BANG!
The door to the Hokage's office slammed open so hard it rattled on its hinges.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his desk, irritation flashing in his sharp eyes.
"Danzo. What are you doing?"
Danzo stalked inside, white cross-collared shirt under a black robe, his right eye hidden behind layers of bandages. He swung the door shut with another,
BANG!
"Hiruzen, do you know that Orochimaru has accepted an Uchiha disciple?" His voice was sharp, laced with anger.
"I know," Hiruzen said evenly. "Orochimaru told me himself."
"The Anbu also reported that Uchiha Gen went to Orochimaru's residence and stayed for quite a while."
Hiruzen knew his student's pride. Orochimaru would never hide something like this, but neither would he parade it around. He had simply informed his teacher.
"Then why didn't you stop it?" Danzo demanded.
"Uchiha Shisui is Kagami's descendant. His thoughts lean toward the village. With guidance, he can inherit the Will of Fire."
"That would be fine if he'd joined Minato's team — your grand-disciple," Danzo shot back. "But what about Uchiha Gen?"
"Orochimaru is my student. He's more suited to be the next Hokage than Minato."
Danzo leaned forward, voice rising. "Can't you see the Uchiha clan's wolfish ambitions?" He was so excited that his saliva was spurting out.
Hiruzen's expression didn't change, though in his mind, the question lingered,was Orochimaru really a better candidate than Minato?
His student was becoming harder to read… and there was no denying Orochimaru's closeness to Danzo. If Orochimaru became Hokage, Danzo's influence would grow overnight.
But none of that showed on his face. Slowly, Hiruzen picked up his pipe, fed a wisp of fire chakra into the bowl, and took a long draw. The smoke curled around his features, hazing his eyes.
Seeing his old comrade's calm indifference only stoked Danzo's temper. He opened his mouth to press harder — but Hiruzen's voice cut through.
"Danzo. I'm not fond of the Uchiha either, but your prejudice runs too deep. The clan leader and his main force are fighting and bleeding on the Kiri's frontlines. They played their part in the last battle.
The Uchiha, like every Konoha clan, have made their contributions to this war. So what's the problem with two Uchiha becoming students of Minato and Orochimaru?"
Danzo snorted. "When the village is in danger, every ninja should fight to the death. Even sacrifice themselves. And the Mist have already reached the Land of Fire. The Uchiha, Hyūga, and others together couldn't stop them. What merit is there?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "That's unfair. Holding them outside the heart of the Land of Fire is already difficult, even with the major clans and civilian shinobi together. We've pushed them back in places and even reclaimed territory. You say this here to me — fine. But if word spreads, it will crush the morale of our frontline."
Danzo paused, then said stiffly, "I misspoke. But we can't let the Uchiha escape the Police Force's leash. Give them more power, and Konoha's future will be at risk."
"You exaggerate," Hiruzen snapped. "I'm here. You're here. Koharu and Homura are here. The Sannin are here. Minato is here. All the major clans are here. Thousands of Konoha shinobi are here. What kind of waves can the Uchiha really make? And gaining power outside the Police Department isn't so simple — they'd have to beat highly skilled shinobi in every post.
"Yes, they play both sides, but that also shows they want to align with the Hokage. If they're reaching out, why keep them at arm's length? That's only asking for trouble."
Danzo's jaw tightened. Hiruzen's trust in the Uchiha — wary as it was — wasn't something he could shake.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this," Danzo warned.
"Danzo..." Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "I am the Hokage."
Danzo froze. That was the end of it. He could only snort, turn on his heel, and slam the door behind him.
Hiruzen shook his head, returned the pipe to his lips, and bent back over the mountain of paperwork on his desk.
Out in the hall, Danzo considered sending Root operatives to keep watch on Uchiha Gen… but decided against it. Orochimaru's student. Best not to sour their alliance unnecessarily.
Ten days later.
The cry of an eagle split the morning air over the training grounds.
Gen looked up to see a hawk circling overhead, its sharp call echoing across the village.
An emergency summons.
He wasn't the only one to notice, hawks wheeled over every district, their cries loud enough to reach every street and forest edge in Konoha. genin and chūnin whispered guesses. Jōnin without active assignments immediately turned toward the Hokage Building.
Gen grabbed his gear. As part of the Administrative Department now, he had no fixed duty post — so he was among those called. The Police Force's senior officers would remain behind to maintain order.
Roof tiles and tree branches became the highways of the shinobi as figures flickered through the village, moving too fast for civilians to see more than a blur.
Gen didn't rush inside on arrival. He waited, eyes scanning the street.
If Orochimaru came first, he would follow him. If Uchiha Fugaku arrived, he'd follow him instead. Alone, he'd be stuck in the back row — a place far beneath his real strength.
It didn't take long. Orochimaru appeared first, moving with unhurried grace.
Gen jogged over, offering a respectful greeting. A faint nod from his teacher, and they entered together.
Inside the conference room, most of Konoha's jōnin were already present. Standing behind Orochimaru put Gen in the second row — a place reserved for those with real authority or clan leadership.
Minato was already there, nodding in greeting. Orochimaru returned it, and Gen gave a polite bow before exchanging brief nods with Kakashi and Shisui.
Moments later, Fugaku and other senior shinobi arrived. Positions filled.
Then Hiruzen entered from the rear, flanked by Danzo, Koharu, and Homura. They took their seats at the stone table.
"This emergency call is to deliver bad news," Hiruzen said gravely. "A major incident has occurred on the Mist battlefield…"
Every heart in the room tightened.