Konoha Notes

Chapter 59 Attitude
Being in Konoha, the conflict with Shimura Danzo is a major feature, something one has to experience. Shuji wasn't unprepared, especially from the moment he woke up and discovered he possessed Hashirama's cells; he had already made contingency plans—a direct confrontation with that man was almost inevitable.

Unexpectedly, the root of this first conflict was not related to the secret within him, but rather to a mission reward.

Shuji knew perfectly well that attacking Root wouldn't be punished by the Third Hokage. His actions effectively protected the interests of the ninja village, which in turn represented the interests of the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's "hands-off" approach to Root was commonplace. Even after his own assassination attempt, he remained silent in order to stabilize the situation following the Nine-Tails' rampage. What's more, this was merely a matter of stealing ledgers, and before he could even succeed, Root members were attacked.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi's statement, "I will reprimand him and order him to discipline his subordinates," carries weight because it is a promise. It promises that Danzo will not take any further targeted actions; if so, Hiruzen Sarutobi will intervene.

As for the extent to which this interference can go...

Shuji had no unrealistic expectations. All of Hiruzen Sarutobi's support depended on what he could do. As Hokage, he could only guarantee that the village's regular forces wouldn't become an obstacle. Under those conditions, how much he could achieve was entirely up to him.

Uchiha Shisui is the most prominent example. The Third Hokage promised him complete authorization to carry out all his actions.
What happened? Shisui went to meet Danzo, but he didn't expect that Danzo had Izanagi as his trump card, and his Mangekyou Sharingan was stolen. Feeling powerless to use Kotoamatsukami to stop the clan's coup, Shisui chose to commit suicide, attempting to delay the Uchiha coup with his life and then entrust everything to Itachi.

What about the third generation? He did nothing.

If Uchiha Shisui wins his battle with Danzo and truly resolves the Uchiha rebellion in his own way, the Third Hokage will endorse and support him, suppressing any dissenting voices from Root and others.

Can't do it? Lost the game? Lost your eyes? Then become the price Danzo pays for protecting Konoha.

Uchiha Shisui, who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, was like that, and Shuji didn't think he was any exception. He didn't know how ambitious the young ninja heroes were, but he could see that the old Hiruzen Sarutobi only wanted stability—wait, wait until the Jinchuriki grew up, and endure, wait until a new generation of people who could carry the banner appeared.
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Xiu Si, who hadn't slept all night and was rushing back to the village, slept for half the day after returning to the old house. He didn't wake up until the afternoon. Grandma Tao Hua wasn't there, and she had gone out, which was unusual for her.

Because the old man had left him some food, Xiuji ate a little to dispel the fatigue and hunger in his body. He then left a note saying that he would be eating out that evening and that he didn't need to cook for himself. After that, he changed into casual clothes and went out.

He promised to treat the team members to a meal when he returned, and also to arrange for the repair of their protective gear.

The task payment had not yet been settled, so the advance payment naturally fell on the team leader's shoulders—well, that's one of the team leader's "responsibilities".

Anyway, it's not a big deal. However, because of the Shimura Danzo incident, I forgot to mention whether the damage to the protective gear could be reimbursed.

The upgrade from an A-level task to an S-level task means the reward for this task starts at a million, plus the portion from the B-level task. It should mean they're not short of that much, but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be reimbursed or not.

One day, someone calculated that they would have to talk to the administration department about this matter later.

The team's get-together was set up at Anko's single-room apartment. The Senju family mansion was in a remote location, and the Uchiha clan's territory wasn't nearby either, so the ninja apartment became a compromise.

When Shuji arrived around 3 p.m., Itachi was already inside.

As always, the young Uchiha clan leader was very courteous. He brought a gift with him when he came to visit, but Shuji didn't even look at it. He just smelled the sweet scent in the air and knew what it was.

Unlike last time, Shuuji arrived empty-handed this time. So Anko, who opened the door for him, circled around the captain, making a gesture as if she were carrying something.

"Captain, where are the things? Where are the gifts?"

"No."

"How rude of you, Shuuji. Bringing a gift when you visit is a basic courtesy, isn't it? You clearly remembered last time, but you've become so casual since joining. Can I please rejoin Class 5?"

After leaving Jiegang Port, Hongdou was clearly completely relaxed, without the suppressed bitterness and resentment she had before.

“I’ll settle the bill tonight, please let me in, Lady Anko,” Shuuji said expressionlessly. “Hmm… if that’s the case, then so be it.”

Shuji glanced at the table and, unsurprisingly, saw dumplings, already divided into three portions. The two waited patiently for Shuji to arrive before starting to eat—for two dumpling lovers, this was the greatest respect they could show to their captain.

Hongdou closed the door and sat down with Xiu Si.

"Itachi, the captain didn't bring anything, so he's treating us to dinner tonight as compensation."

"Wasn't this already arranged?" Itachi looked at Anko with a puzzled expression. The purple-haired female ninja put on a helpless look; children really couldn't understand jokes that only fourteen-year-old adults could comprehend.

"Lord Hokage, what did you say about Root?"

Red Bean's playful expression vanished, replaced by a serious tone. Although Shuuji had explained it on the way, the background of the Root organization still involved the village's advisor, and a trace of worry remained in her heart.

"It's nothing. The Third Hokage said he would reprimand Root." Shuji didn't go into the complicated details, but simply stated Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude.

The female ninja calmed down.

"I see," the Uchiha boy thought, "taking the initiative with a proactive and decisive attitude is actually more effective at solving problems and controlling the situation." He felt he had learned something new.

What are your thoughts on the Uchiha clan, senior?
He was actually a little troubled. After returning to the clan's territory, his father, Uchiha Fugaku, inquired in detail about the mission.

Needless to say, the injury was a secret. Itachi didn't mention the blond-haired man either, but he knew who it was. With that kind of chakra, that kind of medical skill, and that relationship with his senior, it couldn't be anyone but Tsunade, the princess of the Senju clan.

But having promised his senior to keep it a secret, Itachi will naturally keep it a secret.

Most importantly, it was my father's instructions.

Fugaku hoped Itachi could test Shuji's attitude towards the Uchiha clan. He believed that Shuji's willingness to accept Itachi into Team 5 was itself a signal of goodwill towards the Uchiha.

This probing had been mentioned by Fugaku before leaving Izuku Port, and he urged it even more upon his return. He hoped that Itachi could take on the responsibility of acting as a bridge of communication—if a breakthrough could not be found with Shuji, then another method would have to be sought.

The mind is churning, the ears are listening, the eyes are seeing, and the body is moving.

Team 5 first went to Aoki Ninja Tool Shop, and this time the senior asked the owner for the bill.

Senior Red Bean changed out of her tattered purple trench coat and chose a new, soft, beige one. Her protective gear remained largely unchanged, except that Shuuji, based on his fighting style, suggested that the boss adjust the thickness of some key armor areas.

Afterwards, they had a meal together and then parted ways.

"Itachi, you have something to ask me."

Even Hongdou noticed, so she made an excuse, waved goodbye, and quickly disappeared around the street corner.

As the streetlights came on, they cast long shadows of the two people. The evening breeze carried a slight chill.

"Senior, what is your view on the Uchiha clan?"

(End of this chapter)