ANBU Headquarters
"Director, this is the intelligence gathered over the past few days."
After reporting to the Hokage, Uzuki Yūgao returned to ANBU to submit the same information. The difference was stark. The Hokage offered reassurance and soft words after a glance. ANBU cared only about results. Methods were irrelevant.
The ANBU Director studied the report in silence. Though masked, her long hair and build made it obvious she was a woman. She was also the Third Hokage's daughter-in-law.
A crease formed between her brows.
"Uzuki Yūgao," she said coolly, "you were chosen because of your age and background. You can approach targets others can't. Yet after all this time, you've brought me nothing but surface-level information. You still know nothing about the core operations of the Seventh Police Division."
Yūgao dropped to one knee, head lowered, accepting the reprimand without protest.
After a long pause, the Director set the documents aside.
"The Nine-Tails incident may very well have involved the Uchiha," she continued. "To the village, they are a latent threat. I need you to gain Uchiha Yoru's trust. Deep trust. Eventually, we may need insight into the Uchiha leadership itself. This will not be easy."
Her gaze sharpened.
"If necessary, you are permitted to use your position."
The implication hung heavily in the air.
"You're a civilian-born kunoichi," the Director added, her voice steady. "You understand what that means. Everything you do is for the village."
Yūgao's body stiffened. For a moment, doubt flickered in her eyes. Then memories surged forward. The night the Nine-Tails rampaged. Screams. Fire. The village drowning in grief.
She took a slow breath.
"I understand," she said hoarsely. "For the village, I will do what's required."
"Good." The Director's tone softened. "From now on, you report directly to me."
It was both a command and a reward. Direct authority from the ANBU Director placed Yūgao high in the chain of trust. Few operatives ever reached that level.
Warmth rose in Yūgao's chest. The Director noticed and filed it away.
"You're dismissed."
"Yes, ma'am."
When the room fell silent, the Director remained alone in the darkness.
"Father," she murmured, eyes distant, "this is for the Sarutobi clan. Shinobu will become the Fifth Hokage."
Protecting the village was only part of it. Power had its own gravity.
Hokage's Office
"Lord Hokage."
The visitor was Yūhi Kurenai. Fifteen years old, already an elite chūnin, her beauty carried a quiet composure far beyond her age.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked in silence. Kurenai waited respectfully.
After some time, he refilled his pipe and lit it with a flicker of Fire Release chakra.
"Kurenai," he said at last, "you've grown into a shinobi who can stand on her own."
"You honor me," she replied with a polite smile.
Hiruzen studied her carefully. "Tell me, are you familiar with the name Uchiha Yoru?"
Her heart skipped. She kept her expression steady, lowering her gaze slightly.
"He was my classmate," she answered calmly. "Graduated at ten. Became a chūnin at fourteen. Promoted to jōnin this year. He now commands the Seventh Police Division. He's also awakened a two-tomoe Sharingan."
Everything she said was public knowledge. And yet the weight behind the name was undeniable.
Hiruzen sighed.
"Your father was a hero of the village," he said quietly. "The Nine-Tails disaster… none of us wished for it."
Even months later, the pain had not faded. Kurenai's eyes dimmed at the memory of that night.
"Do you know," Hiruzen continued gently, "that the Nine-Tails was once controlled by a Sharingan?"
Her chest tightened. She nodded, eyes rimmed red.
"I know."
Hiruzen's expression softened, then hardened again.
"Asuma talks too freely," he muttered, brushing the matter aside. "But the borders are unstable. Orochimaru would normally be the obvious choice to handle this. Unfortunately… there are concerns."
The ambiguity chilled her.
Only then did Kurenai realize the trap she was standing in. Yoru. Orochimaru. The Uchiha. None of this was accidental.
She felt sweat form at her back.
Hiruzen noticed the reaction and nodded inwardly. His information had been correct. Kurenai harbored resentment toward the Uchiha because of her father's death.
"Kurenai," he said kindly, "I have a mission for you. It will be difficult. You may refuse."
The words were gentle. The intent was not.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had always excelled at this. Guidance wrapped in compassion. Duty disguised as choice. Orochimaru had learned from him, though never with the same finesse.