"Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Uchiha clan actually attacked me and Root, and you just let them off? That's treason! We must hold the Uchiha accountable!"
In the Hokage's conference room, Shimura Danzo shouted furiously, his face twisted in rage. Of everyone involved in the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he had suffered the greatest humiliation—trapped inside a Four-Sided Barrier by a shadow clone of Uchiha Fugaku and three of the clan's elite jonin. It was a complete disgrace.
"Enough, I've heard you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was low and heavy, worn by age and recent grief. He took a long drag from his pipe, staring blankly into the distance. After Minato's death and the sealing of the Nine-Tails, he had resumed the Hokage seat, but he looked older than ever. Deep down, he knew his time had passed.
And the worst part—his wife, Sarutobi Biwako, had died during the chaos.
He didn't even bother looking at Danzo.
"Sarutobi, are you seriously planning to tolerate the Uchiha clan after this?" Danzo pressed, seething at being ignored.
"What Danzo says has merit," Utano Koharu added.
Mitokado Homura nodded. "We can't let the Uchiha become too powerful. If they go unpunished after this kind of behavior, the other clans may start acting out. The balance of the village will collapse."
But Hiruzen finally turned to them, his eyes sharp despite the weariness.
"Danzo, instead of helping evacuate the villagers, you went out of your way to stir up conflict with the Uchiha. At least they showed up immediately to assist in subduing the Nine-Tails. And Koharu, Homura—where were you when the seal broke and the Nine-Tails rampaged through the village?"
The room went silent. No one had expected this kind of direct rebuke from Hiruzen—it was unlike his usual passive demeanor.
"Sarutobi… What are you trying to say?" Koharu frowned. "Yes, Homura and I weren't on the frontlines, but we were evacuating civilians. Are you accusing us of not contributing?"
"You weren't there, so you don't know—Uchiha Fugaku awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. And the Uchiha clan summoned some kind of enormous, unknown beast. I'll be honest—even if I were still in my prime, I couldn't guarantee a win against that combination. And I'm certainly not in my prime anymore."
He looked each of them in the eye.
"Right now, which of you has the strength to match him? And is Fugaku the only one in the clan with the Mangekyō? Is that the only giant beast they can summon? What makes you think you can control the Uchiha?"
The shock on Koharu and Homura's faces was immediate.
"What? Another Mangekyō user in the Uchiha?!" Koharu gasped.
"That's impossible... We would've known," Homura muttered, panic setting in.
The Mangekyō Sharingan's reputation preceded it—no one dared underestimate it.
Only Danzo remained quiet. He clenched his fists, guilt flickering across his expression. After all, he had stolen Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō.
So that bastard never reported Fugaku's powers…?
"And let's not pretend you don't know," Hiruzen said coldly. "The Uchiha clan's barrier stopped the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb. That alone tells you they hold the upper hand right now. Yet here you are, still talking about targeting them. What are you planning to fight them with—Susanoo?"
His words crushed whatever resistance the three advisors had left. They might have political power, but in terms of raw strength, they were outmatched. Still, they were unwilling to admit it.
"Even so…" Danzo finally said, tone icy, "we cannot allow the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to be raised by the Uchiha. That much is non-negotiable."
"I've already informed Fugaku about that," Hiruzen replied, exhaling a puff of smoke. "He'll be here shortly to discuss the matter. In principle, I agree with you. But Danzo—the child has a name. He's not just a Jinchūriki. His name is Uzumaki Naruto. Show some respect."
The room fell into an awkward silence. Hiruzen kept smoking as the others sat in uneasy contemplation.
Just then, a shinobi knocked on the door.
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Fugaku has arrived."
"Let him in."
Hiruzen rose from his seat and personally walked to the door to greet Fugaku, much to Danzo's disgust.
"Fugaku," Hiruzen said warmly, "the village has finally started to settle down. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Despite his usual stoicism, Sarutobi truly appreciated what the Uchiha patriarch had done during the attack.
