Kids care about feelings. Adults? Only deals.
Sunagakure has been on good terms with Konoha and won't turn against them unless something better comes along.
As for Amegakure—having neither emotional ties nor benefits with Konoha—its position remains rather delicate.
In Hanzo's eyes, Konoha's invitation was actually a temptation—an opportunity to strengthen Rain Country.
Right now, Konoha is universally recognized as the strongest village in the shinobi world.
The best choice? Sit back and watch tigers fight.
Originally indifferent, Hanzo had decided to accept this offer and just be a spectator.
But ten days later, a true emissary from Kumogakure completely ruined his plan.
"So both Kumo and Taki have agreed?" Hanzo felt surprised that these three factions could really unite for such an earth-shaking plot.
The emissary nodded. "What will the Semi-God choose? Even if we can't eliminate Konoha and Suna completely, we can still cripple their strength."
"I'll think about it," Hanzo replied, playing with his kusarigama while comparing both sides' military power.
At the battlefield, both Konoha and Suna would certainly deploy elite forces.
According to intelligence, deep beneath Konoha's central area lay a trove of cutting-edge technologies.
With only numbers but no high-level fighters, Konoha was nothing more than a paper tiger.
"Will Mist join us?" Hanzo knew better than to believe these major nations wouldn't want Konoha's tech.
The emissary smiled slightly. "The Mizukage himself won't appear, but he'll send an elite force."
"A raid?"
Hanzo understood now. Whether he joined or not, they were going after vulnerable Konoha to seize its new resources and tech.
Amegakure's involvement was just extra insurance.
"Fine. I agree."
"The Semi-God sees clearly through all. Rest assured, whatever Kumogakure gains, Rain will get its share too," said the emissary happily, quoting the Third Raikage's promise.
Would Kumo really give Ame its promised cut after grabbing the best loot?
Hanzo thought such talk was only good for listening—never to be taken seriously.
Last time he led the coalition, hadn't those backstabbing traitors destroyed everything?
That kind of promise wasn't even worth toilet paper.
Ninjas exist to kill, loot, and destroy.
Kill enemies, steal their Kekkei Genkai, take their resources.
This fragile alliance was now targeting the current shinobi world's strongest—Konoha.
And they'd even received an invitation from Konoha itself to openly carry out this plunder!
November 11th came around again—the so-called 'Singles' Day,' when lonely hearts stay up all night gaming.
Once again, Shen stayed up all night playing video games—just like every Singles' Day before.
As soon as he got home and collapsed on his bed, a bunch of masked black-clad men dragged him straight to the Hokage Tower.
"Old man Third, I'm beat! Did you know kids need sleep to grow strong and healthy?" Entering the office, Shen started complaining right away.
"What if I don't grow tall or my health goes downhill later? You sneaky old geezer!"
The Third Hokage, who had been rolling his eyes upward, finally took a moment to dig out some earwax before softly speaking, "You're already a Jonin now. Why are you still acting so rash all the time?"
Crossing his arms and curling his lip, Shen retorted, "Sending this many Anbu agents after me—you must be up to no good, old man."
In about another month was the grand opening of the rail line connecting Konoha and Sunagakure. As a major event for the shinobi world, it was definitely worth experiencing in person.
Thus, the Third Hokage decided not to let him go: "Ahem. By the authority of the Hokage, I hereby assign Jonin Shen Uchiha a secret mission—to assist the Anbu and remain within the village."
"Huh? Oh. Ah!!" Hearing such an absurd assignment, Shen immediately leaped up in shock.
With a loud 'thud,' he hit his head on the ceiling, finally waking himself up.
Helping the Anbu guard the village? Something was clearly off!
"You gotta be kidding me, old man—forcing a twelve-year-old kid like me to fight dangerous rogue ninja?" Shen knew that on that day, Konoha wouldn't exactly be peaceful.
With so many Daimyos and leaders from other villages attending, even though the station for the rail line was just hundreds of meters away, there was no guarantee nothing would happen.
As the host, the Third Hokage naturally planned to bring elite Anbu members, heads of major clans, and other high-ranking officials to keep things under control on-site.
In other words, it'd be the perfect timing for villains to strike.
"Good," The Third slightly nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "The Anbu trainees you've trained will be assigned directly to your command."
"Tch, again with free labor, old cheap bastard!" Shen started listing each of the old man's offenses one by one.
From haggling over buying a few Hidden Blades, right down to last year when he created the communication device, basically every time, the Third had been freeloading!
"You cheap bastard!" Shen threw that last evaluation straight into the Hokage's face.
Back in his previous life, at least he got decent pay for working overtime. This time around, he had busted his ass for Konoha—yet all he got was a promotion to Jonin?
Spitting out as he ranted at the Hokage, Shen made it clear—he was willing to work, sure—but only with extra pay.
Otherwise, maybe find someone else? Preferably someone like that biggest schemer who almost bankrupted the entire Shimura family.
An awkward Third Hokage raised his hand to wipe spit off his face. "Hmph, Danzo is my childhood friend. Let's just forget about matters of... inspiration and imitation, shall we?"
"Compensation." Without hesitation, Shen simply held out his hand, proving that he was indeed an ordinary man, immune to moral pressure.
"Uhh… You've grown up, Shen."
"Don't waste time with nonsense. I need to get back to sleep soon!"
The Third Hokage couldn't help but wonder why it always seemed to be him losing whenever dealing with this guy.
Although he did benefit quite a bit, that suffocating feeling still left him slightly uncomfortable.
"Fine then," The Third Hokage sighed in surrender, "Tell me what I can offer—and I'll give it all to you."
Konoha might currently have most of its good things introduced under the Uchiha name through Shen's efforts, but as the saying goes, even a broken boat still has three pounds of nails — meaning there's still value left in it.
Getting into Anbu is impossible unless he becomes Hokage. Otherwise, more than a few people wouldn't sleep soundly at night.
The Medical Department is practically insignificant. Is Shen planning to focus on surgical procedures here? Considering the different body structures, better leave that to someone like Mother Teresa.
The Research Department already practically belongs to him, though officially registered under Orochimaru's name — taking direct credit would only make his true identity easier to uncover.
At best, the Administrative Department could only offer a standard high-level position — not worth pursuing when he could just help his parents climb the ranks.
As for Root? Shen says even if the Third Hokage agrees, Danzo definitely won't. It's his private army filled with brainwashed ninjas.
And the Police Force? Come on, the Uchiha already managed to get out of that mess. Why go back? Let the "Pot King" mess with it himself!
As for departments like the Education Department, Interrogation Department, Corpse Disposal Department, and Beast Taming Department, they're even less interesting.
With none of the six major departments appealing to him, staying in these smaller divisions would slowly drive him mad.
After thinking it through, Shen felt that in the vast Konoha, it's not only impossible to take over, but there wasn't a single department suitable for him to stay in either.
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