The Crack, The First Hokage's Entrustment

"Hey, tell me, do you guys know what the Police Force is doing? Why are so many people building such a huge stage?"

"Say, brother, how do you not even know this? The Police Force posted a notice three days ago."

"Yeah, that's right. They say it's a celebration to summarize and report the results of the Police Force's reforms."

"Exactly. Also, I got news from my cousin's wife's brother's sister-in-law that after the celebration ends, all food and drinks at the Akimichi barbecue restaurant will be free tonight! The Police Force is footing the entire bill!"

"Is that... sister-in-law's news reliable?"

"Of course! My cousin's wife's brother's sister-in-law has already joined the 39th Squad of the Police Force. This is insider information!"

These three villagers were standing not far from the entrance of the Police Force headquarters.

The entire Police Force staff at the entrance was busy constructing the new stage.

It wasn't just these three villagers; other villagers were also gathering in twos and threes with acquaintances, all coming to attend today's Uchiha celebration.

Inside the Hokage Building.

"Hiruzen! How could you allow the Uchiha clan to pull something like this? Don't you know how dangerous the Uchiha clan is!?"

Danzo stormed into the Hokage's office, his cane striking the floor heavily, creating an irritating sound.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his pipe, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Danzo, you're overthinking it. This Uchiha celebration was approved by me, and every detail was reported to me. Besides, I've already sent Anbu to monitor them. What kind of danger could there be?"

Seeing Hiruzen's look of confidence, Danzo felt increasingly annoyed, recalling that night.

Damn it! It was all because of my one moment of hesitation. I am the one who should have become the Hokage!

Of course, Danzo didn't dare say this to Hiruzen's face; he could only say it in his heart.

"What is the point of the Police Force holding these meaningless celebrations? Isn't this a waste of the village's budget? My Root training funds aren't even enough. Since when did our Konoha become so wealthy?"

Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe, his expression turning displeased.

"Danzo, this Uchiha Police Force celebration is being paid for by the Uchiha themselves, and I have reviewed everything. It has all been handled properly."

"How do you have the nerve to talk to me about Root's funding? Do you think I don't know that you went to several major clans recently and forcibly took children back to Root? You even dared to forge my Hokage seal!"

Hiruzen slammed his pipe onto the desk, his brows furrowed tightly.

"I don't care about the other clans, but you must return Neji Hyuga. You should know that his father, Hizashi Hyuga, already gave his life for the village! How could you abduct him!"

Danzo sneered, his expression mocking and derisive.

"Hmph!"

"Hiruzen, it's too late. All the children have already been branded with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. It's too late; there's no going back. They will never leave Root for the rest of their lives."

Rising abruptly, Hiruzen knocked his dark brown chair to the floor. He stood up and pointed a finger at Danzo.

"How could you treat these children like this! You! Danzo, you have really gone too far this time. No matter what, you must send the children back!"

To Danzo, Hiruzen's words sounded like empty whining, because this was already impossible. Once the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal was planted, there was no way to undo it unless either the caster or the subject died.

The subject could never speak of the information specified by the caster, and their very life and death rested on the caster's whim.

"What, do you want me to commit suicide to undo the seal on these children? I am the root of the village. Where there is light, there must be shadows; where there are trees, there must be roots. Hiruzen, you cannot do without me!"

Danzo thought he had Hiruzen figured out; after all, they had spent decades together, and the two were inseparable. Danzo understood Hiruzen's character thoroughly.

The reality was just as Danzo thought. Hiruzen only sighed heavily, knowing it was all too late. It was his repeated indulgence of Danzo that had made him what he was today.

"We'll let it slide this time, but Root's funding for next year will be cut in half."

"What! How can you cut my Root funding! On what grounds!"

"The cut funds will be used to clean up the mess you made this time! To compensate these clans!"

Danzo finally stopped, his hands resting on his cane as he struck the floor again.

"Hiruzen, don't forget the will of our teacher. The Uchiha are always an unstable element! Everything I do is for the teacher's will! The Uchiha are a naturally evil clan!"

Hiruzen righted his chair, sat down, and took a few more puffs of his pipe, recalling what his teacher had once told him.

"Monkey, although the Uchiha are a naturally evil and dangerous clan, their love is more sincere than any other clan. You must handle the Uchiha properly. When you can finally pacify the Uchiha, you will be a qualified Hokage."

These were the words Tobirama Senju said to Hiruzen Sarutobi alone before he left—the entrustment of the Second Hokage to the Third.

Hiruzen opened his eyes, the sharpness of the "God of Shinobi" returning to his gaze.

"Danzo, no matter what, the Uchiha have always been members of the village. The Uchiha of the past forced us to take special measures, but now, the Uchiha show signs of integrating into the village. I absolutely will not allow you to strike at the Uchiha again!"

"You must remember, Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

Hearing Hiruzen say this again, a surge of resentment and frustration welled up in Danzo's heart.

"Hiruzen! You will regret this!"

After throwing down these harsh words, he slammed the door and left.

Seeing Danzo depart, Hiruzen turned his chair to look out the window toward the Police Force. The celebration stage was already fully built, visible even from this distance.

A smile appeared on Hiruzen's face involuntarily, and he slowly closed his eyes.

The words that Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju had once spoken to him began to surface from his memory, one after another.

"Hahaha, Monkey, you must never become a gambling addict like me in the future."

"Monkey! Your hand signs for ninjutsu are too slow! Your chakra is still too chaotic! Go climb the trees ten more times and keep practicing!"

"Monkey... you must train hard with Tobirama in the future... you are the future of Konoha..."

"Monkey! From today on, you are the Hokage of Konoha! As the shadow of the village, protecting the next generation is my duty! You all go now!"

"Tobirama... I have failed Madara... you must take good care of the Uchiha. Monkey, you too. If only I could see what the village looks like in its future prosperity..."

"Monkey, I failed to handle the Uchiha issue properly. Although it hasn't erupted for now, in ten or twenty years, the conflicts within the Police Force will surely break out. You must resolve it properly. That is also the reason I took Kagami Uchiha as my disciple; I hoped he could become a bridge... I could not fulfill Big Brother's dying wish, so I entrust it to you, the Third!"

He slowly opened his eyes. They were no longer the jet-black of his youth; they had become gray, cloudy, and had long since lost their former clarity.

Yet, they began to radiate a brilliant luster, regaining a sense of spirit as he looked up at the white clouds in the sky...

"Lord First, Teacher Tobirama..."

"Am I finally able to fulfill your wishes..."

"Can I, as I am now, still be called a ninja who possesses the Will of Fire..."

A single tear spilled from his clouded eyes, tracing a path down the weathered, frost-bitten, and deeply wrinkled yellowish-brown skin of Hiruzen.