Uchiha: A Legacy of History

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

A violent cough interrupted what Mitokado Homura was about to say.

Both Advisor cast suspicious glances at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, are you alright?"

Utatane Koharu asked with concern, "At this time, Hiruzen, as the Hokage, cannot be harmed."

"No... it's nothing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Taiichi was still behind them; if Mitokado Homura said something offensive at this moment, things could get very messy.

"Taiichi is indeed not suitable for combat at the moment; he has other missions to carry out."

Even the Hokage said so, so Utatane Koharu has nothing to say.

But Taiichi doesn't go, where will they find people to support Tsunade?

"Or, let Jiraiya go. Didn't they sign a peace treaty with Sunagakure? There's no need for Jiraiya to stay there in the Land of Rivers all the time."

Mitokado Homura offered a suggestion, but it was quite risky.

After all, Sunagakure has a very serious criminal record.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and puffed on it. Amidst the swirling smoke, he thought the suggestion was feasible.

Sunagakure is now at its wit's end, and what they want most now is to recuperate and rebuild their lives.

Even if they had the opportunity to take advantage of Konoha, they didn't have that many people.

If we think about it that way, then mobilizing Jiraiya isn't impossible.

He took a deep drag on his pipe, then exhaled a long plume of smoke after a long pause, finally making up his mind.

"Order Jiraiya to immediately proceed and rendezvous with Tsunade. The troops from the Land of Rivers will be under your command."

Seeing that the Hokage had given the order, the two Advisor fell silent. Jiraiya's strength was still quite reliable, and with his Summoning Animal, the situation on the East Front would at least not deteriorate.

"Hiruzen, there's something else I'm wondering if you know?"

One wave subsides, another rises.

When Mitokado Homura brought this up, there was even a hint of excitement on his face.

The Hokage had just made an important decision, was still in a relaxed state after the tension and did not think much about the deeper meaning in Mitokado Homura's words.

He picked up a cup of tea, took small sips, and occasionally blew on it to disperse the floating tea leaves.

"Oh, what is it? Why are you hesitating?"

"I just received news from Root that Fugaku Uchiha's son, Uchiha Itachi, has officially become Taichi Matsushita's apprentice."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused in his tea-serving hand, took a long time to swallow the tea he had just drunk, and slowly placed the teacup on the table.

"Oh, Taiichi has actually taken on a disciple? I really didn't know that."

At this moment, the person in charge of the incident heard himself mentioned again, but why was it always this Mitokado Homura who contradicted him? He couldn't remember when he had offended him.

"That's really true."

Mitokado Homura looked as if she had expected this.

"Hiruzen, you should also keep an eye on Taichi Matsushita. The Uchiha are the village's most vulnerable group. Is he trying to rebel with the Uchiha by doing this?"

"Yan, watch your words."

Hiruzen Sarutobi his hand on the table, interrupting Mitokado Homura's words. His eyes were filled with unprecedented sternness as he glared at the other man.

"The Uchiha are still ninjas of the village, our comrades. How can you say such a thing so carelessly?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi is truly angry. Mitokado Homura Uchiha, but why did you drag Taiichi into this too?

Even if he were to rebel, Taiichi his current strength and status, you shouldn't bring it up unless he actually takes action.

You're deliberately pushing people down the path of rebellion.

Moreover, with Taiichi right behind him, Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely afraid that Taiichi would jump out right now and start a full-blown fight with Mitokado Homura.

That would truly escalate the situation.

Fortunately, Taiichi was still sensible and sensed that there was no fluctuation of aura behind him, so Hiruzen Sarutobi was relieved.

"Hiruzen, the Uchiha clan's ambition is known to all. Their clan has never given up their covetousness for the Hokage Position, which is an indisputable fact."

Now their clan chief's son has become a disciple of Taichi Matsushita; this is clearly a sinister plot.

Well, it's clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi Mitokado Homura didn't appreciate Hiruzen Sarutobi's good intentions.

Not only that, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed things down to the Uchiha, Mitokado Homura dragged Taiichi into it as well.

What a terrible teammate.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi missed Shimura Danzō terribly; at least the two of them were quite in sync when it came to cooperating with others.

"Flame—" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, "I will confirm this with Taiichi. Also, the Uchiha are not enemies. Surveillance is acceptable, but it shouldn't be excessive. Fugaku has been moving closer to the village lately, and we've seen what he's been doing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to argue any longer, so he got straight to the point. He rubbed his temples, feeling genuinely exhausted.

