Shinichi's plans for the future

As Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in the center of the conference room and delivered his inaugural address as Hokage, Shinichi paid little attention.

He was neither surprised by the outcome nor interested in it.

—The position of Hokage had always been the product of strength, politics, and prestige intertwined.

Although Danzo resented the result, he had no chance of turning things around while Tobirama was still alive.

As for his father, Uchiha Raishin, he might have been one of the candidates, but that was merely a symbolic gesture to give the Uchiha Clan some face. When it came to the actual vote, the vast majority of clans and senior officials would never choose him.

Still, Shinichi knew very well that this vote did more than decide the next Hokage. It would also shape Konoha's future political landscape.

Konoha still follows the policies of the First Hokage and old man Tobirama, but that won't last forever...

Once old man Tobirama steps down, Sarutobi, Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu—the "Konoha F4"—will truly take control of the village. And their methods are different from Tobirama's, after all.

Shinichi narrowed his eyes and leaned lazily against his chair, sweeping his gaze over everyone in the conference room.

Uchiha Raishin's expression remained unchanged, as though the election result meant nothing to him. He even smiled faintly and applauded lightly after Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted the cloak symbolizing the Hokage's office.

Dad... are you really not interested, or are you just hiding it that well?

As one of the Uchiha Clan's representatives, Raishin had always maintained a steady stance. Unlike some of the clan's radicals, he bore no resentment toward the Senju Clan or Konoha High Command. Instead, he had consistently shown a willingness to cooperate.

Shinichi knew that his father's stance would affect the Uchiha Clan's future.

But no matter what, I can't let the Uchiha Clan end up being massacred...

At that thought, a deep glint flashed through Shinichi's eyes.

By then, the vote and handover ceremony in the conference room were drawing to a close.

Hiruzen Sarutobi officially became the Third Hokage, and the senior officials gradually dispersed, returning to their posts to handle various postwar affairs.

Shinichi was about to seize the chance to slip away when a large hand landed on his shoulder.

"You little brat, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

The low, commanding voice sounded beside his ear. Shinichi turned to find Tobirama Senju's sharp eyes fixed on him.

—That familiar, oppressive presence.

"Uh... old man Tobirama, what do you want?" Shinichi asked lazily.

Tobirama gave him a long look, his voice steady. "The Hokage handover is complete. You should prepare yourself for what comes next."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "Prepare myself?"

Tobirama nodded. "Many things will change now that Sarutobi has taken office. As both a member of the Uchiha Clan and my student, you won't be able to keep taking it easy."

Shinichi's heart sank.

Oh no. Is he going to start assigning me missions?

Sure enough, Tobirama continued, "After this meeting, I'll officially place you in the ANBU Reserve. You'll need to start taking on high-level missions."

The corner of Shinichi's mouth twitched.

"ANBU? Seriously? I'm only seven!"

He hurriedly waved his hands. "Old man Tobirama, I'm just a kid! Isn't sending me into ANBU a little inhumane?"

Tobirama snorted. "Don't use your age as an excuse. Your performance on the battlefield has more than proven that you possess Kage Level combat strength."

Shinichi's mouth twitched. Kage Level combat strength, my ass. I just know how to make good use of my cheats!

But Tobirama gave him no chance to refuse. "Starting tomorrow, you'll undergo some preliminary training. Once you actually join ANBU, I'll personally arrange your operations."

Shinichi sighed inwardly. Knowing there was no way out, he could only nod helplessly. "All right, all right. I get it..."

It seemed his days of lazing around were well and truly over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's era as Hokage had officially begun.

Shinichi realized that he was about to be drawn into an even more complicated political maelstrom.

But whatever the future held, he had to ensure that both he and the Uchiha Clan survived, and prevent tragedy from repeating itself.

Night settled over the Uchiha Clan Compound, its lights dotting the darkness, tranquil yet imposing.

Shinichi walked slowly along the familiar streets, the Uchiha Clan Crest on his clothes appearing and disappearing in the dim light. His gaze was deep, while countless thoughts churned within him.

That old dog Danzo... he really is a threat waiting to happen.

Recalling the day's Hokage succession ceremony, he remembered clearly the resentment and restraint Shimura Danzō had displayed after Hiruzen Sarutobi took office.

The man might have lost the vote, but his ambition remained undimmed. He was a venomous snake that lay low and waited for his moment. Given an opening, he would strike—and his bite would be fatal.

Shinichi quietly weighed his options. I'll have to deal with Danzo's threat sooner or later... I can't let him set up that whole Root operation.

He had no intention of waiting until Danzo truly controlled Konoha's dark side, plotting the Uchiha Clan Massacre, researching kekkei genkai, and stealing other people's powers... all of it had to be nipped in the bud!

But... old man Tobirama probably has plans of his own.

