In the Hokage building, the shadow clone of Dan Nakamura was kneeling in front of a young man with brown hair and a goatee. But don't let his young age fool you; he gave off the presence of a battle-hardened warrior. This man was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the 3rd Hokage.
"Are you sure of what you saw, Dan? A new Kekkei genkai in the hands of a civilian shinobi with no notable background is a bit hard to believe." Hiruzen said, a bit doubtful, it's not like he didn't trust Dan, but Kekei Genkai are rare, and new ones even rarer, and one in the hands of a person with no notable clan or background is even more rare.
"I know it's hard to believe, Hokage-sama, but I wouldn't lie about something like this. Hiruko showed a weird ability and used it in his battle against Tsunade Senju; it was like it allowed him to manipulate some force that increased the pressure she felt," Dan said with the utmost seriousness.
Just as Hiruzen was going to question Dan more, the door to his office burst open, and a dark-haired man with a bandaged eye walked in. "Hiruzen entrusted Hiruko to me! With him, the root will prosper, and he will become a powerful protector for the village."
At this outburst, Hiruzen just sighed at his old friend. He then turned to Dan. "Dan Nakamura, leave us, and you are to speak of this to no one." Hiruzen said,
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Dan responded before disappearing in a blur. Dan could tell Hiruzen meant Danzo's outburst more than Hiruko's Kekei Genkai. If it got out that a mere Hokage's advisor could burst into the Hokage's office and make demands like that. It would make Hiruzen seem unfit as Hokage because who is more unfit to run a village than someone who couldn't control his own subordinates?
"Hiruzen gave Hiruko to me." Danzo said, reiterating his wanting for Hiruko once again.
"That's not going to happen, old friend; he is only a child. He's too young to bear Konoha's darkness. I plan on first talking to this boy and understanding his heart and will of fire, then possibly taking him in as one of my disciples." Hiruzen said calmly.
At this Danzo's anger was palpable at hearing the possibility of Hiruzen taking Hiruko in as a disciple. At first Donzo wanted Orchimaru to join Root. He saw an intellect and thirst for knowledge in him that he wanted for his Root, and more importantly, he saw a darkness that he also saw in himself.
But Hiruzen said no and that it was important for the village to push a talented person like Orochimaru away from darkness, not toward it. Then he thought of taking in Jiraiya; the boy, though not as talented as Orohimaru, still had the potential to reach elite Jōnin at the bare minimum. But Hiruzen said no again, saying he saw something in the boy that reminded him of himself.
And now he wanted Hiruko, a child with potential higher than both boys combined with an unprecedented kekkei genkai. Danzo wanted him; he had to get that boy and bring his power into the village…no roots fold.
"That is unfair. Hiruzen, you already chose to take in Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru as disciples; you don't need a fourth. I get Tsunade as the granddaughter of the first Hokage, but the other three are civilians. They should be happy to be under my command and contribute to the better of Konoha," Danzo said, his irritation at Hiruen's greed growing.
'Can't I just have one?' He thought, frowning like a child who was just told that his friend with 4 amazing toys doesn't have to let him play with any.
However, at this point, Hiruzen was not yet his future self, who listened to everything Danzo said and asserted his authority. "Listen, Danzo, I am Hokage. I will do whatever I please; I have my eyes on those four, and you cannot have them or touch them. That is the finale."
At this Danzo was furious; he hated how Hiruzen leveraged the Hokage title. It was supposed to be his, but now it was being used against him. But before he could storm out and say his iconic line, Hiruzen said something that made Danzo slightly happier.
"However, I'll allow you to recruit from the major clans under my authority; just don't go overboard. Take a couple from each clan, though don't touch the Uchiha or Hyuga; they're too prideful to give you any people. It'll only end in conflict." Despite not everyone being happy about Hiruzen's ascent to Hokage, he was still one of the strongest and was promoted by the 2nd Lord and Lady Mito. No one would outright challenge him over a couple of people except for the Hyuga and Uchiha, who were too prideful to let their eyes fall into the village's hands.
Danzo, clearly happy about this, walked out of the Hokage room with a sly smile like a child ready to go get new toys. Though he still slightly slammed the door, he had to; it just felt… right.
Back in the Hokage office, Hiruzen sat with a light smile at his old friend's actions, but just as quickly as the smile came, it left. He then raised his left hand; as he did, a man with a fox-shaped mask appeared from the shadows, kneeling.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Summon Hiruko to my office."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the shadow said before disappearing after he left. Hiruzen laid back in his seat, sighing as he took out a cigar. 'This job really takes it out of you.'
On the other side of the village, in the Senju residence, sat Tsunade with a red-haired woman radiating youth.
Tsunade, through tears, complained to the women.