He knew, deep in his heart, that the Nine-Tails might've been controlled by a Sharingan—but it wasn't one from the Konoha Uchiha.
The clan had no reason to destroy the village they lived in. If they truly wanted power, they could've taken it through influence or politics.
"Of course, Hokage-sama," Fugaku replied with equal politeness. "Please speak."
"Thank you for your leadership during the Nine-Tails attack. Without your help, the damage could've been far worse."
"You flatter me, Lord Third. We are part of Konoha. It was our duty."
"Hmph," Danzo scoffed. "Then perhaps you'd care to explain why the Nine-Tails was being controlled by a Sharingan in the first place?"
"Danzo!" Hiruzen shot him a glare, already regretting allowing the man to stay.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "Then maybe you'd care to explain why you blocked my clan's path during the evacuation? Should we go over the details here? Or perhaps you'd prefer a duel? I've heard Elder Danzo is quite adept in Wind Style... I'd love to see it in action."
"You—! You insolent brat! I've only ever done what's best for the village. The Nine-Tails being under Uchiha control speaks volumes. And you still have the nerve to talk back?"
Ignoring him, Fugaku turned back to Hiruzen.
"Lord Third, what exactly do you wish to discuss?"
Hiruzen sighed. "As of now, Uzumaki Naruto is still in the care of your clan, correct?"
"That's right," Fugaku replied. "He's currently staying with my wife, Mikoto. Naturally, members of the Uzumaki clan are also involved in caring for him. After all, Kushina was one of them. What would you like to propose, Hokage-sama?"
-------------------------
"I believe the village should raise Uzumaki Naruto," Sarutobi Hiruzen finally voiced his opinion. "After all, he is the child of Minato and Kushina. It's only right that Konoha takes responsibility for him."
"I'm sorry, Lord Third, but I can't agree to that," Fugaku replied calmly. "When Minato and Kushina passed away, they entrusted Naruto to me. That was their shared wish. I intend to honor it."
"Hmph! You were the only one present. How do we know you're not lying? Maybe your Uchiha clan just wants to control the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki!" Danzo snapped.
"Danzo, that's enough!" Hiruzen glared sharply at his old comrade, growing increasingly irritated by his baseless accusations.
Danzo, of course, was doing this on purpose. He had long coveted the Hokage's seat—he'd even tried to compete for the Fourth Hokage title but lost out to Minato Namikaze. Now that Hiruzen was once again acting Hokage, Danzo wasn't about to let him get too comfortable. If Hiruzen held power for long, Danzo's window would close.
Besides, Danzo had always disliked Fugaku. There was no reason to pretend otherwise.
"I gave my word to Minato and Kushina, and I intend to keep it," Fugaku said firmly. "And just so you're aware, our ancestor, Uchiha Xiuyu, also asked the Uchiha clan to protect Naruto. No matter what you say, we will not hand him over."
"Fugaku, do you realize what you're saying?" Hiruzen asked, his voice tense. "You're invoking the name of Lord Xiuyu... just for custody of a child? And after all these years, is he even still alive?"
For some reason, Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine.
Uchiha Xiuyu and Uchiha Madara—those names were etched into Konoha's history as both legends and scars. Their legacies loomed large, and to Hiruzen, they were ghosts that never fully faded.
Most believed Xiuyu and Madara were long dead, but in the back of his mind, Hiruzen had always harbored a sliver of doubt.
"Lord Xi left behind a clone to watch over the village," Fugaku explained. "Tell me, Lord Third—what barrier do you think could withstand the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb and emerge completely unscathed? Do you truly believe the Uzumaki clan's sealing arts alone could hold back such power?"
"The power lies not in the jutsu, but in the one who uses it."
Fugaku's composed response made Hiruzen waver. A part of him believed it.
Danzo, however, scoffed. "A clone? Please. Even if Uchiha Xiuyu was strong, he wasn't immortal. The Sage of Six Paths is dead, too. Are you going to say he's hiding in Konoha next?"
