Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 79: Now You Regret It
"Hokage-sama, the atmosphere in Konoha has become calm and the civilians have begun to accept the new police force," reported the ANBU while passing the report form.
"No one's resisting them?" Hiruzen asked, leaning slightly forward taking the report and open it.
"No, Hokage-sama. Even during arrests, the civilians no longer complain. They obey the orders given and show respect toward the new police force," replied the Anbu.
Hiruzen nodded slowly, exhaling his breath. "I see… thank you. You may leave."
The ANBU nodded and disappeared from the room, leaving the Hokage alone in the quiet office.
Hiruzen leaned back, the report are still on his hand, he gazed out the window where the golden afternoon light poured into his office.
Konoha looked peaceful, too peaceful which he should feel happy.
He should have been relieved, but the feeling in his chest refused to settle.
Instead, unease gnawed at him. Something about this feel wrong, he feel he was trapped somewhere.
The Third Hokage took another look at the report letter muttered softly, "Peace brought by fear… or by understanding?"
His thoughts drifted to the clan that was hold the position as a police force are now willing to let the others become part of it
The villagers no longer avoided the sight of the police force, this reformation is successful.
By all accounts, it was a success and yet, Hiruzen couldn't shake the weight pressing down on him.
He remembered the word from his late teacher, Tobirama Senju, who had left them long time ago.
"The Uchiha are a clan full of love. But when that love is lost, it turns to hatred stronger than anything you have seen it."
"The madder an Uchiha becomes, the less they care for consequences. Look at Madara, a man consumed by his grief until it devoured his reason and logic."
"Madara is proof that the Uchiha cannot be trusted blindly."
Those words had carved themselves deep into Hiruzen mind and now they resurfaced, refusing to stay buried.
He had spent decades trying to balance trust and caution with that clan, granting them responsibilities, yet never full freedom.
And now, after all these years, it was Uzumaki Raiken, a man from outside that clan who succeeded in doing what he could not: earning the Uchiha full cooperation and changing their image overnight.
Was this truly progress? Or the beginning of something far more unpredictable?
Hiruzen lowered the report letter, his hands trembling slightly. "If only I could ask you again, sensei… what would you have done?"
His gaze drifted to the portrait of Tobirama hanging on the wall.
He could almost hear his teacher's gruff tone again, lecturing him about leadership and not to trust Uchiha.
Then another memory came of a different Uchiha who had become his best friend, who just left him a few years ago.
Uchiha Kagami, Tobirama trusted student from Uchiha Clan, and Hiruzen comrade. The man who had become bridge between him and another Uchiha Clan.
Hiruzen remembered asking his teacher long ago, "Sensei, why you choose Kagami? You said not trust the Uchiha Clan. Why make him your disciple?"
Tobirama just looked at him then smiled.
"Because Kagami is different. I fought countless Uchiha, but he carries no hatred. He understands the burden of power without being consumed by it."
Those words lingered with him even now.
Kagami had been proof that not all Uchiha were doomed with that hatred, even after Kagami lost someone important he didn't turn dark.
He rubbed his temples, frustration clouding his thoughts. "I've spent my life to understand Uchiha Clan, but maybe… maybe I still don't understand them at all."
Suddenly someone came into his mind, Shimura Danzo the man who he had stripped his power.
"Maybe it's time I talk to the man who never stops doubting," he murmured.
---Talk With Danzo---
It had been few months since Danzo was arrested and he was thrown into prison, his crime warrant him to beheaded but because he was Hiruzen comrade and also the student of second Hokage.
Hiruzen decided to change it to home imprisonment.
No one could visit Danzo without permission not even his wife or son. Every visitor was accompanied by three ANBU, their faces blank beneath the masks.
But today, Hiruzen decided to visit his old friend that is why they exchanged glances. Surprise seeing Hokage was here for the first time since Danzo imprisonment.
Danzo sat cross-legged in the his room, his single visible eye glinting from the shadows. His posture was calm, but the faint twitch of his jaw betrayed irritation.
When he saw Hiruzen stood before him, his lips curled slightly. "What are you doing here, Hokage?" His tone carried that familiar mix of mockery and disdain.
"Danzo," Hiruzen began, his voice even but weary. "The Uchiha have changed. They've allowed civilians into the Police Force."
Danzo eye widened slightly before narrowing again. "Civilians?" He gave a humorless chuckle. "Congratulations, then."
"Danzo, you know what I mean," Hiruzen said firmly.
"I'm just a man without power now," Danzo replied, shifting slightly in his seat. "The Uchiha are your responsibility, not mine."
"Am I doing the right thing?" Hiruzen asked after a pause.
Danzo didn't answer. His silence stretched long enough. Hiruzen continued softly. "The Uchiha have changed. The civilians trust them now. Their relationship with the village has improved, people no longer fear them."
Hiruzen just looked at Danzo, he knows that Danzo is still angry with him but because he need some guidance he stayed here while talking about the Village politics.
But Danzo just keep his mouth quiet, didn't say anything at all, no advice, no words of comfort.
Hiruzen can only sighed and turned around but before he could leave the house suddenly Danzo spoke up.
"Remember what teacher has teach us about Uchiha Clan don't be foolish to trust them and don't fall into Uzumaki Raiken trap," said Danzo.
"Why do you think Uzumaki Raiken is more dangerous?" asked Hiruzen.
"No other clan dared to fight the authority of Hokage, only him and his clan" replied Danzo. "Now it is all up to you, you are the Hokage and I have already told you that one day you will regret it and now I can see the regret of the Hokage."
Danzo then laughed and didn't want to continue talking with Hiruzen.
It is all Hiruzen fault not hearing his advice, he had give a good advice to him so let him fend off by himself.
Author Notes: There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
-patreon.com/zorojurown