Methods and Reasons

Shimura Danzō looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with an exceedingly grim expression and spoke without the slightest courtesy. Even Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who were quite familiar with Danzō's temperament, frowned. Although they too felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen's approach was inappropriate, Danzō's tone and attitude were truly unacceptable.

However, the most important matter at hand was still Uchiha Shōji joining the Anbu. The two temporarily remained silent, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with faint doubt and concern in their eyes, wanting to hear their Hokage friend's reasoning. If he could not convince them, they would not permit Shōji to join the Anbu.

"Though Danzō's words were a little blunt, I also believe that allowing a member of the Uchiha Clan to join the Anbu is indeed somewhat inappropriate. But Hiruzen, you must have your reasons for doing this, right?"

Mitokado Homura spoke in a relatively even tone.

"Yes. Letting Shōji join the Anbu was not a hasty decision. It was one I made after more than a month of careful consideration. Over these past six months, I believe you three—Homura, Koharu, and Danzō—have all seen Uchiha Shōji's performance on the front lines. He is an Uchiha who has inherited the Will of Fire. Like Shisui, he is someone akin to Kagami. He does not possess the Uchiha Clan's customary pride and arrogance. He treats his comrades kindly, always puts orders first, and does everything he can to protect his companions in battle. That was especially clear in his fight with Toroi."

"Shōji is an Uchiha worthy of trust. I believe I can see even more potential in him, just as I did with Shisui."

Sarutobi Hiruzen straightened his back. A peculiar gleam flashed through his somewhat clouded eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.

His speech at that Uchiha Clan Meeting, along with his conduct over the past six months, had given Sarutobi Hiruzen a certain degree of goodwill and trust toward Shōji. This had not been a rash decision, but a choice made after meticulous consideration from every angle. His temperament, so utterly different from that of ordinary Uchiha clansmen, was already the most trustworthy point.

Moreover, during the battles of the past half year, Shōji had repeatedly prioritized protecting his companions. Sarutobi Hiruzen did not believe someone like that could be cruel or scheming. Of course, he could not rule out the possibility that Uchiha Shōji was an exceptionally shrewd person with unfathomably deep calculations, but the odds of that were simply too low.

For someone to maintain such a perfect disguise was not something an ordinary person could accomplish. Besides, Shōji was only fourteen. Sarutobi Hiruzen was more inclined to believe that this was Uchiha Shōji's sincere nature. The boy cared deeply about his clan, but also placed the village in an important position. He did not wish to see his clan excluded and isolated, yet neither did he wish to see fierce conflict erupt between the clan and the village, damaging the village's greater cause.

That was Sarutobi Hiruzen's impression of Uchiha Shōji.

In other words, Sarutobi Hiruzen was fully confident that he could nurture this Uchiha genius into someone like Shisui, someone like Kagami Uchiha. It could not be said that Sarutobi Hiruzen's thinking was wrong. Deep in Shōji's heart, peacefully resolving the conflict between the village and the clan was indeed his first plan. It was simply that, deep down, Shōji had already prepared a second plan. Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, who viewed the village and the clan as equally important, with the village even slightly more important—

Shōji had considered the pros and cons from the clan's standpoint from beginning to end.

He had likewise prepared himself for the worst-case scenario, one in which he would perish together with Konoha. It could only be said that Shōji truly lived up to having joined the drama club during his university days in his previous life. He had his own understanding and grasp of acting. In addition, some of his words and actions had indeed come from his heart. One part lie, nine parts truth—that was Shōji's true outward posture at present.

As a result, he had thoroughly misled Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

Of course, this did not mean Sarutobi Hiruzen had chosen to trust Uchiha Shōji completely. Even with Shisui and Itachi in the Original Work, the Third Hokage had left himself some room. As the Hokage who had governed Konohagakure for over thirty years, he possessed that much composure and ability.

"Hiruzen, I understand what you mean, but this approach carries risks as well. I admit that Uchiha Shōji is indeed different from the other Uchiha clansmen, and his performance over the past half year has been good enough. But that is still not enough. He is not like Shisui. We do not know enough about him yet!"

Mitokado Homura clearly still did not approve of Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision. After pondering briefly, he slowly shook his head as he spoke.

"Yes, Hiruzen. I believe we should still give this matter more careful consideration."

Utatane Koharu opened her eyes and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking calmly.

"Hiruzen, I will say it again. The Uchiha Clan cannot be trusted. And what can you truly determine in just half a year? I advise you not to let your emotions guide you."

Danzō spoke with an indifferent expression.

"It is precisely because half a year is not enough to be one hundred percent certain that I chose to let Shōji join the Anbu. No matter what, Shōji and Shisui are both among the Uchiha clansmen who can be considered trustworthy. We still have not found a trace of that mysterious individual from the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack. The more that is the case, the more we must take this seriously. We need to understand from within exactly which members of the Uchiha Clan have problems. Whether it is Shisui or Shōji, both are the best paths available to us. This is not only true for the Uchiha Clan, but for the two of them as well!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen paid no mind to the objections of his three old friends and continued explaining in an even-tempered manner.

As those words fell, the expressions of Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō all changed. Mitokado Homura, the quickest to react, revealed a flash of realization in his eyes before immediately asking, "You intend for it to be a two-way test? Is that what you mean, Hiruzen?"

"Yes. That is my initial idea. Danzō, I naturally understand your concerns. But compared to the truth we may uncover, I believe a certain degree of risk is worth bearing. Whether Shōji is worthy of our trust can likewise be conclusively confirmed through this method."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke softly, his expression calm.

After a brief period of thought, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu slowly nodded.