Konoha's Four and the Uchiha

"Yi, you're back?"

"The teacher said yesterday that you took leave because something happened at home. Is everything all right?"

The next day, when Uchiha Yi returned to the classroom, curious classmates came over to ask. He might have been an Uchiha, but he was nothing like the arrogant members of his clan.

As an heir to the Will of Fire, Yi had always conducted himself impeccably. Unlike other Uchiha, he did not hold his head high and look down his nose at everyone.

Yi got along with both children from other clans and civilian students. When someone asked him about training, he patiently taught them.

Of course, Yi could not share his clan's ninjutsu. His clan would never allow it, for one thing, and the village would not stand for it either.

The village still needed ninjutsu to keep civilian ninja dependent on it. If the Hokage never did them any favors, how would they remember his kindness? It was a way to win their loyalty.

Yi could be friends with his classmates, but he could not take over the Hokage's role.

After hearing that something had happened at Yi's home, his classmates came over to check on him.

The civilian students did not know the details at first, but the children from ninja clans understood what had happened.

Kagami Uchiha, one of Konoha's foremost fighters, had died!

Could Yi really be unaffected?

"Don't worry. I'm all right." Yi waved a hand dismissively. Sensing his classmates' concern, he smiled and said, "My father gave his life to protect his comrades in the village. He never regretted it, not for a moment, and he never would.

"I'll carry on his will and pass down the Will of Fire.

"So don't worry about me. I won't let grief consume me!"

Yi's words moved everyone, especially Blondie, who sat in front of him. There was something different in Blondie's gaze as he looked at Yi: a hint of recognition, perhaps, or the feeling that they shared the same ideals.

Just as I thought. Yi understood the Will of Fire, too!

What none of them knew was that, inside the Hokage's office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, his adviser Shimura Danzō, and the elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were watching the scene through the Crystal Ball.

"It seems Yi has inherited Kagami's Will of Fire." Koharu studied Yi's image with an unreadable expression. Only after a long while did she speak with a sigh.

Homura glanced at Koharu. "Still, it's strange that he's come to terms with Kagami's death so quickly."

"There's nothing strange about it. You can't say Yi doesn't care about people. If he hadn't cared about Kagami, if he were truly coldhearted, he wouldn't have awakened his Sharingan.

"Don't forget Teacher Tobirama's research on the Sharingan." Koharu frowned, but she still spoke up for Yi.

Homura looked toward Danzō. Danzō was staring at Yi with an unfathomable gaze, but he said nothing.

"Ahem." Hiruzen finally spoke. "That's enough. There's no question that Yi has inherited Kagami's will and the Will of Fire.

"Our main concern this time is the girl from the Uzumaki Clan.

"As for Yi, we only need to watch for any adverse effects from awakening his Sharingan.

"And having a Sharingan doesn't necessarily make him a threat to Konoha.

"Remember, even after Kagami awakened those legendary eyes, he still loved Konoha. In the end, he gave his life for the village."

With that, Hiruzen glanced at Danzō. He left certain things unsaid, though a trace of suspicion had taken hold in his heart.

Danzō and Kagami had gone on that mission together, accompanied by quite a few members of Root. In the end, to get the girl back safely, Kagami had told Danzō to take Kushina while he stayed behind to cover their retreat.

It all seemed reasonable. Even Kushina could corroborate Danzō's account. Root had nearly been wiped out trying to recover Kagami's body, yet his Mangekyō Sharingan had vanished.

But Hiruzen was Danzō's closest friend and knew him better than anyone. He remained suspicious of him.

What troubled Hiruzen even more was the evidence on Kagami's body. The fatal wound had come from an exceptionally powerful Fire Release technique, which made him suspect the Uchiha Clan as well.

Among the ninja of the Shinobi World, Hiruzen himself ranked among the top three in the strength of his Fire Release. He was more adept at using the Five Nature Transformations, though.

Beyond him, there was Kagami himself—and the other members of the Uchiha Clan.

That left Hiruzen deeply distrustful of the Uchiha Clan, especially the clan leader's branch.

Kagami had been their classmate and a bridge between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. Hiruzen had been willing to trust him. He would not have granted Kagami much authority, but when it came to dealing with the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen had been prepared to support him completely.

As long as Kagami was there, the Uchiha Clan would not pose a major threat. Hiruzen had high hopes for Yi, but the boy was still too young.

That was why Hiruzen had not pursued the matter, even though Danzō might have taken Kagami's eyes. Better Danzō than the Uchiha Clan.

If Kagami's eyes had still been there, Hiruzen truly would not have known what to do with them.

"Monkey has a point. Yi is Kagami's son, after all. We'll need his help to keep the Uchiha at ease in the future, so we should give him some support." Koharu's words left Homura with nothing to say.

If he objected now, he really would seem coldhearted.

Whatever their relationships had become, they were still comrades who could trust one another to watch their backs.

Kagami had saved Homura's life more than once.

"Why not leave him to me?" Danzō, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "I guarantee I'll make him Konoha's strongest ninja. It's the best path for him. In Root, he'll receive the finest training resources, and he won't have to worry about the Uchiha Clan turning against him."