Keigo... A True Lucky Star for the Uchiha Clan

Hokage Office.

Shimura Danzō had a bandage wrapped around his right eye; although he lacked the sinister aura he would possess in his later years, his gloomy temperament was already beginning to emerge.

He stood beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, gazing at the crystal ball before them. Within the sphere was the indignant little face of Uzumaki Kushina, and a trace of greed flickered in his remaining eye!

"Do not attempt to set your sights on Kushina."

Sarutobi Hiruzen cast a cold glance at him.

"There is no other descendant of the Uzumaki Clan left in the village. She is the last of the Uzumaki orphans and the only one capable of suppressing the Nine-Tails. If the Nine-Tails shows any sign of unrest, the price is one you cannot afford to pay!"

He had only been Hokage for a few years.

Danzō, you bastard, are you trying to stir up trouble already?

His seat wasn't even warm yet, and Danzō was already looking to cause problems for Uzumaki Kushina. If the Nine-Tails were to go on a rampage, he would be the one held responsible!

"I understand."

Shimura Danzō's face darkened.

Damn it, whether it was Orochimaru or Sarutobi Hiruzen, neither of these master-and-apprentice pairs were any good.

They were all so cunning!

"However, Kumogakure seems to have been active in the ninja world recently. They appear to be conducting something called 'Operation Fire Theft,' gathering treasures and Kekkei Genkai from across the entire ninja world to consolidate them within Kumogakure!"

"This is not good news for our Konoha!"

His gaze was gloomy and cold!

"Oh?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes darkened slightly. He hadn't heard this piece of information; it seemed that supporting Shimura Danzō in establishing Root had indeed served a purpose.

"This is not a good thing. I will investigate. Kumogakure is a typical militant faction, and their growing strength will eventually pose a threat to Konoha. We cannot let them execute their plan smoothly."

His eyes shifted, a cold glint flashing within them!

On that steady face, there was a murderous intent!

"During this time, Root ninjas will leave the village to investigate this matter simultaneously. I will notify you the moment there is news."

Shimura Danzō added.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, Shimura Danzō's gaze turned greedy, lingering on Uzumaki Kushina in the crystal ball before he suddenly said, "Hiruzen, what is your take on the Uchiha Clan in the village?"

"Lately, they seem a bit too calm. Do they... have any ideas? Or perhaps... are they plotting something?"

A cold light flashed in the depths of his eyes!

Upholding the will of the Second Hokage, he had never held any affection for the Uchiha Clan.

In his view, the Uchiha Clan had never been good birds!

"The Uchiha Clan? There have been no unusual movements. Furthermore, it is certain that the Uchiha Clan has been getting along extremely well with the villagers recently, to the point where many villagers have developed a new perspective on them."

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Just like Kushina now; she has a favorable impression of Keigo Uchiha, which played a crucial role in the incident where Kumogakure tried to abduct her."

"That incident actually allowed us to take quite a bit of advantage from Kumogakure!"

Back then, because Kumogakure's actions were exposed, they were forced to pay a price.

Although it wasn't much, it felt satisfying!

"Moreover... the youths from various clans, who are Keigo's classmates, hold him in high regard. This has caused the clans behind these youths to also develop a degree of favor toward the Uchiha Clan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction.

Thinking of the kind Great Elder and the help he had provided over the years, he couldn't help but say, "Actually, the Uchiha Clan isn't that evil. It's just that the teacher had too little contact with them back in the day!"

"After all, the First Hokage was very kind to the Uchiha Clan!"

Why was the teacher so hostile toward the Uchiha Clan back then?

It must have been due to some misunderstandings!

After all, that man was iron-blooded and stubborn, unwilling to listen to anyone else's suggestions.

Shimura Danzō: "???"

He took a deep breath, his face full of absurdity!

Now that Keigo Uchiha has become Orochimaru's disciple and a member of your Hokage faction, you're taking this stance?

His face carried a trace of unwillingness!

After all, the power displayed by Uchiha Madara's Sharingan back then was so terrifying that he still wanted to obtain the eyes of the Uchiha Clan!

But all of that required Sarutobi Hiruzen's help, and now it seemed... that was completely out of the question!

"I advise you not to set your sights on the Uchiha Clan either. The Uchiha Clan is now a group I am courting, and Keigo is also a member of my Hokage faction. I do not wish to fall out with the Uchiha Clan in the future."

As he spoke, his voice carried a hint of warning.

Instantly.

A chill ran through the heart of Shimura Danzō.

He was filled with stifled frustration!

"Hmph!"

After an unhappy snort, he turned around without hesitation and walked away.

It was just too damn frustrating!

But now that Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed to let the members of Root go abroad, in that case... Root would be able to gather those sixty test subjects, and he himself... would possess a child with Wood Release genes.

He might even be able to transplant Wood Release onto his own body later on!

Time slipped away in a flash.

Three months passed quickly.

Within the Uchiha Clan compound.

Inside the ancestral hall.

The Great Elder looked at the tall, upright figure of Keigo Uchiha with a kindly gaze.

Although he was only twelve years old, Keigo Uchiha was already nearly one meter sixty-five, looking much like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old. His handsome face held one part boyishness and nine parts striking charm.

The reason he had grown so fast.

Had everything to do with the Nintaijutsu of Kumogakure that Keigo Uchiha had been practicing all these years.

"Keigo, I never expected that you would be able to cross blades with Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. Now that your strength as an Elite Jonin allows you to stand on your own, I had thought you would grow quickly, but I never imagined it would be this fast."

The Great Elder sighed with emotion.

What was he doing when he was twelve?

Back then, he... seemed to be only an Elite Chunin, right?

Yet Keigo Uchiha was already an Elite Jonin!

Coupled with the Nintaijutsu of Kumogakure, there were few who could pose a threat to him, save for those at the Kage level!

"Many in the Uchiha Clan now view you as the future head of the Uchiha Clan. This is your honor, and likewise, your responsibility."

The Great Elder said with a smile.

His eyes were filled with praise.

"Ever since Uncle Shinsuke chose to submit to me, I had already realized this matter. Great Elder, you have already secretly issued the order that I will become the clan head, haven't you?"

Under the sunlight, Keigo Uchiha looked at the chessboard in front of him.

His well-defined fingers placed a black stone down.

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you."

The cloudy eyes of the Great Elder, Kyo Uchiha, were full of kindness.

"There isn't much left that I can do for you now. In my earlier years, I originally didn't want to help Sarutobi Hiruzen; after all, my Uchiha Clan and the Hokage lineage are at odds, but I chose to help him for the sake of Senju Tobirama's Water Release."

"I never expected that it would lead to such an unexpected result."

He chuckled softly.

Keigo... truly is the lucky star of the Uchiha Clan!