After dismissing Orochimaru, Danzō turned to more pressing matters.
He summoned a subordinate to inquire whether the Uchiha had shown any unusual activity.
On this point, he and Hiruzen were thinking along the same lines.
Confirming that Fugaku Uchiha was genuinely investigating the incident, Danzō's impression of him shifted somewhat.
This is a textbook appeaser among the Uchiha—perhaps it's time to apply some strategic pressure.
Danzō stroked his chin, scheming quietly.
...
"If I ever come out to play with you guys again, call me an idiot!"
Obito lay flat on the ground, eyes closed in complete surrender, not wanting to move a muscle.
"Huff... huff... Obito, you're... you're really... pathetic..." Feng Bai was doing slightly better, clutching his leg while gasping for air.
Only Kakashi appeared completely unruffled, showing no signs that he'd just climbed halfway up a mountain and back down using only one arm.
Are you seriously only four years old?!
Glancing at his own trembling arms, then at Kakashi who looked perfectly fine, Feng Bai could only attribute this absurdity to the miraculous power of chakra.
"So why did our 'fun day out' turn into training?" Obito struggled to roll over, felt uncomfortable, then rolled back, grumbling continuously.
"Didn't you say you wanted a competition? Mountain climbing is a competition too, isn't it?" Kakashi strutted over with his hands in his pockets, looking smug.
In their three-person, one-armed mountain climbing contest, Feng Bai came in dead last, quitting as soon as his arms started aching. Only Obito had the stubborn determination to keep going, gritting his teeth as he climbed until he nearly collapsed from exhaustion. If Feng Bai hadn't cushioned his fall, Obito might have met an early end.
"Besides, if you don't work hard now, you might not even pass the Ninja Academy entrance exam, Obito." As if remembering something, Kakashi suddenly bent down, looking at Obito with disdain.
"You bastard..." Though Obito desperately wanted to punch Kakashi, he was so exhausted he couldn't even roll over properly, so he could only glare daggers at him.
"Hey, Feng Bai didn't make it to the top either—he bailed when he was barely halfway up. Why aren't you mocking him?" Unable to endure the ridicule any longer, Obito pointed accusingly at Feng Bai.
Kakashi froze, and Feng Bai was equally stunned.
The two exchanged an awkward glance. After a moment, Kakashi cleared his throat and looked away, then asked Obito a devastating question: "Do you really think he won't get into the Ninja Academy?"
Obito fell silent.
Feng Bai fell even more silent.
Right, no matter how weak I am, there's no way I wouldn't get accepted.
When assessment time comes, I just need to say "My father is Danzō Shimura" and I'm guaranteed admission.
Obito grasped the key point and glared at both of them: "You damn privileged ninja brats!"
After resting a while longer, Obito finally managed to stand, though he still couldn't walk normally.
As evening approached, the other two had no choice but to help Obito back to Konoha's streets.
"Did you have fun, Kakashi?" Sakumo was waiting at their agreed meeting spot. When he saw Obito, he was initially surprised, then quickly stepped forward to support him while greeting Kakashi.
"Eh, it was alright—would've been better without these two dead weights." Kakashi released his grip, handing Obito over to Sakumo.
"Uncle Sakumo." Feng Bai greeted Sakumo politely.
Sakumo nodded in response, then crouched down to examine Obito's condition.
"The facial swelling has gone down. The rest is just muscle strain from overexertion. A good night's rest should take care of it." Seeing that Obito was fine, Sakumo stood up, preparing to escort him to the Uchiha compound.
"Dad..." Hearing that Sakumo planned to personally visit the Uchiha compound, Kakashi frowned, about to explain the day's events.
But Sakumo gently ruffled Kakashi's hair, smiling warmly: "I know, Kakashi. Lord Third already briefed me about today—it's just children's squabbles."
Since Sakumo already knew the situation, Kakashi said nothing more. The group chatted and laughed as they accompanied Obito to the Uchiha compound.
At this time, Konoha hadn't yet experienced the Nine-Tails Incident, so the Uchiha compound wasn't far from the village center—just more secluded than other clan territories. There were no immediate neighbors, only the Military Police Force headquarters and the prison standing beside the compound.
"Lord Sakumo." The two Military Police Force members on guard duty straightened when they saw Sakumo.
"I'm here to bring this child home." Sakumo indicated Obito.
"Please leave him to us." Not intending to let Sakumo enter the compound, one of the guards stepped forward to take Obito from Sakumo.
Sakumo didn't insist, smoothly releasing Obito and watching as he was led inside.
"Let's... let's play again tomorrow?" Obito suddenly turned around, struggling to raise his arm in a tentative farewell.
Kakashi looked away, ignoring him, but Feng Bai smiled and waved back: "Sure, same place as always."
"Yeah!" Obito visibly brightened at the response, while the surrounding guards looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Next...
As the only adult present (at least officially), Sakumo felt obligated to escort the "solitary" Feng Bai home.
Despite Konoha's excellent security, despite having just seen Obito off, despite the fact that Konoha's premier kidnapper was Danzō himself, and despite there probably being two squads of Root operatives nearby...
Ignoring Kakashi's complaints, Sakumo took Feng Bai's hand, preparing to walk him home.
"Uncle Sakumo, you seem pretty free lately. Don't you have ANBU missions anymore?" Curious that Sakumo had time to escort him home, Feng Bai asked.
"Free... free?" Sakumo stumbled slightly, clearly caught off guard by Feng Bai's words.
"Well, Feng Bai, actually I'm no longer an ANBU member." Looking at Feng Bai with a complex expression, Sakumo sighed and explained: "Lord Third has already removed me from the ANBU roster. Now I'm just an ordinary jōnin in Konoha—well, and an ordinary father." He glanced at Kakashi as he added this.
An ordinary jōnin?
If the legendary White Fang of Konoha, whose reputation rivals the Sannin, is an "ordinary jōnin," then Danzō is just a regular village elder and the Third Hokage is merely a common village chief?
"Never thought you'd be so modest, Uncle Sakumo. You're quite the humble-bragger when you talk." Feng Bai couldn't help but tease.
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