Land of Fire, Konoha
After a busy day, Uchiha Satoshi was still in high spirits.
Lately, everything seemed to be going his way.
Not only had he been promoted to sub-commander of the Uchiha Police Force, but he had also awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan at noon.
Now, even Uchiha Shanyang, the deputy captain of the Guard, had to call him Satoshi-san!
It felt great.
Of course, the side effects of Mangekyō Sharingan were a real concern—it was frankly absurd that he was dealing with them already.
But that was fine.
Satoshi smirked, twirling a small medicine bottle in his hand.
Inside, a pink liquid swirled gently.
He had spent a ridiculous amount of money on this stuff at a high-end apothecary.
A prestigious and renowned tonic, indispensable for revitalizing a man's dignity.
He even had to borrow ryo from Uchiha Shanyang just to afford a single bottle.
He had sworn that tonight, at the famous Muye Breeze Entertainment House, even if he was exhausted, he would uphold his duty as a member of the Uchiha Guard!
After all, Muye Breeze was a loyal contributor to Konoha's economy, a respected business that regularly paid its protection fees.
Many brothers in the Guard were more than happy to show their support.
Shaking the vial with satisfaction, Satoshi strolled down the street, humming a tune.
This tonic was far superior to standard military-grade performance enhancers.
Rumor had it that just a small dab on the hand while… engaged in the act, would stimulate both parties' latent bloodline potential—granting them remarkable endurance.
Of course, seasoned shinobi, who were trained to detect and neutralize foreign substances using chakra, wouldn't be affected unless they willingly allowed it.
But when used intentionally, its effectiveness was undeniable.
Whoosh!
Just as Satoshi was considering the optimal dosage, a shadow descended from above.
"Shit!"
He nearly dropped the bottle in shock.
A masked Anbu shinobi stood before him, voice calm yet authoritative:
"Uchiha Satoshi. Lord Hokage requests your presence at his residence. Immediately."
"…Hokage? Looking for me?"
Satoshi scowled, his grip tightening on the vial.
He had instinctively twisted the cap open when startled, and now—
The liquid spilled all over his right hand!
Damn it! That stuff was expensive!
His night of glory—ruined!
He stared at the Anbu, his expression shifting between frustration and scheming.
How could he weasel out of this?
As he walked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen's residence, he racked his brain for an escape plan.
Unfortunately—
They arrived too quickly.
"Go in. Alone."
With that, the Anbu vanished into the darkness.
No chance to run.
Satoshi gritted his teeth.
His perfect evening was over.
Knock, knock.
A few seconds later, the door creaked open.
Standing there was Sarutobi Biwako, the Third Hokage's wife.
Unlike in the original timeline, where she perished during the Nine-Tails Attack, she had survived thanks to Bai Ye's interference.
Although Biwako had withdrawn from active politics, she still had a sharp eye for Konoha's affairs.
She instantly recognized the Uchiha crest on Satoshi's uniform.
"You're here to see Hiruzen?"
She stepped aside, nodding.
"Come in."
But Satoshi wasn't that reckless.
He might have been hot-headed, but he wasn't stupid enough to enter the Hokage's house alone at night.
That kind of move could bring unnecessary suspicion from Bai Ye.
So, instead, he thrust out his right hand, the one covered in mysterious pink liquid.
"Right here is fine—"
Drip.
His words froze.
A single drop of the pink substance had landed on Biwako's nostril.
Before he could react—
"Hmm."
Biwako yawned, inhaling deeply.
The liquid vanished into her system.
Oh no.
Satoshi's eyes widened in horror.
That tonic was strong.
At her age, could the Third Hokage handle this kind of situation?!
Stepping back cautiously, he prepared to retreat before things escalated.
But he had no idea just how much worse the night would become.
---
Meanwhile, outside the Sarutobi estate—
A Root ninja knelt before Shimura Danzo, whispering a report.
"Sir, Uchiha Satoshi has entered Sarutobi's residence."
Danzo smirked.
"Has Hiruzen returned?"
"No, sir. He is still handling official business."
Perfect.
Danzo's calculating eyes gleamed.
If Uchiha Satoshi was inside, there was an opportunity here.
And with only Biwako at home?
Even better.
For a moment, he reminisced.
Decades ago, in their youth, he and Biwako had shared a complicated history.
Even now, he sometimes recalled those old, passionate days.
But at his current age, nostalgia was secondary to his ambitions.
He strode confidently toward the entrance.
Inside the estate—
Satoshi had just finished washing his hands by the garden pond.
Ignoring the now-erratic koi fish, he hid behind a tree, watching the approaching figure.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Danzo?"
What the hell was he doing here?
Knock, knock.
Biwako opened the door, her face slightly flushed.
"Danzo?"
She blinked, her pupils slightly unfocused.
Something wasn't right.
Her body heat was rising, and her breath quickened.
Years of marital neglect had left her feeling…
Restless.
Even the mighty Third Hokage had long since given up his youthful prowess, relying mostly on cucumber remedies.
But now…
Something was different.
"…Biwako?"
Danzo froze as she grabbed his wrist.
A faint memory surfaced—the two of them, young and reckless, in the past.
A memory of her calling his name with the same intensity.
"Danzo…"
"Zang-ge…"
Danzo's entire body stiffened.
He could feel it—the fire burning in her gaze.
He barely had time to react before she pulled him inside.
---
Outside, Satoshi blinked.
The door slammed shut behind Danzo.
He stood there in stunned silence.
Slowly,
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