Konoha, Uchiha Military Police Headquarters.
Chiya stood at the windowsill, watching the lively street below.
The system notification had just chimed.
[Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Preventing Hatake Sakumo's suicide.]
[Mission reward: High-Speed Body Flicker and Masterful Sword Skills. (Exclusive to Hatake Sakumo.)]
Chiya became aware of the various techniques for High-Speed Body Flicker and sword skills that had suddenly appeared in his mind.
His eyes gleamed with sharp light. He had to go to the training ground this afternoon and give them a proper try!
"System, pull up my character panel!"
[Name: Uchiha Chiya]
[Age: 19]
[Chakra: 26 Kaka]
[Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan (Mangekyō), Ice Release, Lava Release]
[Skills:
Mangekyō Dojutsu: The Far Shore of the Yellow Springs, Cycle of Cause and Effect.
Forbidden Techniques: Izanagi, Izanami.
Sword Mastery, Susano'o, Medical Ninjutsu Mastery, Fire Release Mastery, Genjutsu Mastery, High-Speed Body Flicker (Body Flicker Technique), Shadow Clone Technique, Three Body Technique, and others.]
Sword Mastery?
Chiya realized something.
Sword Mastery naturally referred to having a thorough understanding of sword techniques and having developed skilled command over them.
Hatake Sakumo had been training in these sword techniques since childhood.
On top of that, those skills had been tested and proven on actual battlefields, which ultimately gave rise to the name Konoha's White Fang.
White Fang was certainly sharp, but the true source of that strength was Sakumo himself.
Having spent years deeply studying the sword, reaching the level of Sword Mastery was hardly a surprise.
However, no chakra had been awarded this time.
"System, why was no chakra given this time?"
[In response to the host, the mission reward this time consists of combat techniques based on experience, as well as special applications of the Body Flicker Technique. Chakra is not involved.]
Thorough.
This damn system was thorough.
Just then, he sensed hurried footsteps approaching from outside.
Chiya's attention snapped back to the present.
"Clan Head, Anbu member Uchiha Masaki is requesting an audience!"
Chiya gave a nod in acknowledgment.
The Uchiha guard then allowed the visitor in.
Masaki dropped to one knee and spoke respectfully.
"Clan Head, Lord Hokage has urgently summoned representatives of the major clans to a meeting at the Hokage Building."
Chiya's brow lifted slightly, and a brief flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
He calmly settled into his chair and leaned back against it, fingers lightly tapping the surface of the desk.
"Oh? So they are moving to sentence Danzo publicly this quickly? Hiruzen is being quite ruthless this time."
Masaki kept her head lowered and did not dare to respond.
Chiya glanced at her and waved a hand.
"Understood, you may go."
After Masaki left, Chiya sat in thought for a moment.
The corner of his mouth curved into an amused smile. These meetings were always attended by representatives of the major clans, and as clan head of the Uchiha, he naturally held the right to participate.
Even so, he had no intention of going there personally to join in the commotion.
"Fugaku's reputation within the clan has been growing lately. It is time to let him show his face more."
Chiya murmured quietly to himself.
Uchiha Fugaku was not only his cousin but also his most steadfast supporter. He currently held the title of Konoha Advisor as well, which made him the most fitting person to represent the Uchiha at this meeting.
With that thought settled, Chiya called over a clan member and gave the instruction.
"Go inform Fugaku that he is to represent the Uchiha at the clan meeting summoned by the Hokage. Remind him, say what needs to be said, and do not add a single unnecessary word beyond that."
The clan member accepted the order and left.
Chiya had barely begun to deal with the documents on the desk when another clan member came rushing in.
"Clan Head, Lady Tsunade has sent word. She is inviting you to meet at the usual place."
Chiya immediately understood.
With the recent uproar over Sakumo's situation and Danzo's scandals being laid completely bare, Tsunade seeking him out at a time like this almost certainly had something to do with all of it.
A slight smile appeared on his face. He rose and straightened his robe.
"I will head over now. Bring these documents to Mikoto and have her handle what she can. Anything she is unsure about, leave it for me when I return."
"Yes!"
Chiya stood and left the Military Police headquarters directly.
