Chapter 80: 80. Mist Shinobi Visits
After dealing with Orochimaru's matter, Yagami also sent Shisui back to Damingfu. After all, Itachi returned to the village, and Shisui took over. Everyone in Konoha knew about it. Although they didn't understand why the Uchiha clan did this, it was simply what happened.
On the surface, there still needed to be a handover process between the two; otherwise, Uchiha's secret of travelling between the two places in such a short time would be discovered.
Several days passed, and the Hokage Building still hadn't decided what to do with Danzo. Third, Hokage was still hesitant. After all, he was such a contradictory person; he knew that Danzo couldn't be saved, but he still couldn't be decisive.
Jiraiya and Tsunade didn't participate much. Needless to say, Tsunade didn't want to meet Third Hokage unless Danzo did something overly provoking.
Jiraiya wanted to deal with Danzo as soon as possible, but he couldn't go too far with Third Hokage, so he could only choose to wait and see. Of course, he still stayed in the police department prison to be near Orochimaru most of the time.
He didn't speak to Orochimaru; he simply stood outside the cell and watched, then trained with Naruto. After reinforcing and sealing Naruto's chakra, his troubles with ninjutsu were resolved, and he was quite skilled even in the ninja academy.
This made Sasuke restless. Whenever he had time, he pulled Yagami for special training, although Yagami had spent the recent period hiding in the police department.
"Hey! Isn't this Kakashi? Come to the police department to experience life?"
Suddenly, Yagami saw a familiar figure in the police department—it was Kakashi, who stared at him with dead eyes.
Beside him was a watermelon-headed ninja, none other than Might Guy, who nearly ended the last battle with a single kick.
"Captain! Are you here today? I didn't come to the police department to experience life. I mainly wanted a change. The work in Anbu is all mission-based. Coming to the police department to interact with villagers offers a different perspective."
Kakashi said very seriously that the relationship between superiors and subordinates was good.
"It seems you chose the right method. Are you sealing your Sharingan?"
From his Byakugan, Yagami could clearly see that Kakashi's left eye was still Sharingan, but its chakra flow was much weaker, barely sustaining it.
"Yes, I don't want to give up Obito's Sharingan, but I don't have the ability to use it fully, so I had to take a step back."
Kakashi nodded. Tsunade had also examined him after he returned. There was no new solution. Hashirama cell transplantation was possible, but Konoha's technology couldn't yet achieve a risk-free procedure.
So Kakashi compromised with the method provided by Yagami, continuing to carry the Sharingan but sealing it to prevent it from draining his body.
"As I said before, protect our Uchiha's possessions. If you lose them again, I'll reclaim them myself."
Yagami said casually. Whether he would truly take it back was one thing, but showing his stance was another.
"Captain Mingfeng, Lord Hokage asked you to go to the Hokage Building for a discussion."
Might Guy was about to greet Mingfeng when an Anbu appeared in the police department's lobby, relaying Third Hokage's request.
Do you want me to go to the Hokage Building? What kind of schemes is Third Hokage cooking up? I haven't done anything lately!
Yagami was stunned for a moment. He and Sarutobi didn't have much to discuss, although the village's attitude toward Uchiha had shifted recently, inviting them to some important events.
But a dog can't change its nature, and those in power wouldn't fundamentally change their view of Uchiha. They might not be as extreme as Danzo, but they were deeply influenced by the Second Hokage.
What was the Second Hokage's attitude toward Uchiha? When a sow in the village died in childbirth, and everyone muttered "evil Uchiha," how could his apprentices be any different?
"I understand. Can you tell me what it's about?"
"Okay, better to ask directly than to guess."
"This morning, Kirigakure arrived in Konoha with handwritten letters from the daimyo of the Land of Water and the daimyo of the Land of Fire. It's likely related to this. I can't say more about other details."
Anbu hesitated a little but didn't refuse, giving Mingfeng insight into why the Third Hokage was looking for him.
Logically speaking, Anbu only follows the Hokage's orders, but with Uchiha and the village in a honeymoon period, many shinobi have also adjusted their stance toward Uchiha. They may not be overly familiar, but they're open to interaction and, sometimes, compromise.
Mist Shinobi's visit to Konoha wasn't a secret, and Yagami would find out soon enough in the Hokage Room. It wasn't a big issue.
"Alright, thank you. I'll head to the Hokage Building now. You can go about your duties!"
Someone from Mist Shinobi is here. The eighth floor is designated for the harbour terminal, and with the daimyo's full support, its construction is nearly complete.
When he reached the Hokage Room, Yagami knocked politely. The more critical the matter, the more cautious he had to be. Small issues avoided unnecessary traps; if he kept his guard up, Third Hokage couldn't find an opening.
"Come in!"
Third, Hokage's voice came from inside. Yagami pushed open the door and immediately spotted a familiar figure.
With long brown hair and blue attire layered over fishnets, she had an even more mature allure than when they first met at Mist Shinobi.
"Lord Hokage, you called for me?"
Yagami glanced briefly at Terumi Mei and Hoshigaki Kisame, then looked away. From Third Hokage's perspective, this was their first meeting, so he couldn't act familiar, lest the old man start overthinking things.
"These two are Terumi Mei and Hoshigaki Kisame from Kirigakure. They're here representing the Land of Water and Mist Shinobi to discuss the harbour terminal. Since the daimyo assigned this to you, Uchiha, you'll handle the related matters."
Third, Hokage looked at Yagami, fatigue visible in his expression, likely from dealing with the Danzo situation.
"Understood! Uchiha will take full responsibility for this. Rest assured, Hokage-sama, we will ensure Mist Shinobi's guests are well received."
Looking at Third Hokage's state, it seemed clear there wouldn't be much benefit from lingering here. It is better to leave the old man to his own devices!
After greeting Terumi Mei, Yagami left the Hokage Room with them.
"You were quite composed just now! Do you always act like that in front of the Hokage?"
Once outside the Hokage Building, Terumi Mei couldn't hold back, her mature and intellectual tone carrying a playful edge.
"We're similar, you and Kisame as well. Since you're here in Konoha, I'll show you around! Whether you're gathering intel or just relaxing, just keep a low profile."
The harbour terminal arrangements were long settled, so this was simply procedural; there wasn't much left to discuss.
"Tsk! The relationship between you, Uchiha and Konoha is laughably strained! Your behaviour is no different from a separate village."
"Don't bring it up! I'm merely showing guests around Konoha. I haven't told you any of Konoha's secrets. If you obtain any useful information, that's on you."
After all, Uchiha was still nominally a Konoha clan. Mingfeng wouldn't slander the village, but he also wouldn't go out of his way to cover for it.
Moreover, there was no way Third Hokage would allow Mist Shinobi to roam freely around Konoha. Anbu would certainly be watching before they got anywhere near the Uchiha compound.
Yagami only showed Terumi Mei and the others the public areas of Konoha, leaving them to whatever intel they could gather on their own.
If they did manage to obtain information, it would simply mean Konoha's defences hadn't been thorough enough.
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