Note: I don't own Naruto or its respective contents.
Hiruzen's expression hardened. No longer was he the kind old man who loved his village and everyone in it; sitting before Akakiryu was the God of Shinobi, the feared Third Hokage.
"And what do you mean by that, Akakiryu Uchiha?"
Akakiryu spoke up, maintaining his kneeling position, "You of all people, Lord Hokage, should be aware of the treatment that the Uchiha has faced and endured for these past few years. Your passive approach to our woes has granted the Uchiha's pride no sort of remedy or healing. My clan had reached their limit quite some time ago, and now their anger knows no bounds."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes down at the boy, "And what are your intentions with bringing me this information?"
"To prevent the shedding of blood, Lord Hokage." Akakiryu raised his head to meet the man's eyes, "The Will of Fire that burns within me necessitates that I stop this. I do not want to see blood spilled over matters that can still be mended. Not my clan's blood, and certainly not the blood of my village."
"You say things can be mended, but you tell me that your clan already intends to rebel? Which is it?"
"To many, and certainly to the people of other villages, the mere intentions for rebellion would mean treason and would be met with action befitting treason. However, this village is not one that would slaughter a mistreated clan lashing out, and I certainly believe that you are not a man that would lead such slaughter. Indeed, my clan has intentions for rebellion currently, but those intentions are based on the belief that our place in the village cannot improve any other way. Many in my clan still hold their loyalties to the leaf. We just need reassurance."
For a moment the room remained frozen, the air still thick from the Hokage's pressure. But after a brief time, Hiruzen relaxed in his chair and lit up his pipe. Letting out a breath of smoke, he inquired, "How much time do we have?"
Akakiryu shook his head, "I do not know. It could be just a week, or it could be months. It all depends on how quickly agreements are made and conditions are met."
"That's no good at all." Hiruzen frowned. "I cannot make any guarantees for mending relations with the Uchiha with an unknown amount of time. I must ask, are you in a position that would allow you to inform me the moment your clan finalizes its plans?"
"My…" Akakiryu hesitated, "My father is one of the heads leading this operation. It is more than likely that he would inform me as soon as possible."
"Kuro, huh? The man has proven to be distant since Aka died. He did mission after mission since then, but not once have I seen the Will of Fire in him as I had before." The Hokage reminisced for a bit longer. "Akakiryu Uchiha, from this moment on I give you the S-rank mission of spying on the Uchiha. You are to continue in your normal duties and activities but are to inform me directly of all of your clan's activities. I will begin discussions and planning with a small group of other high-ranking members of our village."
A flicker of hesitation passed Akakiryu's eyes, 'If he tells Danzo, the situation could become unpredictable. But the man would likely figure things out eventually anyways. Whatever, it's fine. I still have control over the situation for now.'
"Understood, Lord Hokage." Akakiryu disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
The real Akakiryu, busy inside Konoha's General Hospital, learned of his success instantly.
'So, it begins.'
Weeks went by, and soon it was time for Sasuke's induction into the Academy. Just as it had occurred in Akakiryu's memories, Fugaku accompanied his son to the ceremony, having been pressured into it by Itachi. However, in this reality, Sasuke had demanded Akakiryu join them. And of course, Akakiryu being the good distant cousin that he was, obliged the boy and took the day off from the hospital for the first time since he was assigned there.
As expected, Akakiryu saw the future Konoha nine all there. The event occurred just as it had when he was inducted a year ago. Akakiryu stayed mostly silent and just stood next to the stern Fugaku, who despite everything was silently proud looking upon his son.
As the ceremony ended, and all the parents were congratulating their children, Akakiryu was approached by two blondes.
"Akakiryu, what a pleasure to see you again!" Inoichi exclaimed upon seeing the redhead. Ino who was next to him smiled and waved a little too eagerly, looking as if her hand could be flung away at any moment. Something she quickly realized as she blushed and tried to play it off.
"Lord Inoichi, Ino." Akakiryu smiled at them both. "Have you both met Sasuke?"
"I have not yet had the pleasure. I'm glad to finally meet your other son, Fugaku. I'm sure he will become a great shinobi." Inoichi smiled at Sasuke and nodded to Fugaku, who returned the short greeting. Ino looked at Sasuke and smiled, but Sasuke only nodded back after seeing Akakiryu's eyes urge him.
Ino was satisfied with the small interaction between her and the cute boy in her Academy class, but quickly reacted to her other priorities, and eagerly asked, "Ryu, is it true you have already become a Jonin?!"
"Technically a Tokubetsu Jonin, but yes." Akakiryu smiled down at the girl, as despite the small age difference, he was a head taller than both her and Sasuke.
"Now, now, Ino. I'm sure you have plenty of things you want to talk with Akakiryu about, but he came with young Sasuke and Lord Fugaku. You can catch up later." Inoichi grinned wryly and nodded to Fugaku, who nodded back gratefully. He proceeded to drag the pouting girl away.
"I was unaware you were acquainted with the Yamanaka clan." Fugaku finally spoke up as they began walking back to the Uchiha district. Sasuke looked at Akakiryu with curious eyes as well.
