You become Hokage, I'll wipe out Danzo

"Me, become Hokage??"

Itachi's first reaction was that it was utterly absurd.

Even though he had absolute faith in the little fellow's abilities, Itachi still did not believe he would ever become Hokage.

The position of Hokage was practically off-limits to the Uchiha. There were too many obstacles, regardless of merit. Perhaps it would only be possible if the Uchiha rebellion actually succeeded.

But it was easy to imagine that the other clans would refuse to submit. Their departure from Konoha would be inevitable.

Could a Konoha made up of only Uchiha still be called Konoha?

And so, the Uchiha dream of becoming Hokage was ultimately an illusion!

Once Itachi composed himself, he said, "Mr. Yu, forgive my bluntness, but that is impossible."

Yu had known Itachi would think that, so he said, "It looks impossible now, but we can turn the impossible into the possible!"

Itachi asked, "How?"

Yu said, "What if-and I do mean if-Konoha suffered a major crisis, the current Hokage was injured and could no longer serve, and you were the one who stopped that disaster and saved the village?"

Itachi immediately understood. He asked warily, "Don't tell me you intend to create a disaster like that!"

Yu waved a hand. "No, all I want is a peaceful life. Whatever happens, I wouldn't deliberately create such a disaster just to achieve my own ends."

Itachi lowered his eyes in thought, then looked at him intently. "Then have you foreseen that Konoha will suffer such a disaster?"

Yu's gaze darkened, effectively confirming it.

Four years ago, the coffin he had been born in had merely been buried where it lay, but it was something his Ōtsutsuki biological father had left him. Yu shared a connection with that coffin!

The moment it was unearthed, Yu had sensed it!

Orochimaru had found the coffin. With his thirst for truth, he was bound to investigate it to the very end.

To put it plainly, Yu had only just arrived in the world of Naruto back then and knew next to nothing. He had been focused on reaching Konoha and settling down as quickly as possible, without deliberately covering his tracks...

Sooner or later, Orochimaru would follow the clues and uncover the connection between that coffin and Yu. What would he do then?

Yes, he would surely plan an attack on Konoha, just as he had before!

Seeing Yu's tacit confirmation, Itachi's heart immediately tightened. "Mr. Yu, can you tell me who will cause that disaster? Could it be... the Akatsuki?"

Yu replied meaningfully, "It is one of the Akatsuki's current members, yes. But by then, that may no longer be the case."

Yu thought, Orochimaru originally left the Akatsuki because Itachi joined, but this time, Shisui joined instead. Things might be different.

When it came to pursuing truth, Orochimaru would stop at nothing!

That meant finding Yu and attacking Konoha was all but inevitable.

When the time came, his status as an Akatsuki member would become a burden.

Akatsuki members answered to their leader, Pain. Although they retained a degree of freedom in their actions, they had to abide by one overriding rule: they must not interfere with the Akatsuki's plans!

The Akatsuki's plan was to collect the tailed beasts. The Nine-Tails, the strongest of them, belonged to Konoha and came late in their capture schedule.

Orochimaru would inevitably need the Akatsuki's approval to attack Konoha.

But would the Akatsuki agree? Ownership of the Nine-Tails was at stake!

Even if Orochimaru promised to capture the Nine-Tails while he was at it, the Akatsuki would not necessarily trust him.

More importantly, would Orochimaru share the matter of that coffin with the Akatsuki?

Absolutely not!

His interests conflicted with the Akatsuki's, so his departure was inevitable!

Afraid Itachi would remain uneasy, Yu said, "Don't worry, Itachi. I can assure you that resolving that disaster is within your abilities!"

Itachi shook his head. "That isn't the issue. May I ask what role you will play in that disaster?"

Yu answered without reservation, "Knowing Danzo, he'll definitely hide in his underground base with Root. I'll strike then and wipe out Danzo and Root in one fell swoop!"

That was Yu's reasoning.

