Fugaku stood quietly amid the settling dust of the aftermath, the last echoes of jutsu fading beneath the canopy of the Forest of Death. Fugaku's Sharingan fading back to his normal black eyes.
The world around them seemed to freeze. Even the wind stilled for a moment. Fugaku stared at the elderly Hokage, shock briefly showing, something extremely rare for the stoic Uchiha.
"…What did you say Lord Third?" Fugaku finally asked, voice controlled but strained.
The others nearby joined the group. Hiashi, and several clan heads, looked toward them, equally stunned.
Hiruzen continued, tone unwavering. "It is time," he said. "Time for someone of the next generation to take the mantle. Someone capable of uniting what has been fractured. Someone who can rebuild trust between the Uchiha Clan and Konohagakure."
Fugaku's brows tightened. "Why me, Lord Third? Why now?"
Hiruzen sighed, the weight of years heavy in the sound. "If Minato were still alive… none of this would have spiraled so out of control. The tensions with your clan would not have become so dire. I know this and I believe you know this as well."
Then Hiruzen stepped closer.
"And I know you never sought power. You never wanted political authority or admiration , just for your people and family to be happy and thrive. But precisely because of that, because you are not hungry for power, you are suited for it."
Fugaku's gaze sharpened. "…That does not answer why you would offer me this position."
Hiruzen held his eyes.
"Because your people were pushed to the edges of the village. Because you were forced to shoulder a burden created by the elders' paranoia. Because you understand both the clan's suffering and the village's needs." He paused. "And because if you become Hokage… your clan can finally move back into the heart of the village where they belong."
Fugaku inhaled slowly through his nose. "But what of Lord Jiraiya? Surely he is the more fitting choice."
Jiraiya laughed loudly and shook his head. "Oh, hell no. Not a chance." He waved his hands dismissively. "I have zero interest in sitting behind a desk. I'm a spy, not a politician. And now that I know more about the Akatsuki, I've got an important mission ahead of me. Being Hokage would only get in the way."
Fugaku looked mildly frustrated at the immediate shutdown. "You speak lightly of such responsibility, Lord Jiraiya…"
Jiraiya grinned and slapped his shoulder. "And that's why you should do it. You're serious enough for both of us. With the power to back it up."
Before Fugaku could respond, Shisui stepped forward, eyes bright with unwavering loyalty.
"Lord Fugaku," Shisui said, bowing slightly. "Please accept it. With your strength, your mind, wisdom and your heart. You are the only one who can lead Konoha forward."
Itachi followed, his expression calm but earnest. "Father… I ask you to consider it as well. Not just for the clan, but for the village and Sasuke."
Then Mikoto gently placed a hand on her husband's arm. "Fugaku… do what you believe is right. I will support you."
Fugaku looked between his wife, his son, and his clansmen. Along with his fellow ninja.
A deep conflict stirred inside him. When his clan had once pulled together for a coup, they had chosen him as their leader, even though he never wanted to push conflict with the Leaf. And now… again… the weight of new responsibility was falling on him, this time from the village itself.
He looked back at Hiruzen.
"What of the elders, you know they were more on the side of Danzo." Fugaku asked at last. "And the vacant council seat now that Danzo has been arrested?"
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a brief moment. "We will deal with that together. Once the Daimyo approves your appointment, we can handle the remainder one step at a time."
Then Jiraiya rested a firm hand on Fugaku's shoulder, his demeanor uncharacteristically sober.
"I can think of no one more suited for this position, Lord Fugaku. I believe Minato would had felt the same, so you have my full support."
Fugaku nodded, finally accepting the weight settling onto him.
"…Thank you Lord Jiraiya, that means more then you know." Jiraiya only smiled.
High above them, deep within the shadows of the forest canopy, Black Zetsu observed with fascination.
"So… Danzo is no longer a viable path," it whispered to itself. "On to the next one."
Back in the Village – Menma's Apartment
Within the quiet, dimly lit room, Menma sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by scrolls, books, and scraps of paper. Sweat lined his brow. His breathing was controlled, steady as he was in deep meditation. In the inner world, he stood before Kurama, the towering Chakra beast, irritable as ever but not out of malice or hate, but frustration.
