Hiruzen Sarutobi's Enormous Promise to the Uchiha

"Hiruzen!"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the sword to Uchiha Isshin, Danzo suddenly whispered:

"Shouldn't we reconsider? After all, it's a gift from Kirigakure, a village-wide gesture. I think we shouldn't make such a hasty decision..." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo a strange look.

Why is this person acting so irrationally...?

The "Dōenmaru" has already been given to Uchiha Isshin, so how can he possibly take it back?

Are you just kids playing house?

"Danzo, Isshin is an old man in the village..." Hiruzen Sarutobi his head and chuckled.

"It's not that I'm trying to embarrass you, but it's pointless to try this in front of Isshin."

"Besides, these are our own people..."

That's all.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Isshin nodded, indicating that they were sorry for the poor performance.

Danzo speechlessly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This time, he really didn't want to team up with Hiruzen...

It was Danzo who truly coveted Izuna Uchiha's sword!

It's not that he wanted to keep it for himself.

Danzo realized that what his Genji said made sense.

The sword that Izuna Uchiha forged to fight against Senju Tobirama has now been sent to Konoha by Kirigakure as a gift... If this is used to commemorate Teacher Tobirama, it will surely bring him great comfort in heaven!

Danzo knew more about the story of Tobirama and Izuna than most Uchiha...

The fact that Tobirama covered Danzo's retreat was an obsession that he could never forget throughout his life.

As a bodyguard, he caused the Hokage's death...

And he didn't even raise his hand immediately when covering the retreat.

Hiruzen was able to openly declare that he was willing to sacrifice himself for the Hokage...

Because he truly dared to stand up when No-Man did.

But Danzo could not.

Because at that moment, the cowardice in his heart was real.

He can't fool his truest self...

Therefore, Danzo always wanted to do something to make up for his regrets.

For example, excessively imitating Senju Tobirama's Hawk Faction style...

Seeing this knife, I naturally wanted to use it to commemorate my teacher.

Uchiha Isshin was speechless.

Upon hearing Danzo's words, his instinctive reaction was that these two old buddies were putting on an act again...

But that's what Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

This left Isshin at a loss for how to respond...

How can you be so honest?

Furthermore, Danzo's expression didn't seem fake.

"Danzo's actions towards the Uchiha Danzo were bad nine times out of ten..."

"But sometimes his bad behavior seems like a genuine expression of emotion, making it hard for me to tell."

Even Uchiha Isshin was beginning to waver.

Could it be that Danzo wasn't really targeting the Uchiha clan, but rather genuinely had some constructive ideas about Izuna's sword?

Otherwise, you shouldn't have said that in this situation...

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly.

"The Kirigakure's plan is nothing more than using the feud Teacher Tobirama and Izuna, and my status as their student, to force me to accept this sword."

"Their idea is indeed good. Having this sword would objectively benefit my legitimacy as Hokage, the so-called inheritance of my teacher's will..." "But conversely, this sword was forged before Izuna Uchiha passed away, and if I accept it, it will definitely hurt the feelings of the Uchiha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi around the bush; instead, he analyzed the situation with the others on the spot.

Sincerity can be a powerful weapon.

But this tactic shouldn't be used indiscriminately.

One needs sufficient prestige to calm down those with conflicted feelings and make them listen quietly to what one has to say.

Otherwise, when emotions run high, reasoning won't work.

And coincidentally, Hiruzen Sarutobi now enjoys a certain reputation within the village and the Uchiha Clan.

Isshin and Fugaku nodded slightly, agreeing with Hiruzen Sarutobi's analysis.

"The long history of conflict between the Uchiha and Senju is a fact..."

"But that's just how the Shinobi World is, and the same goes for the Sarutobi and Shimura Clan..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi made a startling statement:

"Teacher Tobirama killed Izuna, but weren't many members of the Senju clan killed by the Uchiha? Many of them, including Tobirama's brother..." "And Uchiha Madara, his contributions and harm to Konoha are undeniable..."

"Without Madara, Konoha wouldn't have been established so quickly. Madara also participated in the capture of the Tailed Beast, and he contributed significantly to deterring other Hidden Village."

"But he also attacked Lord Hashirama, so how should that be accounted for?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Isshin and Fugaku, asking with a smile. He could use this as an excuse to coordinate with Teacher Tobirama's proposed modified Will of Madara Madara's Will...

