Chapter 33: Departure and Deception
"We cannot act hastily," Uchiha Fugaku cautioned, his voice low. "Even after the Third steps down, Danzo will retain his position as the Hokage's advisor. His power base is deep. With the Third Hokage still alive and present, exposing human experiments alone may not be enough to completely topple him."
He looked intently at Akira. "If we are to move against him, we must wait until Minato has consolidated his control over Konoha. Otherwise, Minato will face too many obstacles and his hands will be tied."
"I understand the timing," Akira acknowledged with a nod. "Once Minato takes office with the full backing of our Uchiha clan, and with the support of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, it shouldn't take long for him to establish firm authority."
"Danzo's hostility toward the Uchiha is too overt," Akira continued. "He can no longer be allowed to hold the title of Hokage's Advisor or command the Root organization."
Danzo's capacity for mischief stemmed precisely from those two positions: the official authority of the Hokage's advisor and the independent, shadowy power of Root. Stripped of those, he would be like a tiger with its claws pulled, posing little direct threat to the Uchiha.
Comparatively, the other two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, held the title of advisor but wielded little real power. Their influence largely depended on their personal friendship with Sarutobi Hiruzen. Namikaze Minato was not Hiruzen. Once he became Hokage, their counsel would carry far less weight.
"You are correct," Fugaku agreed. "Our strategy must focus on removing Danzo from his advisory role and dismantling Root. The man is too dangerous to be left with such tools."
"Our only concern is whether the Yellow Flash possesses the necessary resolve," Akira pointed out.
Fugaku glanced at him, a hint of certainty in his eyes. "Do not doubt it. Minato has never lacked resolve. The courage of a young leader on the rise is not to be compared with that of an aging Hokage looking toward retirement."
"Then I am reassured," Akira said, accepting the assessment. Fugaku had spent far more time with Namikaze Minato than he had and understood the man's character better. If Fugaku expressed such confidence, it meant Minato currently possessed the will and determination to act decisively.
That night, the ninja tools Akira had requested from Granny Cat's shop arrived.
The delivery was made by a portly orange tabby, half as tall as a man. It licked a paw casually before speaking in a muffled voice. "Granny Cat said to tell you we found the person you were looking for before."
Akira's interest was immediately piqued. He retrieved a bag of dried fish from a drawer and handed it over. "Is it the Uzumaki clan member? Or the one with the Sage transformation?"
The cat, named Tora, pulled the bag of fish closer and spoke unhurriedly. "Granny Cat says it's the Uzumaki. She's in Kusagakure. A young woman. Her abilities match your description exactly: immense vitality and a healing bite."
"Our cats have memorized her scent," Tora continued. "When you reach the Land of Grass, one of us will guide you to her location."
"I understand. Thank you," Akira replied, a smile touching his lips.
Tora looked at him seriously. "Granny Cat says this information is worth three million ryo. She wants you to transfer the funds promptly."
"One moment," Akira said, stepping into another room. He returned shortly with a sealed scroll. "This contains four million. Please deliver it to Granny Cat."
"Are all you ninja this rich?" Tora asked, genuine surprise in its feline voice. Even a cat understood four million was a vast sum. That's enough for the finest dried fish every day for a decade! it thought.
"Where there's a will, there's a way to fund it," Akira said with a light laugh.
Making money might be difficult for others, but for Uchiha Akira, it was straightforward. The Sharingan was not merely for combat. To a user of its genjutsu, wealthy trading companies, guilds, and underground black markets were little more than unlocked vaults, waiting for him to take what he needed. As a time traveler, his scruples regarding such entities were minimal. Under the influence of the Sharingan's illusion, a shortage of funds was never an issue he faced.
The next morning, Akira and his three temporary teammates assembled before Konoha's main gate.
Akira spoke first. "Uchiha Akira. Proficient in Fire, Lightning, and Wind Release natures."
"Aburame Shiigo. Proficient in the Aburame clan's insect manipulation techniques," said the figure in the trench coat and sunglasses, his voice cool.
"Hyuga Kaoru. Skilled in the Gentle Fist," stated the elegantly dressed Hyuga, her tone as cool and detached as her demeanor.
"Yamanaka Shigeyoshi. Proficient in the Yamanaka clan's mind techniques," finished the serious-faced man with orange hair.
All three were dressed in civilian travel clothes or simple tunics, bearing no visible Konoha insignia or clan markings. This mission required infiltration, not a show of force. Even Hyuga Kaoru had a band of cloth tied around her forehead, concealing the branch family's Caged Bird seal.
"These are the mission parameters," Akira said, handing a scroll to Aburame Shiigo, who stood closest. "Review them carefully. Ask any questions now."
Shiigo took the scroll, unrolled it, and read intently. Soon, all three had finished.
The mission was classified as S-rank by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself. As a direct village assignment with no external client, the reward upon completion was substantial—each member stood to receive at least one hundred thousand ryo.
Seeing no immediate questions from his team, Akira asked, "Any issues? If none, we depart now."
"No questions, Captain," Hyuga Kaoru replied, her voice clear and crisp.
Akira gave a slow nod. "Then we move out. Follow orders during the mission."
"Understood!" the three responded in unison. Each then produced a plain, featureless mask and secured it over their face. Akira did the same, pulling a mask with faint tiger-stripe markings over his own.
With a soft rustle of disturbed leaves, the four figures vanished from the gate, their path set toward the distant, storm-wracked Land of Rain.
Not long after Uchiha Akira's team left the village, Danzo, deep within the Root headquarters, received the report.
"Lord Danzo. Uchiha Akira has departed for the Land of Rain with his team."
A masked Root operative knelt on the stone floor, delivering the news to Danzo, who sat upon a raised dais.
"Good," Danzo acknowledged with a slight incline of his head. "Contact our cells still lurking within the Rain Country. Have them leak select details of our previous... activities to Akatsuki. Also, ensure Uchiha Akira's profile and mission parameters find their way to them."
"Yes, sir!" The Root ninja vanished as silently as he had appeared.
A cold, satisfied smile crept onto Danzo's lips, his single visible eye glinting. "Excellent. Now we shall see the wolves turn on each other."
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
Bonus Chapter For Every 100 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 200 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