"ha?!"
Hearing the voice from behind, Sasuke immediately stood up from the swing, turned around with a stubborn look, and said fiercely:
"Who are you calling a brat!"
In the past, he wouldn't have bothered with such harmless teasing.
However, after his parents died, he was confined to the hospital for a period of time, and was viewed with special eyes by his former neighbors, Uchiha Sasuke's self-esteem became extremely sensitive.
But as soon as he turned his head, he was taken aback.
A short man with blond hair was holding a large paper bag and looking at him with some strangeness.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Sasuke's nostrils twitched slightly as he clearly smelled a faint fragrance emanating from the paper bag. He couldn't help but swallow, and his stomach seemed to grow even more sour.
"Of course I'm talking about you!"
"By the way, why haven't you been to school for the past few days?"
"I'm not asking this on behalf of Sakura!"
As Naruto asked, his dirty hands reached into the paper bag and grabbed a large meat bun, stuffing it into his mouth with his cheeks puffing out.
Although he had just experienced that dangerous incident a few days ago, it didn't seem to matter much to his thick-skinned nature. However, he seemed to be eating a lot more lately, so he had to ask his great-grandfather for some extra pocket money.
"Hmph! It's none of your business."
Sasuke stared at him, his gaze lingering on the paper bag in his arms for a moment before he resolutely turned back, sat back on his little swing, and bent over slightly.
It seemed that this would slightly alleviate the acidity in my stomach.
Unfortunately, after only a couple of slight movements, a long, drawn-out horn-like sound suddenly came from inside its stomach.
"Gulu"
Naruto paused mid-chew, staring intently at him.
Even without turning around, Sasuke seemed to sense his subtle gaze, and his already thin face immediately flushed red.
"I...I'm not...I didn't..."
He hurriedly explained, but his teeth were clenching and his neck was stiff. He didn't dare to turn around and look at Naruto's expression. He was also very uneasy, afraid that he would be ridiculed. His eyes even turned a little red.
Born as the son of the Uchiha clan leader and the youngest child, Sasuke was naturally showered with love and protected by a genius older brother. When had he ever suffered such grievances?
Unfortunately, everything changed the day he witnessed his parents being killed by his brother.
Thinking of this, Sasuke unconsciously gripped the swing ropes tighter and pursed his lips.
After a long silence, he turned his head away and gave a deep hum: "Laugh if you want to."
The voice was muffled.
However, after waiting for a while, he did not hear the mocking voice of the bottom-ranked person behind him.
There was a rustling sound of paper bags behind him, followed by a small hand patting his shoulder.
Sasuke turned his head and saw a warm, meaty bun being held up in front of him.
He paused for a moment, then looked up at the bottom of the line.
Naruto's expression was also a little awkward, as if making up with this guy who always opposed him at school was something embarrassing.
"I'm just full."
"Well, there are exactly two left."
"If you don't eat it, I'll throw it away!"
Sasuke was taken aback when he heard this, seemingly not expecting that this meddlesome loser would be so kind.
These two little guys, who had fought quite a bit at the ninja academy, were in roughly the same mental state at this moment. One was too embarrassed to give, and the other was too embarrassed to accept, both looking rather hesitant.
After hesitating for a moment, Sasuke heard an even longer rumble from his stomach. His face turned bright red, and like a thief, he snatched the bun from Naruto's hand and stuffed it into his mouth.
He's going all out!
Even if this guy laughs at him later, he'll accept it!
However, Naruto did not harbor any ill intentions as he had imagined.
He watched Sasuke stuff a bun into his mouth, then walked over to the swing next to him, sat down, and floated up, his feet pushing off the ground.
Only after Sasuke stuffed the entire large steamed bun into his mouth did he casually ask:
"Hey you, did you have a fight with your parents and run away from home?"
"Everyone at school says so."
"I never thought that being studious would lead to arguments with my parents."
He who takes a bribe is bound to do his bidding; he who eats another's food is obligated to do his bidding.
If it were just now, Sasuke wouldn't have paid any attention to him.
But now that he's asking me this, if I don't say anything, I'll seem very impolite.
However, the tone was clearly not very good.
"No, that's not it."
"I've been in the hospital for the past few days."
That's why I didn't go to school.
As for family matters, he was unwilling to mention them at all.
Seeing that he had finished eating, Naruto handed over the remaining buns from the paper bag. Sasuke looked at him somewhat embarrassed and hesitated for a moment.
But soon, his hungry stomach urged him to take it again.
"So you were sick?"
"Then why didn't you tell Jia? Sakura said she wanted to visit your house before."