After the Third Shinobi World War, I'll pass the Hokage Position to Minato. This was Hiruzen Sarutobi's truest thought at that moment.

Mitokado Homura wanted to say more, but was stopped by Utatane Koharu.

She could tell that Hiruzen getting impatient, and at the same time, she felt that Yan's words were indeed somewhat exaggerated.

Just as Hiruzen said, the Uchiha's current actions are moving closer to the village.

After Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu finally left, Hiruzen Sarutobi took another puff of his pipe before slowly speaking.

"Taiichi, come out."

From the shadows of the bookshelf, a distorted light and shadow appeared, and Taiichi emerged from it.

Upon arriving before Hiruzen Sarutobi, Taiichi removed his mask and, seeing the Hokage about to be whipped again, couldn't help but offer some words of advice.

"Hokage-sama, smoking is harmful to your health. You should try to control your smoking."

Hiruzen Sarutobi the pipe with his own, looked up at Taiichi, and seeing the concern on his face, put down his pipe.

"When I'm upset, I want to take a drag on a cigarette. You—you'll have to wait a few more years to understand that feeling."

Taiichi curled his lip in disdain, muttering under his breath, "I think you'd like to have a puff too if you're feeling good."

Although the sound was soft, every ninja has keen senses.

"I think you're really asking for trouble; you're getting bolder and bolder."

"How could that be? I do everything openly and honestly, without hiding anything. That's what I always tell anyone who asks me."

Taiichi spoke with absolute certainty, never imagining that his taking Uchiha Itachi as a disciple would escape the Hokage's notice.

In fact, Hiruzen Sarutobi only learned about this today, and he was still somewhat surprised.

"Tell me, what are you really thinking? Yan's ideas may be radical, but they're not without reason. The Uchiha Clan does indeed need to be guarded against."

Taiichi nodded, agreeing with the Hokage's view. Not just the Uchiha, but any Ninja Clan that grows to a sufficient size will be guarded against by the village.

However, the Uchiha was exceptionally unique; they were not only powerful but also somewhat neurotic.

"Hokage-sama, when the Second took Kagami Uchiha as his disciple, wasn't it precisely because he hoped to use Kagami- Senior as a link to gradually Uchiha Itachi the village?"

After Kagami 'Senior death in battle, the village and the Uchiha lost their bond of mutual trust, and their relationship plummeted.

Now, thanks to Yohei, the Uchiha are willing to re-establish this bond with the village.

Isn't this an opportunity to peacefully resolve this difficult problem?

Looking at Taiichi, who was speaking eloquently, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he were seeing his younger self in his current state of mind.

Only----

"Taiichi, have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?"

"Ah?"

Taiichi Hiruzen Sarutobi's question caught Taiichi off guard, leaving him completely bewildered as the topic suddenly shifted to whether he wanted to become Hokage.

However, after a moment of Taiichi silence, Taiichi immediately showed a look of disgust.

He had been serving as the Hokage's bodyguard for some time now, and he knew exactly what the Hokage did every day.

To be honest, he didn't want to live like that for even a single day.

With endless official duties to handle, there's not even a moment for myself.

It's no wonder that after Kakashi became capable of handling things on his own, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, immediately quit.

Once Naruto matured, the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi, also stepped down to live a quiet life.

Not everyone wants to be the Hokage.

Especially for someone like Taiichi, who has an extra pursuit of personal strength, he doesn't want to get involved in positions that require so much mental and physical exertion.

What kind of expression is that?!

Taiichi's disgusted look was like poison, deeply agitating Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Ironically, if Taiichi really wanted to become Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely afraid that Taiichi would cause some trouble.

But when Taiichi expressed disdain, he felt offended. Anyone would be upset if something they treasured was disliked.

"Hokage-sama, you know me. All I do is train all day long, and I want to run around whenever I have a spare moment. If you hadn't let me join the Anbu, I'd probably be traveling around by now."

The position of Hokage is not suitable for me.

Taiichi's words were so sincere that he was practically pointing three fingers to the sky and swearing an oath to heaven.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless for a moment. Everyone has their own ambitions, so what could he say?

Furthermore, since Taiichi has no interest in the Uchiha Hokage Position, his close relationship with the Uchiha clan is a sure way to strengthen the village's ties with the Uchiha.

After all, given Taiichi's position, no one would betray their class.

As for Taiichi lying, Hiruzen Sarutobi had the confidence to judge people, and Taiichi genuinely didn't care about the Hokage Position.

"Taiichi, since you are willing to act as this link, you must keep this matter in mind."

