Kakuzu and Uchiha Yashiro exchanged a glance.
Both of them instinctively felt like the other had cast a genjutsu on them…
In perfect sync, the two turned their heads back again to confirm what they were seeing.
"Danzō, let me… let me tell you this!"
"I actually like that attitude of yours… old-school, tough! The Hokage-sama is good—he's great—but his heart is too soft. Sometimes, shinobi need to be kept in line!"
Isshin slurred his words heavily, clearly quite drunk: "Working in the Police Force, I've seen all kinds of things… some shinobi even joke in private that failing missions doesn't matter—because the village will cover for them anyway…"
"Danzō, I'm older than you… would it be alright if I call you 'nii'?"
Danzō waved his hand grandly. "Isshin-niisan, just say what you want!"
"Danzō-nii, everyone in the village respects the Hokage-sama, finds him approachable… but when they see you? Who isn't tense? Who isn't wary?"
"Our ANBU and the Police Force are the blades in the Hokage's hands—we wield violence! If you ask me, we should keep a tight watch on those trying to game the system, make examples out of a few of them!"
"Trying to exploit the village? Then they should be dragged into the shinobi's hall of shame—never to recover for the rest of their lives!"
Isshin let out a belch, yet his expression remained unusually serious: "If someone plays the front, then someone has to handle the back. The front and the back must be separated…"
"You ask me why—I can't explain it clearly. But this is a principle passed down by our ancestors—proven time and again!"
"Back then, even the Great Clan Head couldn't gain the clan's full recognition without the Young Clan Head serving as the 'front'… and why does the Second Hokage have such a bad reputation now?"
"Isn't it because he had to handle both the front and the back at the same time? He didn't really have a choice—there were many things a Hokage shouldn't have had to do personally. But as the 'back' of the First Hokage, that public image became fixed…"
Isshin rarely spoke in defense of Tobirama.
Part of the reason was that he knew Tobirama was Seisui's grandfather…
Under Hiruzen's instructions, Isshin had become one of the rare "Tobirama supporters" in Konoha, just in case that connection could be revealed in the future to benefit Seisui.
No helping it—all for the kid.
But to Danzō, it sounded completely different.
Uchiha… speaking up for his sensei?
Originally, Danzō had brought several bottles of decades-old Shimura clan liquor, intending to conduct a purely transactional visit.
He had paid a real price—those bottles were something he had planned to save for when he became Hokage.
He hadn't intended to get emotional, but the liquor hit harder than expected, and after drinking too much, it really did get to his head.
On top of that, Seisui had agreed to become his disciple and even acknowledged that Root had a reason to exist. Looking at that bone structure so similar to his sensei's… Danzō couldn't help but get swept up.
Still, his public drinking session with Isshin and Fugaku in the clan district was also a mutual performance.
A way to show everyone they were drinking together—and getting along well.
But after Isshin praised Tobirama, the act began to turn real…
"Isshin-niisan, for you to understand my sensei's difficulties—this calls for a toast!"
Danzō's eyes were slightly unfocused: "I'm surprised you grasp the idea of 'front' and 'back'… with that level of understanding, you truly deserve your position as Uchiha clan head and village council member!"
"In the past, I was wary of the Uchiha—your Sharingan is too powerful, and under emotional stimulation, you tend to act in extreme ways…"
"I admit, I also tried to inherit my sensei's will—but I only grasped the surface!"
"Didn't my sensei also take Kagami as a bodyguard? As for the past… I've made mistakes. Let's use Seisui's apprenticeship as a chance to put it all behind us!"
"From now on, the ANBU and the Police Force should follow what Hiruzen said—stand united… we are both oversight departments; we must not mix with operational divisions, or things will fall into chaos!"
What Danzō meant was that if the Police Force under Isshin and Fugaku grew too close to someone like Orochimaru…
It would naturally invite suspicion.
Those who inspect and those who are inspected must remain separate. Blurring that line leads to problems.