"But the area in front of the Uchiha clan's compound was under martial law for those few days, so no one could get in."
66
"
Sasuke stuffed his mouth full of steamed buns without answering him.
Naruto seemed to remember something and started talking: "If you get sick, your mom and dad will definitely help take care of you, right?"
What is it like to have both parents around?
Upon hearing the first sentence, Sasuke instinctively frowned, feeling a subconscious sense of aversion.
But upon hearing the second sentence, she stared at him blankly, and with her mouth stuffed with steamed buns, she blurted out:
"Did your parents also pass away?"
"I don't know, but I guess so."
Naruto was still thinking about the two adults he had seen in his "dream" a few days ago, but when he came to his senses, he immediately stared at him with wide eyes:
"Eh?!"
Sasuke then realized what he had said and even slowed down his chewing.
Naruto quickly sat on the swing and waved his hands, suddenly looking a little flustered:
"Um, I... I didn't mean that!"
At this moment, even if he were slow on the uptake, Naruto would understand why Sasuke was sitting there alone.
"snort."
"It's nothing serious."
Sasuke's cheeks were still bulging as he forcefully swallowed the remaining half of the bun, looking rather gritted-teeth.
"Everyone in my family died in the attack the day before yesterday."
"I saw it with my own eyes."
"When my father was killed by that bastard Itachi Uchiha."
Naruto's waving motions gradually slowed down, and he awkwardly didn't know what to say.
But even he had heard of Sasuke's genius older brother, and asked in bewilderment:
"Uchiha Itachi... isn't that your brother?"
"He's not my brother!!"
Sasuke's tone suddenly became excited, but he was immediately choked by the steamed bun and coughed, his face turning red as he patted his chest repeatedly.
Naruto quickly handed him a bottle of water, which Sasuke immediately took and gulped down.
Even after raising his head, his eyes were still red as he emphasized:
"no!!"
Naruto was startled by his excited appearance. He sat on the swing, gripping the ropes on both sides, unsure of what to say.
After Sasuke calmed down, he realized that he had vented his anger in the wrong place, so he pursed his lips again and stopped talking.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know... that this happened."
Naruto apologized in a low voice.
This was the first time he had ever said something like that to someone else.
"It had nothing to do with you in the first place."
Sasuke still looked cool, if you ignored the bits of dough around his mouth.
Now that he had eaten and drunk his fill, he had regained his strength and decided to immediately begin planning the next assassination attempt on Uchiha Ryo.
But just as he turned around, he heard Naruto shout, "By the way! If you're hungry, you can go to the Hokage Building and ask the Third Hokage for pocket money. He'll even help you find a place to stay!"
"If that doesn't work, I... I can treat you to ramen."
"Le Ramen on South Street is the best."
Sasuke paused, turned to look at him, and had a somewhat puzzled expression.
After leaving the hospital, he never expected that the first person to treat him so kindly would be the bottom student in his school.
Sasuke's feelings were complicated.
Finally, he turned around and said, "Thank you for the steamed buns today."
"If there's a chance, I'll treat you to a meal next time."
"Hehe, don't be shy."
Naruto, on the other hand, seemed a little embarrassed and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
However, this feeling is not bad.
Is this the friend my grandfather was talking about?
I never expected that brat would have this side to him.
However, once Sasuke's figure had disappeared into the distance, Naruto's mood couldn't help but sink, as if he was thinking of those two adults he had only seen in his dreams.
Even though I've never seen my parents since birth, I still feel so conflicted when I suddenly see them.
What would it feel like if, like Sasuke, you witnessed your parents being killed?
That guy must be feeling really bad, right?
Sasuke was unaware of the change in Naruto's gaze behind him, and continued walking forward with unwavering determination.
However, after so many assassination attempts, although he had no intention of giving up, a strong sense of powerlessness still lingered in his heart.
Let alone killing him.
Even if he were to find himself a job that would provide enough food, no one would hire him now.
They are far too young.
Not to mention, with his strength, whether it's ambushing, sneaking up, poisoning, or assassinating Itachi while he's sleeping, there's absolutely no chance of success.
That guy, after all, is a genius even his father praised.
And myself...
The more Sasuke thought about it, the more disappointed he felt, and even his steps became heavier.
Just as he was thinking this.
Suddenly, an elderly figure emerged from the shadows in a small alley ahead and blocked his way.
"Uchiha Sasuke, right?"
The newcomer's voice was hoarse and deep, carrying an inexplicable sense of gloom.
Sasuke's gaze initially sharpened, but upon realizing the other party had no intention of attacking him, it gradually relaxed, though his voice remained distant:
Who are you?
