"I think that is the twelfth cart now," Sai says as all the leaf shinobi, Zabuza, and Haku watches as the carts are pulled over the new bridge.

"Trade is going to boom at this point. You saved a country," Zabuza says looking down at Sai.

"These are just relief supplies. It will take them time to get back up on their feet from this," Sai says.

"At least your mother taught you something about war and trade," Zabuza mutters to him.

"So sensei, are we done here?" Sai asks as they chisel in the name of the bridge.

"Well, with the bridge done, there is no need to stay. So yes," Kakashi says, seeming to smile behind his mask.

"The great Naruto bridge," Sai says smirking, making Naruto blush in embarrassment.

"Who did you pay off?" Kakashi asks dryly while slouching.

"Don't look at me. I had nothing to do with this," Sai says before looking to Sasuke who shook his head.

"Then who did?" Kakashi asks, knowing it won't be that easy to get your name on an important place.

"Beats me," Sai says.

"Uh huh," Kakashi says unconvinced.

"You questioning my son's integrity?" Ringo asks.

"It's just hard to believe Naruto's name," Kakashi says dryly.

"He did inspire the citizens to rise up," Sasuke points out.

"Well thank you Sasuke. Does that mean you are going to be nice to me?" Naruto asks smugly.

"I make no promises," Sasuke informs.

"Good enough for me," Naruto says happily.

"Dobe," Sasuke mutters as they start walking away.

Naruto keeps grinning like an idiot as he follows the rest of them.


"Finally back home," Sai says flopping down on the couch.

Sai grunts as he felt a weight sit down on his stomach and looks up to see Tenten smiling down at him. "Hey, cutie. So how did it go?"

"Naruto got a bridge connecting Wave to the mainland named after him somehow," Sai informs.

Tenten raises an eyebrow skeptically at that.

"I know," Sai says rubbing her back.

Tenten smiles as she arches her back slightly. "So…now that you're back, want to do something fun?"

"Like see Sasuke as a female in a dancer outfit?" Sai asks.

"Seriously? How did you manage that?" Tenten asks in disbelief.

"Want to tell her Sasuke?" Sai asks looking to the opening door.

Sasuke grumbles to herself as she walks in wearing a see through the flap of veil over her chest connecting to a gold chain around her waist that has an another two veil flaps counting to hold chains around her ankles, all showing off her lacy underwear. "I hate you."

"No. You don't empress to be," Sai says as Tenten looked at her in disbelief.

Sasuke sighs. "Look, I wore this thing for you. The bet is over."

"Agreed. Now come here," Sai says inviting her.

Sasuke grumbles under her breath as she walks over before sitting beside them as she crosses her arms ticked off.

"Man, Suna must be perverted, don't you think?" Sai asks.

"It has to be for this," Tenten says, looking over Sasuke's back and licks her lips at the sight of just her bare back with only her underwear.

"Now, I believe you also got other clothes. Tenten, I want you to instruct her on them," Sai says.

Tenten giggles as she smiles back at him. "Can I have fun?"

"Yes, but focus on teaching her," Sai instructs.

Tenten nods and keeps smirking to Sasuke who huffs at her. "Don't be like that. You need to learn all this to please him."

"And to be empress requires you to dress feminine. You will be the Uchiha matriarch after all," Sai reminds before unsealing some documents to look over while activating his sharingan for a moment to have a permanent memory of Sasuke in that. "Now Sasuke and Tenten we need to come up with a plan. There are two who we regularly interact amongst my former classmates with whom could figure out what we are up to," Sai says.

"You got a plan for them?" Tenten asks running her hands slowly over Sasuke.

"Well, I could do what I did to Sasuke and bring them under my control, but how?" Sai asks.

"A little party? Maybe some business deals?" Tenten suggests as she makes Sasuke shiver and try to shrug her off.

"Shikamaru Nara and Shino Aburame," Sai says informing them of their names.

"Oh. Yeah. That will be tough to deal with," Tenten says looking towards him.

"Shikamaru is super smart and Shino is smart and his bugs are great spies," Sai says.

"So you need to counter both. You have a plan for that?" Tenten asks now laying down on him.

"Thinking," Sai informs.

Tenten grins. "How about letting them go out on a date with me? That might let their guard down."

"No. Too obvious…we need to plan this out well," Sai says.

Tenten hums. "I'll leave you to it. For now, I got to play dress up with our girl here," she says looking to Sasuke.

"Alright, I will be in the greenhouse working," Sai says looking back to the papers


"Naruto, have you been continuing your studying of jutsus?" Sai asks after their training finished.

Naruto hums as he tries to look like he's concentrating. "May…not really," he says quickly after the seeing the skeptical look on Sai's face.

"Study, learn, and master them," Sai says pushing four jutsu scrolls into his face.

"Man. More studying?" Naruto complains as he holds the bundle of scrolls.

"It's ninjutsu. You love learning them," Sai reminds.

"Still studying," Naruto cries now with teary eyes.

"Naruto," Sai growls in a lecturing tone.

Naruto yelps as he jumps back and covers himself in fear.

