Ch.395 Inside and Outside the Meeting

Clang.

The meeting room door swung open, and Danzo, his face grim, hobbled in with his cane.

As he made his way to the seat next to the Third Hokage, he cast a glance at the opposite side of the table, his already dour expression darkening further.

On the left side of the Third's main seat sat Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Asuma, Shikaku Nara, and other direct allies of the Third's faction.

In the observer seats behind them were Yakumo and Sasuke, two students yet to graduate from the Ninja Academy.

In stark contrast, Danzo sat alone on his side.

The words "isolated and weak" might as well have been written across his face.

After taking his seat, Danzo first glanced at Yakumo in the observer seats, then shifted his gaze to Sasuke beside her, sneering coldly. "Hiruzen, this is a serious meeting. Allowing such children to attend is far too frivolous!"

Kakashi stood to explain, "Sasuke is currently the only Uchiha in the village with an active Sharingan. His insight may be needed for matters involving the Sharingan."

The Third spoke up, smiling to placate, "Danzo, it's time we let the children see the burdens we old folks carry."

Danzo could only fall silent.

The Third, holding the upper hand, didn't need to press his advantage. By maintaining the status quo, his authority would only grow as the new generation rose.

At that moment, the door opened again.

Homura Mitokado, another advisory elder, entered.

Seeing the room's dynamics, he felt the same isolation as Danzo but kept it hidden, quietly taking a seat on the right side next to Danzo.

The meeting hadn't started, as one elder was still absent.

Yet the room presented a peculiar scene: the left side of the table was packed, with lively exchanges among the Third's allies, while the right side held only two somber, silent elders.

Moments later, the door opened again.

Contrary to expectations, it wasn't one figure but two!

To everyone's surprise, Koharu Utatane entered with someone in tow.

"Sh-Shinji!?"

Yakumo and Sasuke in the observer seats stood simultaneously, their faces filled with shock.

At the table, Tsunade frowned, Jiraiya looked pensive, and Kakashi, after a moment of surprise, wore a complicated expression.

For days, Kakashi had been quietly arranging a jonin mentor for Shinji.

Due to Shinji's Uchiha identity, many jonin, wary of trouble, politely declined. It took considerable effort to persuade Anko.

He hadn't expected Koharu Utatane to recruit Shinji.

For Kakashi, it was enough that a jonin in the village took Shinji under their wing, preventing him from resenting the Hidden Leaf. Who the jonin was or their suitability for Shinji was secondary.

But when the recruiter was Koharu, an advisory elder, the situation grew complex. Kakashi knew her motives and worried Shinji might get entangled in the power struggles among the village's leadership, becoming a casualty of their conflicts.

Of course, the one most furious at seeing Shinji was undoubtedly Danzo.

He stood, glaring at Koharu. "Why did you bring him here?"

Under the probing gazes of the room, Koharu announced, "I am now Uchiha Shinji's jonin instructor. From this day forward, he will train under my guidance!"

"What?"

"No way!"

"Did I hear that right?"

Whispers erupted among the attendees.

If they were merely surprised by Koharu recruiting Shinji before, they were now shocked that she, an elder, was staking so much on him!

A mentor-apprentice bond signified the establishment of a political succession.

"You've lost your mind!" Danzo roared.

The Hidden Leaf's leadership knew of his enmity with Shinji, how this Uchiha remnant had humiliated him multiple times, and how he'd repeatedly tried to eliminate him.

Koharu ignored Danzo's outburst, taking her seat on the right side of the table.

Shinji, expression neutral, followed her and sat in the observer seats on the right, facing Yakumo and Sasuke across the room.

Danzo sat back down helplessly, suppressing his anger and closing his eyes to compose himself.

Homura Mitokado glanced at Koharu, letting out a soft sigh.

At the head of the table, the Third's surprise matched Danzo's. He quickly realized this was the elder council's—or rather, Koharu's—attempt to regain ground.

But glancing at Yakumo in the observer seats, he regained his composure, casting a look at Koharu and thinking, "What can one Uchiha Shinji change?"

Seeing all attendees present, the Third declared, "The meeting begins!"

As the meeting commenced, everyone set aside their thoughts to focus on the agenda.

Shikaku Nara stood first. "Due to the frequent appearances of the Akatsuki's 'A' and 'B' in the village, the intelligence division believes the Akatsuki must have a hideout here. We've drafted a sweep plan, and the proposal is ready."

The Third reviewed the submitted plan and nodded. "Good. Have the intelligence division begin preparations."

Yakumo in the observer seats tensed instantly.

As an Akatsuki member herself, hearing the village planned to root out their operatives in the village filled her with shock and fear. Her gaze darted to the sweep plan in the Third's hands.

Shinji, meanwhile, thought, "Heh, an unexpected bonus."

With his current sensory abilities, amplified by the high-purity Byakugan controlled by his Susanoo Tomoshibi, he wasn't overly worried about his movements being exposed.

Still, knowing the village's plans in advance could save him considerable trouble.

Next, Asuma stood. "The investigation into the archives attack has hit a snag."

The Third's expression darkened. "Explain in detail."

Asuma said helplessly, "The attackers destroyed the entire database, making it nearly impossible to determine which ninjutsu scrolls were taken. Based on the Anbu's firsthand accounts, we only know they likely took two scrolls."

Tsunade asked, "What kind of ninjutsu scrolls were stored in that database?"

Asuma replied, "Aside from forbidden techniques, it housed various ninjutsu, including some sealing and secret techniques."

Tsunade said, "Then focus the investigation on the sealing and secret techniques!"

Shinji, in the observer seats, thought, "As expected of Tsunade—she zeroes in on the key point."