After completing the eye replacement surgery, Danzō Shimura stood before the mirror with thinly veiled vanity. In his right eye socket, the newly transplanted Sharingan rotated slowly—its three tomoe circling with a mysterious, almost malevolent elegance. It was sinister and profound, as though it held the power of some ancient force.
He was very satisfied.
Wrapping a fresh bandage over his right eye, Danzō left his underground chamber and made his way toward the Hokage's office to pay an unexpected visit to his old comrade, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Nichizane!" Danzō barked as he pushed the door open.
Hiruzen looked up from his paperwork and blinked at the sight of him. "Your eye...?"
"Old injury. Don't worry about it," Danzō replied dismissively. He casually tossed a newspaper onto Hiruzen's desk. "Have you read today's issue?"
The Third Hokage picked it up and raised an eyebrow. On the front page was Namikaze Minato, smiling with striking blue eyes and golden hair—every bit the image of a rising star. The headline lauded him as "Konoha's Yellow Flash: A Hero for a New Era."
Hiruzen chuckled lightly. "Ah, Minato's report. A bit much, perhaps, but that's how the public likes it."
"Hmph. A bit much?" Danzō scoffed. "Isn't this your doing?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
Danzō leaned forward, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Namikaze Minato... is your chosen successor."
Hiruzen's expression hardened.
Inside, Danzō sneered. He knew Hiruzen well—too well. The Third was still fit to lead, but the signs were there. He was grooming a successor. And Danzō knew how succession worked in the shinobi world. Like a feudal emperor naming a crown prince, the moment the heir started gaining real power or popularity, the sovereign's authority would be challenged. So sometimes, the emperor would simply... eliminate the prince.
Of course, Danzō didn't need to act directly. Words would do.
"I don't know where you heard that nonsense," Hiruzen said flatly, his tone guarded.
"Oh, don't worry. It's not just me. The whole village is singing Minato's praises. If you're not careful, public opinion will crown him Hokage before you do."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. He saw through the ploy instantly. This wasn't just about Minato. Danzō was trying to pit him against both Minato and Orochimaru—his other potential heir.
"Danzō, enough!"
"If the rumors spread," Danzō said with feigned concern, "what will Orochimaru think? And Minato? The boy wants to be Hokage. Telling him he's not the one... well, that would be a terrible blow."
With a small smirk, Danzō turned and left without waiting for a reply. "Think it over, old friend."
"Bastard…" Hiruzen slammed his palm on the desk.
Then, regaining his composure, he looked toward the empty air. "Send for Uchiha Fenghuo."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," an ANBU agent responded from the shadows and vanished.
A few minutes later, a sweat-soaked boy stumbled into the office. He looked half-dead.
Hiruzen sighed. "Still training with Maito Dai?"
"Half my salary isn't worth this torment…" Fenghuo mumbled.
Hiruzen handed him the newspaper. "Was this your doing?"
Fenghuo glanced at Minato's glowing photo and grinned. "Yeah, I—"
"Stop." Hiruzen's tone turned stern. "No more promoting Minato. Switch the feature to Orochimaru."
Fenghuo blinked. "Why?"
"You're nine. Talented or not, you have no say in succession politics."
Fenghuo was unfazed. Ah, the old man's pressure point has been touched. In his past life, he'd seen too many palace dramas. He knew exactly how fragile the web of politics could be.
"I'll pull back the Minato articles," Fenghuo said casually, "but promoting Orochimaru? Nope. I don't know him well."
Hiruzen stared at him. "That's your reason?"
"Yup. Not my problem." Fenghuo shrugged.
The Third's eyes narrowed… but after a moment, they softened. "Famous... That's all you were trying to do?"
"What else?" Fenghuo said. "I'm planning to do features on Akimichi Chōza and Nara Shikaku next."
"Wait. 'Fatty Qiu' and 'Lazy Donkey?'" Hiruzen's eyebrow twitched.
"Oh. That's what I call them."
"…Colorful. But fine. If you're just highlighting your friends, I have no issue."
Hiruzen considered this and exhaled slowly. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio, the Aburame, the Inuzuka—they were loyal clans. Giving them attention was politically safe.
After a few seconds of reflection, Hiruzen nodded. "Very well. Continue."
Fenghuo grinned.
"Wait—add Hiashi Hyūga to the next issue as well."
"I don't know him. Pass." Fenghuo rejected instantly.
"I'm the majority stakeholder!" Hiruzen barked, slamming the desk.
He's serious. Fenghuo sighed internally. If I let him start reminiscing, he'll go all the way back to the Warring States period.
"You're right! Very right! I agree completely!" Fenghuo saluted rapidly. "You're wise beyond belief!"
"???" Hiruzen blinked. "I haven't even said anything yet…"
"You win! I'm gone!" Fenghuo bolted out of the office.
Hiruzen glared after him, speechless. "That damn brat…"
Outside the Hokage Tower, Fenghuo's expression darkened despite the smile he'd left with. Inside, he was stewing.
Minato should be the Fourth Hokage. Orochimaru? Experimenting on fellow shinobi? Using villagers as test subjects? No way. No matter how much he cleans up later, at this point in time, he's unfit to lead.
Just as the anger peaked, something shifted in his vision. A strange sensation—like clarity and dizziness at once.
What the—?
He drew a kunai and turned its polished surface toward his reflection.
In his eyes… the three-tomoe Sharingan.
What the hell?! I thought I was still stuck at two tomoe!
Visit patreon.com/Morgansenpai to get 30+ chapters