Danzo had to die, but there was an art to deciding when and how to kill him. Kill him too early, and it would solve nothing. Kill him too late, and unnecessary problems would arise...

Yu spoke casually, but Itachi was deeply shaken.

He has the confidence to destroy Danzo and Root single-handedly. Perhaps his strength is even more unfathomable than I imagined!

Perhaps... he really does have the power to make me Hokage.

Yet Itachi hesitated.

Ultimately, this went against his beliefs and his nature.

Seeing what was on Itachi's mind, Yu said, "Itachi, Hiruzen's conservative approach is what gives Danzo room to survive. As long as Hiruzen remains Hokage, Danzo and people like him will have a place to operate."

"And as long as Danzo holds a high position, Konoha's suspicion of the Uchiha will never end. You know that man will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Even if the Uchiha act openly and honestly, he'll find ways to cause trouble for them. To truly secure the future of both Konoha and the Uchiha, we have to reshuffle the leadership."

"The same goes for the Uchiha. Years of unfair treatment have left resentment in their hearts. That's the root of their decision to rebel."

"Having an Uchiha become Hokage is undoubtedly a solution that benefits both sides. Of course, the Hokage I mean isn't a schemer like Danzo, but someone who has experienced darkness and still yearns for peace, someone with both the strength and the resolve to lead Konoha toward power and prosperity, to stand in the shinobi world where no one dares threaten it-a true Hokage!"

"Among the Uchiha Clan, no one is better suited to that role than you, Itachi!"

Faced with Yu's trust, Itachi replied with mixed feelings, "Mr. Yu, you truly give me too much credit. Becoming Hokage doesn't earn you everyone's recognition. Rather, someone everyone recognizes can become Hokage. I really don't believe I have that kind of 'capacity.' Someone like me is better suited to quietly protecting peace from the shadows..."

Yu smiled. "No one can walk the moment they're born. If you never try, you'll never know how capable you are."

Itachi raised his eyes and looked at Yu with utmost seriousness. "May I ask whether this is a requirement for your help with the Uchiha?"

At that moment, Yu knew this was simply too heavy a burden for Itachi. For peace, Itachi could suppress his feelings, turn his blade on his own clan, and sink into darkness beyond redemption. Yet he struggled to resolve himself to stand in the sunlight and become a respected Hokage.

Was this what happened when someone stayed in the dark too long and became afraid of the light?

But Yu truly did not want Itachi to live that bitter life again!

So making him Hokage was both for the common good and, even more, for personal reasons!

And so... Yu hardened his heart. "Yes, you can see it that way. This is one of my three conditions for helping you and the Uchiha!"

Sigh.

Itachi sighed inwardly and voiced his last concern. "Mr. Yu, what I'm about to say may be disrespectful, but I want to make it clear beforehand. If one day I truly become Hokage as you wish, I would not want you to become another Danzo..."

Well, damn... he's treating me like some master schemer.

Still, it was understandable.

What seven-year-old child could decide who would become Hokage over a casual conversation?

If anything, Itachi wouldn't be Itachi if he weren't suspicious!

Yu said, "Itachi, just what sort of person do you think I, Yū Hyuga, am...?"

Then Yu addressed the concern directly. "Here, I'll tell you a secret... I was the one who blew up the Cesspool."

"???" Itachi's expression instantly became a sight to behold-even more so than when he had learned that Yu was that Expert!

After an awkward exchange of looks, Itachi asked, "Why would you do something like that???"

Yu rested his hands behind his head and replied breezily, "No reason. It was fun~."

Itachi said, "Fun? That was the only reason??"

Yu said, "Yep. If you become Hokage, I hope you'll turn a blind eye to things like that~."

Although Itachi found it utterly ridiculous, his misgivings truly faded. Maybe he really is just a child. A child with rather unusual and distinctive ideas and hobbies...

After accepting the condition, Itachi asked, "Mr. Yu, can you predict when the disaster will happen?"

Yu thought for a moment. "Maybe in a year, maybe in three, but no more than five..."

