VII - Clans
I let my senses gaze over the rest of the tanks in the hidden laboratories. ROOT possessed many underground bases and shelters, and this one was the most secure. It was only obvious it would be the testing ground for all my experiments.
My fingers brushed against cold metal as I sat down and let my thoughts drift to how I had injected maturity into these children. The problem for me was time; I did not have the time to build a massive force strong enough to fight the Akatsuki, and abducting clan children would not bode well. The result was something that I almost laughed at: Genjutsu.
These children's primitive memories would be wiped and replaced with decades of feeling and thinking of loyal shinobi. Their primitive chakra coils and brain chemistry would allow this complete "reset"- and grant them the prodigious level of skill I required.
Many of these memories and the like were hard to comprehend, but the instincts and intellect (plus an overflowing amount of Yin chakra) allowed these children to become extremely dangerous. If I wanted to explain it more simpler terms, think "reincarnated OCs" but none of the metaknowledge. Their Yin chakra imbalance could easily be corrected with heavy physical training and steroids (modified of course). The Yamanaka jutsus were truly some of the most fascinating, and Foo was an excellent source of information. I would ensure that knowledge would be passed on, away from the pathetic clan it originated from.
The clans were caricatures of the once great thing they had been; only the Uchiha truly continued to grow. They had become stagnant, content with using the same Family Jutsus but never innovating and pushing the limits of Chakra and limiting power to the main family. Their acquired wealth and power prevented any questions, and they would frequently sponsor (prey) on 'orphans' in order to bolster their standing with the civilians.
I would obliterate the corruption within the Tree. I would end these mafias that controlled Konoha and return power to the Hokage, and to the true ninja. Ninja like Gai, Kakashi and Tenzo who used their own will and creativity to persevere. I knew for a fact that Kakashi had not even touched the Hatake scrolls and relied on his own natural talent and effort to succeed.
Just like how Hiruzen Sarutobi had ascended to the tile of "God of Shinobi". I had nothing but respect for the man who had led Konoha to victory in two Shinobi World Wars & created some of the strongest shinobi of the modern day. He was the man who after seeing his wife's dead body, had resumed his duties as Hokage immediately and persevered to this day to restore the Leaf, bringing it from near collapse to power once more. That was who my comrade was, the 'light' of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
I was the "shadow"- but I would not be lost in the darkness this time.
Fugaku Uchiha gazed from across the table to Danzo Shimura. The man had invited him to a meeting, and the Uchiha clan head had agreed almost immediately.
"Shimura-san. You wished to see me?" It was always good to start with civility and test the waters. The elder's face was grave, and Fugaku wondered what had happened.
"I did." The man sipped his tea and inhaled slowly. "I wish to discuss the state of the clans."
"Clans?"
Danzo's singular eye bored through Fugaku. "My ambition, Fugaku is to tear and destroy this wretched system of clans."
Fugaku gaped, pure surprise flashing across his face as he considered the proposal. Abolish the clans- such an act was preposterous! Did Danzo not even consider his own position as clan head?
"You must be curious, surely." The man smiled slowly and raised his hand into the air. "Allow me to elaborate. There are several 'great' clans in our village: The Akemechi, the Nara, the Hyuga, and of course, the Uchiha." The final word was uttered with a sense of approval, and Fugaku wondered what had caused this drastic change in the elder's mindset.
"All of them have stagnated, letting past glories and intelligence move them forward. They hoard their Jutsus, many of which could be improved greatly by other shinobi, who are not of Clan birth. These clans are nothing but Mafias, incapable of improvement or ambition."
Fugaku nodded wordlessly. To think of the clans as mafias?
"But you Uchiha, you alone remain proud. You alone push forward to innovate and create new techniques, regardless of your attitude. I will grudgingly admit the power of the Sharingan."
"Then I must thank you, Lord Danzo." The elder smiled and nodded back.
"As you can see Lord Fugaku, what I propose is simple. Support my candidate for Hokage and you shall have all the respect your mighty people desire."
Fugaku knew he was dealing with a snake, but the influence Danzo held was immense. The clan needed an ally, and with an ally like Danzo...
"I wish for Hatake Kakashi to become Hokage, followed by your own son Itachi as a successor. A direct apprenticeship and guarantee of the post your clan has been denied all this time. Besides, I'm sure you are familiar with what they call Hatake?" Danzo's smirk was mocking, and Fugaku could clearly see the flattery. But he answered regardless.
"Kakashi of the Sharingan." The Uchiha took a sip of his tea as he mulled the proposition over. If the other clans were weakened (and he knew how easy Danzo could sway opinion in the Leaf) and Itachi was all but guaranteed the position of Hokage... everything he ever desired was all within his reach.
"What do you want then, Lord Danzo?"
"Open the Uchiha Jutsu libraries to the public. Let any shinobi, regardless of Clan use them."
Silence engulfed the two as Fugaku considered the deal. If he did open the library, he knew the outcry the Clan elders would have. But on the other hand, the political goodwill it would give the Uchiha with the civilians and orphan-born ninja was immense...
Shikaku Nara grit his teeth as he watched Fugaku and Danzo conclude their speech.
"With the gracious aid of Elder Danzo, the Uchiha clan is pleased to announce the completion of Konoha's Kagami Library, available for use for all shinobi of the Leaf. The Uchiha's library of Jutsus has been compiled and updated with the assistance of the office of the councilor, and we are happy to invite you all to its grand opening tomorrow."
Fugaku was smirking, and Shikaku knew how much political clout this would give the Uchiha. It was clear they had made an alliance with Danzo (which was extremely troubling) and the Nara head pondered the implications this would have for the future. If Danzo tried to reach the Hokage seat with this level of support, the results would be disastrous. It was obvious that Sharingan specific techniques were to be excluded from this library, but the sheer wealth of knowledge the Uchihas had from decades of copying Jutsu with their dojutsu was immense. The rest of the Clan heads were silent, no doubt pondering the situation.
His eyes widened as Hatake Kakashi appeared in the room. "Yo!" He gave them a two-fingered salute. No wonder Danzo picked him. How could the Sandaime allow this?
"What do you think you are doing here, brat?" Inzuka Tsume thundered, no doubt surprised as well.
"Last I checked, the Hatake had a seat on this council." The boy lazily plopped down on his seat. "Also, the Hatake will give all their scrolls into the hands of the Kagami Library for the benefit of Konoha."
He eye-smiled at the rest of the council before flipping open a orange book. The Sandaime watched these proceedings with a neutral face, and Shikaku hoped that he would say something.
"Kagami Library..." Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard, in deep thought. "He would have approved of such a way to honor him, I suppose."
The Kage smiled nostalgically as he blew smoke out of his pipe. "If the Uchiha & Hatake are giving all their scrolls and techniques for the benefit of the village under my old friend's name, it would be wrong of me to not do the same."
"The Sarutobi will deliver all their techniques to this new Library. It is a shining example of the bonds within our village, of our shared strength."
As Shikaku gazed at Danzo's victorious smile, the only thing he could think off was: What is your plan this time?