"I didn't expect Lord Hokage himself would greet us. What a tremendous honor."
"You flatter me, Envoy-dono. For this old man to meet such talented young shinobi as yourselves—that is the true privilege."
Standing before the smiling Hōzuki Mangetsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
"You've traveled far. Please, take some time to enjoy all Konoha has to offer."
Acting Hokage Sarutobi personally welcomed the Kirigakure delegation, face beaming with warmth.
After all, Kirigakure was now the only force in the shinobi world that had ever defeated Konoha in open battle, forcing them into surrender and reparations. Their status was nothing short of dominant.
Sunagakure had sealed its borders. Iwagakure was plagued by internal chaos. Konoha had suffered through the Nine-Tails disaster. Kumogakure had already been defeated.
And now, under the leadership of Yuki Yoru, Kirigakure had risen to become the undisputed number one force in the shinobi world.
At such a crucial moment, if Hiruzen could successfully win their favor, it would provide enormous leverage—not only for securing his succession, but for crushing the rising power of the Uchiha.
So, Sarutobi brought the high-ranking officials of Konoha with him, treating Mangetsu and the Kirigakure envoys with extreme hospitality—not just giving them the full tour of Konoha's culture and charm, but even holding a feast at the Sarutobi clan compound itself.
Three rounds of sake. Five courses of dishes.
With a slight flush of intoxication, Mangetsu raised his cup with a hearty grin.
"Lord Hokage, your hospitality is unmatched. The people of Konoha are so warm and peaceful. I believe our future cooperation will go very smoothly."
"Of course. The joint engineering project between Wind and Water—the East-West Water Diversion—will benefit the entire shinobi world. It is a great enterprise. If Konoha can contribute, then as Hokage, I'll give it my full support."
Hiruzen smiled politely as he toasted.
But in the shadowed corner of the Sarutobi compound, a small figure glared at Mangetsu with bloodshot eyes filled with hatred.
That figure was Uchiha Itachi.
Though he hadn't fought Kirigakure personally, he had lived through the Third Shinobi World War—and the trauma that Kirigakure inflicted on Konoha's shinobi far outweighed that of the other three villages combined.
Higashimatsuyama. Misawa Bridge. Onshiro Mine. Jinan Town. Kazama Valley.
In every single engagement with Kirigakure during the war, Konoha's forces had been crushed into frozen ruin. Five battlefronts—turned to glacial graveyards. Countless corpses of Konoha ninja still remained unfound.
And now Kirigakure dared to strong-arm Konoha into an alliance—a project that would harm the village further?
Itachi's fists clenched tightly. His mind echoed with Sarutobi's previous words.
"Itachi… Back then, Konoha was weak. To counter Iwagakure and Kumogakure, we were forced to ally with Kirigakure."
"But now the war is over. Your father, Fugaku, awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and successfully repelled the onslaught from Kumogakure."
"We Konoha finally have the strength to stand again… but some agreements, once made, are not so easily broken—no matter how much I might wish otherwise."
That bitter, powerless look on Sarutobi's old face clashed completely with the obsequious smile he now wore, laughing and toasting the shinobi who once froze his comrades to death.
Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village… and the new leaves shall sprout.
For the sake of Konoha, the Third Hokage could stoop so low—sacrificing dignity, swallowing humiliation. All to protect the village.
Young Itachi stared at him, fists trembling, blood vessels flaring in his eyes.
Then, in silence—a flash of red.
Single Tomoe Sharingan.
At the moment the Will of Fire in his heart was humiliated—this genius of the Uchiha clan awakened.
"I won't let you down, Grandpa Hiruzen. I won't let the evil of Kirigakure continue to corrupt Konoha!"
Muttering under his breath, Itachi spun on his heel and ran toward the Uchiha compound.
He understood the political weight. He wasn't naïve.
The agreement between Konoha and Kirigakure had been signed long ago. Even someone like Sarutobi Hiruzen, given the current situation, couldn't nullify it so easily.
But there was someone else…
Someone who—if he stepped in—could end this alliance.
His father. The leader of the Uchiha. The living incarnation of the Dance King of Konoha.
Uchiha Fugaku.
"Father!"
"Itachi?"
Fugaku had just returned home from a full day of relief work. He hadn't even stepped past the gates of the compound before Itachi rushed up, panting and red-faced.
Fugaku looked at his most cherished son with confusion, then smiled and bent down.
"What's got you this winded? Even training needs breaks, you know."
"It's not that, Father…"
Itachi bit his lip, then closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a pair of blood-red Sharingan slowly rotated in his sockets.
Single Tomoe.
Fugaku froze.
He stared at those eyes, stunned beyond words. His chest surged with unspeakable pride and emotion.
"You awakened your Sharingan?! When did this happen?!"
"This… this is incredible! You truly are my son, Itachi!"
Overwhelmed, Fugaku could hardly contain himself.
To the Uchiha, the Sharingan was the supreme proof of talent. And though early awakening didn't always equal strength—no Uchiha in history who awakened early ever turned out average.
And now Itachi—only six years old—had done it.
Fugaku had always known his son's genius was unmatched, but this… this was unprecedented, even in the thousand-year history of the clan.
Still, he calmed himself.
Fugaku, as clan head, knew well: the Sharingan only awakens under immense emotional turmoil.
