Hokage's Office.
"Hiruzen! Naruto has wasted two months at the Ninja Academy!"
Shimura Danzo said heartbrokenly, "Why are you doing such meaningless things?"
Actually, when he first heard Naruto enrolled, he didn't react much.
After all, he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen would never let him handle the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
But Naruto's displayed talent was too terrifying.
Ordinary kids take six years to learn the three basic techniques; he mastered them in days.
Plus his terrifying chakra, undoubtedly another Namikaze Minato.
If he could control him, why worry about the Root not rising?
The Hokage position would be within reach.
"This isn't meaningless. At the academy, he can better understand the Will of Fire."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of smoke, somewhat helpless.
Because of this, he'd come four or five times already.
Arguing back and forth, the atmosphere always tense.
Shimura Danzo really wanted to say: The Will of Fire is useless!
But he knew that would completely offend Sarutobi Hiruzen; no need.
"How do you ensure he won't meet bad people at school?"
Shimura Danzo changed tactics, saying, "If he befriends the Uchiha clan, he'll go astray. Better give him to me; I'll train him into a weapon solely for Konoha."
"Your prejudice against the Uchiha is too deep!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, saying, "They're also a Konoha clan, not enemies."
"Do you believe your own words?"
Shimura Danzo snorted and countered, "That night, when the Nine-Tails went out of control, who did it? Haven't you suspected? You trust letting Naruto contact them?"
In the research left by their teacher, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, Mangekyo Sharingan was mentioned.
And controlling the Nine-Tails wasn't unprecedented.
Uchiha Madara once controlled it and fought Senju Hashirama at the Valley of the End.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.
He indeed couldn't fully trust the Uchiha clan.
"Handing Naruto to our Root is the best choice."
Seeing him silent, Shimura Danzo pressed, emphasizing again, "I can teach him the Will of Fire too."
"But you can't give Naruto friends."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, saying, "Emotions and bonds are the fundamental guarantee to tie someone down."
Shimura Danzo was a loner himself.
In his hands, Naruto would become an emotionless weapon.
Too dangerous.
If the Nine-Tails went out of control, there'd be no room for recovery.
"Hiruzen!"
Shimura Danzo flushed red with anger, "These are useless things!"
"Enough, Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table, saying, "I'm the Hokage!"
"You'll regret this!"
Shimura Danzo stormed out.
"Eh? Old man, was your office robbed?"
A moment later, Jiraiya suddenly appeared, looking at the empty door frame, full of confusion.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and asked, "What do you want?"
"I heard you made Tsunade the chief examiner for the Chunin Exams. Add me too."
Jiraiya sat on the sofa casually.
"Chief examiner?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff, looking at him, "After returning, you've been investigating the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, now wanting to be examiner. Tell me, why?"
"Old man, you don't trust me?"
Jiraiya was dissatisfied.
Because it involved Uchiha and Hyuga, he was very careful, not letting anyone find out.
But if Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to investigate, he could know.
"Hmph, I think you don't trust this old man!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen knocked his pipe, asking, "What? In your eyes, Mount Myoboku is higher than Konoha?"
No need to think; his abnormal behavior was due to Mount Myoboku's orders.
Probably another prophecy from the Great Toad Sage.
After all, Jiraiya was too easy to read.
But he was curious what prophecy involved Uchiha and Hyuga.
"Of course not."
Jiraiya immediately denied.
Mount Myoboku and Konoha were the most important places in his life.
No hierarchy.
He hesitated, then told the prophecy.
Anyway, the Great Toad Sage didn't say to keep it secret.
"Special eyes?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt it was too coincidental.
He had just discussed the Nine-Tails incident with Danzo.
But if it was Mangekyo Sharingan controlling several Tailed Beasts, could it destroy Mount Myoboku?
Tailed Beasts were the strongest weapons in the ninja world.
As for Byakugan, over the years, nothing too special was found.
"So you're being examiner because of Itachi?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen snapped back.
"Yes."
Jiraiya laid it out, "After investigating both clans, I found Shisui and Itachi. At such young ages, they've opened three-tomoe Sharingan. In time, how terrifying will their strength be? So I want to gauge their temperaments."
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi were strong too.
But their ages meant they were at their peaks.
Without miracles, hard to improve.
"Fine."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
He also wanted to know Shisui and Itachi's temperaments.
Though they performed okay so far, they were still Uchiha.
Jiraiya left after receiving orders.
….
Time rewinds.
After Shimura Danzo stormed out, a female ninja stopped him.
"Lord Danzo, Lord Orochimaru requests to see you."
"What is it?"
Shimura Danzo was angry and didn't want to see Orochimaru.
"Unknown, but Lord Orochimaru said you'd be interested."
"Lead the way."
Shimura Danzo calmed down, casually tossing the door aside, heading to Orochimaru's residence.
They were currently in a cooperation phase.
Back then, Danzo handed over Yamato in exchange for Orochimaru supporting his Hokage bid.
But three years passed, and Hokage was still distant.
Not that Orochimaru didn't try; Hiruzen wouldn't retire.
If he won't, no one can help.
"You may leave."
Orochimaru looked at Shimura Danzo and said.
"Yes."
The female ninja turned and left.
"Orochimaru, what do you want with me?"
Shimura Danzo's attitude was cold.
"A collaboration. Interested?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, saying, "I'll help you wipe out the Uchiha clan. In return, I want Shisui and Itachi's eyes."
He was taking a risk.
Simple reason.
He lost Itachi's trust; their relationship hit rock bottom.
During the war with Cloud and Konoha, he controlled Uzuki Yugao to seize Shisui's eyes.
But it was stopped by Natsume.
