Chapter 60: A Pact of Eyes and Ambition
Hearing Danzō's request, Akatsurugi fell silent. There was little he could do. Danzō had aided him in the past. Regardless of the man's motives, the help had been real, especially during Akatsurugi's more vulnerable years when Danzō had shielded him from Uchiha political pressure.
To refuse him now felt… discourteous.
However, acquiescing could open the floodgates. Danzō was known for his aggression. Even if the Third Hokage knew, it would create complications. Hiruzen's indulgence of Danzō stemmed from a belief that he could always rein him in. But if Akatsurugi, a power in his own right, started sending signals of alignment, the delicate balance could shatter. What seemed a minor concession now could become a fatal pitfall later.
"Ahem," Akatsurugi cleared his throat. "Which personnel, exactly, did you have in mind, Lord Danzō?"
Danzō didn't hesitate. "The Uchiha clansmen. As well as members of the Aburame and Kurama clans."
Akatsurugi's eye twitched. You old fox. Of the three major bloodline limit clans within his Third Battalion, he was asking for all of them. The man had no sense of subtlety.
"Lord Danzō, I'm afraid that… would be rather difficult," Akatsurugi sighed. Handing them over would be tantamount to dismantling his command.
Danzō's single visible eye narrowed. But, weighing Akatsurugi's formidable power, he hesitated before making a counter-offer. "The other Mangekyō Sharingan of Kagami's is in my possession. If you agree, it is yours."
Akatsurugi's interest was immediately piqued. Now he's negotiating. Danzō had pinpointed his weakness with unnerving accuracy.
The truth was, he felt almost no rejection towards the Sharingan. While he couldn't deactivate it, using the three tomoe posed no issue. A pair of Mangekyō could potentially unlock the Susano'o, a power worth exploring alongside his Sage Art. Of course, the Mangekyō's limited uses and eventual blindness were a problem, requiring Hashirama's cells—a resource the Second Hokage had sealed away after his research. He wondered if Danzō had begun his own experiments. And Orochimaru… his research talents weren't yet fully matured. Perhaps there was an opportunity there.
"Lord Danzō," Akatsurugi said bluntly, "is it the Sharingan you want, or the Uchiha clansmen themselves?"
Danzō was momentarily taken aback, then smiled thinly. "The Sharingan."
"Then I can provide you with a supply of Sharingan. Forget about recruiting Uchiha clansmen. As for the Aburame and Kurama, I will instruct them to send personnel to Root. Is that acceptable?"
Danzō considered it. His primary interest in the Uchiha was their eyes. Their actual combat prowess was secondary; they were notoriously difficult to control. Sending them on suicide missions to acquire their eyes was a messy business. Direct access to the eyes was far cleaner.
"Agreed," Danzō stated. He produced a small preservation container, within which floated Uchiha Kagami's other Mangekyō Sharingan. "A down payment."
He handed it over without hesitation, unconcerned about Akatsurugi reneging.
Akatsurugi took the container and pocketed it. As he turned to leave, Danzō's voice stopped him.
"Akatsurugi. I advise you not to become too entangled with the Uchiha clan. You are aware the village's current policy, in line with the Second Hokage's will, is to suppress them. The Uchiha are a cursed clan. Few among them possess the clarity of mind that Kagami did. Observe the Police Force, the resentment the Konoha populace holds for them. You are an intelligent man. You know what must be done."
Hearing this "reminder," Akatsurugi gave a noncommittal nod and left the Root headquarters without another word.
Outside, he let out a quiet sigh. Danzō was determined to move against the Uchiha. But the clan was currently too powerful for a direct confrontation. He could only make small, insidious moves. Forcing a rebellion would shatter Konoha, a outcome the Third Hokage would never permit.
As he passed an Uchiha clansman on the street, the three tomoe in his left eye spun subtly. An instant, imperceptible genjutsu took hold. The Uchiha man froze for a fraction of a second, then continued on his way, his path now altered towards the clan district.
Akatsurugi found a nearby food stall and sat down, pretending to wait for an order. The Uchiha clansman entered the compound and sought out the Great Elder, Uchiha Tai.
Uchiha Tai was at home, sipping tea, when the visit was announced. Puzzled, he nonetheless granted entry. The moment he saw the faint, residual glint of the Sharingan in the clansman's eyes, he was pulled into an illusory space.
As Uchiha Tai prepared to break the genjutsu, he saw Akatsurugi's form materialize within it. He relaxed his stance. "Akatsurugi-dono. It is you."
"Elder. Time is short, so I will be direct." Akatsurugi relayed the details of Danzō's proposition, stating plainly that the target was the Sharingan itself. To protect Uchiha lives, he had agreed to provide a supply of eyes.
Uchiha Tai's expression darkened. Was this done under the Hokage's orders? Has the suppression reached this level?
"Thank you, Akatsurugi-dono. I will have the eyes delivered," Uchiha Tai stated, his voice tight. Many Uchiha had fallen in the First War; their eyes were sealed within the Naka Shrine. Providing a few would be a painful but necessary sacrifice.
"Akatsurugi-dono," Uchiha Tai pressed, "what is your stance on my earlier proposal?"
Akatsurugi felt a headache coming on. He'd known Uchiha Tai wouldn't let it go. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Very well. I agree. But do not force the issue. The time is not yet right."
Uchiha Tai's heart swelled with fierce joy. This was the best news he'd received in years. With Akatsurugi's willingness, the Uchiha's future need not be so bleak.
"Excellent! As long as you agree, all will be well!" Uchiha Tai responded immediately.
Akatsurugi dissolved the genjutsu. The Uchiha clansman blinked, confused to find himself in the Great Elder's chambers.
Uchiha Tai offered a placating smile. "It is nothing. I summoned you here. The matter is concluded. You may return. And remember… speak of this to no one."
The clansman could only nod. If the Elder had summoned him via some secret genjutsu and demanded silence, it was best to comply and feign ignorance.