Chapter 42: Vultures of the Uchiha
Senju Tobirama forcefully suppressed the turbulent thoughts swirling in his mind and turned, striding into the Hokage Building.
The moment he pushed open the door to the main office, he was surprised to find his brother, Senju Hashirama, sitting in the Hokage's chair.
Hashirama's condition was alarming. His vibrant hair was now streaked with white, his eyes were dim and unfocused, and he wasn't looking at the documents piled before him. He simply sat there, lost in a daze, as if reliving a distant memory.
Tobirama's expression hardened the instant he saw him.
"How did you get out of the hospital?" he demanded, his voice a low growl. "You're coming back with me. Now." He crossed the room in a single stride, placed a firm hand on Hashirama's shoulder, and in a flash of movement, the two of them vanished from the office.
Their departure left only Stelle and one other person behind. Glancing over, Stelle recognized the young man diligently processing paperwork: Hiruzen Sarutobi.
'The future Third Hokage, huh?'she mused.'Of course, he needs to be groomed in advance.'A thought flickered through her mind.'Wait, no. Tobirama is the Second Hokage. That means Hiruzen will most likely become the Third.'
Stelle offered him a lazy greeting, found an empty chair, and plopped down into it. Propping her chin on her hand, she began to openly space out.
Hiruzen turned to look at her. He had half-hoped she might offer to help, but it was clear she had no such intention. Instead, she sat there, brazenly lost in her own world. Thinking back on the recent, tragic events, he could understand why his old classmate was so dispirited.
He decided to try and give her something to do, a small distraction. "Stelle," he began, gesturing with his chin, "don't you think the stack of documents on the desk is getting a bit high?"
Stelle's eyes flickered toward the mountain of scrolls and paper. "It is a bit high," she agreed nonchalantly. "Your efficiency is lacking. You should work more overtime tonight. Stay up all night if you have to. Just get it handled."
'How can someone who's going to be the Hokage not be good at paperwork?' she thought. Besides, she was the assistant to the Second Hokage, not Hiruzen Sarutobi's assistant. There was no way she was going to review a single document. Not one.
Having delivered her verdict, she slumped forward, resting her head on the table and commencing a session of undisguised slacking. Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh. Ever since the public announcement of the Second Hokage's "sacrifice," a heavy gloom had settled over everyone.
He wanted to offer some comfort but couldn't find the right words. To be honest, picking a fight with Stelle right now would probably be more effective. Back in their Academy days, sparring was her favorite pastime.
But he still had so many documents to categorize. If they actually fought and he got beaten down, what would happen to the paperwork?
His gaze drifted back to the towering mountain of scrolls, and Hiruzen wept silent, internal tears. He had only been in this position for two days and felt completely out of his depth. Was it really appropriate for Tobirama-sensei to dump so much responsibility on him?
'Danzo,'he pleaded in his heart,'come save me.'
Before long, by feigning boredom and asking a few pointed questions, Stelle managed to coax the details of the past few days' events out of Hiruzen.
Because Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had engaged in several high-profile spars leading up to their final, life-or-death battle, that last confrontation had provided Senju Tobirama with the perfect cover story. The official narrative was that the First and Second Hokage had been sparring and researching ninjutsu when they were ambushed by accomplices of the man in the black robe. In the ensuing battle to protect Konoha, both were grievously injured, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had died a heroic death.
To make the lie more convincing, Tobirama had even produced a new sketch of the supposed culprit: a figure clad in the same black robe, but now wearing a stark, pure white mask.
News of such an intense battle had, of course, reached the intelligence networks of the other great nations.
Right now, the happiest people in the world were likely the Kage of those four nations. With Uchiha Madara dead and Senju Hashirama gravely injured, Konoha would be in no position to start any wars. They could finally breathe a little easier. also, Hashirama was known to be reasonable. Once he officially resumed power, they might not only re-establish friendly exchanges with Konoha but could perhaps even negotiate for some reparations.
It seemed the overall situation hadn't changed much, but when Stelle recalled the state she'd seen Hashirama in, a knot of worry tightened in her stomach.
