A short while later, Hatake Kakashi brought Chiya to the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage." Chiya activated Kyoka Suigetsu, creating the illusion that he was kneeling on one knee.
After greeting them, Kakashi left.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was puffing away as usual. When he saw Chiya and Kakashi arrive, he put out his pipe and smiled warmly and kindly. "Chiya, you're here. Please, get up. There's no need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Chiya replied respectfully and made the illusion stand.
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen began asking after Chiya's well-being.
He talked about this and that.
He rambled on at length.
Though Chiya was growing impatient, he kept up the act of a young man who admired the Third Hokage, playing along with the old man.
Finally, after nearly half an hour of idle conversation and probing,
once Sarutobi Hiruzen confirmed that Chiya had become the heir to the Will of Fire he had envisioned, he finally got to the point.
"Chiya, do you still remember the Nine-Tails Incident six years ago?"
"Of course. My parents died in that disaster. But I was powerless, and could only watch them..."
Using Kyoka Suigetsu, Chiya made himself look utterly grief-stricken. By the end, his eyes reddened, and tears began to fall despite himself.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took in Chiya's reaction. Secretly pleased, he let out a long breath and said, "Actually, it wasn't a natural disaster. It was caused by people."
"Caused by people?" Chiya feigned alarm and surprise.
"Yes. The Nine-Tails Incident six years ago was deliberately orchestrated. And across the entire Shinobi World, those capable of controlling the Nine-Tails are limited to the First's Wood Release and the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan." As he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen recited the explanation he had prepared in advance.
"Lord Hokage, are you saying the Uchiha Clan may have caused this disaster?" Chiya looked horrified and continued his performance.
"Though there's no conclusive evidence, we can't rule it out." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed heavily, his voice full of anguish. "Since the First's death, only the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan has had the power to do this."
"Chiya, you're a clever boy, so I think you understand what I mean."
"I'm willing to give my heart to you, Lord Hokage, and to Konoha." Chiya clenched his right hand into a fist and pressed it to his chest, giving Sarutobi Hiruzen the solemn answer he had been hoping for.
"Willing to give me your heart..." Sarutobi Hiruzen repeated, nodding in satisfaction. Then he said gravely, "Chiya, starting today, I'll assign you to the Anbu to monitor the Uchiha Clan. At the same time, I'll let this information slip. Once the Uchiha Clan hears about it, they'll certainly try to recruit you.
"I need you to act as a spy and keep me informed of everything the Uchiha Clan does.
"When appropriate, to earn their trust, you may share some insignificant information with them, provided you have my permission.
"This is a top-secret mission I'm entrusting to you. I expect you not to tell anyone about it."
At that, Chiya didn't agree right away. Instead, he looked troubled and conflicted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows lifted ever so slightly. He asked gently, "What's wrong, Chiya? Is something bothering you?"
Chiya nodded. "Lord Hokage, if the Uchiha Clan really was behind the Nine-Tails Incident, I hope you'll punish only those responsible. I hope you'll spare the ordinary ninja and civilians who had nothing to do with it."
"Is this because of that girl, Uchiha Izumi?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression relaxed at once. Far from being displeased, he was even more pleased.
He had been worrying that he had nothing with which to keep Fujiwara Chiya in check.
After all, Uchiha Itachi had Sasuke to consider.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had no fear that Uchiha Itachi would betray the village.
But Chiya was different. He had no family, which meant nothing could hold him back.
Now that he had a lover, Chiya would be much easier to control.
"You like that girl, don't you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. She was a victim of the Nine-Tails Incident too. Like me, she lost her parents." Chiya didn't deny it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said solemnly, "I can promise you here and now that, regardless of whether the Uchiha Clan was involved in the Nine-Tails Incident, Uchiha Izumi will be kept absolutely safe."
At the same time, he added to himself: Of course, if the Uchiha Clan does anything else to threaten the village, then they'll have only themselves to blame.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Chiya secretly sneered. You old bastard. I'd be a fool to trust you. You never promised to keep Sasuke safe in the original story. If Uchiha Itachi hadn't threatened Danzo, Sasuke would've been dead long ago.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and clapped his hands. A moment later, an Anbu Ninja entered from outside and knelt on one knee. "Lord Hokage."
"Starting today, Chiya is a member of the Anbu. Take him to register," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." The Anbu Ninja replied respectfully, then led Chiya away.
As soon as Chiya left, the other three members of the Konoha F4 entered. Shimura Danzo got straight to the point. "Hiruzen, how did it go? Did that brat agree?"
"He did. But he made one condition: no matter what happens afterward, Uchiha Izumi must be spared." Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his desk and lit his pipe.
"Tch. I knew that brat would have personal feelings for the Uchiha. He could never devote himself entirely to the village," Shimura Danzo said with a click of his tongue.
Despite saying that, he didn't look angry at all. The moment Chiya asked that Uchiha Izumi be spared,
it meant he had lost any chance of inheriting the Hokage Position.
Or rather, Sarutobi Hiruzen had never intended to let Chiya inherit the Hokage Position in the first place.
Danzo had simply been imagining things.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Utatane Koharu offered a different opinion. "A weakness makes him easier to control. If he were flawless, capable of betraying even the person he cared about most, I'd be more suspicious of his loyalty."
"Koharu is right." Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement.
For once, the Konoha F4 stood united.
Meanwhile, the Anbu Ninja had already brought Chiya to the Anbu registration area.
"This will be your personal locker from now on." The Anbu Ninja pointed to a locker, then turned his gaze toward a window nearby. "Your Anbu equipment is ready as well. You can pick it up over there in a moment."
Before you continue