The back stage was full with activities.
Of course, back stage was a generous name for the back rooms of the cultural center.
The play would be in the central auditorium, and Hiroshi grimaced.
There was no way half of Konoha would not be present. And the main auditorium did not have the capacity for that.
But the several lateral rooms in the center could. Therefore. Everyone would be aware of the capacity that Little Uzu had in replaying in real time the play form auditorium to the lateral rooms.
HE shook his head and kept walking in, no one was really paying attention to him. HE was not needed there right now.
A few actors walking up and down the corridors with costumes. A few ones with the people of costumes running after the truing to keep the costumes in one piece.
And amongst all the chaos he looked up in a painting of his grandfather. Laughing up to the sky with a weathered face.
Yeah, they could do this.
8 Months back.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was having a normal day, if a little monotone. As his secretary sent in the man.
As Hiruzen looked up he greeted the man.
"Hello Ikamuzu-kun..."
Hiruzen world tilted and halted for a moment. For when the flimsy alias of Ikamuzu was spelled out for him, it took him a half heath beat the reverse it to Uzumaki.
A closer look made it clear those were Asahina`s cheekbones. The resemblance was astounding even if the colors were wrong.
As he walked down the road with the young man through the ruins that the Kyuubi trashed all those years ago, he could feel the malice that still permeated the air, like some of the killing intent fields that remained cursed from the warring clan era.
Hiruzen had the misfortune of visiting a few of those.
And then, the floral entrance of Little Uzu. And Hiruzen couldn't help but be transported. Because he still remembered the great bridge that connected Uzushiogakure with the rest of the world.
As he walked by he felt the tingling sensantion of a barrier. And the hairs on the back of this neck stood up.
He remembered visiting the first hokage and that Uzumaki Mito's barriers felt a lot like that.
She had explained to him the feeling. Even if Hiruzen had not felt the effects directly he could feel the dangers the barriers imposed.
Right, then he knew, that if he needed to take down Little Uzu it would be costly. And mores vexing it would cost to retake a land withing the borders of their own village.
As they walked forward the barrier towards the… well sector was the wrong word now. Little UZu was now a small village withing the village.
He purpose kept admiring the beauty of the area the Uzumaki had managed to restore instead of focusing in how big of a headache this would pan out to be.
Hitomi was a delightful woman and she and Hiroshi apparently were both in Uzushiogakure when it was destroyed.
Hiroshi did not claim the home in any way or form of lover, but Hitomi had a few long looks at him.
Interesting, Hiruzen thought to himself.
As he left the home he started to calculate odds. The people showed veiled reference to the young man.
Hiruzen couldn't pinpoint the numbers but he was sure, most of the populous of little Uzu were full blooded Uzumaki.
And that Hiroshi, was the clan head. Or the equivalent of one, you never really knew with the Uzumaki.
Little known fact. The Uzumki were not a shinobi clan. They did produce a few shinobi, but it was not the clan focus.
Hiruzen stared at the beautiful gardens taking a deep puff of his pipe. And felt calm and the energy typically associated with nature.
Hiruzen nodded.
Better would be to bring them into the fold.
As he came back to his office Hiruzen sat down and looked up his office calling up Yugao.
"Hokage-sama."
Answered the woman.
"You will be in charge of the most important investigation that was ever made in this village."
The anbu straightened up looking at him.
"You can route up however you like, but I need absolute silence on this. It is internal investigation."
The woman flinched.
The Hokage made a small list people.
"These are the people that must remain outside of the investigation, and can't be aware of what is happening."
Yugao looked at the list and grimaced as a few names like Kakashi and the Jounin commander names were there, including the council members, and every clan head.
"I want to know everything that there is to know about Ikamuzu Hiroshi and sector 32A2. Also know as Little Uzu."
She blinked and tilted her head at him. The Hokage chucked mirthless.
"Specially How we were invaded by a whole clan under our noses, and no-one cared about it."
The women winced and nodded disappearing.
A week later Hiruzen stared at her.
"Let me see if I understand this correctly. This non shinobi clan, invaded our village and is more aware of the situation of our allies that are at brink of civil war, perhaps even at war with us and I was unaware. And you were aware because the elders of the Uzumaki clan felt like, humbling, rubbing on our faces the fact."
The woman wanted to wince. What made it more bearable was the fact that she knew that the man wasn't mad at her. But with the circumstance itself. As it was, she just nodded.
The man rubbed his eyes muttering something under his breath. As he took a long breath.
"And the Uchiha situation. I was aware of some tension, but I wasn't aware it was this bad. I would hope Fugaku would had talked to me about it."
The woman now winced.
"I can't really tell you about the Uchiha front. It seems very serious Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen chewed on his pipe. The marginalization of the Uchiha seemed to had being loking bad. But acting now could be not the best action. He hummed and glanced up.
"And this play."
Yugau furrowed her browns.
"We manage to pick up parts of the drafts sure and well… I would like to watch it."
