Arc 2 Chapter 8 Part 3- Age: 10.05, Year: 14.05

Somewhat raw, so if you see any spelling mistakes do let me know!

...

The bright daylight filtered through the hospital windows, shadowing the serious faces of Konoha's shinobi as I strode through the entrance, my confidence radiating with every step. I couldn’t help but smirk as I soaked in the unease rippling through the hospital on sight of me.

Heh, talk about growing a reputation!

The whispers of concern that followed me were more amusing than they were ominous. The Hyuga clan had called for my services, and I was curious to see how long it would take for them to realize how ridiculous their prejudice seemed. With all the shit they flung at me behind my back, thinking I didn't notice, I wonder how much it galled them to call me here?

Honestly. When will these idiots learn the true meaning of Ninshu?

Alas, that was less of a priority for today- “Come on, Tsunade! Keep up!” I called, glancing back at the tiny figure waddling behind me, her eager eyes sparkling with excitement. Trailing after her was Mito Senju, a combination of affection and exasperation splashed across her features as she tried to catch up.

“Danzo-kun, please don’t provoke anyone,” Mito muttered as we approached the curtains separating us from the elder Hyuga’s bed. “It wouldn’t be wise to stir conflict while Hashi is away.” She added on, her head tilted towards me as she whispered the words. The action seemed to alert the Elder's attendants- hidden as they currently were all around the room.

I chuckled, my amusement bubbling to the surface. “Conflict? Please, Mito-sama. This isn’t conflict, this is a comedy that's been brewing since the slavery ended," I said with a straight face, my eyes glinting at the sudden balking expression on Mito's but more importantly at the utter annoyance that sweeped through the room, all the while Tsunade just stood there, somewhat wobbly on her feet, as she stared at me with confusion.

I shook my head for added measure. "Honestly, I can't tell what's worse, an angsty Uchiha or a stiff Hyuga,” I replied, my voice dripping with playfulness.

Oh, look at that, I've been here all of one minute minute and the killing intent's finally caught up.

In response to that, I looked Mito square in the eye and prepared to let off another joke and immediately snorted at the sudden twitch on her face.

Chuckling at the picture the normally reserved former Uzumaki usually painted, I shook my ehad and focused back on the matter at hand.

I swept aside the curtain with a flourish, revealing the elder’s frail-ish form and immediately felt my Ninshu pick up a hound of tension that filled the room. “Full disclosure," I started up again as I locked eyes with the vastly annoyed elder. "The first idiot to make Tsunade cry, is replacing you on that bed." I deadpanned and- holy shit the tension died down quickly!

Somewhat taken back at the fact they thought I was serious, I let out a cough and got my amusement under control.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the esteemed Elder Hyuga, looking wonderfully unwell today!” I announced mockingly, strolling in as if I owned the place. His glare could have boiled water, but it only fueled my mischief.

“Shimura” he snapped, irritation evident in his tone. “Just get on with it. No more theatrics.”

I nodded at that. "Talkin' a lot for someone going through an infection." I sniffed.

At the look that took over said elder's face, I rolled my eyes and flashed him a toothy grin. “Oh, come now! You’d miss the entertainment. Consider this not just healing, but a show you didn’t even know you wanted to see. I mean, how many times do you get to witness the audacity of a child your grandson deemed unworthy?”

To the fucker's credit, he had a good poker face. "Psst," I added on, a hand beside my mouth doing absolutely nothing to cover my words, "This is the part where you apologise to the unruly bastard!"

Tsunade, to my surprise, piped up from beside me at that, “Bastad?” The innocence in her voice contrasted sharply with the facepalm that Mito reflexively made as she walked up beside me and scooped the girl up in her arms.

Judging by the twitch on Hyuga's former poker face, I had a feeling he was wondering why I'd brought the two of them with me.

"Don't mind Tsu-chan," I grinned at the man. "I promised to show her what a tree looked like and figured you were the best stick around."

Mito promptly excused herself from the room at that one.

When the Elder made to complain, which was probably deserved at this point, I raised a single hand up and told him I was actually already done.