"Yes, I had taken a D-rank mission as a genin where I painted their flower shop for them. We had met each other then. On a different note, are you excited to join the Academy, Sasuke?"
Sasuke turned his nose up and put on a cool look, "I won't be in there for long. I'm going to graduate early, just like you and big brother did!"
Akakiryu shook his head, "You will be missing out then, Sasuke. Something I never realized while in the Academy was how much time it gave me to train. Ever since I became a genin, and especially now as a Tokubetsu Jonin, I have much less time to train and thus get stronger."
Something clicked in Sasuke's head at that moment, 'If I have more time to train than Ryu and Itachi, then I have a chance to surpass them!' A scheming look was pasted on the boy's face, but it looked more mischievous than anything else.
Fugaku couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at the situation.
As such, Sasuke began his school days, slowly getting to know his classmates, such as the rookie nine and even Naruto. He wasn't particularly social, but it was progress for the Uchiha boy.
Meanwhile, Akakiryu worked in the background, relaying what news he could gather to provide updates to the Hokage. Luckily, the clan was currently moving slowly, cautiously planning every detail and eventuality. However, there was an equal degree of slowness amongst the Hokage's cohort, meaning everything continued to be dragged out in a state where anything could happen.
It was under these circumstances that a new player joined the game in the shadows. Someone that was practically fated to do so.
Shisui.
A kneeling figure was positioned before the Hokage and the village elders, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and the shadow of Konoha himself, Danzo Shimura.
"Hiruzen, why is it that you do not seem shocked by this news?" They had each just heard all of the details regarding the Uchiha clan spilled from the mouth of Shisui, and Danzo had been keen to watch the reactions of his old teammate this whole time. Despite his attempts, Hiruzen simply couldn't shield his facial expressions from Danzo. "As a matter of fact, it seems that you two are not as surprised as one should be either." He looked at Homura and Koharu with narrowed eyes, "Have I been kept from something?"
Shisui himself was confused by this result, but the Hokage knew he needed to spill the beans.
"I have received similar information from a different member of the Uchiha clan and I have been working with him, Koharu, and Homura to develop ideas as to resolve this situation."
"Spineless as ever, Hiruzen." Danzo shot a cold glare at the Hokage. "It should be clear to any village leader that if a clan seeks to rebel, there is only one course of action, to rid them from the village. Especially with a clan as powerful as the Uchiha, with every day that they are kept alive and scheming, Konoha will continue to be at risk!"
"Enough, Danzo!" The Hokage pronounced in an even tone. "I knew you would be incapable of considering other avenues of reconciliation and as such you were kept from our talks. Regardless, you are now aware and we need to think of what directions we can take."
"Directions we can take? Have you gone mad, Hiruzen? One of the strongest shinobi clans in history seeks to cause a revolution in our village and you think there are other paths we can take? You risk the downfall of all of Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was losing his temper and was about to rebuke the man before Shisui finally spoke again. "There is… another way."
The Hokage and elders turned their attention back to the kneeling Uchiha. Hiruzen motioned for Shisui to explain further. Even Danzo was curious as to what he had to say.
"Tomorrow, there is another clan meeting. Right before the meeting, I can cast a genjutsu on Lord Fugaku, and have him begin to lead the clan's thoughts away from rebellion."
"A genjutsu, on the head of the Uchiha clan?" Danzo scoffed. "How could that possibly work?" Even the Hokage was confused by the irrational proposition from the normally genius young man.
"My eyes were awakened to a unique ability, a genjutsu so powerful that they can permanently change the thoughts of any shinobi, Kotoamatsukami. With its power, I have a strong chance of stopping the revolt." Shisui then hesitated, "But it's risky. If Lord Fugaku suddenly starts to dissuade the clan from rebellion, it could raise suspicions amongst the other higher up members such as my Uncle Kuro."
Danzo hastily spoke up, "Are you sure that your eyes' ability is strong enough to change the thoughts of Fugaku?"
"Yes." Shisui nodded.
"Then this could be the only option other than having to kill the Uchiha." Danzo said absolutely. He looked keenly at the Hokage as he said so.
"Alright then, we have no choice but to go with this." Hiruzen set aside his hesitations and decided to move forward with this plan. "Tomorrow you will use Kotoamatsukami on Fugaku to begin halting the Uchiha rebellion. I will have my other informant assist you in stopping other Uchiha members from interfering. He will meet you at a specified time and place of your choosing prior to the meeting for you to decide on the details of your cooperation."
And thus fate churned.
On his way home from the Hospital, Akakiryu sensed the approach of an owl, one he had left in the possession of the Hokage so that they could communicate.
Looking very casual, he let the owl land on his arm and plucked a scroll from a small container tied to its leg. Seemingly without any concern for his surroundings or who might be watching, he read the details written in the scroll.
After finishing reading, he burned the scroll, wrote a short reply, and gave it to the owl before letting it fly back.