"Learn them so one day you will one day be the Hokage," Sai instructs leaving no room for argument to the rest of the teams' amusement.

"Fine…" Naruto groans as he slouches. "Your shark teeth are still scary."

"That they should be," Sai says smirking.

"Speaking of advancing in rank. I have decided to put your names forward for the chunin exams," Kakashi says.

Sai turns on his heel towards him. "You don't ever ask permission, do you?"

"It's up to you to participate in the chunin exams. My putting your name forward was just to give you the option," Kakashi informs giving them an eye smile.

Sai looked at the slips of paper as the other three grabbed it before they start packing up. "Sorry. I don't think I should this time," Sai says surprising them all.

"Seriously? This is the chunin exams. You are going to become chunin in this," Naruto argues.

"It also takes months on end and right now I don't have that sort of time. I have a great deal of political and financial deals to see to. I am the head of a clan and I can't put that on hold. I can always gain the rank later. After all, it is just a rank," Sai says.

"Just a rank? Sai, Hokage is a rank," Naruto points out.

"Naruto, Hokage is the leader of the village. Chunin is a squad leader. Sometimes life pushes plans back. Besides, the rules are clear. Chunin exams are three man teams only," Sai informs.

Sasuke looked concerned at him as Naruto gets it. "Oh…but don't call it just a rank again. I get chunin rank, it's one step closer to my goal."

"There is nothing saying you have to be a jonin to become Hokage," Sai says smirking.

"Yeah, but your way is boring. It's always looking at papers," Naruto points out.

"What do you think the Hokage does?" Sai muttered low enough where Naruto couldn't hear him.

"Very well. I will inform the Hokage you won't be participating," Kakashi not completely surprised.

Sai shrugs. "No skin off my bones. I will root for you three to pass."


'So Gaara is male in this one as well…ah, my first wife. Our marriage was a political one between the villages but we did love one another,' Sai thinks sighing thinking back.

"Are you okay?" the third Hokage asks seeing his expression.

"I am fine…though a few of your subordinates did give me a glare as I entered. I fear the stigma of the old rumors of an Uchiha rebellion is manifesting again with my attempts to bring the clan back to prosperity," Sai voices his concern.

He grows concerned now as the idea of the council thinking of another rebellion is not what they need, especially since it is the last of the clan now. "Well then, let's help put those fears to rest."

"Hard to do and the notion is ridiculous in itself. If I was to rebel to try and seize power, with what army would I do so?" Sai says waving his hand dismissively as the rest of Sarutobi's advisors nod in agreement.

"You are definitely smarter than you look," Sarutobi says smiling.

"My concern is if another clan, even if they are minor, will try and use these feeling to their advantage and try and eliminate the Uchiha clan once and for all," Sai says, letting them know instantly that the additional boost to their income from the Uchiha legitimate business would disappear.

"Well, we just make sure we can make some better deals between clans and maybe we can get you some alliances," Sarutobi says thinking on who to get.

"Hard to. Also, we can't afford to let any of the other villages catching wind of any confrontation in the village, letting them know we are not completely unified," Sai says making Danzo nod.

"He is correct," Danzo agrees.

"Furthermore, lord Hokage and honorable advisors, I must ask. With Suna's recent decline in finances, should we be worried they will do something desperate?" Sai asks.

"It's something of a possibility. I assume you must have a plan for this," Danzo says.

"No. For it is unknown. If they are at that point, but I recently heard from my hired merchant of talk of a new village. The village of sound," Sai informs.

"That…is dangerous," Danzo says frowning.

"Apparently they are somewhere in Land of Rice Fields, but they don't know where. Seems like their village is, if you pardon the pun, hidden," Sai informs.

"Then we should make it a point to find it. Relay those instructions to our spies," Sarutobi instructs.

"Now as for Wave what should we do about it? I have been sending relief supplies to it as a start, but what can we do to further the village's power with them?" Sai says trying to think on it in front of the four who start to think on it as well.

"Sarutobi…what if we installed a new daimyo there, a vassal daimyo if you will? Doing so could be very helpful to both the village and the land of fire's court," Homura puts forward as a thought.

"Sai, your merchant is there the most. What do you think?" Sarutobi asks.

"Maybe. They don't have one anymore. That one died in an accident. Most likely planned by Gato while he lived. But they would be a little concerned if we came on too strong. We need a slower approach so not to get any backlash from this," Sai informs.

"I must say, it is good to have one of our youngest be so knowledgeable and know what he is talking about," Koharu comments.

"You are a lost council without it," Sai says shaking his head.

"That is true. Information is too vital," Sarutobi says.

"So about that business proposal. I am willing to give you the secret of my genjutsu trap tags in exchange for guaranteed royalties," Sai says.

"That sounds…enticing," Danzo says hiding the fact he wanted those tags for the village badly.

"Do we have a deal lord Hokage?" Sai asks.

"Oh yes. I have a feeling this could be the first step to handling these allegations," Sarutobi says.

"Very good," Sai says smirking.


"I must admit, it is an ingenious trap seal," Homura says looking over the scroll for the formula for the jutsu after Sai had left.

