As he walked down the street, Isamu sighed to himself. "I didn't expect the Hiruzen Sarutobi of old to start changing so soon. Does power really corrupt a person that much? If Hiruzen has truly become this weak, then Danzo must have already established the Root—the organization that thrives in the darkness."
"Wait, Isamu Uchiha."
While Isamu was still lost in thought, Danzo's voice rasped from behind him.
Hearing his name, Isamu turned to look. "Danzo Shimura? What brings you here? Have you come to mock me again?" He was genuinely surprised by Danzo's sudden appearance.
"I'm not here for mockery this time. I've come to discuss a partnership," Danzo said, approaching with measured steps.
"Oh? A partnership? How interesting. Let's talk at my house." With that, Isamu led Danzo toward his home.
Upon arrival, Isamu brought Danzo straight to the reception room. He took out some tea leaves and brewed a fresh pot with hot water.
"Let's hear it. What is this partnership you mentioned?" Isamu spoke calmly, his tone far less confrontational than their previous encounters.
"I recently established the Root within Konoha," Danzo began slowly after taking a sip of tea. "I know you have no desire to join my organization, but the Root currently lacks powerful individuals. I hope to cooperate with you—to have you help me eliminate certain formidable enemies when the situation demands it."
"Oh, is that all? Don't you have any designs on the Hokage seat? Don't you want to overthrow Hiruzen Sarutobi and take the title for yourself?" Listening to Danzo's pitch, Isamu cut straight to the heart of the matter with a soul-searching question.
"Hiruzen is the Hokage. Are you suggesting a coup? I advise you to watch your tongue; I would never betray Konoha." Although Danzo spoke with conviction, the hand holding his teacup trembled slightly. Failing to become Hokage had always been his greatest wound, and he dreamed of the day he might replace Hiruzen. However, he couldn't admit that to Isamu, whom he didn't yet fully trust.
Seeing Danzo's hand shake with suppressed excitement, Isamu simply shook his head. "Whether you're eyeing the Hokage position is your business. As for the partnership, I agree. Tell me, what's in it for me?"
"I can grant you freedom and even secure you a place within the village's upper echelons. With my influence, I can protect your clan." Hearing Isamu's agreement, Danzo began to weave a web of grand, empty promises.
Isamu shook his head at the rhetoric. "I'm not interested in any of that. As for 'freedom,' I don't believe anyone can stop me if I truly decide to leave. I couldn't care less about status in the upper echelons, either. And as for the Uchiha Clan... I don't buy for a second that you don't have your own designs on them."
"My request is simple," Isamu continued. "I want you to speak up for me if Konoha ever moves against me, and I want you to protect my specific group of a hundred or so Uchiha. As for the rest of the clan, they have nothing to do with me. If you can agree to those two conditions, we have a deal."
Danzo paused to consider this. If the village tries to punish him, I can intervene; that's easy enough. As for the Uchiha, I do want their Sharingan. I originally planned to deceive him, but he's only asking me to protect a small fraction of them. That means the rest of the Uchiha are fair game. This is doable.
"Fine. Those two conditions are acceptable. I will arrange a Root identity for you soon so you can leave the village freely. Here is a Root token. I hold meetings every month; you are welcome to attend." Having secured the alliance, Danzo handed Isamu the token and walked out without another word.
Looking at the token Danzo left behind, a faint smile played on Isamu's lips. That old fox. Why would I watch him brainwash his subordinates? Does he think I want to be brainwashed too? At least Danzo is a man of action who takes responsibility for his darkness; he's better than the petty hypocrites.
"I almost forgot about him." He took a sip of tea, remembering there was someone else in the house.
"Zhan, I'll notify the Great Elder to have someone pick you up shortly. Go back home and focus on your recovery," Isamu said as he pushed open the door to the other room.
"Isamu, you..." Zhan looked at him, his face a mask of confusion. He had clearly overheard the conversation with Danzo.
"Zhan, listen to what you should, and ignore what you shouldn't. I have my own plans. Don't go spreading rumors when you get back. Some things are meant to be known, but never spoken." After that, he sent word to the Great Elder to take the man away.
Later, Isamu made his way toward Uzumaki Mito's home.
"Oh? You've arrived half a day later than I expected. I heard about the village's official notice regarding you. I thought you'd come find me immediately," Mito said, watching Isamu sit down across from her.
"Actually, not being allowed to go out as a ninja is quite nice. I don't have to go on missions anymore, there's no danger to my life, and I'm not short on cash. It's the perfect time to enjoy a quiet life," Isamu replied nonchalantly.
"And yet, looking into your heart, things aren't nearly as peaceful as you claim." Mito narrowed her eyes, trying to peer through his calm exterior.
"Anyone treated this way would have some thoughts about it. I'm just looking on the bright side; time heals all things." He had briefly considered defecting to build his own power, but the thought vanished as quickly as it appeared. He could survive as a rogue, but his relatives and future children could not. For the sake of his descendants, he dismissed the idea entirely.
"Since you've come to terms with it, why are you here today?" Seeing that Isamu truly seemed to lack ulterior motives, Mito was momentarily stunned. She had prepared a whole lecture to persuade him to stay loyal, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"I just came to get used to the place. Since I'm free now and you aren't busy, we can chat more often." Isamu shamelessly suggested the visits, though his true target was clearly her granddaughter.
Mito found herself amenable to the idea. As long as he didn't harbor ill will toward Konoha, a little company wouldn't hurt.
Over the next three days, Isamu did little more than eat, sleep, and wander the streets like a total loafer.
"Sigh, with all this free time, I really don't know what to do with myself. Tsunade hasn't returned yet, and I can't exactly hang out at Mito's place every single day. As for the Great Elder—forget it; all he does is drink tea. Where should I go?"
Just as Isamu was lost in thought, he collided with someone.
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
They both apologized simultaneously and locked eyes.
Hmm. White hair, roughly my age, and he looks incredibly familiar. Have I seen him somewhere? Isamu wondered, sizing the stranger up.
The white-haired youth stared back, a look of growing concern on his face. Holy crap! Why is this guy staring at me like that? Is his orientation... a bit off? Is he into guys? The thought made him shudder.
"Sorry, it was my fault for not looking where I was going. How much do I owe you for the trouble? I'll pay you now." He immediately reached for his wallet, desperate to settle the matter with this "weird guy" and get away. Since Isamu wasn't wearing a ninja headband, the youth assumed he was just an ordinary civilian.
Would you like me to translate the next chapter or perhaps adjust the tone of the dialogue b
etween Isamu and the white-haired youth?
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