In the original story, Senju Hashirama passed away sometime after his battle with Uchiha Madara. The cause of death was never confirmed, leading to widespread speculation. Many believed he had damaged his own life force during the fight and ultimately succumbed to a broken heart over the death of his closest friend.
She had a sinking feeling that this speculation was probably true.
After lingering in the office for a while longer, Stelle pointedly ignored Hiruzen's pleading gaze and, under his expectant stare, walked out.
She made her way to a quiet street in Konoha and rented a small, single-room apartment.
With her new lodging secured, she returned to the Uchiha district and the grand mansion that had belonged to Madara. It was time to pack her things.
She had lived here for a long time. Although she wasn't an Uchiha, and it was technically improper, she was Uchiha Madara's apprentice. Who would dare say anything? Of course, even if they had, their complaints would have been swiftly "persuaded" away through direct, physical means.
But now, Madara was officially dead. It was no longer appropriate for her to live here. Not unless she was prepared to reveal a pair of Sharingan of her own.
'Then again,'she mused,'if I actually did that, they'd probably be scared to death.'
Just as she stepped back into the courtyard, before she could even begin to pack, she saw several Uchiha walking toward her, their strides aggressive and their purpose clear.
At their center, flanked by the others, a white-haired old man walked slowly in her direction.
Stelle recognized him. He was a hardcore hawk, an elder who had been active in the Uchiha clan since the Warring States Period. His ideology was extremely radical, and he had been severely suppressed by both Madara and Izuna back in the day. She hadn't expected that after all these years, not only was he still alive, but he was eager to jump out and stir up trouble again. It was surprising he still had supporters within the clan.
One had to remember that the current Uchiha clan had already begun intermarrying with the Senju. The atmosphere within the district was generally peaceful. If not for the shock of the recent battle, one could still see members of the Senju clan visiting.
"Ida Stelle," the elder's voice was a dry rasp. "Are the Clan Head's eyes in your possession? Hand them over. They are a treasure of our Uchiha clan, not something an outsider like you has any right to touch."
Stelle's expression remained indifferent. She did, in fact, have a pair of Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan sitting in her system's prize pool. But with the pathetic strength of this group, even if she had a brain aneurysm and actually gave them the eyes, they wouldn't be able to hold onto them. Within three days, they would become the private property of Black Zetsu.
"My master's eyes were lost on the battlefield," she stated calmly. "They were taken by the white-masked man in the black robe. Tobirama-sensei can testify to that."
"Impossible!" one of the younger Uchiha spat. "You were the first one to reach the Clan Head's side! Who knows if you didn't remove them yourself to embezzle the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Great Elder, give the order! Let's arrest her and interrogate her!"
The Uchiha youths flanking the old man were practically vibrating with aggression, their glares promising violence. It was clear they had been dissatisfied with her presence for a long time.
"She was just lucky enough to receive some guidance from the Clan Head," another sneered. "She should be deeply grateful and serve our Uchiha family like a dog."
Stelle had a vague impression of the one who just spoke. He was the only one among these background characters providing her with mood values who actually had a name.
'Uchiha Setsuna,' she recalled. A fanatical admirer of Madara who, in the original timeline, had once attempted to assassinate Senju Tobirama. Unfortunately for him, his fanaticism had failed to earn him an apprenticeship with Madara. He had even been beaten to tears by her during a spar. His current state seemed a bit... twisted.
A cold sneer touched her lips. "The true elites of the Uchiha are all on the battlefield right now. What gives you, someone who doesn't even dare to step onto a battlefield, the nerve to bark at me?"
"Since you refuse to cooperate," the Great Elder said, his voice dropping, "don't blame us for being merciless." He gave a sharp wave of his hand.
In an instant, several of the Uchiha activated their Sharingan, crimson eyes with three spinning tomoe locking onto her as they stepped forward, forming a closing circle.
'Look at that,'Stelle thought with dark amusement.'I've only just lost my Uchiha backing, and my master's own clansmen are already lining up to beat me down.'She smirked.'Just you wait. When Master returns, I'm going to complain so much. And even if I can't beat you then, I'll just beat your kids. The grandchildren will pay for the ancestors' debts.'
Stelle's lips curled in open contempt.
Small fries without even a name weren't worthy of shouting at her.
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