Hiruzen Sarutobi Began to Waver

"Hiruzen, Uchiha Yi has already reached Jonin level," Shimura Danzō said, hurrying into the Hokage Office with a troubled look.

"Jonin level already? That's Kagami's son for you." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then smiled with delight.

Yi was gifted, and Mito Uzumaki had been teaching him. It seemed astonishing for a seven- or eight-year-old to reach Jonin level, but it was not entirely unbelievable.

"Don't be a fool! He's an Uchiha!" Danzō had clearly not expected that reaction. He glared at Hiruzen.

How could Hiruzen be pleased that Yi was so talented?

Had Hiruzen forgotten how the Uchiha Clan had made things difficult for them when they returned to Konoha and sought its support for his bid to become Hokage?

Yi was already as strong as a Jonin. Would he reach Kage level at ten and rival Madara Uchiha at fifteen?

When that happened, would Konoha answer to Yi or to them?

And if Yi wanted to become Hokage, would they stop him or not?

Danzō could tolerate Yi being a genius. What he could not tolerate was Yi becoming so exceptional that he threatened Danzō's power and stood in the way of his own ambition to become Hokage.

"So what if he's an Uchiha? He's Kagami's son." Hiruzen looked startled for a moment, then understood what Danzō meant. He took a puff from his pipe and said earnestly, "Whatever else he is, he's our nephew. One day, he'll be a pillar of Konoha.

"Besides, a Shinobi World War is about to begin. The stronger Yi is, the better. I'd be delighted if he could rival Madara Uchiha right now. Let's see whether the other villages would dare make a move then."

There was one thing Hiruzen did not say: Yi was his student's student, one of Hiruzen's own people.

Over the past year, Hiruzen had treated Yi quite well. He had given him weapons and Ninjutsu and had withheld none of the benefits he was due.

If Yi truly grew into a second Madara Uchiha, would he not need some military achievements before becoming Hokage?

Why not start with a modest goal and unify the Shinobi World? Everyone would remember Yi's contribution, but they would also remember that it happened under the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Surely Hiruzen would earn a title like Taizong for that.

Once Yi had grown strong enough, Hiruzen could pass the Hokage title to him. They could get along in harmony. That did not seem entirely unacceptable.

But judging by Danzō's attitude, he seemed prejudiced against Yi.

Yi was a well-behaved child, and he had even won Mito Uzumaki's approval.

Yi might be an Uchiha, but Tsunade and Mito Uzumaki taught him, and even Hiruzen himself occasionally gave him lessons. No one in Konoha had been raised more firmly in its ways.

If Yi had no love for Konoha or the Will of Fire in his heart, Hiruzen's own father, Sarutobi Sasuke, might as well change his name to Sasuke Uchiha.

"The Uchiha are uncontrollable!" Danzō looked at Hiruzen in exasperation. "We won't be able to keep this secret for long. Once the Uchiha find out, they certainly won't sit quietly.

"What if they use it to pressure us during the war?

"And don't forget the Mangekyō Sharingan. Even Kagami once said that awakening it drastically changes an Uchiha's personality and makes him increasingly extreme."

"And Kagami grew to love Konoha even more." Hiruzen gave Danzō a curious look. "Don't worry. You're Yi's uncle too. Even if he becomes Hokage someday, he won't make things difficult for you."

Oh, for—!

Danzō was so angry he almost laughed. Who wanted to see Yi become Hokage?

That position is mine! Mine! Anyone who competes with me for it is my enemy!

He felt like a clown.

At last, Danzō brought out his trump card. "What about the village resources you've used to support the Sarutobi Clan? When the Senju Clan dissolved and you became Hokage, a good portion of the resources meant for ordinary people went to your clan instead.

"Yes, you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, haven't taken so much as a needle or thread from the people. But what about your clansmen?

"You've placed talented Sarutobi shinobi in important posts, while those without talent have been given safe positions in the Finance Department, the Ninja Academy, and the Medical Department. Can you honestly say there's nothing wrong with that?

"Your second uncle, Sarutobi Kojirō, even has a dog with an official position."

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened at once. "Danzō, are you threatening me?"

"I'm not threatening you. I'm telling you how things stand. Yi is close to you, so he won't threaten or attack you. But what about your clan?

"Don't forget that he'll have the entire Uchiha Clan to look after. Konoha doesn't have that many positions to spare. Do you think he won't go after your clansmen?" Danzō asked coldly. "Hiruzen, ever since you became Hokage and your clan began benefiting from it, there's been no turning back. If you won't think of yourself, think of your clan."

Hiruzen fell silent. If Yi had not been so outstanding, he would indeed have wanted Orochimaru to become the next Hokage. Orochimaru was an orphan. His becoming Hokage would not threaten the Sarutobi Clan, which could even help him secure the position. The two sides could support each other.

Then, once Orochimaru had served as Hokage, they could back a shinobi without clan ties for the position. The Sarutobi Clan could rest easy from then on as part of the established Hokage faction.

Hiruzen should have recognized all this on his own. But the looming war weighed too heavily on him, and he desperately wanted Yi to grow stronger as soon as possible.

"Hiruzen, Yi needs to be held in check. He's no longer suitable as a counterweight to the Uchiha Clan. Why not hand him over to me? Root needs someone as capable as him.

"I'll train him well and raise him as Root's successor. That would be doing right by Kagami, too," Danzō said confidently.

Hiruzen fixed Danzō with a deep, searching stare. Danzō felt a chill run down his spine. For a moment, it seemed as though Hiruzen could see right through him.

After a long silence, Hiruzen finally said, "Uchiha Yi will not join Root. He's Kagami's son, and I choose to trust him."

Though Hiruzen had refused Danzō, he no longer called Yi "that child." He had used his full name instead. Clearly, Danzō's words had left their mark.