Hokage Building.
Hokage's Office.
Yuzuru Uchiha glanced around the spacious, well-lit room with curiosity.
Since arriving in this world, this was his first time here.
After a moment's look, the ever-pragmatic Yuzuru turned toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was still buried in paperwork. "Third Hokage, what do you need me for?"
"Third Hokage?"
"Hey!"
What an insolent brat!
Hiruzen cursed silently.
Usually, anyone summoned to his office would stand quietly and wait until he finished his work.
But this boy looked like he was about to march over and slam his hand on the desk.
As expected of an Uchiha—arrogant to the core.
Despite his annoyance, Hiruzen forced a kindly smile.
"Ah, Yuzuru. I must be getting old—my hearing isn't what it used to be."
"Third Hokage, hearing loss is a condition. You should get that checked out."
Cough, cough! Hiruzen nearly choked on his water. Setting the cup down, he reached for his pipe.
Before he could light it, Yuzuru frowned. "Third Hokage, I don't like the smell of smoke."
You little bastard—!
Hiruzen swore he almost summoned Monkey King: Enma on the spot, just to teach this brat why people called him the "God of Shinobi."
But for the sake of his image, he lowered the pipe and forced another strained smile. "Yuzuru, I heard you rescued Kushina from the Cloud ninja."
"It's thanks to you things didn't end in disaster."
"Is that so? Kushina's that important?"
Hiruzen nodded gravely. "There's something you deserve to know. Kushina is the village's next candidate for the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Only her unique constitution can fully suppress the Nine-Tails. Losing her would have been catastrophic."
"I see."
Yuzuru suddenly smiled—a bright, almost dazzling smile that made the whole office feel lighter.
He didn't know why Hiruzen was revealing this now, but that didn't stop him from taking advantage of the situation.
Before Hiruzen could continue, Yuzuru said, "Third Hokage, since I've done such a great service for the village, shouldn't I get a reward?"
'I'll endure it!'
Hiruzen inhaled deeply, calming himself. "You've earned it, Yuzuru. A reward is only right—"
"I heard the Scroll of Seals contains a lot of powerful forbidden techniques. How about you give me that?"
Hiruzen froze, glaring at him.
This brat was definitely doing this on purpose!
The Scroll of Seals? Why not just ask to be Hokage while you're at it?
There was no way he could hand that to an Uchiha. But since he'd just praised the boy, rejecting him outright would look bad.
After a quick thought, his eyes brightened. "Yuzuru, many of the jutsu in the Scroll of Seals are incomplete. Practicing them recklessly could cost a ninja his life. But there is one forbidden technique that might suit you."
"What technique?"
"The Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Hiruzen smiled warmly.
Compared to the other jutsu in the Scroll, this one wasn't overly dangerous—unless misused, in which case it would drain one's chakra and kill them outright.
A perfect "reward" for a mouthy Uchiha brat.
"I'll have it copied for you later," Hiruzen said smoothly. "For now, let's discuss the Cloud kidnapping incident."
Without giving Yuzuru a chance to decline, Hiruzen pressed on, his gaze sharpening.
"According to my investigation, you weren't on night duty that day—it should've been Lihuo Uchiha, correct?"
"We switched," Yuzuru said with a shrug. "Captain Lihuo wasn't feeling well."
"I see."
Hiruzen paused briefly before continuing, "Then how did you leave Konoha without the Barrier Corps detecting anything?"
He had already checked. The barrier had been fully functional that night. Not even a fly could leave the village unnoticed.
So how did Yuzuru manage to get out unseen?
Yuzuru's tone was flat. "Third Hokage, maybe you should ask the Barrier Corps that question. I just followed the Cloud ninjas' trail, that's all."
"During the chase, did you encounter any Anbu?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
Feeling the rising pressure in Hiruzen's chakra, Yuzuru's voice chilled. "Third Hokage, Kushina's already been rescued, and the Cloud ninja corpses have been retrieved. What exactly are you trying to find out?"
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
'How sharp.'
Hiruzen hadn't expected him to catch on so quickly.
If he pressed further, he might only arouse more suspicion.
Or perhaps Yuzuru already knew something.
Switched shifts on purpose, slipped past the barrier unnoticed, rescued Kushina first, and now the missing Anbu…
There was no proof, but Hiruzen's instincts screamed caution.
After years of reading people, his gut told him one thing:
Yuzuru Uchiha was dangerous—and must be watched.
After a moment's thought, Hiruzen dropped the subject. "Yuzuru, since you now know about Kushina, there's something else you need to understand."
"The Sharingan can influence the Tailed Beasts. For the sake of stability, you—and all Uchiha—are forbidden from interacting with Kushina from now on."
"This isn't a punishment. It's for the village's safety."
Yuzuru nearly burst out laughing.
'As expected. As expected! No, I can't laugh yet—keep it together!'
This was perfect—Hiruzen's "precaution" would only fuel the rift between Kushina and the Uchiha clan.
When the news spread, resentment would erupt on both sides.
And when the time came for him to leave Konoha, he'd have the full support of his clan and Kushina alike.
"Yuzuru, you can go now. I'll have the Multiple Shadow Clone scroll delivered to you later."
Once Yuzuru left, Hiruzen tapped his desk.
A silver-haired man with deep, steady eyes appeared before him.
"Sakumo. From today, I want you to monitor every move the Uchiha make through the Anbu."
"Especially Yuzuru Uchiha. If he shows even the slightest sign of rebellion, you have my permission to eliminate him immediately."
Today's conversation had made it clear—Yuzuru wasn't someone Hiruzen could control.
And those with talent beyond control… were threats.
"Lord Hokage," said Sakumo Hatake, frowning slightly. "Wouldn't that risk provoking the Uchiha clan?"
"Just follow orders."
"…Yes."
After Sakumo left, Hiruzen clasped his hands behind his back and gazed out the window with a cold smile.
The village's power was firmly in his grasp.
Even if the Uchiha wanted to rebel—what could they really do?
'At most, they'll just complain a little, right?'
Nothing more.