"I am Danzo Shimura."
"Assisted by the Hokage, the leader of Root."
Looking at this young boy, Danzo Shimura inexplicably recalled the scene when he personally went to recruit Itachi Uchiha.
This child looks exactly like the weasel when it was young.
"The roots?"
Almost instantly upon hearing the name, Sasuke's body, which had just relaxed, tensed up again, and his gaze toward Shimura Danzo suddenly turned fiery.
He also had no good feelings towards those who knew Uchiha Yo had problems but still let him go and even continued to serve as the head of the Uchiha clan.
"That's exactly right."
However, Danzo seemed to completely ignore his gaze, saying in a flat tone, "Whatever you think now, it doesn't matter."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"All you need to know is that we in Root are also keeping an eye on Itachi Uchiha."
"This village needs both ninjas who operate in the sunlight and those who clear obstacles for the village in the shadows."
"There are many obstacles."
"They could be spies from other countries trying to gather intelligence on Konoha, violent elements from small, already destroyed factions, or even people like Itachi Uchiha, lurking in Konoha and trying to disrupt the village's peace."
"I know your story, Uchiha Sasuke."
"You witnessed Uchiha Ryo kill your parents, didn't you?"
"I know you have exceptional talent, having awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at such a young age, a skill extremely rare even within the Uchiha clan."
"But, you haven't even finished the second year of the Ninja Academy curriculum, and you haven't even mastered many ninjutsu. Do you really have the strength to kill Uchiha Itachi?"
"You know, he's only thirteen years old this year, and he hasn't reached the golden age of development as a ninja yet."
"Can you keep up with him on your own?"
"You need help from the roots."
Danzo Shimura's words were devoid of any emotional fluctuation; he simply stated them quietly.
But every word he uttered felt like a stab to Sasuke's heart; the seductive intent was self-evident.
Upon hearing this, Sasuke remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly lost in thought, his gaze shifting as if he were struggling.
Danzo Shimura's gaze grew increasingly satisfied as he observed Danzo's expression.
"What? You don't want to say that?"
Before he could finish speaking, Sasuke's chest suddenly heaved, and he abruptly clenched his fist.
"That's enough!"
The young man raised his voice sharply, interrupting Danzo fiercely, and stared intently at him:
"Uchiha Itachi is definitely my enemy!"
"But what are you doing?"
"Shimura Danzo!"
"Even if I, Uchiha Sasuke, starve to death on the streets and am killed by Uchiha Itachi's own hand, I will never join you treacherous insects in the shadows!"
Danzo Shimura frowned as he watched the boy's retreating figure.
But soon, the brows gradually relaxed again.
Compared to Itachi Uchiha of yesteryear, this child is much more naive.
It seems we'll have to wait a little longer.
Until the day he despaired.
Now, planting just one tiny seed is enough.
With these thoughts in mind, Shimura Danzo did not linger. He turned and walked towards the Hokage building, his mind racing with various ideas.
After erasing the Mangekyou Sharingan's control over Karma through Izanagi, his current situation has not yet been exposed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude towards him is similar to that of Kakashi recently.
For him, being without you is a good thing.
This means that, at least for the foreseeable future, Hiruzen Sarutobi will not be involved in any of his actions.
However, this thin film will break sooner or later.
Therefore, during this period, he must quickly accumulate his own power tail.
After he revealed the Sharingan in his arm, the conflict between him and Hiruzen was destined to be inevitable.
The only thing to be thankful for is...
Currently, Hiruzen Sarutobi is still facing the challenge of getting another card.
"Clang."
Danzo Shimura pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and stepped inside as if he were in his own home.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, meanwhile, kept his head down, scanning the documents on the table, looking somewhat annoyed.
"You bastard!"
"Danzo, how many times have I told you, knock before you come in!"
Danzo Shimura dismissed his words as nonsense, coldly stating, "I've already investigated. Several clans on the ninja side are rapidly conspiring to bring down the Hyuga clan, making them uneasy! Your Nara clan is among them!"
"Hiruzen, are you going to let Tobirama-sensei's life's blood be ruined in your hands?!"
Upon hearing this accusation, Hiruzen Sarutobi's veins throbbed even more, and he immediately shifted the blame back to Karma:
"Whose responsibility do you think this is?!"
"If you hadn't tried to take action against Uchiha Hatake earlier, and then teamed up with Shisui to use genjutsu against Hyuga Hiyori, the situation wouldn't be in this state now!"
Danzo Shimura, whose power had been eradicated by the gods, could not tolerate such slander and immediately retorted:
"I didn't say anything to the person below, you're just talking nonsense!"