Shinichi's gaze sharpened slightly as Tobirama Senju's deep eyes surfaced in his mind.

He's probably already realized that he doesn't have much time left...

Tobirama had shown no trace of weakness during the meeting, but Shinichi's perception of him was exceptionally keen. He could sense that Tobirama's life force was ebbing away irreversibly.

The man's life was like a candle burned down to its end, liable to go out at any moment.

Unlike Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju lacked the heaven-defying regenerative power of a sage body. Even as one of the strongest figures in the shinobi world, his body could not withstand the ravages of age and war forever.

Shinichi narrowed his eyes and considered the matter calmly—

He's probably already making his final arrangements.

An old fox like Tobirama could not possibly have missed Danzo's ambition, nor would he allow the Konoha he had worked so hard to maintain to fall into the hands of an extremist force like Danzo's.

And Shinichi... was very likely one of the final "bargaining chips" Tobirama had left behind.

Is he sending me into ANBU to keep an eye on Danzo, or does he have something else in mind?

Tobirama's trust in Shinichi had already reached a certain level. Otherwise, he would never have taken him as his student personally or granted him such extensive autonomy.

Even so, Shinichi knew very well that the old man was a realist through and through. He would never nurture an Uchiha for nothing, without getting the return he wanted.

What does he want me to do?

Standing on the stone-paved road in the Uchiha Clan Compound, Shinichi looked up at the night sky and silently worked through the possibilities.

Tobirama would not have taken him as a student without reason.

Having him join ANBU was certainly about more than simply making him "carry out missions."

Shinichi was certain that Tobirama Senju already viewed him as some kind of "key piece." Perhaps it was to counter Danzo, perhaps to maintain stability, or perhaps... for some major plan he had yet to reveal.

—What exactly was Tobirama's ultimate goal?

Whatever he's planning, I need to make preparations of my own.

Shinichi narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint, cold smile curling his lips.

Since old man Tobirama intended to use him as a final bargaining chip, he would turn that to his own advantage, seize what he needed, and eliminate the future's destabilizing factors one by one.

—Danzo's threat had to be weakened.

—The Uchiha Clan's fate had to remain in his own hands.

—Konoha's future could not follow history into decline.

Shinichi slowly clenched his fists and drew a deep breath.

This game is almost at the middlegame...

Which means it's my turn next.

His lips lifted slightly as he walked deeper into the Uchiha Residence.

—It was time to set up a game of his own.

Konoha's night was quiet and deep. Stars dotted the sky, and a light breeze stirred the lights of the Uchiha Clan Compound, making them flicker.

Shinichi stood in the courtyard of his family's residence, looking up at the sky with a faint smile, though his thoughts had already wandered far away.

Orochimaru has already set out on his own path, and Danzo's future won't be as smooth as it was in the original timeline.

A meaningful smile lingered on his lips, and a sharp gleam flickered in his obsidian eyes.

That old dog Danzo has already lost his most valuable helper.

In the original story's history, one of Danzo's greatest trump cards had been Orochimaru—the genius scientist who researched countless forbidden techniques for him and ultimately helped him cultivate his "Sharingan arm."

Now, however, Orochimaru had successfully forged an independent will of his own. He had long since freed himself from Danzo's influence and begun focusing on his own research rather than becoming someone else's pawn.

That meant Danzo's future operations would lack their strongest scientific support, preventing him from easily producing the horrifying results of those dark experiments.

Danzo has fewer and fewer cards to play, while my bargaining chips keep growing.

Shinichi drew his gaze back and turned toward the heart of the Uchiha Clan Compound, where a storm was quietly brewing around the election of a new clan head.

Kagami Uchiha was still alive. Although he had been gravely wounded in the war, he remained the Uchiha Clan's acting head. Now, however, the clan faced a crucial question—

Who would steer the Uchiha's future?

Kagami Uchiha, or Setsuna?

—Or perhaps his own father?

The Uchiha Clan is about to formally elect a new head, and the clan's loyalties are splitting.

Shinichi frowned slightly as he considered the current situation.

The Uchiha Clan could roughly be divided into two factions:

Some still leaned toward Konoha. They preferred to maintain a balance with the village and did not want the Uchiha to turn to extremism.

These people generally sided with Kagami Uchiha, believing his leadership could continue to stabilize relations between the clan and the village.

Others were beginning to resent the status quo. They wanted the Uchiha to break free of the Senju's influence and secure a greater say within Konoha.

They wanted a tougher, more aggressive leader to guide the clan, and Uchiha Setsuna was the potential candidate they favored.

Because Shinichi had made considerable changes to the original timeline, Uchiha Setsuna, who should have led a rebellion, was still keeping his ambitions hidden.

Ever since Uchiha Shinichi's appearance had completely altered the course of Konoha's history, many events that had once been destined to happen had quietly been rewritten.