Of course, Danzo had no idea that the Sage of Six Paths was still watching the world from beyond. If he had, he might not have spoken so recklessly.
Danzo had always had little reverence for the dead. His teacher, Tobirama Senju, had passed long ago—and to Danzo, a dead mentor was simply one who wouldn't interfere.
"Lord Xiuyu's clone lives within the Uchiha clan," Fugaku declared. "He specifically entrusted us with Naruto's care. That decision is final—there's no room for negotiation."
Despite their skepticism, neither Hiruzen nor Danzo could shake Fugaku's resolve. With no proof to contradict him and no way to challenge the authority of Xiuyu's name, they were forced to concede.
"…Very well," Hiruzen finally said, sighing. "Have Minato and Kushina been buried?"
"Of course," Fugaku replied. "Everything was done properly."
"Then I have no further questions. Thank you for your time, Fugaku."
As Fugaku exited the Hokage's office, the tension within the room flared up again.
"You let the Uchiha clan walk all over you!" Danzo shouted furiously. "What kind of Hokage are you?!"
"Watch your mouth, Danzo," Hiruzen growled. "I am the Hokage."
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen," Danzo spat before storming off.
Left alone, Hiruzen lit a cigarette and stared silently at the swirling smoke. The flickering ember cast a dim glow in the room.
"…Uchiha… should I trust you?"
---
Back at the Uchiha compound, Fugaku returned to find Mikoto gently caring for both Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto was wailing restlessly, while Sasuke sat quietly by her side.
"You're back," Mikoto greeted. "Did Lord Third give you any trouble?"
"He tried, but I held my ground," Fugaku said, removing his cloak. "First, I reminded him that this was Minato and Kushina's final wish. Then I invoked Lord Xiuyu's name. It worked."
He looked at the two boys—one loud and wild, the other calm and observant.
"There's no doubt Naruto is special. But so is Sasuke. If we raise them together, they'll become as close as brothers—and just as strong."
There was pride in his voice. Lord Xiuyu himself had acknowledged Sasuke's potential.
Meanwhile, news of the Nine-Tails' attack could not be contained. The deafening roars and tremors had echoed far beyond Konoha. Other nations had taken notice.
The Land of Water was a chaotic mess and too internally divided to make any moves.
The Land of Wind had ambition but lacked the strength to act.
The Land of Earth, under the cautious rule of Oonoki, considered it—but held back, preferring to wait for a better opportunity.
Only the Land of Lightning seemed poised to act.
"This is our chance," said the Fourth Raikage, A, pounding his fist into his palm. "Konoha's just suffered a major blow. We can test their strength—see what they're hiding. And if there's an opening, we strike."
Though Raikage A had a reputation for being brash and impulsive, he wasn't a fool. No idiot becomes a Kage.
"Samui, prepare our forces near the border. We may not attack, but we should at least make it look like we might. That should be enough to shake them."
"Is that wise, Lord Raikage?" asked Todai, one of the village's top tacticians. "Konoha didn't suffer much in the last three wars. Hatake Sakumo's death and Orochimaru's defection hurt them during the Third War, but even then, they weren't truly weakened."
"And we've seen no activity from the Uchiha or Uzumaki clans," Todai continued. "Even the Hyuga seem well-preserved. The Uchiha were home to both Xiuyu and Madara—the gods of the shinobi world. Who's to say they haven't left behind something dangerous?"
Raikage A grunted but said nothing.
Todai was being cautious—but not wrong.
Still, the decision rested with A.
"It's settled," Raikage A said at last. "We'll proceed. Toshiro, I'm counting on you to handle the details."
"Of course, Lord Raikage," said Toshiro. "I'll prepare everything. But I must caution you: this probe carries real risk. I recommend you remain stationed at the border, just in case anything goes wrong."
Raikage A nodded, eyes sharp with resolve.
"Let them see us coming," he muttered. "If they flinch—we strike."
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