Isshin and Fugaku instantly felt a dampness on their backs.

The Uchiha Clan has always felt that they have been oppressed by the village and have been treated unfairly in every way.

The resentment had been building up for many years...

While it's true that they were suppressed, the Uchiha wasn't entirely innocent either.

They do have problems.

The matter of Uchiha Madara's attack on the First would be extremely troublesome for the Uchiha if discussed in detail...

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan didn't follow Madara back then..." Isshin couldn't help but say.

"Isshin, Madara went directly to Lord Hashirama back then..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile:

"Do you think that even though the Uchiha Clan is very strong, what can other people's intervention change in the fight between those two?" "Uchiha Lord Hashirama naturally won't allow Konoha to interfere either..."

"Their story and bond need no further explanation."

"If Lord Hashirama loses, then Uchiha Madara will naturally occupy Konoha. But Lord Hashirama Uchiha will still have the reputation of not having participated in the war. Don't you agree?"

Isshin's breathing became heavy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a truth hidden in history.

Back then, some members of the Uchiha clan were indeed tired of the cruelty of the Warring States Period and did not want to leave Konoha, which had just settled down.

Another group held the same idea as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

They were all terrified of Senju Hashirama, and knew they couldn't contend with that man's power. Only Uchiha Madara might be able to fight him... Besides, Konoha wasn't lacking in manpower, and in fact, it had far more than the Uchiha.

By remaining neutral, the Uchiha Clan ultimately held the advantage.

Fugaku's forehead was already sweating.

He realized for the first time that Danzo's labeling wasn't actually that scary.

What's truly frightening is someone like Hiruzen Sarutobi, who calmly analyzes the interests and motives of both sides, laying all the actions clearly on the table and meticulously reconciling accounts...

The same applies to Isshin.

His thoughts began to wander.

His older brother, Uchiha Setsuna, rebelled under the banner of "Madara".

He claims to be the successor to Ban.

"This is terrible! Brother, what were you doing using the title of the Great Clan Leader back then?"

"You've really dug a huge pit for me!" For the first time Uchiha Isshin felt a pang of resentment towards his older brother, Setsuna. Setsuna had used the name "Madara" to strike...

The protective layer protecting the Uchiha Clan from fleeing with Madara was suddenly exposed after Hiruzen Sarutobi's interpretation.

Danzo was also stunned, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi as if he had discovered a new continent.

"Hiruzen, it's not just me learning from you, you're also learning from my strengths? You've even surpassed me..." Danzo felt both gratified and somewhat resentful. Even his forte, labeling, had been surpassed...

Hiruzen, what exactly are you trying to do?!

"We won't go into details about what happened next, such as Uchiha Setsuna."

Surprisingly, Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned the keyword "moment" but deliberately skipped over it.

"Don't be nervous, these are just some of the bumps and stumbles that have occurred in the past during development."

"The rights and wrongs of this matter cannot be explained in just a few words." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled gently.

"I think the Uchiha is doing very well now. They have made many contributions to the village, including to the Police Force, Patrol Force, and have performed excellently on the battlefield in Kusagakure."

Isshin and Fugaku felt a slight sense of relief.

For some reason, a feeling similar to gratitude arose in their hearts.

"I'm telling you all this to explain the Kirigakure's conspiracy. Their move shows they've figured out some historical issues between the Uchiha and the village."

"It must be said that Genji and the Third Mizukage are quite clever in this regard."

"This is probably what they mean by practice makes perfect... Kirigakure has accumulated a wealth of experience in the Ninja Clan infighting, and this move is a plan to destroy their spirit..." Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked.

Isshin nodded and echoed:

"The Kirigakure Village is indeed quite skilled in this area... They've been fighting each other non-stop since the time of Hozuki Gengetsu."

Fugaku discreetly wiped his sweat, remaining silent and nodding repeatedly with a forced smile.

In such a high-level situation, he was afraid that with his sharp mind, he might say something inappropriate...

Before he came, Isshin had told him to talk less...

"But the fact that they can use this to attack us shows that this is indeed a hidden danger in the village."

"This is a problem that needs to be addressed..."

"The village's long-standing avoidance of discussing Uchiha Madara has been a bad thing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said:

"Anything that benefits Konoha should be acknowledged; anything that is wrong should be clearly pointed out and used as Warning Education."

