In the Hokage's office,
Tens of documents were spread across the Hokage's table, casting a daunting sight. Hiruzen wearily scanned the room, his gaze traversing over the scrolls laid open on the shelves that lined the right wall, their contents exposed. On the left side, communication documents brimming with memos and urgent orders quickly accumulated.
Some of the memos could be seen on the ground— a result of the situation of emergency and haste encapsulating the current office. Even with Shukaku's help and the team backing him, the number of documents placed on the table that needed to be approved or analysed seemed to be rising per hour. Hiruzen let out a sigh as he surveyed the five towering stacks of paperwork before him.
Shukaku entered the room with a knock and walked to Hiruzen' table. "Lord Hokage, I have added some changes to the new initiative that we discussed before".
He deposited the new documents onto the table, causing the five piles to seem almost to vibrate in protest at the addition before the older ones were addressed. Anxious, Shukaku placed his hand on a nearby stack of mission assignments to prevent any accidental falls.
"So we both agree that a new program for the Ninja Academy will be started. It will be for the Elites of the new year".
"Yes, though I initially had reservations about your plan, I must say you have shown great dedication during these challenging times," Hiruzen acknowledged.
"Oh. thankyou Lord Hokage. I am honored. So about this new expansion, are you really sure that this is a correct way to go. The academy has never experienced a recruitment on such a scale before".
"Yes, it is of necessity, I believe. Times are changing and we need to adapt if we hope to maintain the superiority of the Leaf after the third Great Ninja war".
Observing the tired countenance of the aging Hokage, Shukaku felt a pang of sympathy. Hiruzen, who had reluctantly resumed his role after passing it to his successor, bore the weight of deep sorrow, accentuated by the loss of his wife.
His gaze which once stupefied the enemies into submission was weary and seemed to have enough of the world. There were deep lines on his forehead as he studied the new documents for the rebuilding of the village.
"Lord Hokage, how have you been doing, personally I mean".
"I am managing, Shukaku," Hiruzen responded without diverting his attention from the documents spread before him.
"It will not be inappropriate for you to take a few days off, in light of the passing of your wife. Lady Biwako was a guiding light for you as well as the village. The elders Koharu and Homura could oversee the general office duties in your absence" Shukaku offered a reprieve to the old man.
"For now, the village's needs supersede my personal circumstances," Hiruzen replied wearily.
Sigh..
"Okay then. Let's discuss this then".
The two men finalized the finer details during the discussion, ending it after a full two hours.
"Ah, I nearly forgot to inquire, Shukaku. How is the boy faring?" Hiruzen inquired.
"His condition remains stable. The medical nin have assured us that the boy is physically unharmed. However, the issue lies in what follows," Shukaku responded, hinting at forthcoming challenges.
As the two discussed in the room, they were disturbed by the incoming assistant at the door.
Upon receiving entry into the Office, the ninja bowed towards the Hokage and relayed the message.
"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo seeks an audience".
'What does he want?'. Hiruzen's brow spread as if in confusion.
"I am already here", a voice interjected, coming from the entrance of the Hokage's Office.
It was an old man wrapped in bandages, from the right side of his face to his right hand. The left hand holding a stick making a statement of old age. The old man took steps into the office without any permission granted by the Hokage. But that was his privilege as the Hokage's advisor and friend.
"I came to discuss the boy". Danzo uttered with a menacing serenity.
"What about him?". Hiruzen asked with a hint of weariness in his tone.
"I heard that the boy has been made the new Jinchuriki after Kushina's death. Hand him over to me. I will take care that the jinchuriki is properly nurtured in the Foundation."
Hiruzen pondered over the suggestion, but dismissed it entirely after a few moments of thought,"No Danzo. Minato, with his dying breath, entrusted me with the boy. He can't be treated like those in the Foundation."
Irritated by the denial, Danzo retorted,"My methods may be harsh but they produce results, Hiruzen. Give it to me so that we can produce the ultimate weapon for the Leaf".
"There will be no more discussion over this. My decision is final. There is a significant danger of him losing control, if he is mishandled in that Foundation of yours. Even if that was not the case, I still would not choose that path for Minato's legacy".
Danzo, once serene appearance, twitched under the refusal, displaying his displeasure. Shukaku tried to defuse the situation, "Elder, a jinchuriki is no small responsibility. We need to test the boy for the Jinchuriki path in his early years. If anything goes wrong in his training, there would be severe consequences and we would end up losing the NineTails in the worst case scenario. Are you prepared to take responsibility?".
Danzo's expression contorted with frustration, he asked, "So where would he live then?".
He looked at Hiruzen smiling in mocking derision, "Don't tell me, it's going to be with you"
"Of Course he will stay with me" Hiruzen replied as a matter of fact.
