Plotting

On an ordinary-looking morning, smoke curled through the Hokage Office as Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed documents. The two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were also present, discussing village affairs.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in." Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up.

The door opened, and Uchiha Fugaku walked in, dressed in Uchiha Clan attire and wearing a serious expression. His appearance brought a momentary hush to the office. When the Uchiha Clan Head came to the Hokage Office in person, it was rarely over anything trivial.

"Jonin Fugaku, what can I do for you?" Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pen, his face wearing its usual warm, welcoming smile, though his eyes remained watchful. The two advisors also stopped talking and looked over.

Uchiha Fugaku first bowed to the Hokage and the two advisors. His manner was impeccable, though the reserve and aloofness characteristic of the Uchiha remained. Once he had taken his place, he got straight to the point, his voice steady. "Lord Hokage, I've come today regarding the future of a young member of my clan. I'd also like to discuss the Uchiha Clan's future development in the village with you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Oh? Please, Clan Head Fugaku." He had chosen to address him as "Clan Head," signaling that the discussion would concern matters between the clan and the village.

Fugaku spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. "There's a young Genin in the clan named Uchiha Narong. You may remember him, Lord Hokage. He's a member of Team Six, led by Jonin Aburame Shio. The boy has decent talent and a fairly steady temperament. Recently, he even awakened his Sharingan during a mission."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Yes, Shio reported it earlier. Awakening a Single Tomoe at ten—he's an excellent child. The Uchiha Clan is rich in talent." His tone was gentle, but his words made clear that the village was keeping track of the Uchiha's movements.

Fugaku continued as if he hadn't heard the implication. "Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage. That's precisely why the clan hopes he can receive better training and one day serve the village more effectively. Among those in the village who teach students, none surpass the renowned Sannin. We hope Narong might have the chance to study under one of them."

The office fell silent for a moment. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, both showing surprise. The Uchiha Clan was voluntarily asking to send one of its members to train under someone close to the Hokage? It was practically unprecedented.

A glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, but his expression remained warm. He tapped his pipe lightly. "The Sannin are hard to track down these days. Tsunade has left the village, Jiraiya spends most of his time traveling, and Orochimaru is busy with... various studies. Taking on a student may prove difficult." He didn't refuse outright. Instead, he pointed out the obstacles, while also testing Fugaku's true intentions and preferences.

Fugaku had clearly come prepared. He bowed slightly, his tone sincere yet unwavering. "After careful consideration, the clan believes Lord Orochimaru's field of research and power may be best suited to further developing the Sharingan. We understand that Lord Orochimaru is busy, and wouldn't presume to ask him to teach Narong everything he knows. We only hope Narong might have the chance to study under him. Even receiving occasional guidance would be a great honor for Narong."

He lifted his eyes and met Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze directly, his words carrying a deeper meaning. "The situation inside and outside the village is delicate. The Uchiha Clan has always been Konoha's Uchiha. We believe this would further strengthen the ties of trust between the clan and the village's inner circle. It is also a way for the Uchiha Clan to show its position to you and the village."

His words amounted to an almost blatant political declaration. The meaning was clear: the Uchiha were willing to align themselves with the Hokage's faction, sending one of their own—though "hostage" was an unpleasant word—to become the Hokage's disciple, in exchange for better relations and room to grow in the future. Perhaps Fugaku and Narong had chosen Orochimaru because his research into forbidden techniques and Kekkei Genkai might benefit the Sharingan, while also avoiding the more complicated factional entanglements that might come with Tsunade or Jiraiya.

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly leaned back in his chair. Smoke veiled his face, making his expression difficult to read. His mind raced through the possibilities. Uchiha Fugaku's move had truly caught him off guard. Voluntarily sending a clan member who had awakened the Sharingan to study under Orochimaru was both a gesture of goodwill and a test. Agreeing would send a conciliatory signal to the Uchiha, perhaps helping to divide the increasingly vocal hardliners within the clan, while also allowing the village to keep a closer eye on this promising young Uchiha. As for Orochimaru... though his conduct had been growing more unconventional lately, he was still Hiruzen's student, and he was certainly fascinated by research into Kekkei Genkai. He might be interested. The risk was whether combining the Uchiha's Sharingan with Orochimaru's forbidden research could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Even so, the benefits seemed greater. This might be a chance to break the deadlock with the Uchiha.

After a brief silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice steady and firm. "You've given this a great deal of thought, Clan Head Fugaku. I'm deeply gratified that the Uchiha Clan is willing to consider the village's greater good. I remember Narong as well. He has great potential."

He paused, then continued. "Orochimaru is indeed busy with his research, but training the village's promising young people is also part of his duty as one of the Sannin. I'll speak with him about this myself. But you must understand, Clan Head Fugaku: taking on a student depends on the right connection. Whether he agrees will ultimately be up to Orochimaru."

It was as good as an indirect agreement. Fugaku felt reassured. The Hokage understood what he meant and had accepted the "deal." He bowed again, his tone even more formal. "Thank you, Lord Hokage! Whatever the outcome, the Uchiha Clan will remember your kindness. If Narong is granted this opportunity, he will train hard and live up to the expectations of you, Lord Hokage, Lord Orochimaru, and the village."

A consequential conversation came to an end in an apparently peaceful atmosphere. Uchiha Fugaku took his leave.

Smoke still curled through the office.

Utatane Koharu spoke first. "Hiruzen, are you really planning to let Orochimaru take on an Uchiha? Could this..."

Mitokado Homura frowned as well. "Orochimaru's recent research seems to be leaning more and more toward forbidden techniques."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed out the window at the thriving village of Konoha and spoke slowly. "The Uchiha have extended an olive branch. We have no reason to refuse it. This may be a chance to bring the Uchiha's power under the guidance of the Will of Fire. As for Orochimaru..."

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of complexity. "Having him teach the boy may be just right. After all, his understanding of 'talent' is unique. What we need to pay attention to is the... change the Uchiha Clan has revealed through this gesture."

And so a delicate deal, sparked by Uchiha Narong's plan, advanced by Uchiha Fugaku, and sealed in the Hokage Office, was struck.