Despite the deep love he once had for his wife Biwako, who had died during the Nine-Tails incident, Hiruzen Sarutobi never took revenge on the Uchiha—even though many in the village suspected them. Instead, he chose to suppress the Uchiha's influence, fearing that if Konoha were to erupt into civil war with the Uchiha right after surviving the Nine-Tails attack, the village would be doomed.
And yet, despite the caution and wisdom of the father, Asuma Sarutobi had turned out to be so hot-headed.
Perhaps it was the death of Biwako that caused Asuma to grow up without proper guidance. As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen had to devote most of his time to managing village affairs and consolidating power. He barely had time to raise his son. It was a failing of his, and one he now had to confront.
But Asuma's response to this was not remorse—it was rage.
"You don't understand a thing!" Asuma growled from his cell, his eyes bloodshot. "The only woman I've ever cared about is Kurenai Yuhi. No one else matters. She was supposed to be mine, and that bastard Ryosuke stole her from me!"
Hiruzen sighed. Asuma's obsession with Kurenai had clouded his judgment. He was clearly spiraling. The world of shinobi was no place for romance-driven impulsiveness. People died every day, and sacrifices had to be made.
"You can't let love blind you, Asuma," Hiruzen said sternly. "I arranged for you to serve as the Daimyō's bodyguard because it was a prestigious post that would elevate your status. Once you serve your one-year sentence, I'll make sure the Daimyō reinstates you."
But this only enraged Asuma more.
"Don't talk to me about that worthless position!" Asuma snapped. "If I hadn't gone to the capital, I could've stayed here, and Kurenai wouldn't have left me! Ryosuke wouldn't have had the chance to sink his claws into her. Everything is your fault!"
"I'm done listening to you! I won't follow any more of your orders!"
Hiruzen's face darkened. This wasn't just rebellion—it was delusion. Over a woman, Asuma had descended into obsession and violence. And then, Asuma dropped a bombshell.
"I'll make you a deal," he said coldly. "I'll go back to the Daimyō's court. But only if you kill Uchiha Ryosuke."
Hiruzen's eyes widened. The request was outrageous.
"You're asking me, the Hokage, to assassinate a member of the Uchiha clan?"
Asuma's face was filled with hatred. "Yes. You know how. You have the power. Once Ryosuke is gone, Kurenai will return to me. Do that, and I'll do anything you ask."
Hiruzen was stunned. Not only was his son consumed by jealousy, he'd now gone so far as to propose murder—of someone who hadn't even broken a law, someone from one of the most powerful clans in the village. Someone under protection.
But worst of all, he had said it here—in the Uchiha Police Department. Who knew if someone had heard?
"You need to sit in here and reflect on what you've become," Hiruzen said coldly, before turning and leaving the cell.
He returned to his office, rubbing his temples. He was furious and ashamed. How had Asuma fallen this far? If only his eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, were still alive. Shinnosuke had been his pride and hope for the future, but he had died on a mission as an Anbu Black Ops captain, leaving Asuma as the sole heir.
Still, he couldn't let Asuma rot in a cell. The future of the Sarutobi clan depended on him, and Hiruzen needed to clear the dark cloud over his son's heart.
There was only one man he could turn to for this kind of job: Danzo Shimura.
Hiruzen had never trusted Danzo fully, but he had always been a useful tool—an attack dog he could unleash when needed.
And right now, he needed Danzo's brand of ruthlessness.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Root Headquarters, Danzo had already heard about Asuma's imprisonment.
A rare smirk appeared on his usually cold face.
"So... the Third Hokage's own son, arrested by the Uchiha," he muttered. "How humiliating."
To Danzo, this was an opportunity. The Uchiha Police Force had grown far too powerful. The authority Tobirama had once granted them was now being used to challenge the Hokage's will. If this continued, they would become a threat to the entire leadership of the village.
What if one day the Uchiha arrested him?
Danzo had long believed that the Uchiha could never be trusted. This incident would only deepen Hiruzen's understanding of that truth—or so Danzo hoped.
Just then, a Root agent entered the room.
"Danzo-sama, the Hokage requests your presence in his office."
Danzo narrowed his only visible eye. So soon? Hiruzen must be rattled.
"Tell the Anbu escort I'll be there shortly."
Minutes later, Danzo strode into the Hokage's office, calm and composed as ever. Without waiting to be asked, he sat down and smiled faintly.
"You summoned me, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen looked him straight in the eye.
"Your previous plans regarding the Uchiha clan… they had merit. Especially that one individual—Uchiha Ryosuke. He's far too dangerous. During this upcoming conflict, eliminate him."
Danzo raised an eyebrow. So it's come to this.
Ryosuke… the same one that Asuma had foolishly attacked. That explained everything.
"Now might not be the right time," Danzo replied slowly. "I've just received word that the Hidden Cloud is preparing to move against us. Perhaps it would be better to send Ryosuke to the frontlines. Let the battlefield decide."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. Danzo already had intelligence on the Cloud? He hadn't even heard that himself. Danzo's network was clearly more effective when it came to espionage.
But still, he wasn't wrong. Even so, Ryosuke's power was a concern. With the Eight Gates and the Sharingan, he was a potential threat to the entire balance of Konoha.
"This boy is dangerous. If we don't act now, he could become a calamity," Hiruzen said. "I know you have ways of handling things on the battlefield."
Danzo gave a slight smile. It was true—his agents were experts at making deaths look like casualties of war.
But he wouldn't take this job for free.
"My Root forces are stretched thin," Danzo replied. "If I'm to handle this, I'll need new recruits—elite ones—from the main clan families."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He knew exactly what Danzo wanted: more soldiers, more control, more power.
And right now, he needed results.
He exhaled slowly and nodded.
"Fine. You'll have your candidates."
As Danzo stood up to leave, a dark understanding passed between them. Ryosuke Uchiha's days were now numbered.
Not because of any crime he had committed.
But because he had risen too high, too fast—and stepped on the pride of the wrong man's son.
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