Ch.394 We Really Are Different!

Initially, Uchiha Shinji hadn't realized the underlying dynamics, but upon sensing Koharu Utatane's hidden urgency, he began to piece things together.

In the original timeline, Danzo seized the Hokage position after Pain's assault on the Hidden Leaf, capitalizing on Tsunade's critical injuries—a final power grab by the advisory elder council.

When Danzo died at Sasuke's hands, the remaining elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were swiftly marginalized.

Now, the Third Hokage's influence was far stronger than in the original timeline.

The forceful return of Jiraiya and Tsunade, coupled with the rise of new talents like Naruto and Yakumo, accelerated the erosion of the elder council's power.

Understanding this clarified Shinji's earlier confusion.

"Should I agree to her offer?"

Shinji hesitated.

Partnering with Koharu could be mutually beneficial. He needed her status as a village elder to shield him from trouble, while she needed him, the academy's top student, to bolster her position and extend her influence.

However, their needs weren't equal.

Koharu's authority wasn't indispensable to Shinji. After over a year of growth, he'd long surpassed the precarious early days of his transmigration. The threat posed by the Hidden Leaf's leadership had diminished significantly with his mastery of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

In contrast, Shinji's value to Koharu was irreplaceable.

In the Ninja Academy, he was the only one capable of rivaling Naruto, Yakumo, and the Third's direct proteges while still being controllable. She had no other options.

Thus, just as Koharu sat smugly, believing she had Shinji cornered, he calmly bowed and said, "I refuse."

Koharu's hand trembled, nearly spilling her tea.

Stunned, she asked, "What did you say?"

"I refuse," Shinji repeated.

Koharu's face filled with shock, her earlier composure gone. She stood abruptly. "Do you realize what you're saying?"

Shinji replied politely, "Thank you for your generosity."

Staring at Shinji's calm demeanor, Koharu's initial surprise turned to doubt, then silence.

Clearly, she realized Shinji's decision wasn't impulsive but deliberate.

"Did this kid figure something out? Or did someone tip him off?"

She sighed inwardly.

Shinji didn't give her room to prolong the conversation. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Koharu hesitated, but just as Shinji was about to exit, she called out, "What do you want?"

Shinji, his back to her, smirked slightly.

While cooperation benefited both, Koharu was the one desperate for it. He wouldn't be swayed by mere talk of being her "subordinate."

Turning around, he smiled. "What can you offer me?"

Koharu began to probe. "Uchiha Shinji, you're in no position to negotiate with me!"

Shinji remained unruffled. "I'm just an Uchiha orphan, with no power or influence. I have nothing to lose."

Koharu's expression darkened. She hadn't expected Shinji to be so fearless.

Shinji paused, then his demeanor shifted, exuding pride. "I'm strong—the academy's top student, who's defeated Yakumo Kurama twice!"

"Hmph, an Uchiha through and through!" Koharu scoffed inwardly.

But Shinji's words struck a chord.

Yakumo, with her Wood Release and Tsunade as her mentor, was a future Hokage candidate. Her existence continually bolstered the Third's authority. To maintain the elder council's power, they needed to nurture a new talent to counter her.

Though Koharu disliked Shinji as an Uchiha remnant, he was the only one in the academy capable of rivaling Yakumo.

Moreover, with the Uchiha clan eradicated, Shinji had no choice but to rely on her in the village, making him a worthwhile investment with potential for unexpected returns.

Finally, Shinji's display of pride convinced her he was a typical Uchiha—someone who could be swayed by benefits and coerced by duty.

After weighing her options, Koharu said, "Fine. I'll personally serve as your jonin instructor, granting you the privileges and benefits of a chunin in the village. In the future, if you render great service to the village, I can use my authority as an elder to help you restore the Uchiha clan and reclaim your clan's lands and assets!"

"!?"

This time, Shinji was the one surprised.

He'd only intended to negotiate better terms, not expecting Koharu to offer to personally be his jonin instructor.

Being a jonin instructor was akin to a master-apprentice bond.

If Koharu became his instructor, Shinji would effectively join the Hokage's mentorship lineage, gaining the minimum qualification to be considered for Hokage.

In the Hidden Leaf, only the Hokage and advisory elders could nominate Hokage candidates.

When the Fourth and Orochimaru vied for the position, they were nominated by the Third and Danzo, respectively. Without an elder's nomination, one couldn't even compete.

Of course, qualification was one thing—actually becoming Hokage was another matter.

Shinji was certain Koharu's generous offer was merely to secure his loyalty, using him to counter Yakumo, Naruto, and the Third's academy proteges. She had no intention of grooming him for Hokage.

But with the offer raised to this level, refusing further might arouse her suspicion.

Thus, Shinji decisively declared, "Teacher!"

Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage convened a meeting with village leadership and select individuals to discuss countermeasures against the Akatsuki.

In the meeting room, the Third, puffing on his pipe, reviewed the latest Akatsuki intelligence.

Tsunade entered with Shizune and Yakumo, casually taking a seat at the conference table.

Since Yakumo had clashed with the Akatsuki's 'B,' Tsunade brought her to relevant meetings.

Her presence at such high-level discussions underscored Tsunade's clear intent to groom her.

Soon, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Asuma, Shikaku Nara, and other jonin arrived, with Sasuke, following Kakashi, drawing particular attention.

The jonin exchanged greetings, and Yakumo and Sasuke, both academy students, acknowledged each other.

Yakumo was surprised. "Sasuke, you're attending the meeting too?"

Sasuke, hands in pockets, nodded coolly. His gaze swept the room, noting the village's top brass, and a faint sense of pride welled within him. He said to Yakumo, "We really are different!"