"Agreed. Sai is a genius. Kakashi has even reported that like him he developed a new jutsu Raiton: Lightning Piercing Hawk. Sai is innovated and tackles problems in different ways than most would consider or think of. He may become the next…" Koharu suddenly trailed off and went silent.

"Orochimaru is what you are thinking, aren't you?" Sarutobi asks.

"Dangerously," Koharu says.

"I will admit I see it too, but we can not jump to conclusions what he may become. Sai is brilliant and may one day lead our R&D facilities. We can't afford to lose him. Even if we do lose some favor by doing so," Danzo says.

"And that is what is needed right now…place watch on the Wave and Suna. Then keep watch over the clans, no matter how small. After all, he is building his clan back up again and we can't afford a misstep for him," Sarutobi says trying to find something in his desk now.

"I already know of one," Danzo says.

"Where is that stupid thing?" Sarutobi says trying to open all his drawers before finding a note in an empty one. "Shadow clones and stop drinking. You are running a village," he reads.

"The Armarada clan is none too pleased that the Uchiha clan recently bought out some land they were eyeing and refuses to sell to them," Danzo informs.

"And just what we needed," Sarutobi mutters as he pinches the bridge of his eyes as he tries to figure out who took his sake.

"They are a very small clan with only a few members being shinobi, but they had hoped to make some big money and take some influence from having some of the Uchiha lands when they heard they were wiped out as well, but when Sai became the head and refused to sell, they weren't continent. So they have been looking for payback for a while. The question is, should we support them as right now they are the stronger clan and have more influence or do we make an investment and help the Uchiha clan here?" Danzo asks seriously.


"So today is the start of the chunin exams, huh? I hope everything goes well for all of them," Sai says before hearing a knock on the door. "Coming," Sai calls getting up and heads for the door. When he opens it, he saw a few members of the shinobi police force there.

"Saisentan Ringo Uchiha, please come with us. There are some questions we need to ask you," the officer says.

"Fine, but can I change into my regular clothes first?" Sai asks in his pajamas.


"For the fifth time. The reason I am not in the exams is that I choose not to so can we speed this up. I have important meetings to attend. Like one with the Akimichi clan," Sai says looking to the officer that was a member of the clan.

"So we can contact them and confirm this then?" the officer asks.

"Go right ahead. Your officers are just going to be the ones explaining to them why the meetings were pushed back," Sai says unintimidated.

One of the officers leaves to confirm that as the rest stayed to watch Sai as he yawns and stretches. "And before you start, I do not feel like repeating myself a sixth time so stop right there in trying to make me change my answer," Sai says stopping the officer as he opened his mouth again. "Now then, who has accused me of treason?" Sai asks glaring now but received no answer. "Fine. You don't have to tell me, but I can guess as not many would have such a petty grudge against me or is this prejudice against my clan?" Sai says, not quite accusing anyone, but letting them know he wasn't above making accusations like that.

Those in the room waited in silence for several minutes before the door opened and in came Kakashi and the Hokage. "Lord Hokage," Sai greets.

"Tell me, what is the purpose of taking the head of a clan and questioning him without even one of the council present?" Sarutobi asks.

"Apparently someone accused me of treason," Sai informs getting up.

"Not hard to see. You have been dealing with stone. Should have guessed since we are still with heavy tension against them. However, I would bet you have no ill will here, correct?" Sarutobi asks.

"Of course not lord Hokage. This is just standard procedure," the interrogator informs.

"Then if you are done, release him. I have already received complaints about this from the Hyuuga and the Nara clans," Sarutobi informs.


The next few weeks, Sai had to fight a political battle between himself and the accusers, the Armarada clan. While the clan tried to win popular support amongst the citizens and council, Sai aired their dirty laundry and revealed this was a petty act of revenge for purchasing land they had wanted and he wouldn't sell it for the under market price they wanted and with the Hokage officially making a statement, he not only knew about the business with Stone but that a portion of the profits was being donated to the village every month, support quickly dried up. In a last ditch attempt at revenge, the three shinobi of the Armarada clan tried to assassinate Sai as he slept in the middle of the night. Only to encounter his mother and her kiba swords.

'If it has happened like last time, Sasuke should have received the curse mark and Naruto should have contacted Kyuubi only for Orochimaru to cut the connection with the five-pronged seal,' Sai thinks sipping his tea as the police in the house investigated, finding clear signs of the break-in. 'Wonder, should I break the seal myself and teach him…or let him go with pervy sage? He would get stronger either way and…wait. I already changed the timeline. I can do whatever I want. Have to be careful on how, though. Maybe…yeah. Maybe I should get Naruto under my wing. But I need the pervy sage's summon scroll so Naruto can have the toads on his side. I'm sure I can convince him. But for Sasuke…' he stops as he remembers that Sasuke left last time because she felt she wasn't strong enough to protect him. 'Damn it…I must speak with her as soon as possible,' Sai thinks getting up.

"I am going to see if I can learn anything on how the chunin exams are proceeding. I will most likely be at the Hokage's tower," Sai informs starting to head out.

"Don't hurt yourself," Ringo says wiping her blades.

"Will do," Sai calls.