122 The Framing (1)

"Thank you for meeting with me again." Greeting Shen politely the two of them spoke face to face with Shen sitting in the chair opposite the Hokages. "After speaking with the elder's we have come to the decision to accept your offer. We hope this will allow us to build a closer relationship with you." Hearing that Shen couldn't help smile inside and out.

"You've made a great decision that will lead this village down a wonderful new path. Though I am surprised you didn't take long to decide." Hearing that Hiruzen laughed lightly before dropping his eyes. "Well, we did have some opposition from one of our elders Danzo." Hearing Danzo's name, Shen's face on the outside remained unaffected but inwardly his mind was buzzing.

'Of course, Danzo would oppose he's skeptical of just about everyone.' Thinking back on Danzo's word's Hiruzen sighed before speaking. "In any case, we have already started preparation so that you can live in the Leaf Village peacefully. After thanking Hiruzen, Shen eventually left the Hogake's building leaving him to wander freely.

Currently, despite the Naruto world being relatively young, there were advantages. And the one advantage Shen appreciated the most was that prizes that won't exist in the future do exist now. Making his way through the village Shen acted reclusive as he searched for one place in particular.

The entire time he was searching he could tell there were always three or more Anbu Black Ops members watching him. Being under suspicion despite their agreement meant he had to be careful with who he does and doesn't speak to. And at the same time, he couldn't simply get rid of them or it would draw attention to himself.

It's because of how his current status conflicted with his wants and needs that he made sure he could do things in incognito. Getting his hands dirty without anyone ever knowing it was actually him. During the time Shen thought about all of this he had also reached his destination.

Watching Shen from the shadow's the Anbu saw he had gone to one of the places they were not allowed to follow. Walking past a sign bearing a familiar crest held by only a clan within the entire Hidden Leaf. In a large area separate from the main area of the village Shen was stopped by two Shinobi guarding the entrance.

Looking at Shen with eyes full of suspicion. "State your business and identity." Narrowing his eyes Shen spoke in a low voice so the Anbu nearby couldn't hear him. "My name is Shen. I'm here to speak to your clan leader. Fugaku Uchiha." Hearing Shen's name the Uchiha clansmen both looked at each other before looking back at Shen.

"Please follow me." One of the clansmen began to walk into the Uchiha Clan area allowing Shen to follow. As they walked Shen took his time to look around. He wasn't sure of the exact percentage of Uchiha Clan members that could use the Sharingan. But he was positive there were probably more than twenty in his general vicinity.

After walking for about five minutes Shen had spotted a large building in the distance. The Uchiha guard Shen was following stopped walking once they reached the entrance to the house. Entering the house the Uchiha Guard left Shen alone for just a second and after a brief period of waiting he returned gesturing for Shen to enter.

Acting as if he was admiring the building Shen was brought to a meeting room where he sat down and waited. A couple of seconds later the person he had come to see finally arrived. As he entered the room he spoke before finally sitting down. "We weren't expecting you to arrive here so soon or at all. We had only just received a message from the Third Hokage after all of your installment into the Leaf."

Looking at Fugaku, Shen could tell he was a lot younger than he was whenever he was able to see him. The hate the Uchiha had for the Leaf had yet to sprout and any thoughts of rebellion had yet to be made. It was because of that fact that Shen decided to come here now more than later.

"Well, I have something I need to discuss with you. It's quite urgent." Listening to Shen, Fugaku's face changed to one of interest as a woman walked through into the room with a tray carrying tea. Placing the cups along with the teapots on the table between Shen and Fugaku the woman then excused herself before leaving.

Picking up his cup Fugaku proceeded to drink before speaking. "Please tell me what is so urgent that you have come to see me directly." Seeing Fugaku acting so calm, Shen decided not to waste time with idle chatter. "I am aware that you of the Uchiha Clan have a special ability named the Sharingan correct?"

