Chapter 118 - 18

Chapter 18: Danzo Shimura's Restless AmbitionMembers of the Uchiha Clan are attempting to build a relationship with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—When the Anbu first submitted this news with the utmost speed, Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing documents, while Danzo was reporting on some of the "cleaning" results of the Root.The two of them put down what was in their hands almost simultaneously; the air froze in that instant.Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers tapped the desk unconsciously, and the ash in his pipe fell with a soft rustle.In his mind, he instantly saw the increasingly gloomy face of Uchiha Fugaku, the heavily guarded and increasingly oppressive high walls of the Uchiha Clan compound, and the dust-covered, top-secret files in the archives regarding Uchiha Madara, the Nine-Tails incident, and their connection to the Sharingan.Controlling the Tailed Beast!They finally could not hold back anymore and were going to make a move on the Jinchuriki! This was the prelude to a rebellion!A terrifying glint suddenly erupted in Danzo Shimura's single eye, and the corner of his mouth under the bandages seemed to curl into a cruel arc.The opportunity had come!The Root had long since prepared multiple contingency plans, and the Anbu had been monitoring them all along. With just one order, they could make the Uchiha disappear from the map of Konoha tonight!At the same time, the Barrier Squad must be activated immediately to seal off the entire Village; they absolutely could not give any other ninja Villages a chance to take advantage of the situation...The two men's gazes met in the air, both seeing the determination and murderous intent in the other's eyes. The air in the office felt as if it had turned into Explosive Tags about to be detonated, needing only a single spark...Then, their gaze fell upon the Uchiha name at the end of the report.Uchiha Itachi.The taut string seemed to loosen for a moment.It is him...The two of them exhaled almost simultaneously, a breath so slight it was barely perceptible. The tense muscles in their backs relaxed slightly as they sat back down in their chairs.It was nothing.This Uchiha prodigy had long since been firmly tied to the Village's war chariot by them, in the name of "protecting Konoha" and "protecting his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke".He was the sharpest and most concealed blade inserted into the heart of the Uchiha Clan, one of "their own" who was absolutely loyal to the Hokage and the order of Konoha.He... was extremely unlikely to betray them, and even less likely to assist the clan in controlling the Tailed Beast.A false alarm? Or... was there another deeper meaning?The two exchanged a look and decided to call this "one of their own" over to personally hear his thoughts.Thus, the current report took place.The reasons given by Uchiha Itachi were clear, logical, and comprehensive:Personal emotional connection, the political symbolic significance of alleviating the conflict between the Village and the clan, compensating for the psychological needs of the Jinchuriki and building bonds, as well as close-range monitoring and insurance measures against potential risks...Every point stood from the perspective of the Village; every point appeared reasonable and logical, perhaps even... too perfect.Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly picked up his pipe, pinched a pinch of golden tobacco from the tobacco jar on the table, and leisurely filled the bowl.His gaze, through the curling, faint blue smoke, scrutinized Uchiha Itachi's calm, expressionless face.He recalled the recent reports from the Anburegarding Naruto: incredible growth speed in Taijutsu, a suspected unknown physical enhancement type Bloodline Limit, and the decisiveness and combat power far beyond his age displayed during conflicts with the Uchiha at the Ninja Academy...And, what made him faintly uneasy, was the depth and detachment occasionally flashing in Naruto's eyes that did not belong to his age, as mentioned in the reports.This child was growing too fast, faster than anyone expected, and beyond the scope of "safety"... Was the seal of the Nine-Tailed truly foolproof?Was the violent Chakra within him subtly influencing him?Was it really right to let such a Jinchuriki, full of variables and seemingly lacking a sense of belonging to the Village, grow up freely?Perhaps... a rein was indeed needed... a rein that was firm enough, smart enough, and "safe" enough.Uchiha Itachi was undoubtedly an excellent choice.He had the ability to monitor and a reason to approach, and more importantly—He was "safe" enough, completely under their control."Ahem—"Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat, exhaled a smoke ring, and his face resumed that habitual, kindly smile. He took a step ahead, making his decision before Danzo's bandaged face could become even gloomier and before he seemed ready to speak."Very well, Itachi."His voice was gentle and full of approval, "You have thought this through very thoroughly and considered every aspect. You are worthy of being the talent I value."He tapped his pipe, his gaze toward Itachi filled with expectation: "Then let's do as you said. Take good care of that child Naruto, guide him, and let him feel the warmth of the Village. You are both the future hope of Konoha; I believe you can both become the new leaves of the Village and inherit the will of fire."He waved his hand, signaling for Uchiha Itachi to leave, "Alright, we know the specifics. Go take care of Naruto; if there are any abnormalities, remember to report them in a timely manner.""Yes! Hokage-sama!"Uchiha Itachi responded crisply, bowed again, then turned and walked out of the Hokage Office with steady steps, gently closing the heavy wooden door.The room quieted down again, with only the slight "hissing" sound of Hiruzen Sarutobi smoking his pipe.Danzo Shimura waited until Uchiha Itachi's presence had completely receded from the Hokage Building in his perception, and had even left the nearby blocks, before turning around abruptly.His single eye stared fixedly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, burning with suppressed anger and incomprehension."Hiruzen!"His voice sounded like it was squeezed out from the gaps in his bandages, hoarse and low. The cane in his hand thumped heavily on the floor, making a dull "thud" sound, "What on earth are you thinking?! Don't forget the teacher's entrustment!"He stepped forward, the cold light in his single eye almost turning into substance: "The Uchiha Clan is inherently evil! Their Sharingan is the Root of disaster; given just a single spark, they will lose control and become a scourge to the Village! Look at history! Look at Uchiha Madara! They...""Their emotions are too rich, and they are prone to extremes... I remember, Danzo."Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted his impassioned statement, his voice remaining steady, even carrying a touch of nonchalance. He picked up a small silver spoon, slowly cleaning the carbon buildup in his pipe, and added some new tobacco."Then why did you agree to this?! Letting an Uchihaget close to the Jinchuriki with a long-winded explanation, even bestowing the title of 'older sister'? You are harboring a tiger!"Danzo's voice raised, carrying undisguised impatience.He craved those Sharingan! The sporadic acquisitions from wars could not satisfy the hollow cravings on his arm at all!Every time he felt those transplanted eyeballs slightly pulsing under the bandages, bringing power while also bringing a cold sense of foreignness, his desire for more, purer Uchiha eyes deepened by another notch!If he could just get the eyes of the entire Uchiha Clan... that plan could advance even further!Damn Hiruzen!Always so indecisive!The teacher really misjudged him back then!If I had become Hokage, the Uchiha would have been thoroughly cleaned out long ago, and Konohawould also, under my leadership, have used absolute power and an iron fist to sweep away all obstacles, becoming even stronger than in the era of Senju Hashirama!"Do you think..."Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer directly, but lit his pipe, took a deep puff, let the pungent smoke circulate in his lungs, and then exhaled slowly.Through the pervasive smoke, he looked at his old friend and threw out a cold question:"If we were to take action against the Uchiha Clannow, how many Konoha Ninja lives would we need to pay to'suppress' them? What kind of destruction would it inflict on the Village?"