Dilu arrived in Konoha at dusk.
Upon arrival, he immediately requested an audience with the Hokage, claiming an urgent matter he needed to report. As a ninja monk of the Fire Temple and a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, the Fifth Hokage, Akimichi Torifune, who was about to go home after his shift, readily accepted the sudden request and agreed to meet with the distinguished guest.
Any unrest at the Daimyo's court could hardly be hidden from view.
Just days ago, there had been discussions on how to handle the disruptive elements at the Daimyo's court. However, out of respect for the Fire Daimyo and in the absence of concrete evidence, they decided to wait and observe rather than take action. To Torifune, Dilu's arrival was the very "factor of change" they'd been waiting for.
"Hokage-sama, forgive me for the intrusion."
With hands clasped, Dilu bowed respectfully to Torifune.
"It's no trouble; Konoha and the Fire Temple are steadfast allies. I've visited Head Monk Zhongjue there many times, though age and duties have kept me from going in recent years. How is he? If I remember right, he should be around eighty-six by now, isn't he?"
This is the gift of the elderly: they amass a wealth of connections over a lifetime and know how to find common ground to ease conversations and prevent a stilted atmosphere.
"Over the last few years, his health has declined a bit; he coughs frequently in winter but is better in warmer weather."
Dilu relaxed slightly.
He thought back on his peaceful, untroubled days at the Fire Temple, and a sense of nostalgia arose. His life, clawing through the mire at the Daimyo's court, was mentally and physically exhausting. Perhaps after concluding this business, it would be time to return to the Fire Temple.
However, that would only happen once this matter was fully resolved.
After a bit of small talk, Torifune, seeing the persistent look of worry on Dilu's face, took the initiative to ask, "Dilu, you mentioned a very urgent matter. What has happened? Is it the Fire Temple or something concerning the Daimyo's court?"
"It's about the Daimyo's court."
As he finally broached the main subject, Dilu took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, "Some of my colleagues in the Twelve Guardian Ninja—Homare and Kamano among them—have been spreading the idea that the Land of Fire doesn't need two powers, that the Daimyo should control the ninja force, and that the Hokage is unnecessary. Their actions have become increasingly brazen.
"In the past, my allies and I could barely keep them in check, but due to some disagreements, even our group is no longer unified. I fear the Daimyo may fall under their influence. To prevent a regrettable incident, I have come to Konoha for assistance. Hokage-sama, I beg for your aid."
Dilu wasn't sure if Konoha was aware of what had been happening at the Daimyo's court, but he explained the background in detail, assuming they weren't fully informed.
"Is this true? Are you certain about everything you've just said, Dilu?"
Torifune's expression became serious after hearing Dilu's account.
His mood, however, wasn't as grave as he appeared—quite the opposite, actually. His spirits lifted; they'd previously held back out of respect for the Daimyo and lack of proof, refraining from taking any action.
But now, here stood a witness volunteering testimony.
With a legitimate pretext, they could finally deal with these troublesome schemers.
"I can swear on my own life."
Dilu affirmed firmly.
"There's no need for that. It's only because this involves the Daimyo. Without concrete evidence, it's hard for us to act. However, now…" Torifune rose to his feet, perhaps too suddenly, as a dizzy spell struck him. His vision darkened for a moment, likely due to the approaching night.
The sharp headache that followed told him something was wrong.
He could feel a pulse beating sharply at his temple, his skull feeling like an overfilled balloon ready to pop.
"Hokage-sama?"
Dilu sensed the change immediately.
However, he didn't need to do anything. Torifune's assistant, Nara Shiomizu, stepped in, helping him sit back down. She retrieved medicine from a nearby box and administered it, then directed an ANBU to summon a medical ninja.
Thankfully, before the medical team arrived, the medicine took effect, and Torifune stabilized. Though still in poor shape, his face flushed a deep red, and beads of sweat gathered at his temples, glowing orange in the sunset.
"Whew!"
Torifune exhaled, managing a strained smile. "Sorry for the scene, Dilu. Age catches up with the body… But you needn't worry. Your concerns are important, and we'll not allow anyone to disrupt the relationship between the Daimyo and Konoha. Shiomizu, take Dilu to… Sōgen. He'll handle this matter; let him know that it requires utmost priority."
This sudden health episode had soured his mood.
He was forced to delegate this matter, as he couldn't endure handling it himself. For a moment, he ran through possible candidates, settling on the young Uchiha Sōgen. In every aspect, he was the ideal choice.
Personal preferences aside, his decision was based on what he deemed the most logical choice from his Hokage's perspective.
With one final flash of throbbing pain, he decisively entrusted the matter to Sōgen.
Dilu silently bowed once more to Torifune and held back any additional words. Every household has its struggles, and Konoha evidently had its share of problems. For Dilu, all that mattered was achieving his goal; other matters were none of his concern.
