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Konoha.
The bright sun shone down, and Konoha appeared to be flourishing, as if the Night of the Nine-Tails from last year had been blown away by the wind.
In a solitary three-story wooden house, Uchiha Yoru smiled at the middle-aged Shizune, who had a stern and rigid demeanor.
"Uchiha Yoru, I don't understand what you mean, old man."
In front of him was the deed to a shop, and Shizune's stern expression seemed to exude a sense of righteousness.
Uchiha Yoru, who had come in person, put on a serious face, "Hayate Gekkou was arrested by the Police Force for causing a disturbance while drunk. However, it was also because of his drunkenness that he let slip some information. After the Police Force investigated, they confirmed that he had betrayed the village's interests, which led to the failure of Shizune's mission in the Land of Grass years ago."
"Hayate Gekkou has confessed, but he has a nephew, and he deeply regrets and feels guilty about his actions. However, his nephew, Iruka Umino, is innocent. Therefore, he hopes that his former captain, Shizune, can forgive him."
Uchiha Yoru spoke with a righteous air, as if these were undeniable facts. Shisui, kneeling behind him with his head bowed, hid his expression, fearing he might reveal his disgust.
Shizune, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned. But with years of experience, she hesitated with a grim face before finally making a decision, a glint of determination in her eyes.
"So, is this on behalf of the Uchiha Clan or Lord Orochimaru?"
After all, Uchiha Yoru was not just a member of the Uchiha Clan but also a disciple of Orochimaru. Shizune, on the other hand, was a jōnin of the Sarutobi Clan.
She needed to know clearly which identity and purpose he represented.
Looking at Shizune's inquiry, Uchiha Yoru smiled falsely, "Whether it's the Uchiha Clan or the Hyuga Clan, aren't they all part of the village?"
His tone seemed to confirm that Orochimaru would be the future Hokage, and both the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were part of the village.
This ambiguous statement made Shizune silent. She understood that this was a gesture of goodwill. As for whom it represented, the Uchiha Clan needed to mend relations with the village, and Orochimaru needed it as well.
More importantly, no one at the moment would think that Orochimaru would eventually betray the village. Even as a jōnin of the Sarutobi Clan, who had access to the inner circles of power and knew the clan's plans, she understood one thing: Orochimaru's influence was crucial, and his prestige far outweighed that of Ape Fly Shinno, whom they hoped would become the Fifth Hokage.
"Sigh, I never thought that the mission's failure was due to him."
Shizune now assumed a compassionate and sorrowful demeanor, sighing, "Because of the leak of information, so many people died."
Shizune seemed to be lost in the memories of that time. Uchiha Yoru, however, smiled, knowing that she had accepted the gesture. Shisui, on the other hand, felt a deep disgust for this political transaction.
Shizune had a stain on her record: the failure of a secret mission in the Land of Grass, which resulted in the deaths of seventy-three shinobi.
The exact reason for the mission's failure was unknown, but both Shizune and Shisui knew that Hayate Gekkou was just a scapegoat.
This was perhaps a dirty political deal: the Uchiha Clan using their power to do dirty work for Orochimaru, and then extending a gesture of friendship to Ape Fly.
As for whether this was the Uchiha Clan's own idea, would anyone believe it? And if the Uchiha Clan did this, wasn't it on behalf of Orochimaru?
"Sigh, I've made you laugh at me." Shizune, emerging from her sad memories, gave a bitter smile. Her hand reached for the deeds of the three shops.
In Shisui's eyes, she was clearly making a dirty deal, yet she maintained a calm expression and pretended to be compassionate, sighing, "Consider this as compensation for the seventy-three shinobi who died in the Land of Grass mission."
Whether the descendants of those who died would truly receive compensation was unknown, but it was clear that the three shops were now in her possession.
Shizune felt a sense of melancholy, as if the stain on her record was finally being washed away.
The two of them exchanged political smiles and continued to drink tea. Finally, seeing the other's silent smile, Shizune inwardly sighed, realizing that this person was not just a simple shinobi, which explained why he could become one of Orochimaru's right-hand men.
"What is Lord Orochimaru's intention?"
Having received the benefit, Shizune knew they couldn't get it for free. Uchiha Yoru sighed, "Lord Orochimaru is deeply devoted to the research of ninjutsu, as you know, which is very costly."
In other words, the shops were now hers, but not entirely. They would work together.
Shizune fell silent after hearing this. Her clan wanted another Hokage from the Ape Fly family, but the Uchiha Clan's sincerity was evident. Even if the Ape Fly family produced another Hokage, Orochimaru would still be a powerful figure.
Not only had they provided money, but more importantly, they had cleared a stain from her life. This level of sincerity was tempting.
After a long pause, Shizune glanced at the young man before her, sipped her tea, and softly said, "I understand."
The deal was done!
She was already forty, and her career was on a downward slope. After a lifetime of careful maneuvering, the stain from the Land of Grass mission was about to be erased. How could she not be tempted?
The political deal was sealed. The Uchiha Clan would clear her stain, and she would provide reliable information.
...
"... Recently, there have been many voices in the clan calling for the Young Clan Head to become Hokage, but there are also those who believe Orochimaru's prestige is too great."
A gentle breeze blew, and after their final cup of tea, Uchiha Yoru smiled and bowed respectfully, "Please stay, Lord Shizune. Uchiha Yoru will take his leave."
"Be careful on your way out." This was not a concern from Shizune, nor was it a polite farewell, but a subconscious warning to avoid being discovered.
Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, "Don't worry. The one accompanying me is the renowned Shisui of the Body Flicker."
His meaning was clear: don't worry, no one noticed them coming, and no one would notice them leaving.
After Uchiha Yoru and Shisui left, Shizune, alone in the house, wore a complex expression, murmuring to herself, "Hayate Gekkou, rest in peace. I will take care of your nephew."
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