"Since this issue hasn't been definitively resolved, it will always leave room for speculation."

A huge question mark appeared above Isshin's and Fugaku's heads.

It sounds like Hiruzen Sarutobi is trying to "exonerate" Uchiha Madara?

Naturally, Isshin and Fugaku understood what 'pointing out problems' meant...

However, for the Uchiha, being able to view Madara's situation with a relatively fair attitude...

This is already incredibly good news!

Although the village never spoke of Madara before, it was generally accepted that this was a stain on the Uchiha that could never be washed away.

"Hiruzen, do you know what you're saying?" Danzo said in a deep voice.

"Danzo, do you know who named Konoha?" Hiruzen Sarutobi countered.

Danzo said impatiently, "Of course it's the First Hokage..."

"No, it's Uchiha Madara ..." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

Isshin and Fugaku were stunned. Although they knew about this, they didn't really believe it.

On the contrary, Ōnoki next door kept repeating this to promote the theory that Konoha was a threat.

"Hiruzen, you're not kidding me!"

"Danzo, my teacher isn't just Teacher Tobirama; the First Hokage also watched me grow up..." Hiruzen Sarutobi said gently, "That's what the First Hokage told me, and even as Hokage, I can't easily change his words."

"While it might sound like I'm showing off my seniority, I have indeed received care from two Hokage since I was a child."

"There are some things you don't know, and I don't blame you for that, after all, you didn't have much contact with the First Hokage."

Danzo almost choked on his breath, his face slightly flushed.

Damn Hiruzen!

They're trying to flaunt their seniority on him? But Danzo doesn't know how to refute it...

He had made sarcastic remarks about Hiruzen Sarutobi when he was a child.

Back then Little Hiruzen still knew how to be modest, but who would have thought that more than forty years later he would stop pretending!

"The Lord Hokage is truly a man who inherited the will of the First Hokage!"

Uchiha Isshin quickly began to flatter him:

"To be recognized by two generations of Hokage is a rare honor, but if it's you, it's not surprising at all; it's simply well-deserved..."

"You flatter Isshin. Let's not talk about these things, let's not talk about these things!" Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was quite pleased. Who doesn't like to hear kind words?

Moreover, this also reflects the attitude of the Uchiha Clan.

Even if it's an act...

But if you pretend for a long time and do things convincingly, then it becomes the real deal.

"The fact that Uchiha Madara named Konoha signifies that he was an existence that Konoha could not ignore. When we teach children history, can we avoid mentioning the Valley of the End?"

"The Valley of the End stands there; I, as the Hokage, will not destroy it, nor would anyone dare to do so."

"I believe that Lord Hashirama would not want to see Uchiha Madara removed from Konoha."

"As Danzo said, this is not a simple problem..."

"However, I look forward to resolving this issue once the time is right and the Uchiha performs well," Hiruzen Sarutobi said meaningfully. Uchiha Isshin's pupils dilated.

He could understand the unspoken message in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words...

The characterization of Uchiha Madara and the numerous disputes that arose from it constitute a long-standing problem of Chain of Suspicion between Konoha and the Uchiha.

If an official interpretation and announcement are provided, and both parties can accept it.

That is to remove the heaviest historical burden from the Uchiha Clan!

"Lord Hokage, is this true? You really, really would..." Isshin, unusually flustered, asked in a trembling voice.

"Yes, I will." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was steady and powerful.

"Just wait and see how the Uchiha Clan performs!"

Uchiha Isshin let out a long sigh, "I understand your concerns, and I will do my best to resolve them!"

In Konoha at present, although the Uchiha and the village's ninjas have begun to have deeper contact.

However, the reputation it has built up over the decades has not changed much.

There is no fertile ground in public opinion for making an objective evaluation of Uchiha Madara.

Therefore, it is only when the Uchiha's reputation has fully recovered, or when they have made significant contributions in the war, that this matter can be undertaken, Isshin understanding Hiruzen Sarutobi's predicament.

This time, he was truly grateful to Hiruzen Sarutobi for giving the Uchiha such a promise and opportunity...

This is a mountain that has been weighing on the Uchiha for far too long.

Uchiha Isshin originally thought that this was a problem that could only be solved after twenty or thirty years, when Aosui had grown up... But now it seems that it can be done within ten years, or even five years if we're lucky!

If this problem is solved, Uchiha Isshin will instantly become the Clan Head who will be forever remembered by his clan...

