Koby received a report a couple of days later, summoning him to an important meeting with the Hokage. He couldn't help but wonder if this had to do with his training match against Itachi. He hoped he hadn't done anything wrong and that he wasn't in trouble. After walking Naruto to school, Koby made his way to the Hokage Tower. He was becoming quite familiar with the place due to his frequent meetings with Hiruzen. These meetings involved providing updates on Naruto and handling the necessary paperwork to ensure he was fulfilling his role as an adopted father effectively.

Upon entering, Koby noticed the seriousness of the situation immediately. On one side of the room were the Hokage and several key Leaf Village members, while on the other side were important members of the Uchiha clan. Koby took his seat, sensing the thick tension in the air. The two sides clearly had longstanding disagreements and issues with each other.

"Hello, gentlemen, I am Koby, and I have arrived as you instructed," he said respectfully, fully aware that this was a critical and potentially dangerous meeting. "I may not know what I can do, but I believe that if you have issues, talking them out is better for everyone. War should be the last resort for those who have no other choice, and it often leads to unforeseen problems."

"Really, what does a non-ninja know about war? You were not around during the great ninja wars, and you have no field experience as a ninja," someone from one of the sides commented, prompting Koby to pause and take a deep breath.

"I must humbly correct you on that," Koby said firmly, his determination and sincerity evident as he addressed the room. "Two years before I arrived here, I was in a war known as the War of the Finest. You can probably guess why it was called that. It was because some of the world's strongest individuals clashed. It involved great leaders of the Marines and one of the most notorious pirates over the execution of one man. These individuals possessed powers over the elements, not like your jutsu, but the elements themselves. Imagine fighting someone who can literally become light, magma, sand, fire, or ice. These individuals were just a fraction of the strongest. The mightiest man, someone said to be capable of shattering the world, was also there," Koby continued, pausing for effect. "Thousands upon thousands fought, and I was among them. I wasn't special by any means, in fact, I was nothing compared to most people there. I did accomplish something of minor note, but it's not important," Koby stated modestly. "I was saved more by luck and timing than anything else," he added, carefully observing the reactions of those present.

The room fell into a heavy silence as the attendees processed Koby's revelation. It was almost mind-boggling for them to hear that he considered himself a minor character from his homeland, especially after witnessing his performance in the fight against Itachi the day before. The Uchiha clan members paused, contemplating whether Koby's homeland was a real place and if they could potentially encounter individuals like him.

"In your fight, though, wasn't it a clear case of good versus bad, with the Marines being the good side and the pirates being the bad side?" a Uchiha asked Koby directly.

"No, nothing is that simple," Koby replied with a serious tone. "The man who died, Portgas D. Ace, was not a straightforward case. He was the adopted son of my own teacher, one of my closest friends. His brother was there to save him. There were people on our Marine side who were not good people. The battle was far more a field of gray than a simple black and white issue. The sad truth is that the war only made the world worse, and things continued to deteriorate afterward. Nothing improved as a result of the war. People died, and the world went downhill from there. I eventually became a member of a group called Sword because of those experiences."

"So, do I understand your concerns? Not entirely. I'm sure you have your reasons, and you seek peace for your families, to ensure they can grow and lead happy lives. I'm certain all of you have families, and you want them to achieve something special. Peace would undoubtedly improve their lives, right? We have to strive for a better future for them. I know I don't want any conflicts to hinder Naruto's journey to becoming the next Hokage," Koby concluded as he glanced around, using his advanced Haki to sense something suspicious about one of the attendees.

"You there," he said, focusing on a man named Danzu. "You're trying to pull something, aren't you? That right arm of yours, it's hiding something—no, it's not your arm; you're concealing it," Koby remarked as he swiftly evaded a strike from Danzu and retaliated with a finger bullet that shattered the bandages on the man's arm, revealing it covered in Sharingan.

"I believe we've found the true menace and threat here," Koby declared, preparing to confront Danzu.

Danzu realized that he had no chance of winning the fight against Koby and the Uchiha, especially with his hidden Sharingan arm exposed. He had prepared for this possibility, knowing that Koby was an unpredictable wildcard and a significant unknown threat. In a desperate move, he activated a pre-arranged transportation jutsu to escape the village. It wasn't his ideal choice, but he couldn't afford to be captured at that moment. He still had connections and plans to pursue.

