Chapter 22: Hiruzen Sarutobi

“Dongye, long time no see.” Shisui Uchiha greeted Dongye Yu.

“Long time no see,” Dongye Yu replied, then asked, “Is there something you need? Are you here for a commission?”

Shisui paused, suddenly realizing this was the perfect excuse. If he was here to commission a task, it would dispel the suspicion that he was deliberately approaching the Nine-Tails’ host.

Shisui Uchiha did not know that those who trust you will continue to trust you no matter what you do, while those who do not, will always harbor doubts regardless of your actions.

“Yes,” Shisui nodded, “I do have something I’d like to ask your help with.”

“What is it?”

After asking, Dongye Yu picked up the price list from the table and handed it over.

“This is the price list. You can take a look.”

But halfway through, Dongye Yu withdrew his hand.

“Wait, let me add something.”

He picked up a pen and quickly scribbled on the price list before handing it to Shisui.

Shisui took the price list and glanced at the very bottom, where Dongye Yu had just added a new line.

[Treatment for various difficult ailments, commission fee to be determined based on the situation.]

Shisui was a little curious—did Dongye Yu know medical techniques as well?

But he didn’t ask further, and instead studied the price list, pondering what he should commission Dongye Yu to do.

What could he ask for that would genuinely require a commission?

After a long while, Shisui set down the price list.

“Dongye, this time, I’d like to ask you to investigate what the villagers of Konoha think of the Uchiha, and why they hold such opinions.”

He had originally just wanted an excuse, but as he voiced the question, he found himself genuinely wanting to know the answer.

He was aware the Uchiha’s reputation in the village was poor, but why was that? Was it really all his clan’s fault?

Unlike Itachi Uchiha who later sided entirely with Konoha, Shisui loved both the village and his clan, and had always hoped for harmonious coexistence.

But perhaps limited by his perspective or for other reasons, he never found a solution. In the end, trapped in despair, he chose to end his own life, hoping his death would delay the rebellion and buy time for Itachi, entrusting all hope to him.

Yet the outcome was clear—Itachi disappointed him.

“This commission will take considerable time. How about a fee of one thousand ryo?” Dongye Yu considered for a moment before speaking.

“No problem.” For Shisui Uchiha, this price was more than reasonable.

“I’ll start investigating this afternoon. Come back at this time tomorrow, and I’ll give you the results.”

“Alright.” Shisui was looking forward to it.

He could have investigated himself, but as an Uchiha, his results would never be as reliable as those of an ordinary villager like Dongye Yu—many people wouldn’t even tell him the truth.

But after his anticipation, Shisui felt a hint of worry—would he be disappointed?

“Dongye, I’ll be going then. See you at this time tomorrow.”

“Okay, take care.”

And so, Dongye Yu had secured another business deal.

“Brother Yu, who was that just now? You seem to know him, and the emblem on his clothes is the same as Sasuke’s,” Naruto asked curiously.

“That was Shisui Uchiha—a member of Sasuke’s clan. We met by chance once before.”

“Oh,” Naruto replied, then brightened as he remembered something, “Brother Yu, this is great! We’ve got another job!”

“Mm.” Dongye Yu was also looking forward to it. Would completing Shisui’s commission grant him a new skill? If so, what kind of skill would it be?

Would it be genjutsu?

………………

He thought Shisui would be the last visitor of the day, but shortly after Shisui left, someone Dongye Yu never expected walked in.

“Grandpa Third! Why are you here?” Naruto exclaimed in delight.

“Am I not allowed to visit?” The Third Hokage smiled kindly.

Indeed, it was Konoha’s Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Strictly speaking, this was Dongye Yu’s first time seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi up close. He was a little different from what Dongye Yu had imagined—there was nothing mystical or intimidating about him, just the aura of an ordinary old man.

Perhaps this had to do with Dongye Yu’s current strength; Hiruzen Sarutobi, to him now, was hardly a formidable opponent.

“Lord Third,” Dongye Yu greeted politely.

“Yu… may I call you that?” The Third still wore his gentle smile.

“Of course.”

“Sigh, time flies. I remember meeting your great-grandfather a few times back in the day, and now his great-grandson has grown up so much.” Though he seemed to be reminiscing, he was also subtly trying to foster closeness with Dongye Yu.

“Yes, time really does fly.” Dongye Yu replied sincerely.

“Yu, how has your life been lately? Is there anything this old man can help with?”

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Third. Everything’s been fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” The Third repeated, then turned his attention to Naruto.

“Actually, I came here today to see Naruto. He wasn’t at home, so I found him here.”

“Is something the matter, Grandpa Third?” Naruto asked.

“Ninja Academy registration is this Saturday. I came especially to tell you.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, I’ve already spoken to the Academy ahead of time. Just go and register yourself when the time comes.”

“Great! Thank you, Grandpa Third!”

The Third Hokage had indeed come specifically to see Naruto—but not for the Academy. He was here to check on Naruto’s condition.

Shisui Uchiha’s recent visit had put him on alert.

He claimed to “trust” Shisui, and the Anbu watching Naruto had reported Shisui’s purpose for coming, but in the end, he still chose to come in person.

He surreptitiously checked several times and found nothing unusual about Naruto, so his mission was complete.

“Yu, I didn’t expect you and Naruto to get along so well.”

“Perhaps because neither of us have parents,” Dongye Yu answered.

“…Sigh.” The Third Hokage sighed, seemingly recalling something.

“Please look after Naruto for me.”

“Mm.”

The Third wanted to say more, but Dongye Yu’s somewhat distant tone left him at a loss for words.

“Well, I won’t disturb you two further. I’ll be off now,” the Third said, taking his leave.

“Alright, take care, Lord Third.” Dongye Yu and Naruto watched him depart.