Concern appeared on Itachi's face. "Five years? I'm worried the Uchiha Clan will struggle to survive another five years."

Yu said, "Once the negotiations succeed, Hiruzen can keep Danzo in check as long as the Uchiha don't step out of line during those five years."

Itachi gave a bitter smile. "That's exactly what worries me-our clansmen stepping out of line. My father is already exhausted from trying to calm our restless clansmen. The seeds of unrest remain buried in their hearts. I'm afraid the clan won't be able to withstand those uncertainties!"

Yu said, "I understand. They've been suppressed for too long, haven't they? Even with this planned rebellion, they know it will end in failure, but they still want to go through with it."

Itachi nodded. "Exactly. The rebellion is just an excuse. They want to vent all the negative feelings they've accumulated over the years, even if it means being shattered to pieces!"

Yu said meaningfully, "Fighting isn't the only way to vent negative feelings..."

Itachi asked, "What... do you mean?"

Yu said, "Joy is everywhere. The key is having the senses to discover it. Are there any women among your Uchiha who are good at singing and dancing?"

Good at singing and dancing...

Itachi couldn't help thinking of his childhood friend... Izumi.

That girl had once shown him her singing and dancing when he was feeling down!

In a rare display, his eyes softened in front of someone else, with a hint of shyness. "Women, no. But there is one girl..."

Yu brightened. "Hey~! A girl is even better! Now the 'secret weapons' I've prepared can really come in handy!"

As he spoke, he took out his secret weapons!

They turned out to be a cassette tape, two pairs of cat ears, a pair of cat-paw gloves, a cat tail, and a matching catgirl outfit!

The outfit was incredibly light and skimpy, brimming with anime flair!

"This...?" Itachi was baffled.

Yu said, "When you get back, give these to that girl. Then follow the instructions I'm about to give you..."

After hearing him out, Itachi asked doubtfully, "Will this... really work??"

Yu thumped his chest. "If it doesn't, come find me!"

"All right..."

Though he remained skeptical, Itachi decided to trust the Expert's guidance!

"Wait, why are there two pairs of cat ears?"

"Hehe, better safe than sorry..."

"I see."

After putting away the secret weapons, Itachi asked, "By the way, you said there were three conditions for helping the Uchiha. What are the other two?"

Yu said, "The second condition is that you must keep everything about me secret from everyone, including your father, Fugaku!"

Itachi nodded solemnly. "That was my intention anyway. Rest assured, Mr. Yu. I will never reveal any information about you to anyone!"

Yu nodded. "Good. As for the third condition... Itachi, you're a pretty good cook, right?"

Itachi paused, then replied modestly, "I'm passable..."

Few knew that Itachi's former dream had been to open a dessert shop among the Uchiha after he retired.

Yu was delighted. "That's wonderful! I've been learning to cook recently and run into a few difficulties. I'd like you to lend me a hand~!"

Itachi was surprised. "That's the third condition??"

Yu nodded. "Yes!"

Itachi marveled, The Expert's thoughts really are impossible to fathom...

He readily agreed. "All right, leave it to me!"

"Fantastic..."

Yu rejoiced inwardly. With Itachi's help, Japanese-style shit curry, Western-style assorted-shit pizza, West Coast-style shit steaks, and shit tempura can all become a reality...!

A chill swept over Itachi.

"Ahem..." After shivering, Itachi couldn't help coughing twice.

"Right, I got so caught up chatting that I almost forgot the important business..." Yu reached into his pocket and rummaged around.

In the original story, Itachi had developed an incurable illness of unknown origin. It might have been congenital, or it might have resulted from excessive worry and overwork later in life.

But none of that mattered... all he had to do was not get sick!

From the candy filling his pocket, Yu fished out a vermilion Pill-the very Pill he had condensed by absorbing the nine-tails chakra from Naruto's rampage!

Placing the Pill in Itachi's hand, Yu said, "Itachi, eat this. It'll be good for you!"