Chapter 105: Unfavorable Physiognomy
"Of course." Black Zetsu nodded. "Uchiha Madara stands out even in the entire history of the Uchiha clan. And he was the one who came closest to creating the peace I desire."
"However, he made a fatal mistake," Black Zetsu continued. "He believed the words of Senju Hashirama, the inheritor of Asura's will, gave up his own convictions, and founded this village you now have."
"By the time he realized his mistake, it was already too late. As for the history that followed, I presume you know it," Black Zetsu said.
"After Lord Madara and Lord First died one after another, the ninja world plunged back into war..." Uchiha Douhuan lowered his gaze and sighed. "So, you've chosen me now, is that it?"
"Correct. Your talent surpasses even Uchiha Madara's," Black Zetsu said in a tempting tone. "Uchiha Madara possessed only power, but you are different. Not only do you have power, but your intellect and methods are the reasons I chose you."
"Go now. Evolve your eyes to the level of the Eternal Eye, then return here. This stone tablet will give you the answers," Black Zetsu instructed.
Uchiha Douhuan paused in thought. After a moment, he lifted his head, looked at Black Zetsu, and said, "I understand."
With that, Uchiha Douhuan turned and left. Upon reaching the doorway, he turned back to Black Zetsu and added, "By the way, even if you really are the will of an ancestor, don't just casually enter people's homes in the future. One should still maintain a sense of boundaries."
Finished speaking, Uchiha Douhuan ignored the other's reaction and walked straight out of the basement.
After returning home, Uchiha Douhuan was in the study, writing down the method he had just memorized for advancing the Mangekyou Sharingan using Sage Arts.
After some thought, he summoned a small snake from Ryuchi Cave, having it deliver a message to Orochimaru.
Soon, the space-time fluctuations of a reverse summoning jutsu appeared beside Uchiha Douhuan, and Uchiha Douhuan traveled to Ryuchi Cave.
When Uchiha Douhuan arrived, Orochimaru was already waiting nearby.
"Douhuan-sama, summoning me so late, is there something you require?" Orochimaru asked respectfully.
"Help me verify the feasibility of this technique." Uchiha Douhuan said, handing the transcribed scroll to Orochimaru.
"I understand." Orochimaru took the scroll and unrolled it. "A Training method combining natural energy and Sharingan pupil power?"
After reading the scroll, Orochimaru looked up at Uchiha Douhuan. "To verify this, suitable materials will be needed."
Hearing this, Uchiha Douhuan gave Orochimaru a deep look. Seeing the other's expression remain unchanged, he took out a sealing scroll, entered Sage Mode, and simultaneously activated his Mangekyou Sharingan.
Uchiha Douhuan sealed a portion of pupil power and a portion of Sage Art chakra separately within the scroll, handed it to Orochimaru, and then said, "This should be enough for your research."
"Of course," Orochimaru nodded. "Thank you for your generosity, Douhuan-sama."
...
Several days later, Uchiha Douhuan spent some time at the Security Department headquarters before heading to the Hokage Building.
After the Jounin vote was completed, the current Uchiha Douhuan was essentially no different from the Hokage within the village, and Sarutobi Hiruzen also began handing over some matters to Uchiha Douhuan.
However, on the way to the Hokage Building, Uchiha Douhuan noticed that some villagers averted their gazes upon seeing him.
Upon reaching the Hokage Building and entering the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted Uchiha Douhuan first.
"Douhuan, you're here."
Subsequently, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to dismiss those around him, signaling Uchiha Douhuan to come forward.
"Douhuan, there might be a hitch regarding your succession as the Fifth," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
Hearing this, Uchiha Douhuan's brow tightened.
"Take a look at this." Sarutobi Hiruzen took out a letter bearing the Daimyo's official seal from his desk and handed it to Uchiha Douhuan.
"The Daimyo's side had initially agreed to your appointment as the Fifth, but several officials and nobles from the Land of Fire jointly submitted a petition objecting to the matter," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained.
"Officials and nobles?" Uchiha Douhuan frowned deeply. "I don't recall offending them at any point."
Finished speaking, Uchiha Douhuan looked suspiciously at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Don't look at me like that, Douhuan, this has nothing to do with me," Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly explained upon seeing Uchiha Douhuan's gaze. "I've already handed over command of the Anbu and the Jounin squads to you. I really want to retire too."
Uchiha Douhuan nodded. The possibility of Sarutobi Hiruzen arranging this was indeed low; otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily allowed the Sarutobi clan's private forces to register at the Hokage Building and relinquish command of the Anbu and Jounin squads.
Just then, Kakashi also arrived hurriedly at the Hokage's office.
"Douhuan, let's head back to the Security Department first," Kakashi said after approaching Uchiha Douhuan and glancing at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Whatever it is, just say it here," Uchiha Douhuan said.