For Danzu, the Leaf Village was not his home, and he believed that Koby's presence was negatively impacting it. He chose to retreat, with the intention of returning at a later time to reclaim his goals. His escape meant that the immediate threat had been averted, but the village was left to deal with the aftermath of his actions.

Koby, on the other hand, remained resolute in his commitment to maintaining peace and preventing individuals like Danzu from causing harm and chaos. He emphasized the importance of not becoming the cause of problems and pledged to do his part in ensuring the village's security and stability.

The revelation about Danzo and Orochimaru's use of Sharingans was a shock to everyone present in the room. The Uchiha clan members were particularly displeased, both because of the misuse of Sharingan and the uncertainty it cast on their future. However, they also gained a newfound respect for Koby, recognizing his dedication to the village's well-being.

Koby assumed the role of a moderator during the discussions that followed, carefully listening to both sides and their grievances. The meetings were lengthy and challenging, lasting for days. Despite his commitment to Naruto, Koby couldn't attend his own ninja qualification test due to these ongoing negotiations.

The discussions were intense, filled with arguments, admissions of wrongdoing, and attempts at reconciliation. Eventually, an agreement was reached, one that called for a fresh start and a new beginning for all parties involved. Koby knew that he would need to meet with a certain blonde woman to discuss the possibility of taking on the role of Hokage.

Koby found himself in a room with Tsunade Senju, a person who enjoyed universal trust from both sides involved in the negotiations. If she were to take on the role of Hokage, it would provide a solid foundation for the agreement to be accepted by all parties. Koby understood the urgency of finalizing this deal to prevent the outbreak of war, even with Danzo removed from the equation.

He took a seat at Tsunade's desk, noticing that she had been increasingly involved in village affairs since he had encouraged her to stay and allow Shizune to establish herself more firmly within the village.

Koby paused, taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts. He began, "Lady Tsunade, though I haven't known you for long, I sense that you are a remarkable woman. You possess intelligence, wisdom, skills, and abilities that are matched by few. You are a natural leader," Koby spoke sincerely, maintaining eye contact with her.

"We need you to lead us. You are the only one who can bridge the gap between the Uchiha and the village. I am driven by a selfish desire to avoid war because I want Naruto to have a village to inherit someday. I have spoken to both sides, and they are willing to agree to peace if you accept the position. The village will follow you because we believe in your wisdom," he continued, his voice calm and earnest, emphasizing his genuine commitment to his words.

"We need you in this time of trouble. I understand you have your reservations about this village, your desires that pull you away from wanting the Hokage position. But, just like when I first arrived here, I wanted to go home. However, I can't think about leaving Naruto behind. He has become like a son to me, and I won't abandon him. I know I'm just an outsider making this request, but I truly believe it's the best choice for the future of everyone involved."

Koby nodded with a sincere smile on his face. "I agree wholeheartedly, Lady Tsunade. I'll do whatever it takes to support you in your role as Hokage. If that means assisting with paperwork or mediating conflicts, I'm more than willing to help. I want to see this village thrive, and I believe in your leadership."

Tsunade appreciated Koby's willingness to assist and his dedication to the village's well-being. She extended her hand towards him. "Then it's settled. I'll accept the position of Hokage, and you'll be my assistant. Together, we'll work towards a brighter future for Konoha."

Koby shook her hand firmly, sealing the agreement. The future of the village had taken a positive turn, and he was determined to do his part in supporting the new Hokage.

Koby watched Naruto sleeping peacefully, a sense of determination and responsibility filling him. He realized that he had made a commitment to stay in the village and support Naruto in achieving his dream of becoming Hokage. It wasn't just about the immediate future; it was a lifelong commitment.

As he gazed at the young boy, Koby knew that he was here to stay, that he would never return to his life as a marine. His purpose now was to ensure that Naruto had the best possible chance to reach his goals. It was a promise he intended to keep, not just during Naruto's childhood but throughout his life. Koby was determined to be the best father figure and mentor he could be.

Notes:

Chapter 9-Yes, I have played this out in a way where the Uchiha Massacre doesn't happen, but there is another possible threat in the future, perhaps Danzo goes and supports Orochimaru making the sound even more deadly or perhaps they call it something like the new leaf village or real leaf village calling the current one a fake one. That won't be for some time though. Having Tsunade as hokage earlier should make things interesting too.