The leading guard ninja glared sharply at the two younger guards behind him, clearly embarrassed by their behavior. Then he scratched the back of his head awkwardly before bowing slightly toward Souji.
"Master Souji, forgive them. They're new to the Guard Force and don't fully understand the rules yet."
Uchiha Souji forced a polite smile, his irritation hidden beneath the surface. He waved his hand in dismissal.
"It's alright. Didn't I say it already? Don't call me 'Master Souji.' Just call me Souji."
The guard nodded firmly.
"Yes, Master Souji! Understood, Master Souji!"
Souji froze.
What are you—?!
For a moment, he nearly choked on his own breath. How could someone respond so incorrectly, so confidently, so immediately? His entire soul trembled with helplessness.
He originally wanted to scold them so badly that even their ancestors would apologise. But then he exhaled slowly. What was the point? These people weren't mocking him—they were genuinely respecting him.
And what's wrong with respect?
He sighed, cheeks slightly red from holding back his frustration.
"Forget it, forget it. I'm tired today," he muttered, waving them off. His voice carried the sadness of a man who had long accepted defeat against the stupidity of others.
He turned around and began walking home, shoulders drooping. Today was the day he would dig up all the "happy water" he had buried in the backyard. That sacred stash of sugary, carbonated treasure he saved for hard days.
And today was a very hard day.
Souji thought numbly:
If I drink enough of it… maybe I'll forget how painful today was.
But even as he walked away, the guards continued whispering loudly behind him.
"Master Souji truly has the aura of a future Hokage!"
"Right? And don't you think he's so handsome when he's angry?"
Every word made Souji's spine crawl.
His back stiffened, and goosebumps ran down his neck.
No, no, no. This is getting out of hand. If it continues, I'm finished! The Navy Plan must start immediately!
The "Navy Plan"—Souji's brilliant strategy to manipulate Mizuki into becoming the loyal captain of his future organization—needed to launch now. If Mizuki didn't hurry out of the hospital to receive his "grand assignment," everything would crumble.
Souji waited day after day for Mizuki to recover and come crawling to him for guidance. But Mizuki didn't show up.
And the longer Souji waited, the worse things became.
People started gathering outside his door—neighbors, gossiping villagers, and even strangers from other districts. Some children peeked over his fence. Some adults pointed and whispered. And worst of all—
Young mothers began carrying their babies to touch his walls for good luck.
His entire fence was being rubbed bald.
Why was this happening?
He had only fought Orochimaru for two rounds. Not even three! Not even a draw!
Blame that old fox Uchiha Fugaku! It's all his fault!
Souji rubbed his temples. He couldn't afford for anyone to damage his property. He was too poor to fix it himself—he was already considering selling his own dignity, let alone his fence.
So Souji complained to the Konoha Guard Force.
And who else was the captain of the Guards?
Uchiha Fugaku.
When Fugaku heard about the crowds damaging Souji's fence, he solemnly beat his chest.
"Don't worry, Souji! I will handle everything perfectly."
Souji wasn't worried in the slightest. Fugaku might be an old bastard who had backstabbed him several times (literally and figuratively), but he was still the clan patriarch. Words meant something coming from him.
And then—the next day—Fugaku proved exactly what kind of man he was.
He brought an entire renovation team to Souji's house.
Souji stared blankly as workers painted, cleaned, replaced broken tiles, reinforced walls, and repainted the fence.
Fugaku placed a firm hand on Souji's shoulder.
"From now on, all your home renovations will be covered by the clan. This is a privilege I personally fought for on your behalf."
Souji's expression was blank.
Then twisted.
Then exhausted.
Then utterly defeated.
I… really thank you.
(He did not thank him.)
While Souji suffered outside, deep beneath Konoha—far away from sunshine, warmth, and common sense—another man was suffering as well.
In a dark underground base, Shimura Danzo sat at the head of a long table. His single visible eye was filled with cold fury.
"Explain this to me," he growled. "Why are rumors about Uchiha Souji spreading everywhere?"
The story of Souji's confrontation with Orochimaru was spreading like wildfire. Even though Uchiha's reputation had been terrible for years, suddenly people were speaking of them in a positive light.
To Danzo, this was a disaster.
A root operative stepped forward.
"Danzo-sama, it appears that Uchiha Fugaku—"
He didn't finish.
Crack.
A horrifying sound filled the room. His body twisted unnaturally, bones snapping as he collapsed, clutching his throat. His masked face hid his agony, but everyone present could feel it.
Danzo's voice was ice.
"Of course I know it was that old fox Fugaku! I asked why you didn't stop it!"
Root members were infamous for their courage. They dared to do anything—assassinate enemies, manipulate nations, even challenge Hokage authority.
Yet even they trembled under Danzo's wrath.
A senior operative spoke hesitantly:
"Danzo-sama, we tried to stop the rumors, but the Anbu… blocked us."
Danzo slammed his cane to the floor.
"Hiruzen! What is that old man thinking? Has he completely lost his mind?!"
His voice echoed across the underground chamber. From the Second Shinobi War onward, Danzo had known—Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer aligned with him.
And now?
Now Hiruzen was protecting a dangerous Uchiha child.
"Absurd! Unacceptable!"
Another operative swallowed nervously before speaking.
"Danzo-sama… perhaps Uchiha Souji won't affect our main objective. Should we shift our focus to Uzumaki Naruto again?"
The room grew incredibly silent.
Root shinobi were brave—far braver than Anbu. They had assassinated daimyo, feudal lords, clan leaders, even attempted plots against Hokage.
But speaking out of turn in front of Danzo?
That was true courage.
Danzo slowly turned toward the speaker, his expression unreadable beneath the shadows.
The oppressive silence continued.
And somewhere far above, completely unaware of the storm forming beneath Konoha…
Uchiha Souji sat peacefully in his home, sipping a bottle of cold happy-water.
What a day.
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