"Grandma Mito, it was so embarrassing. First he dodged all my chakra-enhanced fists and then took me down by just extending his hand, and what's worse, I can tell he was barely trying," Tsunade said through tears.
"It's okay, little Tsuna. You tried your best, and that's all that matters, and I have good news: Mommy and Daddy are returning back from their mission soon." Mito said, trying to console the child.
At this, Tsunade's expression noticeably perked up; she had missed her parents and was eager for their return.
"Hey Tsuna, what did that boy's power feel like?" Mito posed. At this Tsunade looked down as if recalling bad memories.
"It felt like… That one time I was kidnapped by Sand Shinobi, and Grandpa Hashirama came and saved me. At that moment Grandpa was angrier than I've ever seen, and for the slight moment when his pressure was released, I felt an unimaginable pressure. That's what Hirko felt like," Tsunade said with a hint of reverence in her voice.
Mito, on the other hand, slightly smiled, as she was thinking about the child Tsunade was talking about.
'Hiruko Huh? I might just meet this extraordinary child.' Mito thought with a smirk as she clapped her hands two times. At that moment a black-haired woman with freckles appeared wearing a maid outfit, her head bowed.
"Watch over Tsuna for a bit, Chigiri; I'll be back," Mito said, standing up.
The woman still bowed. Simply responded, "Yes, Lady Mito.
Back in the heart of the village in a small house, Hiruko was lying on his bed when he sneezed twice. 'I wonder who's talking about me.'
Just as he finished his thought, Hiruko heard a knock at the door. Getting up to open it, he saw the same man with the fox mask.
"Hokage-Sama wishes to see you," he said simply before disappearing.
'Looks like my plan is working out quite well.' Hiruko said with a slight smile. Just then a luminescent blue screen appeared.
[Host, you have a mission.]
Show Hiruzen Sarutobi your potential.
Reward: Shigan (Finger Stab)]
[Host, you have a mission.]
[Show Mito Uzumaki your potential.
Reward: 2 random Devil Fruits]
[Host, you have a mission.]
[Become a disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Reward: Random Devil Fruit]
'What the fuck' Hiruko was stunned by three missions and the fact that by completing them he gets 3 devil fruits and another one of the six techniques. But his surprise soon turned to confusion.
'Hey system, why does Mito Uzumaki gives 2 devil fruits, and why does she give them in general, while Hiruzen gives one of the six techniques?
[Host the system hands out rewards based on three things: difficulty, prestige, and power. Hiruzen Sarutobi is weaker, has less prestige, and was already thinking about taking you in as a disciple, so the reward for him is less.
However, Mito Uzumaki is stronger and has more prestige, and she knows close to nothing about you, so that makes the reward better.
As for your question as to why Mito Uzumaki gives 2 devil fruits, it is because she is a Jinchuriki of Kurama. Though the system counts them as two different people, meaning the system gives you two different rewards for showing off to each.
However, Kurama is still bound to Mito Uzumaki, causing the system to lump in his reward under Mito's. ]
'I get that, but then why is Kurama's reward so low? His prestige is way more than Lady Mito's, and his power surpasses hers if we're talking about offensively. Hiruko said, trying to understand how the system hands out rewards.
[Host, this is because the difficulty of the mission isn't too hard. Not only that, but the strength of Kurama is closer to Mito Uzumaki than you think. She may not beat him offensively, but sealing is Kurama's weakness, and Mito Uzumaki is the strongest sealer alive currently.]
'Okay, I get it now. Thanks, system.'
[No problem, Host, I am always here to help.]
After talking to the system, Hiruko made his way to the Hokage building. Knowing he was coming, the ninja there let him in with no resistance, and after reaching the Hokage's door, he knocked three times before hearing someone tell him to come in.
Walking in, he saw a man with brown hair and a goatee sitting, his hands folded, looking at the boy beside him; a red-haired woman stood.
'Why is Lady Mito here? Is that why I was given that mission?' Hiruko pondered before quickly kneeling.
"Hokage-sama and Lady Mito-sama, to whom do I owe the pleasure?" Hiruko said, his voice conveying the utmost respect.
Smiling, Hiruzen talked to Hiruko as if he were a sweet uncle.
"Stand up, Hiruto, boy, and I'm sure you know why I've called you here. It's come to my attention that you've awakened a new Kekei Genkai. Do you mind explaining it to us?"
"Of course, Hokage-sama." Hiruko said, standing up.
"My kekkei genkai, as I've named it, is called Gravity Release. It allows me to manipulate gravity without hand seals. I can increase and decrease the gravity on a thing." Hirukko said, outreaching his hand toward a mug on the Hokage's desk; soon a small circle of transparent energy appeared under it, and it began floating.
At this display both Hiruzen and Mito were astonished, mostly because the mug was floating. Flight in the shinobi world was very hard to achieve, with only Onoki being known to achieve it.
