Hiruzen Sarutobi's Intentions

Konoha.

Hokage's Office.

Shisui had not left the Hokage Building with the rest of his clan.

Instead, he went directly to the place he had arranged with Hiruzen.

"Lord Hiruzen."

Shisui stood less than three meters from the desk, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, his tone utterly respectful.

"Shisui Uchiha, do you know why I specifically called you here?"

As he spoke, Hiruzen set down the pipe in his hand and focused his gaze on Shisui, looking especially sincere.

"Kaze?"

"Correct." Hiruzen nodded, not bothering to beat around the bush.

Although he had said before everyone that he saw Kagami's shadow in Kaze, in his heart, the one who had truly inherited Kagami's will—

Among the entire Uchiha Clan, only Shisui fit that description.

He was also the only Uchiha Hiruzen trusted enough.

"I have always believed that if it were you, you would certainly find a way to eliminate the divide between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Hearing Hiruzen praise him so highly, Shisui's expression immediately turned solemn, and his tone gained a hint of resolve. "I will continue to work hard."

But then again...

How could it be so easy to eliminate the divide between the two sides?

Even at the recent Uchiha Clan Meeting, voices had emerged calling for a coup to change the Uchiha's circumstances.

Coupled with Kaze's fierce confrontation with the Konoha leadership today—

It might very well fuel those voices.

That was why Lord Hokage had specifically summoned him to his office.

"Very good." Seeing Shisui's attitude, Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction.

Then he stated his plan directly.

"I want you to assess Kaze and see whether he possesses the strength of a Jonin."

In truth...

Kaze had faced the Cloud Ninja squad that had taken Hinata hostage, fighting one against five.

He had also instantly killed Aburame Ryoma in the Meeting Room.

How could Hiruzen not know whether he possessed Jonin-level strength?

The reason he wanted Shisui to assess Kaze—

First, he wanted Shisui to win Kaze over and convey to him the true Will of Fire.

To guide him beyond his narrow clan-first mindset.

To make him contribute his value to Konoha.

Second, Hiruzen wanted to see just how strong Kaze was when he went all out.

And how large the gap between him and Shisui was.

"This Kaze is like a variable."

"If he is weaker than Shisui, that is fine. But if..."

"His strength is evenly matched with Shisui's, and he sides with the Uchiha, then that will be rather troublesome."

Of course...

Hiruzen did not reveal these thoughts to Shisui. He spoke slowly.

"If Kaze truly possesses Jonin-level strength, it would be such a waste to let him remain in the Konoha Military Police Force..."

"A genius like him needs a bigger stage to show what he can do."

As he spoke, a trace of appreciation for talent appeared on Hiruzen's face.

The implication behind his words was—

If Kaze truly possessed Jonin-level strength, then Konoha's Anbu would suit him far better than the Konoha Military Police Force.

When the time came...

He hoped Shisui could persuade Kaze to join the Anbu.

If Kaze could not be guided onto the right path, then Hiruzen did not want to see some Uchiha genius emerge and disrupt his original plans.

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

Shisui nodded. "I will find a time to properly test Kaze's strength."

"I happen to be quite curious about this Uchiha prodigy as well."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Shisui." Only after seeing Shisui agree did Hiruzen pick up his pipe again. He took a satisfied deep breath and exhaled a cloud of white smoke.

It was no exaggeration to say that he had watched Shisui grow up.

He knew Shisui's personality inside and out.

As an Uchiha who had inherited Kagami's will—

Shisui had been cheerful and gentle since childhood. Even in battle, he often stopped short and rarely harmed others.

However...

When Shisui Uchiha encountered an opponent with formidable strength, his blood would also boil, and he would go all out!

Sending him to probe Kaze's full strength—

There was no one more suitable.

Of course...

Hiruzen had no intention of honestly waiting for Shisui to return with news of his clash with Kaze.

"When Shisui fights Kaze, I'll observe it with the Clairvoyance Jutsu."

Naturally, Hiruzen did not bother to mention such minor details.

Once he had explained everything that needed explaining, Hiruzen raised a hand in dismissal.

Shisui could leave on his own.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Shisui gave Hiruzen a deep bow before turning and leaving the office.

Only after the entire room was left with Hiruzen alone.

Did a glint of severity flash through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

"Once the Uchiha Clan problem is resolved, it will be time to find a way to remove Danzo from Konoha's center of power..."

It was not only Danzo's actions today that dissatisfied him.

On many issues, Danzo's thinking was far too blunt.

Letting a man like that remain at the center of Konoha's power would cause problems sooner or later.

But...

To deal with the Uchiha Clan, he still needed Danzo and the strength of his Root.

"Whether it is Danzo..."

"Or members of the Uchiha Clan."

"Neither is suited to become Konoha's Hokage."

When Shisui left the Hokage Building, red clouds had already appeared on Konoha's horizon.

They foretold the coming night.

After thinking it over briefly, Shisui sprinted toward the Uchiha Compound.

Although he cared deeply for Konoha and possessed a powerful Will of Fire—

His current identity was a spy Fugaku had placed in the Anbu.

And Hiruzen had kept him behind in front of Fugaku.

He should tell Fugaku about assessing Kaze.

It had to be said...

This was also why Shisui had remained undiscovered as a double agent by the Uchiha Clan until his death.

No matter what it was, he handled it without leaving a single flaw.

After sprinting for roughly half an hour—

Shisui finally returned to the compound.

And the first place he went was Fugaku's home.

"Clan Head, I have returned."

Just as Shisui expected, Fugaku was leaning against a gatepost in the courtyard, looking as though he had been waiting for quite some time.

"Mhm."

Seeing Shisui return, Fugaku nodded without changing expression. "What did the Third Hokage say to you?"

Although Kaze had now warned Fugaku that Shisui was a double agent—

He would not abandon Shisui entirely based on Kaze's words alone.

Besides, he was only half-convinced by what Kaze had said.

After all...

Shisui was the finest ninja in their Uchiha Clan.

Even his own son, Itachi, was a notch below him.

"Lord Hokage hopes that I can give Kaze a Jonin Exam."

"A Jonin Exam?" Fugaku murmured thoughtfully.

It seemed Hiruzen also wanted to win over Kaze, this Uchiha prodigy.

If he passed the Jonin Exam, the next step would likely be inviting Kaze into the Anbu.

The Third was truly worthy of being that old fox.

"Handle this matter as you see fit."

Fugaku paused, then continued.

"There will be a Clan Meeting at ten tonight. I have something to announce to everyone."

"You should come as well, Shisui."