How dare he!
At this moment, everyone on the mountaintop shared the same thought.
Even Shikaku Nara hadn't anticipated that Uchiha Takashi would speak so brazenly.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was, after all, the son of the Hokage and the head of the Anbu.
And just because he didn't call you 'Takashi-sama,' you're throwing a fit?
Absurd!
"What, did I say something wrong?" Uchiha Takashi asked, his expression filled with mock curiosity.
Right now, he was a dignified sage. Was it really too much to ask to be addressed as 'Takashi-sama'?
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was merely an elite jonin, and his position as head of the Anbu was entirely due to nepotism. For someone like him, addressing a Kage-level powerhouse with respect should be expected.
Uchiha Takashi simply wanted to put him in his place.
In this world, justice existed only within the realm of ninjutsu.
If one's strength was lacking, they should understand their standing.
And since Takashi was in the mood, why not test him a bit?
"You dare claim Shinnosuke lacks manners just because he didn't call you 'Takashi-sama'?"
The voice came from Sarutobi Sachiko, a female jonin of the Sarutobi clan. She had previously clashed with Takashi over his lucrative dealings with the Honda Association, so her reaction was unsurprising.
The Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mito clans had always formed a tight circle among the younger generation, a legacy of their elders' alliances.
And as the de facto leader of this circle, Sarutobi Shinnosuke naturally had Sachiko's unwavering support. After all, he wasn't just her comrade—he was her lover. Defending him was instinctive.
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Takashi retorted. "On the battlefield, can he defeat Pakura or Rasa?"
"With such limited strength, he refuses to set aside his pride and address me properly. And yet, he expects to lead the village's forces into war? Is he planning to send them to their deaths?"
A scathing silence followed.
Uchiha Takashi had skillfully reframed his arrogance as genuine concern for the village's well-being.
For the village!
That was Danzo Shimura's favorite excuse. Whether it was grasping for the Hokage seat or targeting the Uchiha, he had always used that line.
Now, Uchiha Takashi was using the same tactic, standing atop the moral high ground with a smug sense of satisfaction.
Of course, despite his cutting words, he neither moved nor released his chakra. There was no need.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a man of principle.
Being criticized was one thing. He could endure it. But outright provocation? That would cross a line.
"Takashi-sama."
The words came from Sarutobi Shinnosuke himself, his face unreadable.
But his fists clenched tightly.
If he could, he would have loved nothing more than to smash them into Takashi's face.
How dare this brat—who just happened to master Sage Mode—mock his strength?
Shinnosuke had worked tirelessly, never slacking, never falling behind. But talent was an unfair thing, something he could never change, and that fact frustrated him to no end.
And now, Takashi had struck him right where it hurt. The worst part? He had no way to refute it.
It was precisely because of his own limitations that he was even more determined to become Hokage—to prove that effort could triumph over talent.
As long as he succeeded in this mission, he would take one step closer to that goal.
For that, he was willing to endure this humiliation.
"If you need help, just ask Shikaku Nara."
Takashi decided not to push him any further.
He wasn't interested in forcing Shinnosuke into drawing a kunai in blind rage.
But when he turned to Shikaku, the Nara strategist looked awkward.
"Takashi… Takashi-sama," Shikaku said reluctantly, "I have to lead a team to reinforce them this time."
Indeed.
The southwestern ninja army not only needed to supply resources but also manpower.
Shikaku, being a temporary field commander, had no choice but to comply.
Takashi fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Alright."
This was too much.
Even if the village eventually planned to turn against him, this was happening far too soon.
People often said, *Kill the donkey once the grinding is done.* But in his case, the village wasn't even waiting for the work to be finished before sharpening their blades.
Did they really think he, like White Fang or the Uchiha before him, wouldn't see through this ploy?
Technically, the three influential clans had promised not to weaken the southwestern army.
And they hadn't—not directly. Instead, they were just 'temporarily transferring' troops for reinforcement, a perfectly reasonable excuse.
If this were someone like White Fang, Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, or even Orochimaru, they might have accepted it for the sake of the village.
But Uchiha Takashi wasn't them.
If the village was going to act without honor, they couldn't blame him for striking back righteously. Let them suffer the consequences.
If it caused casualties? So be it.
The ninja world was a battlefield. If you dared step onto the stage, you should be prepared to risk your life.
The atmosphere turned eerily tense.
Takashi appeared indifferent, while Shikaku's unease was plain to see.
Meanwhile, the smug expressions on the faces of Sarutobi Sachiko, Shimura Setsuna, Utatane Yasei, and Mito Tennan made it clear they thought they had won.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, in particular, looked downright pleased.
*Are you really that strong?* his expression seemed to say. *Strength alone is useless. Influence and connections rule this world!*
Before long, the group departed under Shikaku's lead.
"Should we?"
The moment they were out of sight, Hyuga Asane's innocent smile faded, replaced by a chilling bloodlust.
Disguise was second nature to her. It had to be. If not, she wouldn't have survived the Hyuga clan's internal strife after her parents' deaths.
Even Konoha's famed strategist, Shikaku Nara, had failed to notice her presence.
But she had noticed everything.
If the insults were directed at her, she wouldn't have cared. But directed at Uchiha Takashi?
Unforgivable.
So what if he was the Hokage's son?
One nod from Takashi, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke wouldn't live to see the sunrise.
With her current strength and the Byakugan's abilities, assassinating the Hokage's son would be effortless.
In her eyes, only one person mattered—Uchiha Takashi.
"No need," Takashi said, smirking. "A 'kind-hearted person' will take care of it."
Hyuga Asane blinked. "Kind-hearted person?"
"Not only will they avenge me, but they'll also hand me a gift. Doesn't that sound kind-hearted?"
He assigned her a task.
Late that night, two kilometers outside the Sand Ninja camp, Hyuga Asane lay in wait, scanning the area with her Byakugan.
Her orders were simple, but she couldn't help but wonder—
*Am I doing this for the village?*
Even if the village wanted to weaken Takashi's army, she saw no reason to help their enemies.
But questions aside, she followed orders without hesitation.
Then, she sensed it.
A massive chakra signature, rapidly approaching her marked location.
And when the figure finally arrived, their attire struck her as… unusual.
(End of chapter)