"Several physiognomists from the Fire Capital have arrived in the village these past few days. After their arrival, quite a few unfavorable rumors about you started circulating," Kakashi reported.
"Rumors? Such as?" Uchiha Douhuan raised an eyebrow and asked.
"For example, that your physiognomy is bad, Douhuan, and becoming Hokage will bring disaster to the village," Kakashi said, glancing again at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hey, Kakashi, this really has nothing to do with me," Sarutobi Hiruzen said helplessly. "My every move these past few days has been under the watchful eyes of your Security Department. How could I have had the opportunity to do these things?"
But Sarutobi Hiruzen also knew that using rumors like this looked very much like the handiwork of his faction.
"Rest assured, Kakashi, this matter probably doesn't have much to do with Lord Third," Uchiha Douhuan chuckled. "Using 'bad physiognomy' as a reason to spread rumors is rather laughable. Which ninja, living with their head tucked in their waistband, would believe such a thing?"
Kakashi: ...
Kakashi really wanted to say, 'Don't forget there's someone locked up in the Security Department who believes in that stuff,' but on second thought, what Uchiha Douhuan said seemed reasonable. Few ninjas he knew believed in such ethereal things; they only trusted the kunai in their hands.
"However, this kind of rumor does sound like something those nobles, with nothing better to do all day than stir up trouble, would come up with. Kakashi, I'll trouble you to take some people to the Fire Capital and investigate. Find out the background of these people who suddenly popped up to oppose me."
"Understood," Kakashi nodded and left to carry out the order.
"Lord Third, I'll head back to deal with these matters then," Uchiha Douhuan finished speaking and also turned to leave the Hokage Building.
After returning to the Security Department, Uchiha Douhuan glanced at today's patrol roster and summoned Uchiha Zaito.
After Uchiha Zaito entered Uchiha Douhuan's office, he first bowed respectfully, then asked, "Captain, what are your orders?"
"Zaito, I hear that recently, some special people seem to have arrived in the village," Uchiha Douhuan said calmly while brewing tea.
"Are you referring to those physiognomist charlatans, Captain? The Security Department has already dispatched personnel to handle the matter," Uchiha Zaito replied.
"Good." Uchiha Douhuan nodded. "Remember to entertain the village's guests properly. The people behind them are quite influential."
"I understand," Uchiha Zaito nodded, about to leave upon receiving the order.
"Hey, what's the rush." Uchiha Douhuan stopped Uchiha Zaito, then handed a freshly brewed cup of tea to him. "At least finish the tea."
"Thank you, Captain!" Uchiha Zaito nodded with a smile, accepted the tea, drank it down in one gulp, and then grimaced from the heat.
"Sigh..." Uchiha Douhuan looked helplessly at the other and sighed. It seemed the task of educating the next generation of the clan was indeed long and arduous.
...
On the village's commercial street, a brand-new shop front displayed signs for fortune-telling and physiognomy. This shop, open for only two days, seemed to be doing brisk business, with a long queue forming at the entrance.
"Sister Yoshinaga, are you also here to see the master?" A middle-aged woman in the queue greeted an acquaintance she spotted.
"Yes, I heard from my neighbor that the master here is very accurate."
However, the two hadn't exchanged pleasantries for long before a squad of stern-faced individuals in Security Department uniforms approached. Leading the team was Sakurai Hideaki, who had already been promoted to squad leader.
Upon seeing the Security Department, the queuing villagers instantly fell silent.
"Go home quickly. We've received reports that this shop is promoting superstition within the village and needs to be investigated," Sakurai Hideaki sternly dispersed the villagers queuing in front of the shop, then led his team inside.
At that moment, the person currently having their fortune read inside the shop hastily stood up and fled outwards upon seeing the Security Department.
"Who are you people? Why are you disrupting my business?" The fortune-telling master, dressed in professional attire, demanded immediately upon seeing his business flee.
"We are the Konoha Hidden Village Security Department. We heard the master is skilled in physiognomy, so we came to request a face reading," Sakurai Hideaki stated.
"For face readings, please queue outside," the master reminded him.
"We did queue to get in," Sakurai Hideaki replied.
"Alright." Seeing that Sakurai Hideaki and his team looked difficult to deal with, the master could only patiently ask, "What would you gentlemen like to have read?"
"Please help us see, Master, can this lord become Hokage?" Sakurai Hideaki took out a photo of Uchiha Douhuan and placed it on the table in front of the master.
The master picked up the photo. Seeing that the person in the picture was precisely the target their backers had sent them to Konoha village to undermine, he began to speak, clicking his tongue repeatedly: "Tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk tsk, this one's physiognomy is not good. I'd say there's no chance."
"Please look again, carefully," Sakurai Hideaki said deliberately, his face grim, emphasizing each word.
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