Hiruzen blinked at her nodding.
Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his eyes for a moment.
"So there the possibility that the Uzumaki clan may, in the future help topple down Mist?"
Yugao stared as blankly at somewhere.
"Apparently Hokage-sama."
He chewed his pipe for a few moments.
"Keep an eye on it."
"So they have a general appliance seal store?"
Hiruzen asked as Yugao stared ahead.
"Yeas Hokage-sama."
He rubbed his brows.
"And the name?"
She stared blankly ahead.
"General Store, we got stuff. Stop asking if we have anything else."
He stared at her. as she chuckled.
"It seems there was a miscommunication on the register paper work."
A few weeks later.
"So the debacle in wave country?"
Yugao grimaced.
"They stumbled upon it and brought it up to us. Say what you may, but they are not over reaching what they can do."
Hiruzen nodded chewing on his pipe.
"They have a somewhat cordial relation with the Inuzuka."
Hiruzen chewed in his pipe prompting Yugao to continue.
"It is a more lateral thing. They help the clinic that the Inuzuka run with discounted equipment of good quality. IT seems to be a little of a bed test for some medical technology."
Hiruzen tilted his head.
"And the Inuzuka agreed?"
Yugau glanced at a few notes.
"Apparently she spearheaded some of the research and testing in rats before approving for the clinic."
"Keep an eye on it."
The Hokage chuckled.
"Well this is a peculiar situation."
Yugaou scratched her head awkwardly.
"Sorry Hokage-sama, but would you allow me to interview you on the happenings of these past few days?"
The man nodded genially.
"Of course."
"So what can you tell me?"
Hiruzen looked up.
"Well it started at the beginning of this week, genin Iruka asked for a slot to talk to me. The brough the most enjoyable read on suggestions on subjects to be teacher at the academy."
The man demeanor turned dark.
"Imagine my surprise when I found out the official charter of the academy was not being followed. And the standards were so low I find myself wondering how any new generations manage to survive."
Yugao kept notes.
"I then send a few shinobi to investigate, and the results were baffling. Part incompetence, part sabotage."
"And what brought Iruka to bring it up to you?"
"Hiroshi-kun himself."
Hiruzen stared at Yugao.
"Maito Guy barreled down my door demanding that we teach..."
He glanced down at some notes.
"Tai-chi in the academy beyond the regular style."
The woman was sweating bullets.
"Imagione my surprise when I find out that the origin of this most Youthfull style is little Uzu."
Hiruzen stared at her as she sweetened.
"Report."
"We did not understand the repercussions of the art before Hokage-sama. But after the basics it can be used to teach something they call bending. It is an art that allow the user to use elements directly without need of hand seals."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Very good. You will personally speak with Guy about it and together write down a complete and very detailed report on the matter. Am i clear?"
The head smiled politely at the bloodshot eyed man. The head of cultural affairs of Uzu if Yugao reports were correct.
"How may I help you?"
The man snorted.
"I will not dance around the subject with you Hokage-sama. The clan council of Uzu is aware that you are aware of us. What I need is your permission and signature on this paper to push the play forward."
Hiruzen tilted his head.
"Oh and why would I do that."
The man shrugged, obviously too tired and annoyed to keep a pleasant demeanor.
"I will not even try to play the games. I am too tired for this now. But this play, is a chance to keep the Uchiha. A more peaceful way."
The man stared at him.
"Do whatever you like."
Hiruzen hummed for a moment.
"I would like to stipulate that Hiroshi-kun be integral part of the play."
The man chuckled.
"Well no complaints from me. I even insist. The kid has great insight."
The man face went blank for a moment.
"Great indeed."
"I may be in risk of failing the complete silence Hokage-sama."
"Explain."
"Yamato-san has discovered little Uzu and is spending a lot of free time there. IT might bring Kakashis attention. And you know how blunt and obnoxious the man can be."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Leave Kakashi to me."
"Are you aware of the train in the land of Snow?"
Hiruzen blinked for a moment as he recalled the contraption.
"Yes, yes, most curious thing. I scarcely believe the report. No one did back in the day."
"The Uzumaki are building one."
Hiruzen almost spat his pipe.
"They are doing what?!"
"It is becoming a hassle to comute form Uzu to Konoha. So they are building a train."
Hiruzen blinked a few times.
"They will deal directly with me for that. Cut anyone else."
He stopped and blinked.
"And Hiroshi?"
She laughed blankly.
"He took the day off."
Hiruzen shivered.
"The Uzumuki agreed to topple Mist. In exchange for the seven mist swords."
Hiruzen looked up from his papers at the frantic face of Yugao.
"Huh. Keep an eye on it."
The day of the play happened.
And Hiruzen had to admit. It was beyond his expectations.
But more important. It was the breath of fresh wind the village needed. And the opinion on the Uchiha clan flipped form day to night.
Hiruzen steepled his fingers. It was time.