[Read up to Chapter - 85 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
.
.
.
.
By sparring with true masters, Kanzou's kenjutsu had progressed rapidly.
It was a shame that Hatake Sakumo was fated to die soon—going forward, Kanzou would have to refine his swordsmanship alone. Perhaps, in time, he could train with the samurai of the Land of Iron. Their leader, General Mifune, was said to be a formidable swordsman.
As Kanzou sheathed his blade, Sakumo glanced down at his own White Fang short sword. A chip had formed along the edge.
Kanzou's final strike had managed to damage the famed blade.
Of course, that didn't necessarily mean Kanzou's kenjutsu was superior to Sakumo's. It was simply that Ryūjin Jakka, Kanzou's blade, was of higher quality than Sakumo's White Fang blade.
In truth, Kanzou had held the upper hand during their match—but that was largely thanks to his Sharingan. Without it, he wouldn't have been able to match Hatake Sakumo's technique.
Even with just the Three Tomoe Sharingan, its predictive insight gave a tremendous advantage in battle, especially in close-quarters combat involving kenjutsu and taijutsu.
To Kanzou, Sakumo's movements had slowed down several times over. With the Sharingan, it was easy to predict and counter each strike.
Having achieved his goal, Kanzou turned to leave.
There was no reason to stay—he had already copied Hatake's swordsmanship.
…
"Did he copy my kenjutsu?" Sakumo muttered with a heavy heart, surveying the damage in his yard.
The battle had left the area in ruins. His home was partially destroyed, the White Fang blade now bore a chip, and worst of all—his family's treasured sword technique had likely been copied.
He knew better than anyone what the Sharingan was capable of.
Uchiha Kanzou had almost certainly replicated his style with frightening precision.
"And what did he mean by that last sentence? 'There won't be another opportunity to spar?'" Sakumo scowled, recalling Kanzou's parting words.
Even if Kanzou had meant to spar again, Sakumo wasn't sure he'd ever welcome him back.
Sakumo usually didn't drink, but now—feeling deeply upset—he pulled out a bottle of sake, intending to drown his sorrows.
…
Hokage Building, Konohagakure
News of Uchiha Kanzou's visit to Hatake Sakumo's home had already reached the ears of the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had always paid close attention to Sakumo, and now that Kanzou had grown powerful enough to be considered a serious figure, their sudden meeting was enough to raise alarms.
"Could it be that Uchiha Kanzou is trying to win Sakumo over?" Hiruzen wondered.
It wasn't impossible. Uchiha Kanzou had always been unpredictable and difficult to manage. As for Hatake Sakumo—even though he had never shown signs of rebellion—Hiruzen still felt uneasy around him.
The reason was simple: Hatake Sakumo's reputation.
Even shinobi from outside villages trembled at the mere mention of Konoha's White Fang. Within the village itself, both the villagers and the ninja held him in the highest regard.
Many even believed that Hatake Sakumo would be the next Hokage.
Hiruzen didn't doubt Sakumo's loyalty to the village—but what about loyalty to him as Hokage? What if Sakumo harbours ambitions of becoming Hokage himself?
At this point, Hiruzen was far more concerned with maintaining his grip on power.
He had no desire to step down anytime soon, which wasn't surprising since he was only in his late thirties at this point.
"Looks like I'll have to bring Sakumo down a notch," Hiruzen muttered, setting aside his pipe as he walked over to the window, gazing toward the Hatake residence from the Hokage Office.
Fortunately, he wouldn't have to act personally—there was someone else who would take care of it for him.
And without a doubt, that person is Shimura Danzō.
Sakumo had just returned from a failed mission, and knowing Danzō, he would undoubtedly use this opportunity to strike.
Danzō had always coveted the Hokage title.
To him, anyone besides Hiruzen who could contend for it was an obstacle—and Hatake Sakumo was one of the biggest.
Danzō had likely already begun moving against Sakumo.
All Hiruzen had to do was turn a blind eye.
They didn't need to communicate openly—their unspoken understanding had always been remarkably efficient.
Sakumo, drinking alone at home to ease his worries, was completely unaware that he had already been marked as a target.
…
Meanwhile, Kanzou, having left the Hatake residence in high spirits, didn't bother returning to the Police Force headquarters.
He is the Patriarch with many duties on his shoulders… and with his subordinates taking care of everything, no one would dare to question his absence anyway.
Upon arriving home, Kanzou found a beautiful red-haired woman chatting with Mikoto.
Red hair was a rare sight in Konoha, especially on someone so young and striking. Given her vibrant presence and easy rapport with Mikoto, there was no mistaking her identity—Uzumaki Kushina.
Though her beauty rivalled Mikoto's, their personalities couldn't have been more different. Mikoto was calm and gentle like flowing water, while Kushina was fiery and outspoken—known throughout the village as the 'Red-Hot-Blooded Habanero,' a nickname that perfectly captured her feisty nature.
"Mikoto-chan, what's with you today? Why do you keep brushing me off? Did I do something wrong to make you angry that you don't want to see me?" Kushina asked, feeling somewhat miffed.
She had just returned from a mission, only to hear about the recent upheaval in the Uchiha clan, the passing of Mikoto's grandfather, as well as the annulment of her engagement, along with many other things.
After hearing the news, Kushina had immediately rushed over to see Mikoto… only to find her not at her own home but at the home of the new Patriarch, as pointed out by someone within the Clan.
But that didn't matter… and she was going to question Mikoto about everything.
But as they chatted, she began to notice something odd—Mikoto kept trying to find excuses to send her away.
It made Kushina uncomfortable. 'What's going on? Aren't we friends? Why are you acting so distant? Did I do something wrong?'
"Mikoto, it's a bit rude to drive a guest away so soon," a smiling voice interrupted their discussion as Kanzou stepped through the door.
The moment Mikoto saw Kanzou return, she knew it was over. She glanced at Kushina helplessly. 'I was trying to send you away for your own good… not because I didn't want you here, but because I didn't want you getting caught in Kan-sama's sights.'
But it was too late. Kanzou had already noticed her—and in fact, he had taken an interest in her long ago, which is something Mikoto already knew.
Unaware of the regret in Mikoto's heart, Kushina turned her attention to Kanzou.
"So, you're the current Uchiha Patriarch… Uchiha Kanzou-kun?" she said, studying him.
He really was handsome—more rugged and masculine than Minato, who, in comparison, seemed a little delicate. 'Well, that didn't matter… Minato-kun is still the most handsome,' she thought to herself.
Though she had a crush on Namikaze Minato, she couldn't help but acknowledge Kanzou's striking presence.
"You must be Mikoto's good friend, Uzumaki Kushina, that I have heard so much about. A pleasure to meet you," Kanzou said, his lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at the spirited young woman.
Kushina... This woman had definitely caught his interest. Not only was she the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, but she also inherited the powerful Fuinjutsu of the Uzumaki clan.
She was, without a doubt, a valuable asset—a hidden gem.
Meanwhile, Mikoto sat silently, a trace of worry flickering in her eyes. 'I told you to leave, Kushina-chan... but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened.'
She felt conflicted.
A part of her wanted to warn Kushina—wanted to tell her that Kanzou was going to make her life a mess.
But how could she bring herself to speak ill of her future husband?
She was torn between two bonds: a dear friend she had known for years, and the man to whom she had already offered herself and was soon going to be marrying.
If she warned Kushina, it would mean standing against Kanzou, which was something she couldn't do.
But staying silent and letting Kanzou do what he wants with her felt like betraying her friendship.
Mikoto bit her lip, her heart caught in the middle.
.
,
.
.
Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 85 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]