However, cooperation between oversight departments was perfectly normal.
Moreover, neither Danzō nor Isshin worried about arousing Hiruzen's suspicion.
Setting aside the Hokage's broad-minded nature—
Objectively speaking, although Isshin and Danzō nominally led the Police Force and ANBU respectively, both had large numbers of subordinates directly loyal to the Hokage. There was simply no way for them to carry out improper actions.
People like Uchiha En, Yashiro, Hizashi, Shinnosuke, Sakumo… countless examples.
If either of them did something against the Hokage, they had no doubt these individuals would report directly to Hiruzen without hesitation.
"Well said!"
"If ANBU needs to recruit members from the Uchiha, make sure to tell me. We'll work together to ease the Hokage's burden…" Isshin suppressed his drunkenness, a thought stirring in his mind: "Danzō-nii, as long as it aligns with the village's rules and the Hokage's will, if ANBU operations require assistance from the Police Force, you decide how—and I'll provide the manpower accordingly!"
"The Uchiha are willing to shed more blood for the village!"
Danzō burst into laughter, his wrinkles bunching together: "Good! This is what a proper head of the Police Force of Konoha looks like!"
"Don't worry—if we want the Uchiha on the battlefield, I can find a way to make it happen… as for the interpretation of the Will of Fire…" he paused slightly: "That lies with Hiruzen."
Danzō was drunk—but not senseless. That was one line he wouldn't cross.
"But who is Hiruzen? He's the Hokage—and my kin! He has always supported the Uchiha's return to the village's normal structure. I'll speak for you as well…"
Danzō abruptly changed the subject and, riding the momentum of the alcohol, made a bold promise.
Alcohol had always served an important purpose: pretending to be drunk in order to say things one normally couldn't—creating the illusion of "drunken honesty."
It gave people who usually had barriers between them an excuse to communicate openly under the guise of intoxication.
"Good!"
A flash of delight crossed Isshin's eyes. Suddenly, he beckoned toward Yashiro.
"Come here! Why are you still standing there? Come over and let Danzō-nii see whether you're fit to join the ANBU!"
Yashiro froze.
Wasn't he drunk? He hadn't even looked in this direction…
Still, he hurried over.
Ever since Hiruzen had "saved" him, Yashiro had longed to join the ANBU. He had been waiting for the right opportunity to apply.
The moment he saw Yashiro, Danzō's thoughts raced.
As a veteran three-tomoe Sharingan user, Yashiro was naturally qualified for the ANBU.
And there was no need to question his loyalty.
"Danzō-nii, Yashiro not only trains extremely hard and has improved at an astonishing rate…" Isshin leaned in and whispered into his ear: "He's also mastered the Uchiha clan's forbidden technique—Izanagi!"
Danzō's heart stirred.
Mastering Izanagi meant Uchiha Yashiro possessed highly unusual combat capabilities.
He was a shinobi with distinctive value.
Considering everything together, he already met the qualifications for Hiruzen to recommend him into the new Root.
"ANBU? Root!"
Danzō waved his hand generously.
"I'll file the recommendation myself!"
Isshin's eyes lit up. "Danzō-nii, you've truly given me a pleasant surprise!"
Yashiro nodded repeatedly as well.
In the past, Root had been a place Konoha shinobi avoided at all costs unless the darkness in their hearts ran especially deep.
But now, many capable shinobi dreamed of becoming the hidden roots supporting the heavens of Konoha—the sharpest blade in the Hokage's hand—and enjoying the village's most exclusive treatment and privileges.
"Yashiro, although Clan Head Isshin and I address each other as brothers, there are some things I need to make clear first."
"The benefits in Root are excellent, but the rules are strict, the work is brutal, and the sacrifices are immense. The shinobi there are also… unusual people. Getting along with them takes real ability…"
Danzō narrowed his eyes.
