That evening, during dinner—
Uchiha Senichi noticed the two hidden guards stationed around the house. He frowned slightly and looked toward Sora.
"What's with those two shinobi lurking in the shadows? Where did they come from?"
Uchiha Mikoto and the others also turned their attention to Sora.
Sora smiled lightly and replied,
"They're two of the four Root ninja I captured a week ago."
"I created a Spiritual Sealing Technique: Slave Mark based on the Tongue Eradication Curse Seal. They're fully under my control now—no need to worry about betrayal."
"I've already sent two of them back to infiltrate Danzo's side. The remaining two are staying with us for now."
"If you need help with anything, feel free to use them."
This time, the manipulation of public opinion might not completely escape Danzo's scrutiny.
Using these agents to monitor Danzo's movements in real time would allow him to react quickly to any changes.
As for why he provoked Danzo despite knowing the risks?
Simple—to distract, restrain, and retaliate.
Danzo had already made a move against him. His hatred toward the Uchiha Clan had always existed.
There was no reason for restraint anymore.
"Oh?"
Senichi raised an eyebrow.
"A spiritual enslavement technique? Are you sure it's safe? And sending them back as spies… with Danzo's cunning personality, that won't be easy."
He would never underestimate that old fox.
"Mm. He won't fall for it easily," Sora nodded.
"But deception is what Root ninja specialize in. That part isn't a concern."
"Good."
Senichi nodded in understanding.
"As long as you know what you're doing."
As the deputy captain of the Military Police Force, he wasn't short on manpower anyway.
"Mikoto, how did your mission go this time?"
During casual conversation, Sora suddenly turned to her.
She had been gone for nearly half a month.
"Mm."
Mikoto smiled gently.
"It went fairly well. There were some complications, but my strength has now reached the Jōnin level, so it wasn't too dangerous."
"That's all thanks to you, Sora."
Without him, her growth would never have been this fast.
"Oh, right."
She added,
"Grandfather wants you to come over for dinner tomorrow. Will you have time?"
"Of course."
Sora nodded without hesitation.
"I'll make time."
This was something he definitely couldn't skip.
Their relationship had already been tacitly acknowledged by both sides.
Even Uchiha Tayoi had noticed it. As for Fugaku—he had stopped approaching Mikoto recently, likely having given up.
Root Headquarters
Inside the dimly lit hall—
Flames flickered in the braziers on both sides.
Danzo sat at the top, his expression dark as he stared at the kneeling figures below—Kuro and Karasu.
After silently sensing the Tongue Eradication Curse Seal within them and confirming it was intact, he finally spoke in a low voice:
"Why did you only return now?"
"What happened during these days? And where are Daichi and Rei?"
He had originally assumed they were dead—killed by the Uchiha.
Yet now, two had returned alive.
Though severely injured.
"Reporting to Lord Danzo!"
Kuro immediately began recounting the fabricated story he and Karasu had prepared.
In summary—
When they attempted to "invite" Uchiha Sora, they were refused.
Upon trying to take him by force, they were ambushed by four Uchiha Jōnin secretly protecting him.
Caught off guard—
Daichi and Rei were instantly killed.
Only Kuro and Karasu managed to escape in time, barely surviving.
They had fled a considerable distance before shaking off pursuit.
Due to their severe injuries, they couldn't move for days.
Only after recovering slightly did they rush back to report.
Danzo frowned deeply.
"You're saying the Uchiha assigned four Jōnin to secretly guard that child?"
"That's impossible. Has Uchiha Senichi lost his mind?"
These were four Jōnin.
Even within the Uchiha Clan, they would be high-ranking figures.
And yet they were acting as bodyguards for a three-year-old?
When did Jōnin become so cheap?
"So lacking in dignity?"
"Absolutely true."
Kuro replied firmly.
Karasu nodded in agreement.
Danzo's frown deepened further.
After a long pause, he waved his hand.
"This time, the failure is mine."
"I underestimated how much importance the Uchiha place on that child."
"You are not at fault. Go and recover."
He found himself unable to understand the Uchiha's thinking.
Was that child truly that important?
"Yes!"
Kuro and Karasu accepted the order.
But before leaving, Kuro hesitated.
"Should we continue attempting to capture Uchiha Sora?"
Danzo wanted to say yes—
But ultimately shook his head.
"Not for now."
"Let things settle first."
"The Uchiha's protection is too strong. He has drawn the Third Hokage's attention, and that madwoman Tsunade is protecting him as well."
"It's not the right time to act."
Ever since Nawaki and Dan's deaths, Tsunade had become unstable.
Danzo had no intention of provoking her now.
"Yes!"
The two withdrew, secretly relieved.
They had passed the test.
From here on, things would be much easier.
The reason this worked so smoothly—
Was because Danzo trusted his Tongue Eradication Curse Seal too much.
He believed that with it, combined with his brainwashing methods, betrayal was impossible.
But—
Those who excel at swimming are the ones who drown.
The Next Morning
Early the next day—
Sora was brought by Mikoto to the residence of the Great Elder.
"Xiao Sora, you're here. Sit."
The Great Elder greeted him warmly.
Tea and snacks were prepared as he smiled.
"Mikoto has been troubling you lately."
"Not at all."
Sora shook his head lightly.
"It's only natural."
(After all… taking care of his future wife was only right.)
"Good."
The Great Elder nodded in satisfaction.
"Are you still studying at the ninja hospital?"
"Are you planning to become a medical ninja in the future?"
"No."
Sora shook his head.
"I'm studying medicine to support my research—especially in pharmaceuticals."
"And since I'm still too young to attend the academy, it's a good opportunity to learn more."
"Isn't that reasonable?"
He understood the elder's concern.
But it wasn't necessary.
"Haha! Good, good."
The Great Elder laughed.
"I nearly forgot—you're only three."
"It seems I was being too impatient."
His tone turned serious.
"Still—remember this."
"In the shinobi world, only strength truly matters."
"Medical ninjutsu and knowledge can remain as supplementary skills."
"But your priority must always be improving your own strength."
"That is the foundation of your future."
"Only when you are strong enough… can I entrust Mikoto to you."
"And perhaps…"
"The future of the Uchiha Clan as well."
If not for Sora's young age—
The Great Elder might have already pushed him to become the next clan head.
Compared to Fugaku—
Sora was far superior.
"I understand."
Sora nodded solemnly.