SIDE CHAPTER 2 (On Power and Ambitions)

Chapter Summary: Someone unknown lurks within the camp. Someone who seeks power that could trample on anybody. Someone who dreams to be at the top, higher than the Hokage himself. He sees the raw power and intelligence that Suzuki Hiroshi possesses and he drools. He envies his power and he is jealous of his potential. He waits for the right time to strike, though.

Suzuki Hiroshi was a fine specimen.

Ever since he chose to be relegated to the Genin Corps willingly, I knew he had something up his sleeve. His eyes that seemed to flare with hopes and dreams and the dedication that he exhibited when he was training.

He had ambitions high enough to be thought insurmountable by him.

He was like me.

I thanked Kami that I chose to observe him all the time with a clone from the very start. He could be a good pawn on my board and he could be useful once the time has come.

It was a fact that he had the intelligence to back up his abilities. With enough experience, he would be a force to be reckoned with, both in the frontlines and even in politics should he choose to. I could lead him down to that path if he chooses to side with me.

Just when I thought that I squeezed him of his potential, he shows another one in the form of water chakra affinity. I was so mesmerized by the swirling mist he created when he tried out the Hidden Mist Jutsu that I couldn't think of anything else during that day.

He was strong. He should be enough as my right-hand man when I start my plans.

Eventually, everyone with high enough status within the village knew of his talents. The Hokage even thought he was the second coming of Senju Tobirama. I rejoiced at the fact.

He's the one!

I was a little troubled when Namikaze Minato was set as his teacher. I couldn't watch him as much as I had wanted because of the damned Jonin who was too brilliant to be tamed. His sensory skills were among the elites of Konoha and I didn't want to risk myself.

More surprises went on everyone's way as he exhibited talents in ninjutsu, jutsu creation, medical ninjutsu, and even fuinjutsu. Along with Namikaze Minato's guidance, he flourished enough to be among the upcoming elites together with Minato's other students. He rose to power so fast that I knew I was right.

Suzuki Hiroshi was a gold mine.

I started to fear. He was too brilliant. He was too bright. But, I think I should be able to curb him down a notch should he become cocky enough to trample on my plans once I have him on board with me.

And then there was that mission. From his plans and cunningness to his absolute following of the hierarchy and commands, he was just too perfect that I started not to care about him possibly being as ambitious as me. I affirmed his potential in leading teams through his suggestion of actions to be taken. I affirmed his potential in combat when he faced a mid-jonin alone. It was a shame that I didn't get to see everything, though. My clone popped all of a sudden when he was about to stab the enemy to his heart.

The time came for him to be deployed to the frontlines. I knew it was coming and I did not have any thoughts of trying to stop it. He needed the experience anyway. I could even also test his survivability through this so, hey why not?

From what my clones saw, he was too perfect. He was able to keep up with everyone from his team splendidly. He also solidified his position as support combatant and medic-nin which gave him additional points to other senior ninjas.

What shocked me was the degree of respect he earned within his team when his team leader offered the commander of the front to temporarily relegate him to a special team for a mission.

I personally saw his prowess that day, no clones and just me. The way he fought was smart; using his innocence as a kid, everybody would underestimate him. He showed weakness when he was held at the neck by the enemy. I personally loved the flare that his leaves show.

This was someone with power.

This was someone with ambition.

He was exactly like me.

I needed him on my side no matter what. And if he refuses? I could just trample him. Maybe pull some sort of political move that would make the village dispose of him themselves.

Suzuki Hiroshi was a fine specimen, indeed.

A/N: Oooohhhh... A foreshadowed villain, perhaps? Go on to the next whether you think so or not.