"Hiruzen, the Foundation is perfectly equipped to raise the Jinchuriki."Danzo snapped.
Ignoring Danzo's protests, Hiruzen cut him off, "The more you refer to him as a Jinchuriki, the greater my concern grows for his potential loss of control. You must desist from pursuing this matter, Danzo."
"Tch..."
"He cant stay with either of you, if we hope to have a stable Jinchuriki. Lord Hiruzen, if the boy is raised with you, he will easily become a target and would raise too many suspicions. He needs to be kept a secret", Shukaku continued, diffusing the escalating tension.
Sigh...
"What do you propose then, Shukaku?", Hiruzen inquired, casting a cautious eye towards Danzo.
"I suggest that he be given to an orphanage. Let him grow there for three or four years and after he has been inducted into the academy, let the boy live on his own, during which the Jinchuriki can be tested".
Another sigh came out of the old man, as he wandered over the implications.
"Since the boy is a Jinchuriki. We have no choice. Lord Hokage. It must be done".
Hiruzen reclined in his chair, his gaze drifting to the ceiling as his mind grappled with a myriad of thoughts. Moments passed in silence before Hiruzen broke it.
"Very well. Make the arrangements, Shukaku".
"Understood, Lord Hokage," Shukaku acknowledged with a bow, moving to attend to the necessary tasks.
As if struck by a sudden realization, Hiruzen called out to Shukaku, "One more thing. Henceforth, the boy shall be known as Naruto Uzumaki. He shall not inherit his father's name, as there might be too many hidden enemies who will threaten the boy's life.
Shukaku nodded in agreement
In the tense moment, Danzo rose, his features contorted with irritation, ready to leave. "Stay, Danzo. I have matters to discuss with you," Hiruzen's voice cut through the air, commanding his attention.
Halting in his tracks, Danzo turned back to face Hiruzen's stoic visage, his eyes betraying a flicker of curiosity.
Raising his hands in a calming gesture, Hiruzen turned to Shukaku. "Shukaku, please excuse us for a moment. We will continue our discussion later."
Shukaku nodded silently and exited the room, leaving behind a heavy silence that seemed to suffocate the space.
Danzo, unable to contain his impatience, broke the silence. "Well, what is it?"
Hiruzen, with a grave expression, stood up from his seat and walked towards the window, gazing out at the devastated landscape below. Buildings lay in ruins, makeshift tents scattered around, and the area buzzed with rebuilding efforts.
"I received word from the police chief. Of the issuance of the Elder Scroll, issued by none other than you. Care to explain why the entire Police Force was banned from participating in the battle?", Hiruzen's voice carried a hint of accusation.
"You know the answer, Hiruzen. To my knowledge, there are very few ways in which the Nine-Tails can be taken under control. The Sharingan ranks at the top of this short list", Danzo replied— his tone placid.
Turning to face Danzo, Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Just on a suspicion, you detained the entire clan. What were you thinking? Uchiha are one of the core forces of the Leaf."
Danzo remained silent for a moment, prompting Hiruzen to press further, "Explain yourself, Danzo."
Meeting Hiruzen's gaze with a steady look, Danzo explained, "My duty in the shadows demands preemptive action against potential threats. I had suspicions, so I acted. And I maintain that the Uchiha are not without fault."
"What do you intend to do?"
"I plan to raise a motion for the Uchiha clan to be moved to a new location. We need to choose a place from which surveillance could be carried out more easily"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed at the suggestion. "By a single motion, you would alienate an entire clan. This will only stoke more resentment and incite hatred within the Uchiha."
"We have no other choice, Hiruzen. They harbor secrets that could jeopardize the village. Royal clan or not, loyalty to the village must come before any individual clan," Danzo insisted.
At Danzo's prompting, Hiruzen too began to develop a suspicion.
Seeing that his words had taken some effect on Hiruzen, Danzo continued, "Lord Second too entrusted the Uchiha with many responsibilities, however he also kept a firm watch over them. You know of this, don't you... Hiruzen. Just a minor overlap of judgement, and we would risk creating another Madara"
...
The weight of Danzo's words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the Hokage's resolve.
After Danzo departed, Hiruzen sat alone in his office, his mind consumed by his old friend's parting words. The weight of Danzo's final remarks had sown a seed of doubt within him that continued to grow as he meticulously examined the various reports detailing the aftermath of the disaster.
With each report he perused, Hiruzen's suspicion intensified, the seed growing into doubt and then suspicion.
'Was it really outside work or someone from the Uchiha?'.
.
.
::Dont know why this got deleted. so reposting.
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Author's Notes:
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