Chapter 8: Bluffing Hard
"As long as you can bring out something valuable enough, I can spare your life. But you must join Root and sign the Seal of Absolute Obedience."
Danzō seemed certain that Uchiha Akira could only accept this condition. After speaking, he calmly stared at him without another word.
Uchiha's face flushed red—not from anger, but because he was deliberately forcing it.
Now was the time to unleash his acting skills. Although he knew he had little talent for it, he had no choice but to pit his performance against this old fox Danzō.
"Lord Danzō, isn't this too much? Wouldn't I just become your puppet?" Uchiha Akira put on the look of someone still trying to argue his case.
"Do you believe it when I say I'll give you freedom? The Uchiha clan has been wiped out. You're the only one left. Do you think you can survive? Unless you become one of Root's own, on what grounds do you believe you can live?"
Danzō's words were calm, but the cold menace in his tone was enough to chill the bones.
"I have a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan in my possession. If I offer them to Lord Danzō, could you let me live?" Uchiha Akira said, feigning hesitation as he dropped this bombshell.
"What?!" For the first time, Danzō was visibly shaken.
Another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan! As expected from the accursed Uchiha clan. His breathing grew rapid. Surrounded only by Root operatives, he felt relieved—no need to kill anyone to keep this secret.
If even Sarutobi Hiruzen's closest confidants were present, Danzō would have silenced them without hesitation. Just one Mangekyō from Shisui had been so powerful—what would a complete pair be capable of?
This wretched brat! Where did he get a pair of Mangekyō? What a disgrace to such divine artifacts! For someone like him to possess them—utterly wasteful!
"Brat, do you even know what you're saying? Where in the Uchiha clan would a Mangekyō come from? Do you understand the power of such eyes? And yet you dare to bargain for your life with some hearsay? Hmph!"
Danzō's tone was scornful, probing Uchiha Akira's reaction. After all, Akira shouldn't possibly have a Mangekyō—unless it was passed down from his ancestors.
And how many Uchiha ancestors ever awakened the Mangekyō? Would Danzō not know?
Still, the greed leaking through Danzō's words was obvious to Akira.
"Lord Danzō, you jest. True, I can't awaken the Mangekyō myself. But, as luck would have it, my ancestors were once prosperous." Akira lied shamelessly, while watching Danzō's expression.
"Brat, do you know who I am? I know everything about your parents. Your father, up until his death, only ever awakened the double-tomoe Sharingan. And you tell me you inherited a Mangekyō? Did Uchiha Madara himself hand them down to you?" Danzō barked angrily, making it clear he wasn't buying the excuse.
"Now, now, Lord Danzō, that's unfair. You know about my parents, but what about my grandfather? He served under Uchiha Kagami. Kagami was your classmate and comrade, wasn't he? These eyes belonged to Kagami—the Mangekyō Sharingan of Kagami himself!"
Akira's memories told him that his grandfather had indeed been a subordinate of Uchiha Kagami. Unfortunately, the man's talent had been mediocre, stopping at three-tomoe without ever reaching Mangekyō.
The moment Danzō heard Kagami's name, his skepticism dropped considerably. Though unwilling to admit it, he had to acknowledge that in both skill and looks, he had never matched Kagami.
Even Koharu Utatane, back in her youth, had secretly admired Kagami—only to be heartbroken when Kagami married within the Uchiha main family. She had stayed unmarried ever since.
"But if they were Kagami's Mangekyō, why wouldn't he pass them down to his descendants? You do know Shisui was his grandson, don't you?" Danzō pressed, still probing.
Damn this old dog, so cautious! Akira only wanted a chance to get close, but even after all this, Danzō remained safely surrounded by Root operatives. Cowardly bastard.
Left with no choice, Akira continued fabricating: "Since Lord Danzō knows all this, then you must also know that Kagami, upon awakening his Mangekyō on his deathbed, entrusted them to my grandfather. He didn't want Konoha to find out. You understand the principle of hiding something in plain sight, don't you?"
Yes… now it made sense. Kagami, even in death, had still thought of his family. Typical of the selfish Uchiha! He should have offered the eyes to the village!
Luckily, he had entrusted them to a foolish subordinate. Otherwise, how could Danzō ever hope to obtain such a divine treasure?
In Danzō's mind, the Mangekyō were already his. Sarutobi Hiruzen, just you wait. Once I claim these eyes, I'll show you true power.
I am the Hokage.
Akira watched Danzō's face cycle from pale to flushed to red, like some performer of Sichuan opera's "face-changing" art.
"Very well, I agree!" Danzō accepted decisively. To him, a fifteen-year-old brat was no threat. Even if he left the village, Root could capture him within three days. All that mattered was securing the Mangekyō—through a 'trade,' of course, not theft.
For once, Danzō's expression softened—though he still didn't smile. He knew that if he smiled, Akira would instantly suspect trickery.
Now it was Akira's turn to feel uneasy. What did this old dog suddenly figure out? How did my bluffing actually work? Can you believe this?
What Akira didn't realize was that the most effective deception comes from the target's own self-delusions. Danzō's greed and nostalgia had filled in all the gaps in Akira's lies, making everything sound plausible.
"Since we've reached an agreement, stop testing me with shadow clones. Even if it takes some effort, without my permission you'll never leave Konoha. Where's your real body? Speak."
Danzō was desperate to claim the Mangekyō. As for this boy—he could be quietly eliminated outside the village, leaving no trace. Perfect.
"Lord Danzō, let me remind you one last time. I only want to save my own life. I can hand them over personally, but if you so much as try to double-cross me, I can destroy the Mangekyō instantly."
"I trust you understand what I mean." Akira voiced his final warning.
"Don't worry, brat. In my eyes, your life is worth far less than those Mangekyō." In truth, Danzō had indeed considered simply seizing them. But the risk was too great—if the boy destroyed the eyes, the loss would be irreparable.
Very well. Let the brat live a little longer. Once outside Konoha, he'd quickly learn the cruelty of the shinobi world.