Pausing midway into drinking Fugaku's eyes narrowed as he placed his cup down. "Indeed it is a Dojutusu that has been passed down throughout our bloodline. May I ask why you're interested in it?" Shen could already tell Fugaku's guard was raised just from him asking about the Sharingan but in the end, there was only one piece of information he was interested in gathering.

"Not precisely. I am aware of the two different Dojutusu within the Leaf one being the Sharingan and the other the Byakugan belonging to the Hyuga. If it was just those abilities alone I would not have much to worry about however that's not the case. From what I'm aware there is a level beyond the normal Sharingan known as the Mangekyou if I'm not mistaken."

It was then that Fugaku finally lost the composure he had been keeping in front of Shen. The Mangekyou Sharingan was no information given freely. If one wasn't a high-ranking member of some type of intelligence group or a member of the Uchiha Clan then it shouldn't be possible for one to know about the Mangekyou.

'I read the report Lord Third had sent to all clan leaders in the village however this is beyond simply having extensive knowledge. If this was truly his first time entering the Hidden Leaf he should not know about the Mangekyou Sharingan. Either he lied or someone within the clan has been leaking information to him. But it's so soon…'

Zoning out for a moment Fugaku realized that he had gone silent for a while. Putting a smile back on his face he replied to Shen. "What you have said is correct though that information is usually kept within the Clan. I hope you understand." Watching Fugaku's body language carefully Shen smiled as he spoke.

"Of course I wouldn't ask unless like I said it was urgent. I believe your Clan could possibly be targeted by Kariudo because of it." Hearing Shen mention the Kariudo, Fugaku thought back to the report sent by the Third Hokage one more time, and as he did his gaze darkened. "If the Kariudo truly does target the Uchiha the threat would be insignificant if there no are no Mangekyou Sharingan user's within the clan currently."

Nodding his head to the side Shen continued. "Of course if there are then that threat increases. So I'm here to ask you one simple question: are there any Mangekyou Sharingan users currently within the Uchiha?" Dropping the smile on his face, Shen's glare caused Fugaku to freeze for a moment as he thought of how to answer.

He didn't know why but he suddenly felt as if a knife had been pressed to his throat. Shen physically wasn't doing anything to him of course even he could see that. But there was a type of pressure he couldn't describe. "We…" Stopping his own words for a moment Fugaku spoke again this time fully. "We do not. There are no Mangekyou Sharingan users currently within the clan."

And with his answer the pressure he felt disappeared. As Shen's face returned to being all smiles. "Well, then I guess there shouldn't be an issue any time soon then." Picking up the cup of tea had already grown cold Shen quickly gulped the entire thing down before standing up. "Sorry to intrude on you please have a good day." Before Fugaku even had a chance to respond to Shen he was already gone and so was Fugaku's understanding.

'He's the Leaf Village's ally, right? So why did it feel as if I was being held, hostage.' On the other hand, Shen had already teleported out of the Uchiha's residence area and was now walking back into the Hidden Leaf. 'So there are Mangekyou Sharingan users already within the Uchiha at this time so that means I don't have to wait.'

Touching his right eye Shen's vision had been slowly degrading thanks to his Mangekyou Sharingan use. Despite being able to use Orihime to heal it was only a temporary fix and now that he was in this universe it was a perfect chance for him to upgrade himself permanently.

Later that day Shen had gone to his new 'home' that the Third Hokage had given to him. It was actually quite big and was placed near the center of the village putting him between the Hokage's Office and the major clan's equally. While that was convenient it also meant that the moment they realized he was up to something they could have easily surrounded.

Entering the house the first thing Shen did was flop down onto the couch. Gesturing with his hand's a pen and paper flew down onto the table in front of him. Sitting on the table was a stamp that had been placed there before he even arrived. It was something he actually asked for from the Third Hokage personally.

Picking up the pen Shen twirled it in his hands as a grin appeared on his face. 'Now then let the games begin.'