We've reached 80...well 79 powerstones.... you'll add that one won't you? ಠ_ಠ
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Chapter 15: A Scene in the Hokage Building
Satsuki nodded and charged toward a nearby sturdy oak tree. Her black hair streamed behind her as her small figure cut a graceful arc through the sunlight.
Crack!
After running partway up the tree, a sharp sound rang out as Satsuki's foot crushed a large piece of bark the moment it made contact with the trunk. She quickly carved a mark with her kunai above the damaged area, then used the momentum to flip back and land.
Satsuki looked up, comparing the marks on both trees—her scratch was actually several inches higher than Naruto's. This discovery brought a flash of joy to her eyes, quickly replaced by concentration. She hadn't expected maintaining stable chakra output to be so difficult... she'd injected too much chakra just now and been repelled.
Meanwhile, Naruto began his own practice. Though the system had granted him fire nature adaptation and mastery, tree climbing tested completely different abilities. Being able to use chakra to slice apples didn't mean he could use chakra to cut steel wire.
Eyes closed in concentration, Naruto replayed the original series' techniques in his mind. Don't be too tense... but don't be too obsessed either... He regulated his breathing, focusing his mind on the tree.
Soon, the forest filled only with the rustling of feet against bark and the crisp sounds of kunai carving into wood. Two small figures practiced with complete dedication.
Satsuki charged up the tree again, this time deliberately reducing her chakra output. But being too cautious resulted in—before reaching her previous mark, the chakra at her feet dissipated. She quickly steadied herself with her kunai, frustration written across her face.
Seeing this, Naruto's lips curved slightly upward. "Satsuki, want to compete? Let's see who can reach the treetop first!"
Satsuki startled, then replied proudly, "Of course I can!" She tossed her long hair and assumed a running stance. "Let me show you the power of the Uchiha—I'm definitely going to win!"
---
In the Hokage Building's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just seen off Uchiha Fugaku and now sat at his broad desk, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe. His brow was deeply furrowed.
This decision... might be too risky...
The Third took a deep drag, letting the harsh tobacco flavor fill his mouth. He'd already warned the Uchiha clan while ordering ANBU to intensify surveillance. The moment any suspicious signs appeared, they would immediately sever contact between Naruto and Uchiha Satsuki.
But this wasn't just about helping Naruto develop village loyalty—it was also giving the Uchiha clan an opportunity. A chance to truly integrate into Konoha. The flame in his pipe flickered bright and dim, matching his wavering emotions.
That guy... should be arriving soon.
He smiled bitterly and shook his head, beginning to consider how to handle his old friend's inevitable interrogation.
Sure enough, before long, the office door was violently shoved open, basic knocking etiquette completely ignored. A grim figure appeared in the doorway—half his face wrapped in bandages, gray-black kimono and white undergarments covering a slightly hunched but solid frame.
Shimura Danzo, the "Shinobi of Darkness."
The Third didn't look up, continuing to review documents. "What is it, Danzo? I don't recall summoning you."
Danzo's expression grew even darker as he strode to the desk, his cane tapping sharply against the floor. "Hiruzen!" His voice suppressed rage. "You know why I'm here... and you know perfectly well what foolish thing you're doing!"
"Danzo, watch your tone... This is Naruto's first time forming a bond within the village. Human emotions need something to anchor them. If the jinchuriki feels no belonging to the village, that would be the real disaster."
A sinister gleam flashed in Danzo's exposed eye. "But that anchor is Uchiha bloodline! What if the village's weapon gets brainwashed by the Uchiha—"
"Enough!"
The Third cut him off sharply. "That will never happen! Fugaku's daughter is only three years old, and ANBU monitors their every move around the clock. The moment the Uchiha show any abnormality, I'll immediately cut off their contact."
Seeing the Third Hokage rebuke him so mercilessly, Danzo's face darkened to the point where water could drip from it. He could never forget Hiruzen's furious reaction when he'd suggested taking Naruto under his own wing—"What do you want to do to the hero's orphan?" Such righteous words.
How ironic.
Danzo sneered internally. When he'd secretly spread the "demon fox" rumors, Hiruzen had known but chosen to allow it. And Minato's child... the boy who should have been revered as a hero's son was deliberately isolated in the villagers' malice.
His original carefully designed script was for Naruto to develop darkness through prolonged hatred and loneliness, ideally becoming so resentful that he'd leak tailed beast chakra. Then he could righteously seize control of the jinchuriki under the pretext of "protecting the village."
But Naruto's precocious maturity had completely disrupted his plans. Instead of craving attention as expected, the child had actively distanced himself from those who despised him, maintaining an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude. This beyond-his-years composure had rendered all of Danzo's calculations useless.
"How can you face the Second Hokage with this? Have you forgotten our teacher's teachings?!"
The Third slowly exhaled a smoke ring. "Sensei's teaching was to make the Uchiha serve the village, but never let them near the power center."
He stood up. "Because of endless suspicion, relations between the village and the Uchiha have reached a breaking point. Now, this is the Uchiha's chance to prove themselves."
"I've already clearly warned Fugaku not to interfere with Satsuki and Naruto's contact, and forbidden other Uchiha from approaching Naruto."
"Have you forgotten about Kagami? Back then... Sensei considered Uchiha Kagami as a candidate for Third Hokage."
Danzo realized he could no longer persuade this stubborn old friend. His face dark, he turned toward the door. At the threshold, he stopped without looking back and dropped a final warning.
"Hiruzen! Your decision will bring eternal ruin to Konoha!"
The office door slammed shut with a resounding bang, leaving the Third alone with his pipe smoke and the weight of choices that would shape the village's future.
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