About ten minutes later, Chiya pushed open the door of the familiar private room at the izakaya. The rich scent of sake washed over him immediately.
Tsunade had been waiting for some time already. Her long golden hair hung loose, and she held a cup of sake in her hand. When she saw Chiya enter, she looked up with a smile.
"You took your time."
Chiya closed the door behind him, walked over, and sat down across from Tsunade. Without ceremony, he picked up the sake bottle and poured himself a cup.
"What, were you getting impatient?"
Tsunade gave a soft snort and slid her cup toward Chiya.
"Less talking, drink first."
Chiya smiled and tapped his cup lightly against Tsunade's, then tipped it back and drank it all in one go.
The liquid went down hot, sharp and spicy with a faint sweetness behind it. He set down the cup and looked at Tsunade.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Tsunade did not answer right away. Instead she refilled Chiya's cup and fixed him with a steady, searching gaze.
"The trouble stirring up the village recently, that was your doing, was it not?"
Chiya shrugged, completely unbothered.
"It was me. What of it?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes and studied Chiya with interest.
"You admit it so easily. Danzo may be no good, but are you not afraid of bringing trouble down on yourself by doing this?"
Chiya let out a short laugh and took another sip.
"Bringing trouble on myself? Tsunade, do you think I would be afraid of that?"
He set down his cup.
"The dirty things Danzo has done over the years should have been exposed long ago. Stealing bloodline secrets from the major clans, harming fellow shinobi, even going after a hero like Hatake Sakumo. A person like that, if left alone, will only bring ruin to Konoha."
Tsunade was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You are right. But the matter of Hatake Sakumo, why did you involve yourself in it?"
Chiya looked out the window, his voice dropping lower.
"Because I cannot stand people who take everything and give nothing back. And I especially cannot stand the way they treat a hero like Hatake Sakumo."
He shifted in his seat, moving to sit beside Tsunade.
Taking in the mingled scent of sake and something intoxicating that drifted from her, Chiya looked directly into Tsunade's eyes.
"The heroes on the Memorial Stone deserve our respect. But the heroes who are still alive, we should value them even more. We cannot let living heroes feel bitter and cold. That is what matters."
Tsunade looked at Chiya. Those bright brown pupils trembled faintly.
She had spent quite a bit of time around Chiya by now and understood his personality well.
He seemed carefree on the surface, but in truth cared more about his comrades and his principles than anyone else.
Tsunade let out a soft sigh and raised her cup.
"You are right. To the living heroes."
"Are you not going to the old man's meeting?"
Chiya refilled both their cups and shook his head.
"I sent Fugaku. For that kind of occasion, he suits it better than I do."
Tsunade thought about that for a moment.
"You really know how to avoid work."
Chiya smiled.
"This is not avoiding work. This is knowing how to use people well. Fugaku needs to build his standing, and as for me..."
He paused, a depth flickering briefly through his eyes.
"I have more important things to do."
"What things?"
"Why, keeping you company, of course!"
At that, Tsunade burst out laughing.
Chiya clinked his cup against Tsunade's and drank.
After a few more rounds, the atmosphere in the private room gradually grew relaxed and easy.
Tsunade rested her chin in one hand, her cheeks faintly flushed, her gaze soft as she looked at Chiya.
"Sometimes I really wonder what goes on in that head of yours. You are not that old, yet you see things more clearly than those old men do. And your political instincts are sharp as well. Who would have thought the Uchiha would produce someone like you?"
Chiya curved his lips and leaned in close, speaking quietly.
"What, have I caught your eye?"
Tsunade gave him a look, but she did not push back. Instead she nodded lightly.
"Yes, you have caught my eye. Satisfied?"
Chiya gave a quiet laugh and reached out to take her hand.
"Then tonight you had better make it up to me properly."
The flush on Tsunade's cheeks deepened, but she did not pull her hand away. Instead she tightened her grip slightly.
"We will see how you behave."
The two looked at each other and smiled. They rose together and left the private room without another word.
Time slipped by without notice.
By now the night had grown deep. The streets of Konoha were sparse with lantern light. Chiya and Tsunade walked side by side, their shadows stretching long beneath the moonlight.
In the darkness of the night, the two figures grew smaller and smaller, and disappeared around a corner of Konoha's streets.