Ninshu was a hell of a cheat- my chakra had pinged onto the source of distress the moment I'd freakin' walked in.

The elder shifted uncomfortably on the bed at those words, and I could see some color return to his face as my chakra cleared out the last vestiges of the infection curdling in his right lung. His eyes narrowed, and I noted the slight twitch of irritation in his brow. “You think this is funny?” he grumbled, a mix of annoyance and surprise coloring his tone.

I chuckled softly, my hands clasping behind my back as I tilteed my head at him. “Oh, absolutely. It’s downright hilarious! You and your illustrious clan, so proud and high-minded, now relying on a mere child,” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Got anything to say?”

Judging by the look on his face, I imagine he had a lot on his mind. Not that I had any intersset in it really.

"I've ehard," The man started up after a moment. "That you're rather well-versed in Ninshu." I blinked at that, wondering where he was going with it. "If that's true, then nothing else needs saying, does it? young Shimura."

...Did this motherfucker just try to thank me via mind-reading? Was he embarrassed?

"...You know, a little humility would go a long way." I deadpanned towards him, earning an offended look.

He shot me a hard look, a frown etched deep across his features. “Humility?” he said, his voice low enough to resonate with indignation. "A child of blood and war, speaking of humility? How preposterous."

"War?" I tilted my head at him. "War ain't started yet," A beat passed. "But I'll take credit for the blood part." I snorted. "Sage knows my hands are full of it." I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly. "And all because you couldn't stand the idea of a Hyuga not graduating earlier than the rest."

"I don't expect one like you to understand-"

"Traditions? Pride?" He blinked at that, surprise etching onto his face. "Or is it a need to hold your place on the board?" I leaned in ever so slightly. "My, my, if the poor little heir is a viable sacrifice for that, Sage knows how you treat the rest of your clan."

The elder's scowl deepened heavily at that, but there was no lying to Ninshu- The words genuinely hurt him. “You’re blurring past your boundaries, Shimura.” he snapped, though I could tell his annoyance was mingled with anger at himself. "The Hyuga has nothing to do with you."

And as if to punctuate the point, one of said Hyuga's in the room idly appeared beside me and handed me the sealed payment.

“Blurring?" I chuckled, as I pocketed the money I was going to use to buy out a store's worth of toy's as a gift to Tsunade. "I see things as they are-complex, yet so easily seen through." I paused for a moment as I let the words filter through the air. "If you spent half as much time embracing adaptability as you do clinging to outdated concepts, you might see it too.”

The elder let out a scoff at me for that one. "With an attitude likes yours Shimura, it does not matter how right you are, if no one respects you enough to listen."

"Respect is for the dead, Hyuga-sama." I immediately responded. "A fancy badge you plop on a corpse to convince yourself they died for the right cause."

“...You’re insufferable,” he muttered, after mulling over my words. "I would have my rest, if you don't mind." He added on quieter than before.

I gave him a smile and nodded before turning on my feet, to his further displeasure.

There was a reason the Sage was practically worshipped in his time-not even deep-rooted denial could hide the truth from Ninshu.

...

As I walked down the bustling street, Tsunade perched on my shoulders, her eyes wide with excitement and wonder as her hands held onto my hair. She pointed at passing vendors and children, immersed in her thrill while I reveled in the chaos I had just left behind at the hospital. Mito walked beside me, her hooded expression a mixture of fondness and exasperation, the kind only a person married to the Hokage could wear in a public setting.

“Danzo-kun, seriously?” she began, her voice slightly raised. “You can’t keep provoking everyone you meet. People take their traditions seriously!”

I laughed I turned my gaze to the vibrant marketplace around us. “Oh, Mito! Where’s the fun in tiptoeing through life? It’s all about shaking things up! If people can’t handle a little chaos, then they really shouldn’t be in the ninja business.”

As we strolled, I noticed a vendor selling brightly colored toys, a particularly eye-catching plush frog perched on a high stack. “Well, will you look at that! I think Tsu-chan needs to commemorate my glorious success in not only healing but also enlightening some blockheads!” I declared, pointing toward the plush with enthusiasm.