Akakiryu grabbed his chin and wondered. 'Is fate beginning to rear its head?' Akakiryu shook his head. He couldn't be bothered to worry about such things at this point. The initiative that he had worked for was now lost, and he now had to move according to the plans of others.
The letter didn't share every detail, only a time and place to meet with someone. He was only told to cooperate with who he was to meet and then to act accordingly. He could only speculate who he was going to work with. 'Is it the Hokage's ANBU? Or has Danzo become involved and I have to meet with ROOT? Does this mean Itachi could be involved, or even Shisui?' Akakiryu didn't know and could only wait for tomorrow.
Akakiryu went home, mentally preparing for tomorrow.
The sun left and returned again, beckoning in a new day. Akakiryu decided to send a shadow clone to the hospital for today, and instead chose to scout out the meeting place for today. He had already lost the initiative once, the least he could do now is to not lose out on future exchanges. He needed to see who he was meeting, and make sure he wasn't walking into a trap in the first place.
After all, if Danzo became involved, everything would be tossed up in the air. And considering how the Hokage had suddenly changed plans, it was very likely that Danzo was already involved and could be the cause of these changes.
After scouting the area and confirming he was the only living thing there other than the trees and small wildlife, he retracted his aura and decided to wait the hours out, leaving his senses open for any potential approaching chakra signature.
Shisui was nervous. Why wouldn't he be? He was about to brainwash his clan leader in an attempt to dissuade his clan from murderous thoughts. It was risky. The connotations of his intent alone is something to get a man thinking for an eternity, needless to say the potential results of his actions with both success and failure considered.
However, the nerves quickly left him as the meeting time approached. He was an experienced shinobi despite his young age, and he knew he didn't have the luxury of being nervous. He needed to steel himself for what he had to do.
But all that silent bravado gave way to confusion and suspicion when he suddenly received a summons to meet with the Council Elder Danzo Shimura prior to meeting his unknown associate. What could the man possibly have to say right before the plan would be put into action? Was it to be called off? Or was he just going to give him warnings and advice?
Regardless of what was happening, Shisui knew he couldn't ignore the summons, and as such he quickly decided to go.
To meet Danzo.
Minutes before the meeting time came, Akakiryu finally felt the approach of a somewhat significant chakra signature. Soon a masked figure with a full body cloak arrived in the middle of the clearing and let out a unique whistle.
Akakiryu, having heard the whistle that acted as a verification of who he was supposed to meet, dropped down to meet the figure.
The figure, clearly adorned with typical ROOT ANBU gear, was startled as even he could not sense Akakiryu prior to him coming out on his own.
"What's the deal?" Akakiryu straightforwardly asked.
"A plan has been decided upon for dealing with the Uchiha, according to Lord Danzo and Lord Hokage." The ROOT agent handed over a scroll. "Please read it over."
Akakiryu took the scroll and was about to open it when he felt it. A sudden clash of chakra six kilometers away. And amidst that clash, he could feel Shisui's chakra against several other high-level chakra signatures.
Akakiryu let out a single sound in stone-cold fury, as his sword swung in instinct.
"Bastard."
And took off instantly towards Shisui, leaving behind the decapitated body of the ROOT agent and the scroll next to him.
Shisui pressed his palm against his bleeding and empty right eye socket as he raced through the trees. Quickly, he had to dodge the constant bombardment of shuriken and kunai being flung in his direction by pursuing ANBU agents. He had barely any time to think and the sudden loss of his eye left him distressed.
It was through pure instinct that he body-flickered through the waves of weapons and countered the water jutsu coming from seemingly every direction. Clearly, his potential escape was well accounted for, as every ANBU agent around here was skilled in Water Style jutsu to counter his Uchiha fire-style. There also seemed to be agents even in front of him, meaning they accounted for his escape routes.
Using his Sharingan for genjutsu was out of the question, as his lost right eye prevented him from using genjutsu that he was used to using with both of his eyes. It was his Body-Flicker and Fire Style jutsu that kept him alive, despite being vastly outnumbered.
Suddenly a wall of earth sprung up in front of him just as he was jumping from one tree to the next, blocking him off just long enough for a barrage of shuriken to hit him. He blocked off the majority of them even as his feet turned to plant themselves on the wall, but two of them managed to connect with his right arm due to his new blindspot.
He didn't stay by the wall for long, quickly flickering away to a new direction disregarding his injuries. Every second spent in the same spot means a second for the waves of ANBU to catch up. All he had to do was get to a populated area and the agents would be forced to give up or risk being exposed.
Right as he was crossing a clearing with three pursuers close behind, a huge jet of flames almost instantly burned two of his pursuers to ashes, with the third quick enough to put up a water wall. The ambush was clearly unexpected for them.
Shisui turned to the origin of the flames and saw someone rushing towards him.
It was Itachi, in his own ANBU gear.
"What are you doing interfering Weasel? This man is to be killed on sight for attacking Lord Danzo. You better-" The remaining agent didn't get to finish his warning before a blade coated in lightning chakra stabbed through his heart and scorched his organs.
Akakiryu, having also just arrived, spoke, "Let's get you out of here."