Yet history's inertia could never be resisted completely. Some undercurrents still stirred in the darkness...

Then what about my father?

Uchiha Raishin, Shinichi's father, was also one of the current candidates, but his influence was relatively weak compared with Kagami Uchiha's and Setsuna's.

Raishin's experience was unremarkable, and his achievements were hardly dazzling. He had received little support even among the Uchiha elders.

Yet Shinichi smiled faintly, confidence glimmering in his eyes.

No, Father's greatest achievement is—having me as his son.

Hehe. Sure enough, I'm his biggest trump card.

Shinichi thought with complete confidence, a mischievous smile curling his lips.

Although Raishin's personal credentials were limited, his son was already enough to make the Uchiha Clan reassess his value.

—After all, Uchiha Shinichi had now become someone all of Konoha could no longer ignore.

He was Tobirama Senju's student, the genius who had created the Handless Jutsu "Rasengan," a powerful fighter even the Third Raikage had to take seriously, and the "legendary boy" who had turned the tide on the battlefield and saved the Second Hokage!

At just seven years old, he had already become a rising star throughout the shinobi world.

A genius like him would undoubtedly become a vital cornerstone of the Uchiha's future.

So... whoever wins this election, I won't be someone they can overlook.

Shinichi slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air.

Whether Kagami Uchiha remained in office, Setsuna claimed the position, or Raishin scored an upset victory, the entire clan's future would be closely tied to him, Uchiha Shinichi.

Before Root is established, I need to bring as many of Danzo's future powerful pawns into my camp as possible.

In the original storyline, Danzo had used Konoha High Command's authority to gather numerous geniuses and promising talents, molding them into cold, ruthless shinobi—the sharpest blades in his hands.

Among them, Yakushi Nonō was an especially important figure.

She was not only an elite member of Konoha's intelligence network, but also Kabuto Yakushi's future adoptive mother.

And Kabuto Yakushi—if he escaped Danzo and Orochimaru's control, that astonishing genius in intelligence and medical ninjutsu would become an immensely powerful asset to any faction.

More importantly, Shinichi knew that Konoha had yet to fully notice the growth of certain geniuses or recognize the potential value of some unusual individuals. Those were perfect opportunities for him to make his moves in advance.

If I can put Yakushi Nonō's abilities to use, perhaps I can change Kabuto's future, so he won't have to search for a sense of belonging while lost and ultimately fall under Danzo and Orochimaru's control.

Shinichi's lips rose slightly, calculation gleaming in his eyes.

Besides Yakushi Nonō, there was also Hiruko.

In the original history, that unfortunate genius had been overlooked by Konoha, eventually turning to extremism and becoming a rogue shinobi.

His "Corpse Puppet" and "Cell Cloning" techniques were by no means inferior to Orochimaru's research. Konoha simply had not given him enough support, leaving his talents buried and ultimately forcing him to rely on "human sacrifices" to continue his experiments.

If I can bring him into my faction before Konoha completely shuts him out, my future research capabilities will far surpass Orochimaru's independent laboratory.

Shinichi narrowed his eyes. He knew very well that his current position was both unusual and sensitive.

He was Tobirama Senju's student, the Uchiha Clan's genius, and a young battlefield hero. At the same time, however, he knew Konoha High Command had not entirely let down its guard around him.

To change all of this, I need greater power—not just personal strength, but an organization of my own.

If he wanted to truly influence the shinobi world's future, personal strength alone would not be enough. He had to establish his own influence and control sufficient resources and talent to take the lead amid the changes ahead.

And yet...

Damn it, my Sharingan still hasn't awakened.

Shinichi could not help frowning. This was also one of his greatest sources of confusion.

The Uchiha Clan's kekkei genkai—the Sharingan—represented their greatest power, but its awakening also came with pain and a price.

I don't want to awaken my Sharingan through "loss."

Shinichi's fists tightened slightly. He knew very well that the power of the Uchiha bloodline often awakened alongside tragedy.

He did not want to be like other members of his clan, forced to experience the death of someone dear or profound hatred before he could unlock that power.

But—

The system once offered a "Three-Tomoe Sharingan" as a reward. That means it has a way to grant me a Sharingan directly, or even... a higher-level ocular technique.

Shinichi narrowed his eyes as a thought flashed through his mind.

That also means I can gain abilities like Obito Uchiha's, or even the Rinnegan... it's just that the missions will definitely be extremely difficult.

He drew a deep breath and gazed into the distant night sky.

If I want to keep the future from spiraling out of control, I have to make my moves in advance, not simply wait for the wheels of history to roll onward.

Danzo, I'll destroy every one of your future trump cards.

Konoha's future won't be yours to control.

Shinichi's lips curled slightly into a meaningful smile.

In this game, he had already secured a position from which he could not lose.

—A storm was coming, but he was already prepared to face every challenge.