The Uchiha issue has never been properly resolved, from the First Hokage to the Second Hokage, and now to me. I hope to completely eliminate this hidden danger during the Fourth Hokage's reign.

And your actions may be the key.

Upon hearing this, Taiichi smiled. Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed with his idea. He wondered when the old man had become so easy to talk to; he had thought he would have to use a lot of persuasion.

"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. Things are different now. The village has Teacher Tsunade, Jiraiya Minato, Sakumo- Senior, and me. Any one of us can suppress the Uchiha Clan. This is the perfect opportunity."

That's right, the main thing is that you're tough enough. No matter what kind of Gyuki you are, anyone who dares to offend you will be punched to death.

"Alright, alright, get back to your duties. Stop bragging all day."

The Hokage chuckled and scolded, sensing Taiichi disappear behind him again, and continued to bury himself in the documents on his desk.

Jiraiya of the Land of Rivers soon received orders from the village.

Looking at the contents of the order, a rare happy smile appeared on his face.

The thought that it had been almost three years since he had last seen Tsunade filled him with a strange sense of anticipation.

Thinking of Tsunade's voice and smile, a lewd smile unconsciously crept into his mind.

He quickly wiped his mouth, and finding nothing amiss, he hastily gathered his men, handed over his duties, and left the Camp immediately, heading towards the East Front.

"Lord Jiraiya is truly a role model for us all. He doesn't waste a single second when it comes to the village's affairs."

Seeing Jiraiya so energetic and efficient, many ninjas showed admiration. They felt as if they had found a purpose in life, and even the tedious patrol missions became more enjoyable.

In just one day, Jiraiya crossed the Land of Rivers and found the Eastern Front Camp in a forest on the East Coast of the Land of Fire.

This speed is something even a ninja would need to travel non-stop to achieve.

Hearing Tsunade's long-lost voice coming from the Central Army Tent ahead, Jiraiya could no longer restrain himself. Filled with enthusiasm and a touch of feigned exhaustion, he rushed into the camp.

Without even waiting for the guards to announce his arrival, he directly lifted the curtain, his face beaming with an incredibly bright smile, and immediately locked his Tsunade inside the tent.

"Ah~ Hahaha, Tsunade, I'm here! Did you miss me?"

The sound was so loud that dust fell from the top of the tent.

Everyone in the tent was startled. They hadn't even bothered to report before rushing into the Central Command Tent. Did they really think Lady Tsunade's fists weren't heavy?

But when everyone saw who it was, a look of realization appeared on their faces.

Oh, so it's you. Then there's no problem.

Unfortunately, Taiichi wasn't there, otherwise he would have mourned for Jiraiya.

He had heard Shizune say more than once that Lady Tsunade had repeatedly complained that Jiraiya and Orochimaru lacked friendship.

Tsunade was currently facing away from the tent entrance, holding a wooden stick and pointing at the map while discussing the next course of action with her advisors.

Hearing that familiar tone that sent her blood pressure soaring, her grip on the wooden stick tightened instantly.

"Click"

The wooden stick in his hand broke in two.

Tsunade a deep breath, calmly threw away the wooden stick in her hand, tried to calm her emotions, and uttered two words stiffly.

Who is it?

She didn't even turn her head.

Jiraiya's smile froze for a moment, but it immediately snapped back like a rubber band.

Completely ignoring the already somewhat oppressive atmosphere inside the tent, he strode forward, rubbing his hands together, his tone so greasy it could cook three dishes.

"Oh dear, it's been so long! I can't even recognize the voice of your loyal and reliable partner, the handsome and dashing Jiraiya!"

The moment I received the old man's order, I dropped all my affairs in the Land of Rivers and rushed here day and night to support you.

Look, look, my wooden clogs are all worn out from running around like this, aren't you touched?

As he spoke, he deliberately lifted the wooden board on his foot, revealing that the front end was indeed worn down.

Tsunade finally turned around slowly. She raised her hand and waved, and the others in the tent tactfully left.

Now, Jiraiya would realize that something was wrong.

Tsunade's beautiful amber eyes showed no emotion at this moment. She crossed her arms and looked down at Jiraiya's stupid face.

"Move?"

Tsunade's voice even carried a dangerous grinding sound.

"Yes, I'm so touched I almost cried. I'm so touched that you, a person of high status, have such a bad memory. It's been almost three years, and you haven't even sent a message through Toad."

You must Lord Jiraiya, researching in the Hot Spring Village, that you've completely forgotten you even have a partner named Tsunade, right?

The old man sent you! Oh, you're truly "loyal and reliable"!