If not for him being Tsunade's disciple, Orochimaru would have torn him apart.
Tsunade was useful.
Orochimaru didn't want to offend her yet.
If he got an incurable injury someday, he'd need her.
Plus her special status made targeting tricky.
After much thought, Orochimaru decided to collaborate for Shisui's eyes.
Before, he wasn't confident countering Danzo.
But after three years of research, his strength was extraordinary.
Even if Danzo learned about Mangekyo Sharingan later, he'd be powerless.
"Are you serious?"
Shimura Danzo couldn't believe it.
"You covet Sharingan, I covet Sharingan."
Orochimaru's tone was cold, "And the Uchiha clan has the most."
"But you know it's troublesome."
Shimura Danzo was already tempted.
He didn't know Shisui had Mangekyo; thought both had three-tomoe like Itachi.
So, giving them to Orochimaru was fine.
The Uchiha had many Jonin.
And he was confident his strength matched Orochimaru's, plus Root; no fear of betrayal.
"If it wasn't troublesome, why seek you?"
Orochimaru countered.
Shimura Danzo was silent, then showed an ugly smile, saying, "For Konoha's future, for the Will of Fire's inheritance, eliminating the Uchiha, no matter how troublesome, I won't fear."
His words were righteous.
And he didn't think they were hypocritical.
In his view, the Uchiha were unstable; sacrificing them for Konoha's peace was worth it.
As for him getting Sharingan, it was natural.
Abandoned Sharingan everywhere couldn't be wasted.
In his hands, they'd better serve Konoha.
"..."
Orochimaru was speechless.
The Will of Fire had become a tool for Konoha higher-ups to seek benefits.
Truly decayed.
Like a windmill, Konoha couldn't turn anymore.
Let him blow some fierce wind.
And add fuel to the old man's fire.
"How do you plan to do it?"
Shimura Danzo suppressed his excitement and asked.
He had mentioned this to Orochimaru before.
But all rejected.
Because he wasn't interested, thought it a waste of time.
Now, experiencing Mangekyo Sharingan's power, Orochimaru was interested.
"Attacking the Uchiha needs a reasonable excuse."
Orochimaru's eyes flashed dangerously, "You arrange for Sasuke to disappear tomorrow for a while."
He knew Itachi inside out after three years, though he didn't sway him.
This Uchiha genius cared about two things.
One, the Will of Fire.
Two, Sasuke and Shisui.
Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto came after.
"Tomorrow, I'll meet Itachi under the pretext of the Chunin Exams."
Orochimaru paused, saying, "Likely Shisui will come too. When conflict arises, you appear."
Shimura Danzo's eyes lit up.
Attacking one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, was almost like betraying the village.
Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen knew, he'd be helpless.
Of course, many details needed discussion.
…
Ninja Academy.
After Mikoto and Sasuke left, Itachi secretly sighed in relief.
Dealing with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would invite Konoha's suspicion.
He didn't want to stay longer, said something to Natsume, then went to his teammates.
"Big brother, I should go back to class."
Itachi's behavior made Naruto sense the subtlety.
He could handle cold treatment himself.
But implicating Natsume made him uneasy.
"Go."
Natsume patted his head.
[Because of your actions, Sasuke's fate has changed. You gain 19 fate points.]
[Because of your actions, Naruto's fate has changed. You gain 8 fate points.]
Not long after Naruto left, Tsunade arrived at the exam site.
She scanned around, spotted Natsume sitting in the corner, and quickly walked over.
"Sis."
Natsume noticed her and called out.
He chose a remote spot to avoid disturbances.
Tsunade adjusted her coat, sat beside him, and asked, "Nervous?"
"A little."
Natsume blinked, saying, "But seeing you, I'm not nervous anymore."
Tsunade laughed, reached out, and pinched his cheek.
Full of collagen.
Truly... irresistible.
So soft.
Natsume thought inwardly: You really crave my body, bad woman.
Too bad if you're not fully bad, then I'd... let you do whatever.
Just then, the building's broadcast played Jiraiya's voice.
["All candidates, return to classrooms. The exam is about to begin."]
Natsume was slightly stunned.
The happy time ended.
Though he was the one being taken advantage of.
"Natsume."
Tsunade let go, stood up, and kissed his forehead, "Lucky kiss."
Wait!
Is this really a lucky kiss?
I don't believe it.
Natsume felt like he got another buff, a debuff.
"What? Not satisfied?"
Tsunade noticed his expression, curved her lips, poked his forehead, saying, "When you become Chunin, I will reward you more."
Reward?
Natsume perked up, eyes sharpening.
He patted his chest, saying, "Sis, don't worry. A mere Chunin Exam is a piece of cake!"
Tsunade's smile grew uncontrollably.
This old lady still has charm.
After Natsume left, she suddenly realized, covering her face.
What was I doing?
Seducing a kid?
How did I fall again?
…
The written exam was in three rooms, separating teams.
Natsume sat in the first room, listening to Jiraiya explain rules, suddenly realizing the issue.
Tsunade was supposed to be chief examiner; why Jiraiya?
And Jiraiya hadn't left Konoha for so long.
Something's off!
Natsume thought, only one reason.
Mount Myoboku's task.
Only the Great Toad Sage could make Jiraiya stop seeking the Child of Prophecy.
Seems another prophecy came.
Related to me?
Natsume pondered.
So far, he'd done many things that could cause butterfly effects.
Which one, hard to know.
But preparing for the future was what Natsume could do.
So far, he had 1,611 fate points.
The sage body for instant invincibility was 3,900—far off.
But he could exchange for temporary sage body: 30 points per minute.
His points couldn't last an hour.
Expensive, but worth it.
He didn't need an hour; one minute could end a fight.