Naruto: How to Be an Undercover Shinobi

Hokage's office.

Danzō Shimura sat on the sofa with a blank expression. Across from him were Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Kagami Uchiha, and several others.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his face calm as still water, saying nothing.

In just over a week, the situation had spiraled out of control.

And the one who started it all was Danzō, now sitting there in silence.

At this moment, Danzō's eyes casually swept over everyone in the room, and his wariness toward Reiji only deepened.

What he used to define as conspiracy involved murder, poison, sowing discord, and speaking ill behind someone's back.

He never imagined that praise and flattery could be even more effective than all those tricks.

Then again, it made sense. In the ninja world, the strong were always praised—it was a universal truth.

Like the two Senju brothers. Like the Kage of each village.

Ninja excel at fighting and killing, not politics.

That's why, despite their power, they still kept the feudal lords in place.

These people were hopeless at politics, scheming, and handling civilian matters.

People who rely on force end up using it to solve everything.

Generation after generation, they've leaned on brute strength and chakra so much that their minds have dulled.

The greatest difference between humans and most animals is brainpower—humans are supposed to be smart.

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally broke it with a stern voice.

"Danzō, what's your take on the Uchiha situation?"

Though phrased as a question, Danzō could hear the accusation behind it.

Uncharacteristically, he didn't argue or jump to defend himself.

Instead, he wondered—what would Reiji Sakuhō do in this situation?

After a moment of thought, Danzō stood up with the same blank expression, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and said quietly,

"Apologies. It's my fault for not catching this sooner and preventing it from happening.

Let's do this: I'll resign from my position as head of the ANBU training organization—that is, the Root division."

The moment he finished speaking, the room reacted in shock. Everyone's eyes took on new meaning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like he'd just punched thin air—frustrated and unfulfilled.

Good job, Danzō. I asked you to take the blame, and you just threw in the towel! And right when I couldn't afford to actually fire you...

But before Hiruzen could voice his irritation, he calmed himself, brain working rapidly.

It didn't take long for him to reach a conclusion.

He couldn't remove Danzō.

For one, no matter how problematic Danzō was, he made a convenient scapegoat. With him around, the dirt never landed directly on Hiruzen.

Second, who would take over?

The Hyūga clan head cherished his reputation too much—no chance he'd accept.

Put Kagami Uchiha in charge of Root? What a joke. Who would trust him?

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane? Those two were political weathervanes. Besides yelling "666," what else were they good for?

Shika Nara? That guy's no fool. Appointing him would just piss off the entire Ino–Shika–Chō trio.

Besides, Root was already a cesspool. Its reputation was garbage, and anyone who went in would end up covered in filth.

Thinking about all that, Danzō was surprisingly crucial.

"No," Hiruzen Sarutobi said immediately, shaking his head. He rejected Danzō's resignation.

"The ANBU training organization is too important. We can't just swap out its leader on a whim."

Hearing this, Danzō put on a show of helplessness. His eyes drifted casually toward Kagami Uchiha, who was deep in thought with a furrowed brow, and he said in a low voice,

"Then stop asking me about the Uchiha situation. I don't know anything."

The implication was clear: he was washing his hands of the Uchiha. Whoever wanted to deal with them could do it themselves.

Of course Hiruzen understood. He took a long drag from his pipe and exhaled a thick plume of smoke, his mood visibly souring.

If Danzō had handled it, things would've been easy. Just have Root's ninja give a harsh warning to the Uchiha troublemakers, then let Danzō strut through the streets arrogantly—problem solved.

But now, the old bastard had tossed the job aside, and that was a real headache.

They couldn't possibly have the Hyūga clan face off against the Uchiha. That would be idiotic.

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi struggle with no solution in sight, Danzō kept his usual gloomy expression—but inside, he was overjoyed.

Eventually, the small meeting ended without accomplishing anything.

After all, unlike Danzō, no one else had a target on their back—they had no reason to stick their necks out.

And unlike Reiji Sakuhō, they didn't have the guts to challenge anyone without hesitation.

Although they weren't exactly politically astute, they all cared deeply about their political survival.

In other words, with the Uchiha clan's reputation tarnished by a few corrupt elements, the higher-ups—so keen on protecting their own image—were all too eager to stay out of it.

...

After leaving the Hokage's office, Danzō, in high spirits, made his way under the protection of Root operatives. He passed over the Naka River and arrived at a secluded shrine.

The sign above the gate read: Naka Shrine.

This was the true ancestral ground of the Uchiha clan—their gathering place.

At the moment, the shrine was deserted, except for one man in a yukata. Embroidered on his back was the clan's fan crest.

It was the Uchiha Clan Head—the very one Reiji had thoroughly set up.

Danzō stood politely at the entrance, not stepping inside.

Just then, a cold, aloof voice rang out.

"Danzō Shimura. What brings you here?"

At the sound, Danzō suppressed his inner disgust, forced a kindly smile, and replied softly,

"It's nothing much. I just came to discuss peace with you, Clan Head."

"There's no war. What peace is there to discuss?"

Hearing that arrogant remark, Danzō fought back the surge of anger in his chest and let out a dry chuckle.

"Root has indeed been monitoring the Uchiha clan, and yes, our stance toward your people hasn't been entirely fair.

But surely you've noticed—about a week ago, Root ended all surveillance on the Uchiha and has since stopped interfering in your affairs."

As he spoke, Danzō's eyes narrowed slightly. Staring at the Clan Head's back, he added with apparent sincerity,

"Moreover, I can guarantee this—so long as I remain in Root, not a single ninja under my command will act against the Uchiha."

He paused, then gave a sudden chuckle mid-sentence and turned away, walking off with his men without even looking back.

Though the conversation had been unpleasant, once Danzō got used to it, he found himself oddly enjoying the sense of intellectual superiority.

Hah... bask in your pride!

You used your overwhelming presence to force Root's Danzō into submission.

If you throw a banquet to celebrate, I'll be even more amused.

Of course, I'd be happiest if you kicked Kagami out and took the lead yourself.

Unbeknownst to Danzō, as he reveled in his smug satisfaction, a pair of blood-red eyes watched his retreating figure from the shadows.