He followed Nara Shiomizu to a clean, vacant office.
He was then informed that Sōgen was not currently at the Hokage Tower and would need to wait for contact. Expressing his gratitude, he quietly hoped that the situation would go smoothly.
---
Tonight, Sōgen's family was having a barbecue, fulfilling his granddaughter Fujika's recent wish. Succumbing to her pleas, Uchiha Genji agreed to let the young ones use his beloved courtyard for a do-it-yourself barbecue, which drew a crowd of kids after ninja school.
Uchiha Fujika, Kurama Yakumo, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Haruno Sakura, and Hyuga Hinata—all these children almost shook the roof with their noise. Genji, whose ears couldn't stand it, left to play shogi.
Sōgen didn't mind; a bit of noise was fine now and then. Besides,
Looking at the cheerful faces of these familiar children, Sōgen could feel Konoha's changes. Last year, it was rare to see anyone outside of the Uchiha Clan visit their grounds.
But now,
The Uchiha were no longer a shunned clan, isolated in title as Konoha's "first family."
After the recent Police Force reforms, the Uchiha clan's social network had visibly expanded, all moving in a positive direction—fruit born of Sōgen's efforts.
After dinner, the children ran off to play, and Sōgen didn't intervene, knowing someone was watching over them.
He returned to his training room to continue his daily practice, seated cross-legged on a tatami mat with the Banana Leaf Fan resting across his lap. The fan, embodying all five chakra transformations, was a treasure that revealed its potential with time.
If the Flame Fan guided him toward the pinnacle of the Rinnegan,
The Banana Leaf Fan was the bridge to cross that chasm.
Without it, he would need to devote immense time to mastering the five transformations, to lay a solid foundation for unlocking the Rinnegan. Madara Uchiha awakened the Rinnegan only at an advanced age, struggling in the dark.
Fortunately,
Sōgen had a shortcut.
The tools left behind by the Sage of the Six Paths provided paths that saved time and offered quick passage.
The flame-patterned fan helped him clear the fog on the road ahead, showing him the kinds of obstacles and troubles he would encounter along the way, and the preparation required to overcome them. Weapons like the Shark Skin Sword, Banana Leaf Fan, and Amber Purification Bottle were precisely the tools to open paths through mountains and bridge rivers as needed.
As Sōgen immersed himself in his training, a noise from outside made him open his eyes and turn, displeased, toward the tightly shut door. A masked Anbu member was kneeling outside on one knee; it was their arrival that interrupted his training. However, he quickly suppressed his irritation—these Anbu members were simply carrying out orders. Taking his frustration out on them would only make him seem petty.
"Lord Hokage's Assistant, Lord Hokage has a mission for you."
"What is it?"
"The Land of Fire's Twelve Guardian Ninja, Land, has requested an audience with Lord Hokage, reporting that someone at the Daimyo's residence is attempting to manipulate the Daimyo and damage the relationship between him and Konoha. He requests our assistance. However, Lord Hokage is unwell and has passed this matter to you."
The Anbu outside didn't go into detail, but it was enough for Sōgen to understand the situation.
"Is Lord Hokage unwell?"
Sōgen wasn't too concerned about the Twelve Guardian Ninja or the minor issues at the Daimyo's palace. What worried him more was the Fifth Hokage's health, as it could affect the potential succession of a Sixth Hokage. If the situation was serious, Konoha might soon need to select a new Hokage.
"Is the condition serious?"
Sōgen put away his Banana Leaf Fan, walked to the door, opened it, and looked at the kneeling Anbu, "Where is Lord Hokage now?"
"The Hokage is not in mortal danger, just experiencing some minor health issues. The medical ninja advised Lord Hokage to rest and avoid excessive strain. This was conveyed to me by Secretary Nara, who also asked me to pass along a message to you..."
Normally, information about the Hokage's health would be top secret. However, confidentiality is always relative.
As Konoha's Hokage's Assistant, Sōgen was undoubtedly the second-most powerful person, answering only to the Hokage. Such secrets were no longer secrets in his presence. What's more, this was the second time Akimichi Torifu had experienced this issue, suggesting it could happen a third, fourth, or even more times.
Hiding it indefinitely was difficult.
Besides, Land had witnessed Akimichi Torifu's declining health firsthand, and they couldn't just eliminate him for confidentiality's sake, right? Since they couldn't conceal it, they might as well be open to avoid misunderstandings.
"Work first, huh?"
Sōgen muttered.
That was Akimichi Torifu's message: take care of Land's matter as a priority, then address other issues. This meant, for now, there was no need to worry about succession; the Fifth Hokage could manage a while longer.
"I understand. Where is Land now?" he asked.
"In the Hokage's office."
"Then let's go!"
Soon, Sōgen's figure disappeared into the slowly descending night.
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