Sarutobi's Scheme: Winter Break Arrives

Yuhi Shinku held an important position within Konoha's power center—the director of the Administrative Information Department at the Hokage Office Building.

Though the position appeared inconspicuous, it actually controlled critical matters such as intelligence circulation, official document drafting, low-level mission assignments, and the calculation of ninja salaries and benefits. It was essentially the nerve center and logistical backbone of Konoha's entire administrative system.

As a result, he needed to meet with and coordinate matters face-to-face with the Hokage extremely frequently every day.

That morning, as usual, he neatly placed a stack of documents awaiting review on the Hokage's desk. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to him.

"Shinku," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, setting down his pipe in a conversational tone. "I heard your Kurenai has been getting rather close to that child from the Uchiha Clan, the one named Hara. Do you... approve of him?"

Yuhi Shinku was not surprised that the Hokage knew about it.

The Hidden Leaf Village was not large to begin with. The Yuhi Family grounds bordered the Sarutobi Clan grounds, and Uchiha Hara had visited the Yuhi household several times. It was only natural that members of the Sarutobi Clan would notice and report it.

He stopped, then answered respectfully and frankly.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I have observed that child. He is diligent and hardworking by nature, humble and eager to learn in his dealings with others. Most importantly, he does not possess the... excessively obvious arrogance common among the Uchiha. I believe this may be related to his losing both parents at a young age and lacking that sort of environment and upbringing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded. Through the curling smoke, his eyes looked thoughtful. "An Uchiha who is not arrogant... Besides him, there is also Uchiha Obito. That child is an orphan as well. Further back, Uchiha Kagami was also an orphan, and his son seemed not to be the overbearing sort either."

He paused, lightly tapping his fingers against the desk. "It seems the Uchiha's arrogance may not be an innate trait of their bloodline. It may be more a matter of their later environment, with those proud and haughty clansmen passing their mannerisms down to the next generation."

He looked at Yuhi Shinku, his tone carrying a note of instruction. "Since Uchiha Hara has no parents to guide him, you, as an elder, must put more effort into him and take on the responsibility of teaching him. Do not let him be led astray by the bad influences within his clan."

"Yes, Lord Hokage, I understand." Yuhi Shinku promptly agreed.

He understood that this was not merely a reminder. It also represented Sarutobi Hiruzen's tacit approval, perhaps even his satisfaction, with the relationship between Kurenai Yuhi and Uchiha Hara.

Not long after Yuhi Shinku left the office, Shimura Danzo entered, leaning on his cane and walking with steady steps.

He got straight to the point, his tone carrying its usual cold hardness.

"Hiruzen, have you already had Yuhi Shinku make a move on that Uchiha Hara from the Ninja Academy? You cannot keep such a fine opportunity to obtain Uchiha bloodlines all to yourself."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly at that. "Danzo, what nonsense are you talking about? The children are in love of their own free will."

"In love of their own free will?" A trace of mockery flashed through Danzo's lone eye. "You and I both know when members of the Uchiha Clan ever understood 'free love.' It was clearly arranged by you. I have girls of suitable age on my side as well. Help me arrange it. Once a marriage alliance succeeds, the descendants they produce will become both Root's strength and Konoha's strength."

In a sense, what he said did make some sense. Perhaps because of their inherently powerful Yin-natured chakra, the Uchiha Clan did not have particularly active hormone secretion and generally did not enjoy pursuing women.

However, this year's class had produced two exceptions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a headache coming on. Patiently, he explained, "Danzo, your thinking is too extreme. The Uchiha's traits are not impossible to change. This year's Ninja Academy has not only Uchiha Hara, but also a child named Uchiha Obito, who likewise harbors affection for a girl in his class. I have even heard that there is a girl in the clan named Uchiha Mei who has her eye on a man from outside the clan. This shows that the Uchiha Clan's thousand-year policy of isolation has already begun to crack."

He took a deep drag from his pipe and slowly exhaled. "This is an opportunity. Using Uchiha Hara and Obito as examples, we can proceed step by step and allow the Uchiha to truly integrate into the village. That is far more stable and far more beneficial in the long run than acquiring their bloodlines through your extreme methods. What we need is living water, not a stagnant pool enraged into stillness."

