She was proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, had already awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and possessed the strength of a Chunin. The types of Fire Style techniques she had mastered, however, were still unknown.
She had the Uchiha's characteristic pride, but was also gentle for a woman. She was emotionally intelligent, easily fit in, and was willing to become part of a group.
The Hokage's office.
After reading Hizashi Hyuga's assessment of Uchiha Izumi's abilities and personality, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Thanks for your hard work, Hizashi."
Hizashi Hyuga replied, "I should be the one thanking you for your favor and trust, Third Hokage."
He wasn't just being polite.
When he first learned she was an Uchiha, he'd worried that there might be internal problems that would be difficult to handle. After all, the Uchiha were notorious for being hard to get along with.
But after spending only a little time with her, he realized he'd been worrying for nothing. Not just anyone could win over their squadmates and fit into a group with a few simple words.
She was strong and had a good personality. No one could dislike someone like that.
The fact that the Hokage had assigned such an outstanding graduate to his squad showed how much he trusted him. Naturally, he needed to express his sincere gratitude.
Knowing Hizashi wasn't just being polite, Hiruzen couldn't help but think even more highly of Uchiha Izumi's personal charm.
"All right, Hizashi. There's no need for us to stand on ceremony. Send Uchiha Izumi in."
"Yes!"
A short while later.
Having completed her ninja registration and officially put on her Ninja Headband, Uchiha Izumi arrived at the Hokage's office. She knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Lord Hokage."
"Mm." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight nod.
Seeing her in person was better than hearing about her. At the very least, Uchiha Izumi's attitude and bearing set her apart from ordinary Uchiha.
"Izumi, congratulations. Starting today, you're officially a Konoha Ninja."
Uchiha Izumi said, "Becoming a ninja has always been my dream. I'm honored to have earned your approval and become one of Konoha's ninjas. I'll do everything I can for the village and strive to earn the recognition of the village and everyone in it."
The recognition of the village and everyone in it? Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts stirred. He studied her and asked, "Why do you want to become a ninja and earn people's recognition?"
As if recalling something painful, Uchiha Izumi bit her lip. "Because I want to protect the people around me, to protect everyone, and to earn their respect."
People always longed for what they didn't have.
Recalling the intelligence that Uchiha Izumi had lost her father and was looked down on by the Uchiha because of her impure bloodline, Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts stirred.
She'd suffered the pain of losing a family member, so she wanted to protect the people around her.
She hadn't been respected, so she longed for respect...
Her so-called emotional intelligence had probably been honed by the circumstances she'd grown up in, as she'd learned to read people's expressions...
But how could he be sure she wasn't being coached, or that these weren't insincere words produced by her supposedly high emotional intelligence?
"I heard you didn't live in the Uchiha Clan Compound when you were young. Have you gotten used to living there since you returned?"
"Clan Head Fugaku's family has treated me like one of their own. Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage."
She'd mentioned only the Fugaku family and nothing else. Combined with the intelligence, Hiruzen Sarutobi was once more convinced she'd had a hard time in the compound. He then probed, "I'm sure you know about the tensions between the Uchiha and the village. I wonder what Clan Head Fugaku usually..."
"This..." Uchiha Izumi looked troubled. She could only lower her head timidly and say, "I only know that Clan Head Fugaku is always troubled by how to maintain the balance between the clan and the village."
Fugaku still cared about Konoha... Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.
He didn't doubt it. His understanding of Fugaku and Fugaku's repeated attempts to compromise both confirmed as much.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to Fugaku naming Sasuke after his father.
In his eyes, that choice reflected not only a hope that Sasuke would become a great ninja like his father, Sarutobi Sasuke, but also a gesture of goodwill.
At the same time, he believed that if the balance were ever completely broken and Fugaku had to make a choice, he would ultimately choose the Uchiha.
That had nothing to do with whether Fugaku could be trusted. It was simply the inevitable result of his position as the Uchiha Clan Head.
As for Uchiha Izumi, judging by her troubled expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew she was holding something back, but he didn't mind.
The Fugaku family treating her like one of their own was no doubt a warmth amid the cold, a ray of light in the darkness.
It was only natural to hold things back.
If she'd blurted everything out, she wouldn't have been worthy of anyone's trust.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts raced, the Spore attached to Uchiha Izumi received some information. A voice sounded in her mind: "Someone's watching you. You need to make the Third Hokage take you more seriously. Repeat after me..."
Someone's watching me? Uchiha Izumi's thoughts stirred. She listened carefully to Sasuke, then pretended she'd made up her mind. She took a deep breath, her expression resolute. "Lord Hokage, if possible, please let me become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback.
He couldn't help recalling the time Shisui had made the same request, and the memory merged with the scene before him.
Even Hizashi Hyuga, who had kept his eyes closed and tried to make himself invisible, lifted his eyelids slightly...
He was already starting to regret staying here...
The matters between the Uchiha and the village had nothing to do with a member of the Hyuga Branch Family like him, and they went against the Hyuga's usual hands-off philosophy.
But the Hokage hadn't told him to leave, so he could only stay...
Suddenly.
"Did Fugaku teach you to say that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's unexpected question made Uchiha Izumi raise her head and exclaim, "How could he? Lord Fugaku would never teach me to say something like that!"
Then, as if realizing she'd gotten too excited, she lowered her head and bit her lower lip. "I just couldn't bear to see Lord Fugaku troubled. I wanted to help him..."
That wasn't it... So she's trying to repay the Fugaku family for taking her in? Hiruzen Sarutobi studied Uchiha Izumi. He didn't believe an eight-year-old could lie to him.
Her gratitude and desire to repay kindness only further showed that she was someone worthy of trust and worth winning over.
It didn't matter that the person she owed was part of the Fugaku family. Fugaku had always been willing to mediate with the village. As long as Hiruzen could get a hold of his weak spot and guide him...
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "All right. We'll see how you do going forward."
"Yes!" Uchiha Izumi first looked delighted, then answered respectfully, her expression firm. "Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'll work hard!"
After she left, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Hizashi Hyuga. "Hizashi, you know what to do next?"
"Yes." Hizashi Hyuga lowered his eyes. "I understand."
"Good." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then waved him away. "Go."
"I'll take my leave."
Hizashi Hyuga was just about to leave the Hokage's office when—
Bang! The office door swung open.
"Hiruzen, hand Uchiha Izumi over to me. I'll train her to become Konoha's sharpest weapon!"
!!! Danzo!
After one upheaval after another, Hizashi Hyuga finally realized that his ninja squad hadn't gained a talented new member. It had gained a major headache!
Danzo seemed to only just notice him. He raised his chin slightly. "You're Hizashi, right? Uchiha Izumi isn't suited—"
"Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him, then gave Hizashi Hyuga a slight nod.
Hizashi Hyuga let out a breath of relief, hurried out of the office, and thoughtfully shut the door behind him.
Before you continue