced his role, peddling his "high-quality goods" to everyone he met.
"Brother, look at this comb! Perfect for your... unique hairstyle."
"Sister, this mirror is super clear. Guaranteed to show you exactly how beautiful you are!"
The effect was significant: everyone he accosted walked away faster.
Just as he was about to enter the border of the Land of Water, several Mist ANBU flashed out of the forest, surrounding him.
"Halt! Identify yourself!"
Night immediately put on a harmless smile and raised his hands. "Big brothers! I'm just a small-time traveling merchant."
He opened his pack to show his goods. "Want to see the latest 'pomade'? The water here is hard; you probably need this!"
The leader of the Mist ANBU frowned, sizing him up. "A traveling merchant? Coming to the Land of Water at a time like this?"
"Sigh, life is hard," Night sighed. "I've been wandering since I was a kid, trying to make a living everywhere. Thought I'd try my luck here."
While the ANBU hesitated, Night secretly scanned the terrain, calculating in his mind: "Looks like this trip to the Mist won't be a walk in the park..."