Chapter 64: A Letter of Recommendation Written by Myself
Uchiha Dali had already anticipated that a naive and idealistic guy like Uchiha Shisui would go running to Shimura Danzo.
So, when he deliberately revealed his plan to him at the time, that too was part of the plan.
Now that it was confirmed the kid really was that dumb, Uchiha Dali completely abandoned the idea of making him a trusted aide.
"You're curious why I'm not angry, aren't you?"
Uchiha Dali stared into Uchiha Shisui's eyes as he asked.
"Senior Dali must be confident in his own strength. You probably believe that even if I told Lord Danzo what you said, it wouldn't make any difference."
"Oh? You're actually pretty sharp when it comes to something like this."
Uchiha Dali sounded a bit surprised.
But Shisui didn't respond. He remained silent.
"What was Danzo's reaction?"
Dali continued asking.
"He didn't get angry. He just told me to closely observe you and the entire Uchiha clan from now on, and report everything to him."
Shisui answered honestly as usual.
His behavior made Dali a little confused.
Was this kid trying to play both sides as a double agent?
Or was he really so naive as to believe that by being honest with both Danzo and himself—by treating everyone with sincerity—he could earn their understanding and thus bring about real peace?
Dali stared at him deeply for a few seconds before finally saying, "You really are too naive."
Shisui didn't respond to the remark. Instead, he pulled out the document Danzo had given him and showed it to Dali.
"Lord Danzo kept his word, Senior Dali."
"By now, the villagers should've already heard the news…"
Dali merely glanced at the paper in his hand and gave a dismissive sneer.
This outcome had been well within his expectations—nothing to get excited about.
"Next, we just wait for Hiruzen Sarutobi to return from the Land of Fire's capital."
"But before that…"
A thought formed in Dali's mind, and he gave Shisui a meaningful look.
"I'm going to have a chat with the village's two senior advisors. You can go ahead and report my whereabouts to that old thief Danzo."
"Senior Dali…"
Shisui was visibly startled.
But before he could say another word, Dali had already vanished.
——
Inside a secret meeting room.
Two people sat silently in their chairs. In front of each of them sat a cup of hot tea, untouched.
Because at that moment, an unexpected guest had appeared before them.
"What's wrong? You both look surprised."
"Did I come at a bad time? Were you talking behind my back?"
Uchiha Dali wore a half-smile as he looked at the two advisors before him.
"You wouldn't have come here just to make jokes, would you?"
Koharu Utatane asked calmly.
Homura Mitokado, on the other hand, quietly picked up his tea.
The gesture was just a way to cover up his inner unease.
"Of course not."
Dali didn't waste a single word. After pulling out a chair and sitting down across from them, he rested his chin on one hand and said, "I want the two of you to write a letter to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, recommending me as the Fourth Hokage."
"What did you just say?"
Both Homura and Koharu furrowed their brows at the same time.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing their reactions, Dali narrowed his eyes, sensing something off.
The two didn't respond right away.
After a brief silence—perhaps fearing Dali's strength and wanting to avoid provoking him further—they were forced to speak.
Koharu shook her head. "I'm afraid it's already too late."
"We already had the Anbu deliver our letter this afternoon."
"Oh? And who did you recommend?"
Dali nearly stood up from his seat.
The two advisors didn't just offer counsel—they held real sway over Hokage selection.
In other words, if the two of them put forward a name, even the Daimyō would have to take it seriously and give it due consideration.
In the original story, Jiraiya being recommended for Hokage was a prime example.
Now facing Dali's question, the two of them almost answered in unison: "Minato."
"As expected…"
Dali hadn't been surprised at all.
He immediately slammed his hands on the table and stood up.
"Then you can go write another letter and change your recommendation to me."
"If we move quickly, there's still time to catch up."
As he spoke, he began searching the room for paper and pen.
Watching Dali behave as if he owned the place, Homura and Koharu both frowned deeply.
This kid was way out of line.
"Are you trying to threaten us?"
Homura said in a low voice, clearly displeased.
Dali paused for a second, then turned to look at him. After a brief moment of thought, he nodded seriously. "Yes. You're absolutely right."
"So? Are you going to write it, or not?"
He waved the paper and pen he had just found.
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance.
Neither of them spoke—opting instead for silent protest.
Although they didn't give a direct answer, their meaning was clear.
Based on Dali's performance on the battlefield, and the scene he caused earlier in the Hokage's office, they both knew they couldn't take him head-on.
If they provoked him too much, the entire village might end up engulfed in civil war.
So the only resistance they could offer now was silence.
"Not writing, huh?"
"No problem. If you won't write it, I'll do it myself."
Dali said this casually as he sat back down in his chair and started writing the letter himself.
Watching him act so boldly and without shame, Koharu and Homura were both dumbfounded again.
"You do realize that without our official endorsement, even if you write a letter to the Daimyō yourself, it won't carry any real weight—"
"By the way, do you have a sample letter I can reference?"
Dali looked up and interrupted.
Faced with his outrageous behavior, Koharu and Homura went silent again, choosing not to say another word.
Dali didn't care. He focused on his letter, writing rapidly.
Before long, it was done.
"Looks like I'll have to deliver this personally."
He stood up after saying that.
Just then, a kneeling figure suddenly appeared behind him.
"My apologies, Lords Advisor—I arrived late."
"I saw that the guards outside had already—w-wait, who is this guy?!"
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