Behind calm waters, currents run deep.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, a pipe in hand.
Smoke curled lazily through the air as he listened to an ANBU report regarding recent developments within the Uchiha clan.
"You're saying that over a month ago, the Uchiha began aggressively bidding on residential land within the village?"
Hiruzen took a deep drag before questioning the ANBU Jonin before him.
The man had silver hair.
A black mask covered his face, and he wore the standard black ANBU combat uniform. His expression was cold, detached.
Hatake Kakashi replied flatly, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Even in the presence of the Hokage, he remained strictly professional—like a machine devoid of emotion.
Kakashi was a tragic figure.
At seven, his father—the White Fang of Konoha—had taken his own life after being disgraced by the village.
At twelve, during the Kannabi Bridge mission, his friend Uchiha Obito had "died" saving him.
Later, due to Kirigakure's scheme, Nohara Rin died by his own hand.
Then, a year ago—
the Nine-Tails' attack took his teacher and his teacher's wife.
Now—
he stood alone.
All of it had shaped him into what he was now—
cold, distant, and hollow.
As Kakashi spoke, Hiruzen's wrinkled face fell into thought.
The Sarutobi clan had once considered entering the real estate business.
But the high upfront costs and slow returns had deterred them.
Other clans had reached the same conclusion.
And yet—
the Uchiha were investing heavily into it?
Desperation.
A foolish gamble.
A faint, knowing smile crept onto Hiruzen's face.
He could already envision it—
the Uchiha's project collapsing.
And when it did—
the Sarutobi clan would step in, reclaim everything at a fraction of the cost.
A perfect opportunity.
Kakashi noticed the strange expression—but asked nothing.
He simply continued.
"In addition, complaints from villagers about the Uchiha have decreased significantly. Instead, complaints toward other major clans have increased."
Hiruzen frowned.
"That's not a good sign. Explain."
The answer—
lay in Kai's proposal.
The Uchiha leadership had adopted his approach.
When dealing with disputes—
the Military Police no longer enforced aggressively.
Major issues were minimized.
Minor issues were ignored.
If something could be avoided—
it was avoided.
If something required action—
it was handled loosely.
And when conflicts arose between villagers and other clans—
the Uchiha took a soft, mediating stance.
Always smoothing things over.
Shifting tension subtly—
away from themselves.
And onto the other clans.
As a result—
the clans couldn't protest.
After all—
they were often at fault.
And the villagers—
saw that the Uchiha had "done their best."
The Uchiha had successfully removed themselves from the center of conflict.
Leaving—
the villagers and other clans standing in opposition.
"…Fugaku is more cunning than I thought," Hiruzen muttered.
Then he said to Kakashi,
"Pass along my orders to Uchiha Fugaku. From now on, all security incidents in the village must be handled strictly. Those responsible must be punished accordingly."
Kakashi paused briefly.
"Hokage-sama… many of these incidents are initiated by the Sarutobi clan. Wouldn't this… be inappropriate?"
Silence.
Since Hiruzen had taken power—
his clan had grown increasingly arrogant under his protection.
He knew it.
And yet—
he said nothing.
After a long pause, he sighed.
"…Put it on hold."
Kakashi nodded, expression unchanged.
The report concluded.
In the next instant—
he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Hiruzen stood and looked out the window.
A year ago—
the Nine-Tails' disaster had dealt Konoha a devastating blow.
The Fourth Hokage and his wife had died.
Along with them—
many Jonin and Chunin.
Against the Nine-Tails—
numbers meant nothing.
Even Minato and Kushina—
had only barely managed to split and seal it.
Partly due to Kushina's weakened state after childbirth.
But more than that—
because of the Nine-Tails' overwhelming power.
That same day—
Hiruzen's wife, Biwako, had been killed by Uchiha Obito.
In the aftermath—
Hiruzen had reassumed the position of Hokage.
Regaining power—
should have been a good thing.
But the loss of strength—
still weighed heavily on him.
Fortunately—
the Third Great Ninja War had ended.
Though tensions between villages remained—
conflicts were minor.
Occasional deaths.
Nothing significant.
To Hiruzen—
that was acceptable.
They died for the Will of Fire.
They were heroes.
Their deaths had meaning.
Smoke filled the room as he took another drag.
Returning to his seat—
he formed a hand seal.
"Telescope Technique."
The crystal ball on his desk rippled.
A child appeared within it.
Blond hair.
Whisker-like markings on his cheeks.
Around one year old.
Uzumaki Naruto.
He sat alone, playing with building blocks.
When they collapsed—
he grew frustrated.
And began to cry.
The room was empty.
No one came.
He cried—
and cried.
Until—
after some time—
a caretaker returned from shopping.
Hearing the cries, she hurried inside and picked him up, soothing him.
Through the crystal ball—
Hiruzen could see everything.
But hear nothing.
A faint trace of disgust flickered in his eyes.
Not toward Naruto—
but toward the Nine-Tails within him.
As time passed—
and whispers spread among the shinobi—
combined with the devastation caused by the Nine-Tails—
even he had begun to feel a subtle aversion.
But he was Hokage.
Such feelings—
could never be shown.
Only buried.
A knock sounded.
"Enter."
Hiruzen dispelled the technique.
The crystal returned to stillness.
The door opened.
An old man stepped inside—
dressed in white, one eye wrapped in bandages.
His expression was rigid.
Cold.
A faint, oppressive aura surrounded him.
As his gaze fell upon the Hokage's seat—
envy flickered deep within.
Shimura Danzō.
Leader of Root.
Once—
he had been a candidate for Hokage himself.
Now—
he stood in Hiruzen's shadow.
"Danzō… what a rare visit," Hiruzen said, exhaling a stream of smoke.
Danzō, ever the old fox, caught the sarcasm instantly.
He sat down without expression.
"Hokage-sama is the supreme leader of the village, personally appointed by the Daimyo. Though I lead Root, I am still your subordinate."
"You wouldn't refuse to discuss work with your subordinate… would you?"
In the past—
Danzō had even sent men disguised as rogue ninja to assassinate Hiruzen.
Hiruzen had seen through it easily.
But chose not to pursue it.
Their shared past—
tempered his response.
Still—
their relationship had grown… complicated.
Hiruzen extinguished his pipe.
He walked over and sat across from Danzō.
"What is it?" he asked calmly. "Speak."
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