“Danzo!” Mito exclaimed, her tone a perfect blend of incredulity and concern. “They're important clan heads!”

“What, being important is a shield against ridicule?” I countered, grinning. “C’mon! If they can’t handle the heat, they better stay out of the kitchen! Right, Tsu-chan?”

“Right!” she chirped, clapping her hands in delight, unknowingly encouraging the chaos.

“Just for agreeing with me, Ima buy you a frog!” I said, marching toward the vendor’s stall with determination. As I approached, the vendor’s eyes widened at the sight of Mito, having actually seen enough of her hooded face, effortlessly recognized as the wife of the Hokage.

“Ah, Senju-sama!” the vendor stammered, bowing his head slightly. “What brings you here today?”

I stepped up, entirely unfazed by the sudden attention on the woman. “I’d like to buy this frog for Tsu-chan here,” I said, indicating the girl putting my hair strands through torture.

When the vendor caught sight of me, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Of course! That'll be-”

I cut him off, reaching into my pocket to pull out the sealed payment I’d received from the Hyuga. The vendor blinked, his face morphing into shock as he saw how the number engrained on the seal.

“This... this is far too much for a simple toy!” he stammered, his hands trembling as he eyed the sum in disbelief.

“Accept it,” I said, narrowing my gaze into what I hoped was a deathly glare that would make the vendor freeze in place. “I won’t take no for an answer. You can consider it a downpayment for future toys for the pesky brat-" said brat lightly slapped me upside my head, evidently understanding me, "-if you want but I’m not leaving without the frog.”

The vendor’s eyes darted back and forth between me and the money, anxiety painting his features. His eyes landed on Mito, searching for reassurance. But Mito merely held the bridge of her nose, exasperation etched deeply onto her face. “Danzo, you really don’t have to-”

“Do you take downpayments or not?” I deadpanned at the man, which had to look comical considering he was twice my height.

Overwhelmed, he stuttered out, “Uh... I guess? I just… um, I didn’t expect-”

“Neither did anyone else,” I shot back smoothly, though the slight smile on my lips betrayed my satisfaction. “You can consider it a donation if you want- Sponsored by the Senju...” I paused for a moment. "Or Hyuga blood money, your call-" And Mito chose that time to slap me upside the head that, though far lighter than the two-year old had.

the woman elected to add a sigh, a mix of frustration and reluctant amusement crossing her features. “You’re impossible,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

The vendor finally, reluctantly nodded, choosing to accept the outrageous sum.

“What’s next?” I asked with a smirk as I waited for the vendor to return. “Shall I pull a rabbit out of a hat, or perhaps get them to initiate town meetings based on my sheer charm and audacity?”

Tsunade giggled, observing with wide eyes, completely absorbed in the spectacle unfolding.

Moments later, the vendor returned- still flustered, his face pale as he handed over the plush frog, which Tsunade promptly seized with a squeal of joy. “Thank you!” she said, her eyes sparkling.

And Hiru said the only thing I could teach a toddler was how to ruin their first day in the academy!

“Just… um, enjoy it,” the vendor mumbled, clearly too intimidated to say more. The entire interaction had taken a toll on him, and I couldn’t help but snicker appreciatively.

As we walked away, I could feel Mito’s eyes boring into the side of my head. “You know,” she said slowly, “there is such a thing as diplomacy. You really don’t have to blow through every interaction.”

“But what’s the fun in that?” I quipped back, glancing sideways at her while adjusting Tsunade on my shoulder. “If people refuse to learn from me, they should at least enjoy a few laughs along the way. Plus,” I added, my tone teasing, “that vendor will tell his friends about this day for years!”

"...You're exhausting, Danzo-kun." Mito chuckled under her breath.

"I think the word you're looking for is endearing."
I gave her a toothy grin, which she immediately rolled her eyes at that, though the smile on her face didn't budge at all.

...

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Should be released for free on 22/1/2025