Hiruzen Sarutobi Began to Waver

"Hiruzen, Uchiha Yi has already reached Jonin level," Shimura Danzō said, hurrying into the Hokage's office. His tone was grim.

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

Uchiha Yi was exceptionally gifted, and he had Mito Uzumaki's guidance. Reaching Jonin level at seven or eight seemed astonishing, but it was not entirely beyond belief.

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

How could Hiruzen be pleased that Uchiha Yi was so talented?

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

Uchiha 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 Uchiha Yi or to them?

If Uchiha Yi wanted to become Hokage then, would they stop him or not?

Danzo could accept Uchiha Yi being a genius. He could not accept the boy being so gifted that he threatened Danzo's power, much less becoming an obstacle to Danzo's own path to the Hokage's seat.

"So what if he's an Uchiha? He's Kagami's son." Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him for a moment before grasping what Shimura 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, the Shinobi World War is about to begin. The stronger Uchiha Yi is, the better. I wish he could rival Madara Uchiha right now. Let's see if the other villages would dare make a move then."

There was one thing Hiruzen Sarutobi left unsaid: Uchiha Yi was his student's student. No matter how he looked at it, the boy was one of his own.

Over the past year, Hiruzen Sarutobi had treated Uchiha Yi quite well. He had given him weapons and ninjutsu, withholding none of the benefits the boy was due.

If Uchiha Yi truly grew into a second Madara Uchiha, would he need a few military achievements before becoming Hokage?

Why not start with a modest goal and unify the Shinobi World? Everyone would remember Uchiha Yi's contribution, but they would also remember that it had happened during the reign of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Surely Hiruzen would earn himself a title like Taizong then?

Once Uchiha Yi had grown strong enough, Hiruzen could hand him the Hokage's seat. They could live in harmony. That did not seem entirely unacceptable.

But from the look of it, Danzo was prejudiced against Uchiha Yi.

The boy was well-behaved. He had even earned Mito Uzumaki's approval.

Uchiha Yi might be an Uchiha, but Tsunade and Mito Uzumaki taught him, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him lessons now and then. No one in Konoha had a more impeccable upbringing.

If Uchiha Yi still had no love for Konoha or the Will of Fire, Hiruzen's own father, Sarutobi Sasuke, might as well change his surname and call himself Sasuke Uchiha.

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

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

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

"And Kagami came to love Konoha even more." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shimura Danzō an odd look. "Don't worry. You're Yi's uncle, after all. Even if he becomes Hokage one day, he won't make things difficult for you."

Oh, for fuck's sake!

Shimura Danzō was so furious he laughed. Who wanted to see Uchiha Yi become Hokage?

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

He felt like a clown.

At last, Shimura Danzō played his trump card. "What about the village resources you've been using to support the Sarutobi Clan? When the Senju Clan dissolved, many resources that should have gone to ordinary villagers ended up with your clan after you became Hokage.

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

"The talented ninjas in your clan hold important posts. You placed the less talented ones in safe positions in the Finance Department, the Ninja Academy, and the Medical Department. Can you honestly say there's nothing wrong with that?

"Even one of the dogs your second uncle, Sarutobi Kojirō, keeps has an official position."

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

"I'm not threatening you. I'm telling you the truth. Uchiha Yi is close to you. He won't threaten or attack you. But what about your clan?

"Don't forget, he'll have the entire Uchiha Clan to look after. Does Konoha have that many positions to spare? Do you think he won't go after your clansmen?" Shimura Danzō's voice turned cold. "Sarutobi, once you became Hokage and your clan reaped the benefits, there was no turning back. If you won't think of yourself, think of your clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. If Uchiha Yi had not been so exceptional, Hiruzen would indeed have wanted Orochimaru to become the next Hokage. Orochimaru was an orphan. His rise would not threaten the Sarutobi Clan, and the clan could help him secure the position. Both sides would benefit.

Once Orochimaru became Hokage, they could back another ninja without clan ties for the position. The Sarutobi Clan would be secure for generations as an established faction behind the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could have realized all this on his own. But the pressure of the coming war was immense, and he desperately wanted Uchiha Yi to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

"Sarutobi, Uchiha Yi needs to be kept in check. He's no longer suited to balancing the Uchiha. Why not hand him over to me? My Root needs someone as capable as him.

"I'll train him well, as my successor in Root. We owe Kagami that much." Shimura Danzō spoke with easy confidence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fixed Shimura Danzō with a penetrating stare. Danzo felt a chill run down his spine. For a moment, it seemed Hiruzen had seen right through him.

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi had refused Shimura Danzō, but he no longer called Yi "that child." He used Uchiha Yi's full name instead. Danzo's words had plainly left their mark.