Kurama snorted. He has been instructing Menma on Chakra natures and teaching him Chakra control. But Menma has been failing to get the concepts and he couldn't take anymore for that day. "Let's end here for today. Go practice your chakra control with a shadow clone, your control is horrible. I don't know how can someone blessed with the Uzumaki bloodline abilities, could have chakra control this poor?"
I rubbed my forehead. " Sensei you know I'm only three years old. It'd be weird if I had perfect chakra control already."
Kurama narrowed his immense eyes, tails curling behind him.
"Weird like a foreign soul inhabiting an infant's body?"
My eyes narrowed in frustration. "…You really aren't subtle, are you, Kurama-sensei."
The large fox showed a small grin on his face.
"Wasn't trying to be. Now go!"
I smirked. Then I bowed respectfully. "Thank you for today, Kurama-sensei."
Menma's body then disappeared from the inner world.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my apartment, sitting exactly where I had been before entering the mindscape. I let out a slow breath and stood up.
"All right," I muttered to myself. "Time to practice shadow clones again."
I made the hand signs, focusing on producing a single clone this time. I gathered chakra, not too much, and not to little probably...
"Ninja Art Shadow Clone Justsu!"
A puff of smoke burst beside me. A clone appeared… fully formed. Same height build and no imperfections. I then closed my eyes and reached out feeling the clones Chakra presence. The world around me became dark as I felt the faint Chakra around me from nature. Then the Chakra of the villages then appeared around me. All different sizes and qualities. Then my shadow clones Chakra appeared as I focused on it.
It's Chaka was a copy of mine like normal, but the problem was the amount. I kept a steady eye on how my own Chakra looked and felt. Unlike Naruto from the original series who didn't inherit the Uzumaki Clans abilities besides, being a compatible to host the nine-tales and a strong life force. I on the other hand did from what Kurama told me.
Besides sealing techniques and justsu (Fūinjutsu) which I will learn later. I have Immense life force and vitality. Massive chakra reserves which are amplified by Kurama's. I don't know about the Adamantine Sealing Chains yet.
Menma took a deep breath in and out. I need to remember to take things one at a time. I need to learn and have a basic Chakra control by the time I'm 6. That's when I can start at the ninja academy. Then learn the other stuff next. Which reminds me I need to think of a reward I want to ask from old man third if things work out. I could always blackmail him with the information about knowing his family dark secret. And what his father did back in the day and what he himself did to hide it... No that wouldn't be a good idea, but I do know a pale face slimy bastard that would love to get his hands on information like this.
I then pulled myself from my deep thoughts and focused back on my current training. I sensed my clones chakra and looked at it's fluctuations and the amount I used compared to mine. the moment I sensed its chakra, I sighed.
"Damn it. Too much chakra again… I used more chakra just making the damn thing then I put into it."
Still by normal standards of this world I did something incredible. I made a perfect clone of myself at the age of three. Some would look to me like I was a genius. I am happy though it only took me four days to make a clone and another day to make a perfect clone. The rest of the time I was meditating and learning from Kurama.
I then handed the clone a notebook and pen. I'm not gonna waste a moment like this now. "Use our memories and start writing books. Use Demon Slayer as inspiration."
The clone gave me a thumbs-up. "Got it, boss! You're planning to make some money off this, huh?" I nodded. " Correct. Weird It's like you're in my head." We grinned at each other with Ryō signs appearing in our eyes.
As the clone sat down at the low table to begin writing, I closed my eyes and thought to myself:
Once I perfect this, I'll start using the Shadow Clone Training Method early in secret. Until I find a proper master before starting the academy.
But something else tugged at my thoughts. I hope everything worked out with the Uchiha's… It's been a week, and I haven't heard anything.
A sudden knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked. "Coming!" I called, heading to the entrance.
I opened the door, and there they stood.
Fugaku.
Mikoto.
Itachi.
Shisui.
All dressed in civilian clothing, composed but serious.
"Menma," Fugaku said calmly. "May we come in?"
I stepped aside, nodding quickly. "Y-Yes, of course."
My heart pounded. If all four of them were here… Something big must have happened.