The Conspiracy Begins, The Start of Extermination

A short while later, Hatake Kakashi brought Fujiwara Chiya to the Hokage office.

"Lord Hokage." Chiya activated Kyōka Suigetsu, creating the illusion of himself kneeling on one knee.

After offering a brief greeting, Kakashi took his leave.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was puffing away on his pipe as usual. Seeing Chiya and Kakashi arrive, he extinguished the pipe and revealed a gentle, kindly smile. "Chiya, you've come. Quickly, rise; there is no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Chiya replied respectfully, controlling the illusion to stand up.

Next, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to inquire about Chiya's well-being with a barrage of questions.

He rambled on about this and that.

He spoke at great length, chattering away.

Although Chiya felt incredibly impatient inside, he maintained his persona as a devotee of the Third Hokage, playing along with the old man's charade.

Finally, after a full half-hour of idle chatter and probing, Sarutobi Hiruzen, satisfied that Chiya had become the successor to the "Will of Fire" he envisioned, finally introduced the main topic.

"Chiya, do you still remember the Nine-Tails Incident from six years ago?"

"Of course I remember. My parents died in that natural disaster. But I was powerless; I could only watch them..."

Chiya used Kyōka Suigetsu to project an expression of extreme pain and sorrow. By the end, his eyes turned red, and he actually shed tears in a display of genuine-looking grief.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took in every detail of Chiya's reaction. While feeling secretly smug, he let out a long sigh and said, "Actually, that was not a natural disaster, but a man-made one."

"A man-made disaster?" Chiya feigned shock and confusion.

"Yes. In truth, the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago was maliciously manipulated by someone. Looking across the entire ninja world, aside from the First Hokage's Wood Style, only the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan could control the Nine-Tails." As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen recited the narrative he had long since prepared.

"Lord Hokage, are you implying that this catastrophe was likely caused by the Uchiha clan?" Chiya wore a look of terror, continuing his performance.

"While there is no absolute proof, the possibility cannot be ruled out." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, looking pained. "Ever since the First Hokage passed, only the Mangekyo Sharingan of the Uchiha clan has possessed such power."

"Chiya, you are a smart child, so I believe you understand what I mean."

"I am willing to offer my heart to you, Lord Hokage, and to Konoha." Chiya pressed his right fist against his chest, solemnly giving the answer Sarutobi Hiruzen had been waiting for.

"Willing to offer your heart to me..." Sarutobi Hiruzen repeated, nodding with satisfaction. He said gravely, "Chiya, from today on, I will assign you to the Anbu, responsible for monitoring the Uchiha clan. At the same time, I will leak this news. When the Uchiha hear of it, they will surely take the opportunity to recruit you."

"I need you to act as a mole and report every move of the Uchiha clan to me at all times."

"When appropriate, in order to gain their trust, you may disclose some insignificant intelligence with my permission."

"This is a top-secret mission I am entrusting to you. I hope you will not reveal this matter to anyone."

Upon hearing this, Chiya did not agree immediately, instead showing a look of hesitation and conflict.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows twitched imperceptibly, and he asked with a gentle expression, "What is it, Chiya? Do you have any concerns?"

Chiya nodded. "Lord Hokage, if the Nine-Tails Incident was truly the work of the Uchiha clan, I hope you will punish the perpetrators, but I ask that you show mercy to the other innocent ninjas and civilians."

"Is this because of that little girl, Uchiha Izumi?" Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression suddenly relaxed. Far from being dissatisfied, he felt even more pleased.

He had been worrying about how to keep Fujiwara Chiya in check.

After all, Uchiha Itachi had the Second Pillar to worry about.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had no fear that Uchiha Itachi would dare to betray the village.

But Chiya was different; he had no family, which meant he had no shackles to bind him.

Now that he had a lover, Chiya would be even easier to control.

"You like that girl, don't you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. During the Nine-Tails Incident, she was also a victim, just like me, having lost her parents." Chiya did not deny it.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said sternly, "I can guarantee you here that regardless of whether the Nine-Tails Incident is related to the Uchiha clan, I will ensure Uchiha Izumi's absolute safety."

At the same time, he added in his heart: Of course, if the Uchiha clan commits other acts that endanger the village, then you cannot blame me.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Chiya sneered inwardly. You old geezer, only a fool would believe you. You didn't even guarantee the Second Pillar's safety in the original story; if Uchiha Itachi hadn't threatened Shimura Danzō, the Second Pillar would have been gone long ago.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and clapped his hands. A moment later, an Anbu ninja walked in, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "Lord Hokage."

"From today on, Chiya is a member of the Anbu. Take him to report for duty," Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." The Anbu ninja responded respectfully and led Chiya away.

No sooner had Chiya left than the other three members of the Konoha F4 walked in. Shimura Danzō got straight to the point: "Hiruzen, how did it go? Did the boy agree?"

"Yes, but he set one condition: that regardless of the outcome, Uchiha Izumi must be spared." Sarutobi Hiruzen turned back to sit behind his desk and lit his pipe.

"Hmph. I knew that boy would have personal attachments to the Uchiha and couldn't be fully devoted to the village," Shimura Danzō scoffed.

Although he said this, he didn't look the least bit angry, because the moment Chiya asked to spare Uchiha Izumi, It meant he had lost the possibility of inheriting the position of Hokage.

Or rather, from the very beginning, Sarutobi Hiruzen never intended for Chiya to inherit the Hokage title.

It was entirely Lord Danzō who had overthought the situation.

"Isn't this quite good?" Utatane Koharu expressed a different opinion from the side. "It is best to have weaknesses. If he were flawless and could betray even the person he cares about most, then I would be the one doubting that child's loyalty."

"Koharu is right." Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement upon hearing those words.

From this moment on, the Konoha F4 stood on a unified front, a rare occurrence indeed.

On the other side, that Anbu ninja had already brought Chiya to the Anbu registration site.

"From now on, this will be your exclusive locker." The Anbu ninja pointed to a locker beside him, then turned his gaze toward a window not far away. "Your Anbu equipment has also been fully prepared; you can go over there and collect it in a moment."