Aiming for third place in the historical rankings!

It was achieved through sheer intellect, making it incredibly valuable!

At that moment, Uchiha Isshin suddenly understood why "Aosui" wanted to reinterpret Will of Madara.

This coincided perfectly with what Hiruzen Sarutobi had thought.

"Aosui, at your age, you can already think like Hokage?" Uchiha Isshin was greatly shocked. Aosui could actually predict what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking!

What Isshin didn't know was that this wasn't Senju Tobirama's prediction, but rather Hiruzen Sarutobi's cooperation.

He saw it all in the Crystal Ball...

It's an exhilarating and mysterious Hokage combination technique!

Of course, this was also because Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that the historical issues of the Uchiha really needed to be resolved.

Otherwise, it will always be a hidden danger.

"It's good that you understand, Isshin. I have high hopes for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi the subject. "Regarding Teacher Tobirama and Izuna Uchiha, I also hope that we don't view their relationship with too narrow a perspective."

"They are mortal enemies, yes, but also respectable rivals. Hatred is not innate, but rather a product of the environment of the Warring States Period." "The two of them were simply born at the wrong time and were forced to fight. If they had both been born in Konoha at this moment, I believe that with their vision and wisdom, they would have been a pair of partners in perfect harmony."

"A sword won't make Teacher Tobirama think he's better than Izuna Uchiha."

"Don't underestimate Teacher Tobirama's stature; he's a man who knows how to respect his opponents," Hiruzen Sarutobi earnestly said to Danzo, Isshin, and Fugaku.

Danzo speechless.

Although I really wanted to refute it, a voice deep inside me was stirring:

"Teacher Tobirama is indeed that kind of person, a meticulous yet forthright and outstanding ninja..."

"This is not the same as your so-called 'Darkness of the Shinobi '! Do you really think you've mastered everything Teacher Tobirama has learned?"

Isshin and Fugaku nodded silently.

This is something they may not want to admit, but it seems to be the truth.

Isshin was reminded of the Warring States period, when Uchiha denounced Senju Tobirama his despicable behavior, emotionally berating Senju Tobirama an incompetent coward... only to be sternly stopped by Izuna Uchiha, Education him to face the strength of his opponent.

It's understandable to criticize occasionally, but you can't really assume someone is incompetent.

"Alright, that's enough for now, it was just a casual chat."

"Everyone's sweating, even though it's almost winter..." Hiruzen Sarutobi joked.

"I should go check out the Ninja Academy; I still need to go through the final formalities with Genji."

"Lord Hokage Uchiha clan has decided to donate the clan's money..."

"Hey, Isshin!" Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.

"No, you can add a little bit to express the Uchiha's love."

"But don't overdo it, don't disrupt the Uchiha Clan's funds. I've also served as Clan Head head, so I understand this." "Go back and talk to the clan members before deciding, otherwise it'll seem like I'm just making empty promises or trying to take advantage of you..."

Uchiha Isshin was speechless and remained silent for a moment.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage..."

At that moment, Uchiha Isshin couldn't help but feel this sincerely.

Hiruzen Sarutobi truly lived up to his reputation as a man highly regarded by Senju Hashirama and Tobirama since childhood.

His Will of Fire is like a combination of two people, possessing both sharpness and inclusiveness...

"He was renowned in his youth, but his spirits waned in middle age. Yet he rose again with renewed vigor and became a hero..." pondered the cultured Uchiha Isshin.

The changes in the Hokage over the past two years have been so great that they have surprised him.

But on second thought, these were ninjas to whom the First and Second Hokage poured their hearts and souls, and their confusion and difficulties might actually become an opportunity for them to break through and establish something new.

This has precedent in the Shinobi World...

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked towards the Ninja Academy with his hands behind his back.

The pie in the sky for the Uchiha has already been painted...

Whether they get to eat it depends on their performance and abilities...

If things can truly change, Hiruzen Sarutobi will keep his promise.

As Hokage, he did not harbor ill will towards the Uchiha clan, but was wary of their unpredictability.

However, when Senju Tobirama was reborn as Uchiha, the possibility of things going uncontrollable was greatly reduced.

Therefore, it's natural to gradually loosen the restrictions on the Uchiha, allowing their power and spirit to further align with him as Hokage. Just like what Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo once said...

Fairness has power.

This principle still applies to the Uchiha.