Little did both know, inside Mito a giant nine-tailed fox lay pinned to a rock by his tails and chains wrapping all around him. Was watching Hiruko's demonstration.
"That power, it's similar to that man's, though way, way weaker, but if he can get it to that man's level, it could show its potential… Hahaha, like that weak human could reach that man's level; sealing must've made you go senile," Kurama said, clearly amused by his brief thought of that human reaching Hahirama Seju's power.
Back in the real world, Mito, after seeing Hiruko's Kekkei genkai, posed a question: "What are its downsides?" She asked this because she knew no jutsu or kekkei genkai was perfect, and all had a weakness. This was something she learned from her brother-in-law, Tobirama.
Hiruko, maintaining his calm, responded, "Well, one is that my body can't handle the strain currently, so for right now I can only increase gravity 2x and limit the gravity on small objects, but as I grow, this limit will increase. But the most glaring weakness is I can manipulate the gravity of everything but myself."
At his statement Mito couldn't hide her astonishment. 'Not being able to use it at full force makes sense; he's barely 6, but the only known downside being he can't use it on himself is ridiculous for such a strong Kekkei genkai. Even Hashirama had a downside equal to wood release strength, and that was the fact it absorbed his vitality. If not for his perfect sage body, he wouldn't have been able to display such power with it.
[Host, you have completed the mission.]
[You have earned 2 random devil fruits.]
[The host is not alone; reward integration will be put on hold.]
'This is amazing; your future is bright, Hiruko.' Hiruzen said his excitement was palpable that Kekei genkai had potential on par with wood release, but with great strength comes great responsibility. He needed to see where this child's heart was. However, before he could question the boy, Mito spoke first.
"Child, what is your goal, and how do you view the village? Do not lie to me; I will know." Mito said, both caring and equally chilling.
Hiruko was a bit taken aback; he at first planned to say whatever Hiruzen wanted to hear and become his disciple, but now that Mito was here, he threw that plan out.
He took a few moments to think about his answer. 'Well, I guess I'll just speak from the heart.' Hiruko said, mentally shrugging.
"To be honest, Lady Mito, I don't really care for the village." It was true Hiruko wasn't from this world originally, nor did he grow up here, so his care for this place did not extend above its gains.
At this Hiruzen stood up, his pressure flaring. "What did you say, boy?" But as soon as those words left his mouth, a pressure way stronger than his flared up.
[Host, you have completed the mission.]
[You have earned a finger gun.]
[The host is not alone; reward integration will be put on hold.]
'Just one more mission to go.' Hiruko hid his excitement, afraid Mito would sense it.
"Let him speak, Monkey." Mito said, her tone leaving no room for argument, "Go on," she told Hiruko.
Hiruko, refocusing on his current situation, said, "As I said, this village doesn't mean much to me; I just want to find those I care for—a family, friends, and comrades—and once I find them, I'll give whatever to protect them. So my goal is to protect those I will come to care about … even if it's from the village." Hiruko said honestly.
At his honesty Mito smiled. "Well, child, your goal is truly noble. You remind me so much of my late husband; he also chose that which was most important to him, even over his own ties." Mto said, somewhat reminiscing,
"You're not upset at my answer?" Hiruko asked; he thought Mito would be upset at his choice.
"Of course not, child. I see no malice in your heart toward the village, just a different view on things, and if we were upset at every differing view from our own, we'd never grow." She said, pinching his cheek, causing a slight sting.
"My late husband used to say we raise up the next generation not to be like us but to be different. They should be like leaves, from the same tree but different even if in the smallest of ways. It is that difference that determines how we grow and change." Mito said to her face with the utmost sincerity,
"Now Hiruko, you said you dream about having a family. What if I was your family?" Mito asked with a bright smile.
"What, you want to take him in?" Hiruzen asked, perplexed.
"Yes, do you have a problem with that monkey?" Mito asked if her voice seemed kind, but Hiruzen could tell it was laced with steel and she would not take opposition. Turning back to Hiruko, she pressed, "Well, don't leave this old lady waiting."
'Wait, isn't this all too fast? I came to show my potential and earn a spot on Team Hiruzen, but now I am being asked if I want to be taken in by one of the strongest kunoichi.' Hiruko thought puzzled Mito could sense this child's confliction.
"There's no rush, child; just speak from your heart." Mito said.
Hiruko, seeing this, analyzed Mito using Observation Haki.
'Well, I can tell using Observation Haki that she has some motive in doing this, but I can also see she's doing it because she generally wishes to, and the benefits I could get from her would be immense; I wouldn't be targeted by others inside the village, and I'd get a wealth of knowledge and Jutsu. Plus… it would be nice to have a family for the first time in both lives."
Hiruko, after weighing the pros and cons, responded with a smile, "Yes, I would love to."