Planning

It was a seemingly ordinary morning. Inside the Hokage Office, wisps of cigarette smoke curled into the air as Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed documents, while his two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were present to discuss village affairs.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, looking up.

The door was pushed open, and Uchiha Fugaku entered, dressed in the attire of the Uchiha Clan with a solemn expression on his face. His appearance caused the atmosphere in the office to stagnate for a brief moment. It was rarely a trivial matter when the head of the Uchiha Clan personally visited the Hokage Office.

"Jonin Fugaku, is there something you need?" Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pen, wearing his customary, gentle smile that made one feel like they were basking in a spring breeze, though his eyes held a scrutinizing depth. The two advisors also ceased their conversation and looked over.

Uchiha Fugaku first bowed to the Hokage and the two advisors. His posture was impeccable, yet the reserve and sense of distance characteristic of the Uchiha remained. After standing straight, he got straight to the point, his voice steady: "Lord Hokage, I have come today for the future of a younger member of my clan, and also to discuss the future development of the Uchiha Clan within the village with you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled the smoke. "Oh? Please, Clan Head Fugaku, speak." He used the title "Clan Head," implying that the ensuing conversation would carry more weight regarding the relationship between the clan and the village.

Fugaku spoke with neither servility nor arrogance: "There is a young Genin in the clan named Uchiha Narong. You may have an impression of him, Lord Hokage; he is a member of Team Six, led by Jonin Aburame Shio. The child has decent talent and a steady temperament, and he recently awakened his Sharingan during a mission."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Hmm, Shio reported that earlier. Awakening a Single Tomoe at ten years old—he is an excellent child. The Uchiha Clan is truly full of talent." His words were gentle, yet they pointed out the village's grasp on the Uchiha's movements.

Fugaku seemed not to hear the subtext and continued: "Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage. Precisely because of this, the clan hopes he can receive better training so he may serve the village more effectively in the future. As for teaching disciples within the village, none are more renowned than the Sannin. We hope that Narong might have the opportunity to study under one of them."

Once these words were spoken, the office fell silent for a moment. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. The Uchiha Clan was taking the initiative to send a clansman to study under the Hokage's direct lineage? This was almost unprecedented.

A flash of light crossed Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, but his expression remained mild as he tapped his pipe gently. "The Sannin are currently unpredictable in their whereabouts. Tsunade has left the village, Jiraiya is constantly traveling abroad, and Orochimaru is busy with... various research projects. Taking on a disciple is likely not easy." He did not refuse directly, but instead pointed out the difficulties, while simultaneously testing Fugaku's true purpose and choice.

Fugaku was clearly prepared. He bowed slightly, his tone sincere yet carrying an unquestionable firmness: "After careful consideration, the clan believes that Lord Orochimaru's field of research and power system might be the most suitable for the further development of the Sharingan. We are well aware that Lord Orochimaru is busy and would not dare to expect him to teach everything he knows; we only hope Narong might have the chance to follow Lord Orochimaru and learn. Even if it is only to receive occasional guidance, it would be a great honor for Narong."

He raised his eyes, looking straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his words carrying deep meaning: "The situation both inside and outside the village is delicate right now, but the Uchiha Clan has always been the Uchiha of Konoha. We believe that through this method, we can further strengthen the connection and trust between the clan and the core of the village. This is also the attitude the Uchiha Clan wishes to demonstrate to you, Lord Hokage, and to the village."

This statement was almost a naked political declaration. The meaning was clear: the Uchiha were willing to lean toward the Hokage's faction, offering a "hostage"—though that was an unpleasant term—to serve as a disciple in exchange for improved relations and room for future growth. Choosing Orochimaru, perhaps in the eyes of Fugaku and Narong, was because Orochimaru's research into forbidden techniques and bloodline limits might be beneficial to the Sharingan, while also avoiding the potentially more complex factional entanglements that might exist with Tsunade or Jiraiya.

Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned back slowly into his chair, smoke shrouding his face, making his specific expression difficult to discern. He calculated rapidly in his mind: this move by Uchiha Fugaku was indeed unexpected. Taking the initiative to send a clansman who had awakened the Sharingan to Orochimaru was a gesture of goodwill, but also a probe. Agreeing meant he could send a signal of reconciliation to the Uchiha, perhaps diluting the growing radical sentiment within the clan, while also allowing for closer monitoring of this Uchiha prospect. As for Orochimaru... although his recent actions were increasingly deviating from the norm, he was his disciple after all, and his obsession with researching bloodline limits was genuine; he might be interested. The risk was whether the combination of the Uchiha's Sharingan and Orochimaru's forbidden research would produce uncontrollable consequences.

But by comparison, the benefits seemed greater. This could be an opportunity to break the stalemate with the Uchiha.

After a moment of silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice steady and powerful: "Clan Head Fugaku, you have put much thought into this. I am deeply gratified that the Uchiha Clan can consider the overall situation of the village in this way. I have some impression of this child, Narong; he is a talent worth cultivating."

He paused, then continued: "Orochimaru is indeed busy with his research, but cultivating excellent descendants for the village is also his responsibility as one of the Sannin. Very well, I will communicate with Orochimaru about this matter personally. However, Clan Head Fugaku must also understand that taking a disciple is a matter of fate; whether he ultimately agrees depends on Orochimaru's own wishes."

This was almost a disguised agreement. Fugaku felt a sense of certainty, knowing the Hokage understood his meaning and had accepted this "transaction." He bowed again, his tone even more solemn: "Thank you, Lord Hokage! Regardless of the outcome, the Uchiha Clan will remember your kindness. If Narong can obtain this opportunity, he will surely strive to cultivate and not fail the expectations of you, Lord Hokage, Lord Orochimaru, and the village."

A conversation with far-reaching implications ended in a seemingly peaceful atmosphere. Uchiha Fugaku took his leave.

Inside the office, the smoke continued to linger.

Utatane Koharu spoke first: "Hiruzen, do you really intend to let Orochimaru take on an Uchiha? Won't this..."

Mitokado Homura also frowned and said: "Orochimaru's recent research direction seems to be leaning more and more toward forbidden techniques."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked out the window at the prosperous Konoha Village with deep eyes and said slowly: "We have no reason to refuse an olive branch offered by the Uchiha. This may be an opportunity to truly bring the power of the Uchiha under the guidance of the Will of Fire. As for Orochimaru..."

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible complexity: "Letting him teach might be just right. After all, his understanding of 'talent' is unique. What we need to focus on is the... change that the Uchiha Clan has demonstrated through this move."

A subtle transaction, initiated by the planning of Uchiha Narong, pushed forward by Uchiha Fugaku, and finally reached within the Hokage Office, was thus concluded.