Did something happen while he was away rallying support and distributing aid?
"Did something happen, Itachi?" he asked gently. "If something's troubling you… please tell me."
Itachi took a long breath.
"Father, do we really have to cooperate with Kirigakure?"
Kirigakure?
Fugaku's brows furrowed instantly.
He turned and glanced toward an open field nearby. Moments later, an elite Uchiha used chakra voice transmission.
"The Kirigakure delegation arrived at noon. As for Itachi… we're unsure what happened. His protectors, Dōka and Kintsuchi, were both knocked unconscious. It was taijutsu."
Fugaku's expression darkened.
Dōka and Kintsuchi were elite Uchiha jōnin—Three Tomoe Sharingan, full combat prowess.
To defeat them both, in silence, with only taijutsu… the attacker must be Kage-level.
But who? And why did Itachi suddenly ask about Kirigakure?
Fugaku didn't rush. He turned back to Itachi.
"Why do you say that, Itachi? Isn't Kirigakure our ally? Cooperation between allies is perfectly normal."
"But—but!" Itachi's voice rose. "That alliance… wasn't it forced?!"
"During the Third War, they killed so many of us! We surrendered to them! We're still paying reparations! How are they allies?!"
"And this current project—it's between Sunagakure and Kirigakure! It brings nothing but harm to Konoha! Why are we even agreeing to it?!"
Fugaku was speechless.
Even the Uchiha in the shadows froze, silently staring at the young boy.
A six-year-old… said all that?
A six-year-old… with that level of reasoning?
Fugaku's expression grew complex. He didn't dwell too long on how Itachi knew all this.
He had always raised his son with full support—his study was open to him, his scrolls accessible. Itachi had absorbed far more than anyone expected.
"Itachi…"
Fugaku inhaled, steadying his thoughts.
"Things aren't so simple on the surface. Our position in the shinobi world is unique. In the past, Konoha was unmatched. We stood proud above the rest."
"But now… it's different."
"We need allies—even if they offer little practical benefit. Sometimes, a symbolic ally is enough to maintain balance."
"But what if that ally threatens our village?!" Itachi pressed, his Sharingan spinning. "Are we supposed to keep our heads down and take it?!"
"Father, I know Kirigakure is strong. Very strong. But are we really weak?!"
"We have the Hokage, we have powerful jōnin, elite ANBU. And we have you, Father—someone who wields the Mangekyō Sharingan, just like our ancestors!"
"Even if our strength was damaged by the wars, we're not trying to conquer anyone. We just want to protect our own land. Isn't that our right?!"
But deep down, Fugaku murmured bitterly to himself:
No… we can't. Even the Mangekyō… can't stand against Kirigakure, or the Soul Society… or those monsters.
Still, he knew he couldn't say that aloud. He couldn't show even a hint of fear.
Because he felt the eyes watching.
Not just Itachi's. Hidden Uchiha elites. Clansmen drawn by the raised voices. One by one, they stared at him.
So many eyes. So much pressure.
But perhaps…
That pressure could become strength.
Fugaku's thoughts raced.
The so-called "Tri-Nation Super Project" might sound noble—but the actual work was between Wind and Water. Fire was just a transit zone.
Konoha would get only 50% of the profits from projects built on its own land. The rest? Split between Wind and Water.
Any profits from other countries along the route? Fire got nothing.
If it weren't for the Akatsuki's sudden attack in the Land of Iron—and the terrifying display of power from Yuki Yoru—they would have negotiated for weeks.
But they had no time.
After the Iron Country… came the Nine-Tails disaster.
Konoha was overwhelmed. They had no choice but to sign.
So yes… Itachi was absolutely right.
This alliance hurt Konoha more than it helped.
"I understand."
Fugaku took a deep breath and nodded firmly at his son.
"You're right. Some things—we must protect with our own hands."
"What Hiruzen Sarutobi and his people can do, I—Uchiha Fugaku—can also do. And what they can't… I can do even better."
"Inabi! Tekka!"
"Clan Head!"
The two appeared instantly behind him, eyes blazing.
This was their clan head.
This was the heir to Uchiha Madara's will.
This was the man destined to lead the Uchiha to glory.
"We go—to the Sarutobi compound!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Uchiha compound stirred as Fugaku strode away with his guards, followed by an eruption of cheers behind him.
And outside, hidden in the shadows—Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow clone curled its lips into a faint smile…
Then vanished in a puff of smoke.
The fish… had bitten the hook.
"As for the construction agreement, there's nothing else to discuss. We'll go with the original terms: Konoha receives fifty percent of all profits from projects within Fire Country. You and Sunagakure split the rest."
With the meal finished and drink flowing, a drunken Sarutobi clutched Mangetsu's hand, still smiling.
"Your only job now is to eat well, drink well, and enjoy your stay in Konoha!"
"Lord Third—you're a man of action!"
Mangetsu gave a big thumbs-up.
"With this, I can report back to the Fourth and begin preparations for construction!"
"Hahahaha! A project that brings prosperity to all—naturally, the sooner it begins—"
"Prosperity to all? Hiruzen Sarutobi… I think you've gone senile!"
A furious roar exploded from outside.
Uchiha Fugaku burst through the doors like a god of war descending from the heavens—
—and stormed into the Sarutobi compound.