The Nine-Tails Rebellion had not yet occurred. Danzo had also yet to undergo a Hashirama Cells transplant. Though he did harbor a desire for the Sharingan, it had not yet reached the point where he would stop at nothing to obtain it.

While neither of them particularly liked the Uchiha, their attitudes had not yet reached the point of wanting to destroy them outright.

They hoped even more that the Uchiha could integrate into the village.

How were they to integrate?

Naturally, through marriage.

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen analyze the matter from the perspective of village integration, Danzo fell silent for a moment and reluctantly accepted the explanation.

It was precisely because of this shared understanding of "integration" rather than "extermination" that Sarutobi Hiruzen had previously stopped his son Asuma from pestering Kurenai Yuhi.

On a politician's scales, the village's long-term interests outweighed his son's adolescent infatuation by far.

"Even if you are right," Danzo said, his tone easing somewhat but without giving up, "if it is 'free love,' then surely I can have my people pursue 'free love' as well? You must give me a slot. I will arrange for someone to enter the Ninja Academy and make contact."

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew how stubborn Danzo was. Even if he refused, Danzo might still act in secret.

Or if he was not allowed to do it, he would ruin Hiruzen's plans instead.

On second thought, allowing Uchiha Hara to meet girls from different backgrounds and broaden his horizons was probably not a bad thing. So he nodded in agreement. "Fine, but remember this: there may only be normal contact and guidance. You must never use force or any extraordinary methods."

"Hmph. I know my limits." Danzo snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Thus, the following day, Class 1-A welcomed a new transfer student.

The girl had neat, short golden hair and a round face. When she smiled, she had a natural warmth that made her look sweet and lovable.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Yakushi Nonō." Standing at the podium, she spoke gently and clearly. "I am an orphan. I understand the hardships orphans face, so my dream is... to hope that there will no longer be any orphans in this world."

When the half-asleep Uchiha Hara heard that name, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Is that her?

After hearing her declaration of dreams, he became even more certain.

However, the future Yakushi Nonō belonged to Root. Had the current Yakushi Nonō already joined Root, or would Danzo recruit her only in the future? He could not determine that for the moment.

Still, she is an exceptionally rare talent, Uchiha Hara evaluated inwardly.

Perhaps I can recruit her in the future, but it is still too early now.

He was still in his developmental years. He had no plans to make waves, nor did he intend to build any sort of enterprise, so his need for talent was not urgent.

He even considered that perhaps waiting until Danzo forced her and Yakushi Kabuto to slaughter each other, as in the original story, before saving her would earn her loyalty more effectively.

He guessed that Yakushi Nonō's transfer at this time had to come with a mission, most likely arranged by Danzo. As for the target, he could not be sure. It might even be himself.

In truth, Yakushi Nonō did indeed have a mission. However, she was far more intelligent than ordinary people and deeply understood human nature. She knew that haste made waste.

She did not rush to carry out any obvious "mission." Instead, she quickly integrated into campus life, listened attentively in class, treated others politely, and worked hard to play the role of an ordinary student who was diligent and eager to learn.

This style of operating—placing the profession she played above intelligence gathering—was precisely the key to her later success infiltrating all sides and earning the title of the Wandering Shrine Maiden.

Rather than deliberately pursuing intelligence, she first became a trusted "nurse," "teacher," or "student." Then valuable intelligence would naturally flow to her instead.

Time quietly passed amid peaceful campus life, and in the blink of an eye, a week had gone by.

Uchiha Hara had thought the holiday would not arrive until after New Year's Day. Unexpectedly, on December 24, homeroom teacher Daisuke Nakano announced that winter break had officially begun. The break would last three weeks, beginning on December 25 and ending on January 14, with classes officially resuming on January 15.

"Winter break is here..." Uchiha Hara packed his schoolbag and watched the fine snow beginning to fall outside the window. A plan had already formed in his mind.

It was time for him to leave home.

He would head to the Daimyo's Court and exchange his enormous, steadily depreciating pile of cash for hard currency that could hold its value—gold.

At the same time, perhaps he could inquire along the way about the whereabouts of that medical master, Tsunade.