"Besides, didn't you hear what Hyuga Hiyori said before he died? It was clearly you who instructed Uchiha Shisui to use genjutsu on him!"
"This is the reason why the ninja clans are now colluding with each other!"
"You still dare to say it's not your responsibility?!"
"That's enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face immediately turned ashen, and he couldn't help but rub his temples, saying, "Is this the time to argue about whose fault it is?"
"It's already this late, you bastard, can't you think about the game for once? I haven't even asked you about that arm of yours yet!"
"snort!"
Danzo Shimura turned his head away, offering no explanation whatsoever.
In reality, he couldn't explain it clearly either.
However, given the current situation, they cannot afford to disagree.
There is no other reason.
The power of the ninja clan's tail is simply too overwhelming.
Perhaps they are no match for the Hokage lineage in terms of top-tier strength, but the politics of the ninja village has never been about fighting and killing, but rather about human relationships and sentiments.
To be more precise, it is—
-money.
Ninjas need to be paid when they go on missions, ninja villages need to be paid to maintain them, and the development of each clan also requires payment.
The current ninja clans are like the Kakashi clans in Konoha, each monopolizing trade in an entire area of Konoha, forming their own self-contained conglomerates.
Aside from external missions, Konoha's income comes from managing the village and collecting taxes from these conglomerates.
If the ninja clans ever cause trouble, the Hokage's financial deficit will instantly reach its maximum.
Killing someone to establish authority won't work either.
The reason why the ninja clans are in such a mess right now is because of the fates of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, as well as the tragic fates of the former Egg Hand.
It's better for both sides to lose than for one side to win.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were the leaders of their respective ninja clans.
An individual can betray a class, but a class cannot betray itself.
"So what do you plan to do now?"
After a long while, Danzo Shimura finally spoke up and asked a question.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, brows furrowed, sighed and said:
"I plan to leave the security force to them."
"Are you out of your mind?" Shimura Danzo stared at him with astonishment, his one eye wide. "Back then, Tobirama-sensei spent a great deal of effort to separate the guard force from the enemy. Have you forgotten the way?"
Within Konoha Village, the police force is the only extremely powerful and easily mobilized armed force.
It poses a considerable threat even to the Hokage.
"Hey, let me finish."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, clearing away the smoke in front of him, and smiled slyly: "First, the number of guards needs to be limited again, and second, the huge sum of money should also be moved to the Shadow Card Building."
"That means they first receive money from the ninja clans, then give the security forces a huge sum, so it's no longer solely supported by the ninja clans' finances."
"Most importantly, the position of captain of the security force is extremely difficult to obtain."
"I plan to divide him into pieces."
"They are respectively the Commissioner of Security, the Director of the Security Department, and the Secretary-General of Security, each controlling huge sums of money, mission execution, and personnel management!"
"Not only that, the selection of the first incumbent was also handed over to the ninja clans, except for the personnel supervisor position, which I specifically requested from the Hokage, Shinnosuke."
Financial power, military power, and personnel power.
Shimura Danzo Sansan understood this method immediately upon hearing it.
Once these pieces of meat are thrown out, the ninja clan members will start fighting on their own, without needing anyone else.
After all, the ninja clan has never been a loosely defined term, but rather a loose alliance formed by representatives of different forces.
This is a calculated move.
Even Danzo had to admit that Hiruzen was quite adept at internal strife.
"And then what?"
"Delay the time, continue to divide and win over."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was resolute: "This time, Neji's performance was truly outstanding. I plan to have him train in the Anbu for a while first."
"We also need to provide some compensation to Itachi-kun. If we can help him secure the position of Head of the Security Forces, then the Security Forces will still be under our control."
"Boar, deer, and butterfly also need to be kept in check—this matter requires your personal attention."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted towards Danzo: "Speaking of which, your rest time is almost up. Danzo, please continue to take care of the tasks at Root."
Hiruzen Sarutobi softened his tone somewhat.
Although the conflict between the two brothers still exists, the battle the previous night still played a significant role.
At least, Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain that Danzo was someone who would be willing to give his life for Konoha.
"snort."
Danzo Shimura's face darkened.
That bastard Hiruzen is still incorrigible.
This is clearly a way to keep him in the same old role as the black glove, stirring up trouble among the ninja clans.
However, it doesn't matter.
Now, he needs to immediately strengthen his own power.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura exchanged a glance and, once again under the threat of the ninja clans, formed a temporary alliance.
According to their thinking, the conflicts within the village could be resolved as quickly as possible.
If nothing unexpected happens.