"You'd better think this through carefully. Don't make the decision on impulse! Don't get dazzled just because of the benefits—Root isn't a place ordinary people can endure…"
"You know Hyūga Hizashi, right? His level of obsession only ranks around the middle among the new Root members."
In the past, Danzō would have already manipulated Uchiha Yashiro into joining Root.
Whether it worked or not, he would always take a shot first—then brainwash them after they entered.
But now, Danzō knew that "Seisui" was watching him from behind.
If he tricked Yashiro into Root without explaining things in advance, or failed to follow the regulations afterward…
Danzō had no doubt that this Uchiha youth—so similar to his younger self and carrying his sensei's bloodline—would once again report his problems directly to Hiruzen.
But Danzō wasn't upset by that.
After all, he carried his sensei's bloodline…
Valuing rules was only natural!
Because his sensei, Senju Tobirama, had once said:
"Precisely because one is Hokage, one must uphold a cold and ruthless attitude…"
Putting righteousness above personal ties was standard practice.
So even if Seisui exposed him despite being his disciple, Danzō would accept it—because that was exactly the kind of spirit his sensei had possessed!
That was the flavor he appreciated…
"Look at what you're saying…" Yashiro slapped his chest heavily.
"How could I not be willing to give my life for the Hokage-sama? To tell you the truth, I've been hoping to die in battle after joining the new Root, so my story could be written into the Academy textbooks and remembered by the children…"
"That would be true honor!"
A faint smile appeared on Danzō's face.
Starting with talk of dying for the cause…
Those were words he liked hearing.
Danzō patted Yashiro's shoulder forcefully.
"Good! I knew the Uchiha clan was full of fine young men…"
"I'll recommend you to Hiruzen with everything I have! Hiruzen is preparing to reorganize Root's structure—you've arrived at the perfect time!"
Isshin and Fugaku exchanged subtle glances. Both were very satisfied.
Nowadays, one of the unspoken signs that a shinobi clan had earned the Hokage's recognition was having members accepted into the "new Root" as part of the Hokage's elite forces…
The ANBU alone was not enough!
"Thank you for the recommendation, Danzō-sama," Yashiro said sincerely.
Danzō nodded, then wrapped an arm around Fugaku's shoulders.
"You're an interesting young man too… once Seisui becomes clan head, he'll handle the front, and you'll have to support him from behind!"
"But there's a lot of skill involved in handling the 'back' role…"
Fugaku nodded repeatedly.
After years of "suppression" under Isshin, Fugaku had already realized he simply wasn't suited to being clan head—especially after Seisui arrived among the Uchiha…
Just thinking about it felt exhausting!
But serving as the second-in-command—the so-called "back"—Fugaku felt he could do well enough.
To put it bluntly, wasn't it just about offending people?
That was his specialty!
"Danzō-sama, you'll have to teach me more in the future. You're a veteran in this field…"
"After all, everyone knows you're the Hokage-sama's sharpest sword," Fugaku said seriously.
The corners of Danzō's mouth unconsciously rose upward.
Who said the Uchiha didn't know how to talk?
They were actually very fair and objective!
The three of them left the Uchiha district arm-in-arm.
When Danzō passed by and saw Kakuzu turning toward him, his heart trembled, and his drunkenness vanished instantly.
In truth, he had noticed him long ago—he had simply clung to a sliver of wishful thinking…
Damn it!
Why had this foul-mouthed bastard actually come to Konoha?
Could it be he'd really been moved by Hiruzen's Will of Fire?
Their wager with Hiruzen was still ongoing!
Having a few drinks with Isshin and Fugaku was one thing—that was just social maneuvering for the sake of accepting Seisui as a disciple…
But if he really had to walk around the entire village smiling like Might Duy…
Even Danzō felt slightly dizzy at the thought.
Kakuzu and Danzō silently nodded to each other in greeting before Kakuzu spoke to Yashiro: "Take me to see the Hokage-sama."
"I have many things I want to ask him…"
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