In the living room, Konosuke yawned widely before looking at the two men in front of him.
"Alright, what is it? You dragged me out of bed at dawn. This better be important."
"And if it's not, I'm kicking both of you."
Asuma and Shisui exchanged a glance.
Shisui, ever the honest one, took the lead.
"Konosuke… I heard you attacked the Hokage's advisor yesterday. Is it true?"
Konosuke scoffed.
"That's it? Of course it's true."
He pulled a cigarette from Asuma's pocket without asking and lit it.
"Danzo wanted to play dirty with me. You think I'd just let it slide? If the old man hadn't stepped in, Danzo would already be buried."
Asuma and Shisui silently gave him mental applause.
Cursing Danzo inside the Hokage's office and nearly killing him?
In all of Konoha, only Konosuke would dare.
Asuma had heard it from his father.
Shisui had heard it from Itachi.
They hadn't fully believed it though.
Now, seeing Konosuke's casual attitude—they did.
Asuma scratched his chin.
"Still… Danzo may be old, but he's not weak. You could really beat him?"
"Beat him?" Konosuke snorted. "You've all been fooled by that paper tiger."
"I won't deny he used to be strong. But now? His strength has deteriorated badly. And the old bastard is terrified of dying. He's just clinging to a few life-saving tricks."
"If I catch him off guard, I can kill him nine times in a minute. If he's prepared, it'll take a bit more effort."
He then turned to Shisui.
"The Uchiha haven't been quiet lately. In a few days, they'll probably ask you to return. Don't go. Stay here."
"And watch Danzo. If he asks to meet you, tell me first. I'll go with you."
"He didn't get what he wanted from me. He might target you next. Don't fall for his tricks."
Shisui nodded gratefully.
"I understand. The Uchiha are about to reconcile with the village. I won't meet him."
Though inwardly he thought:
'Meeting Danzo is dangerous enough. Bringing Konosuke along? That would definitely end in a fight.'
After a few more words, Shisui went to prepare breakfast.
Asuma moved closer once he was gone.
"Konosuke, the old man asked me to tell you something."
He hesitated.
"Your stipend's doubled. And… he wants to transfer you to assist him directly. He asked for your opinion."
Asuma scratched his head.
"Honestly, I'd love that kind of job. No missions. More time with Kurenai. But the old man shot me down and scolded me instead. Makes me wonder if I'm even his real son."
Konosuke laughed.
Asuma was still childish at heart.
"Tell the old man this," Konosuke said. "Let me graduate Naruto's class first. These kids will be Konoha's backbone. If I'm going to assist him, I need people I trust."
"Right now, most of his staff belong to the elder faction. I can't command them. It would just create friction. Better to wait."
Asuma sighed.
"Fine. I'll pass it along. Still don't know why he wants you helping him."
Konosuke only smiled.
He knew exactly why.
Hiruzen was grooming him as the Fifth Hokage.
He'd understood that the moment it was mentioned.
It wasn't about honor.
It was about damage control.
Someone had to inherit the mess.
And preferably someone from the Sarutobi clan.
Hiruzen had made mistakes.
Konosuke wouldn't judge him.
When Tsunade returned one day, perhaps he could stabilize things.
Money wasn't hard to make.
The real issue was strength.
Without enough power, industries couldn't be protected.
After breakfast, the three headed out.
Asuma went straight to the Hokage Tower.
At the academy gate, Konosuke and Shisui saw Fugaku standing with Sasuke.
Shisui bowed respectfully.
"Clan Head."
Fugaku nodded, then turned to Konosuke.
"Konosuke, may we speak privately?"
Konosuke glanced at Sasuke, then at Shisui.
Shisui immediately understood and led Sasuke inside.
Once they were alone, Fugaku spoke solemnly.
"Konosuke, thank you for everything you've done for the Uchiha. We will not forget it."
"When this matter concludes, I will step down as clan head. Shisui will take my place."
Konosuke wasn't surprised.
With Itachi set to become a rogue shinobi, leadership change was inevitable.
The father of a missing-nin could not remain clan head.
Even if the village allowed it, the Uchiha wouldn't.
Fugaku then produced a scroll and presented it with both hands.
"These are all Uchiha clan techniques. I wish to formally ask you to become Sasuke's teacher."
Konosuke had expected more than thanks.
He accepted the scroll, glanced through it, then returned it.
Fugaku's expression tightened—
Until Konosuke said calmly,
"I accept."
"But keep the scroll. I'm not suited to teach these techniques. Especially genjutsu—I'm useless there. You should handle that personally."
"I'll focus on taijutsu and chakra nature transformation. And I'll teach him how to conduct himself."
"The rest… will depend on him."