Hiruzen adjusted his clothing, sighing in discomfort. He eyed the stack of papers that seemed to only grow by the day. It did not help his pounding headache.
"Hiruzen, this is serious," Danzo, his old friend, said gruffly. His bandages did not hide the battle-ready shinobi ingrained in his soul. "There is an Uchiha gallivanting around! They are likely the ones who released the Kyuubi! You cannot trust anything that the Uchiha Clan says. They are the ones who are so prideful of holding every single Uchiha accountable. They are obviously likely lying and conspiring with this traitor!"
Was his friend not able to open his eyes to the fact that there was no more war anymore? They were living in a time of peace that both Shodaime and Nidaime tried so hard to work towards, and was the same peace Hiruzen was so desperate to maintain.
Peace was fragile. With the reports of the Kyuubi seemingly controlled, likely by a Shirangan, Danzo and, as a result, the Konoha Council pushed for the Uchiha Clan to be relocated. They could not afford to lose a powerful kekkei genkai at the time, much less afford a civil war. That was the only reason why Hiruzen agreed to the relocation.
Yet, seeing the resentment everyday steadily growing, he couldn't help but wonder if that was the right choice. It felt like the only way to maintain the peace at the time, but now, it felt like a flimsy excuse for a quick solution.
"Fugaku, as the Head of the Uchiha Clan, came and asked for a formal request for assistance. He has been nothing but respectful and cooperative. The Uchiha Clan fought alongside us for so many wars and is an integral part of the village. I will not turn down his request for help. If anything, we do not know for sure if this mysterious Uchiha is an enemy," Hiruzen said calmly. Danzo opened his mouth, but he quickly cut the other off. "I am not being soft. I have sent a team of shinobi to scout and they are being cautious. Fugaku gave me his word that if this Uchiha was the reason for the Kyuubi's release, they would be punished as Konoha sees fit. If this is another clan member they were unaware of till now, we will offer them a place in the village. We do not need the Sharingan in another Hidden Village."
"Let me send a team," Danzo hissed. "They can deal with this a lot quicker in Konoha's best interests."
Hiruzen sighed. Konoha's best interest would not be a dead Uchiha.
Their conversation was interrupted by an ANBU. Hiruzen sighed, before nodding to the ANBU. He picked up the scroll and skimmed the message. It was from the team tasked with gathering intelligence about the mysterious Uchiha.
He blinked in surprise, before sliding it slyly to Danzo.
"For a supposed covert Uchiha spy, they certainly enjoy helping farmers grow their crops, protecting villages from bandits, healing sick children, and helping the elderly with their groceries," Hiruzen casually said and watched in slight amusement as his old friend huffed and stomped out of his office.
This would certainly not stop Danzo from hounding him, but his theory was simply one of the many they were exploring. If this was the shinobi that released the Kyuubi, they would not be simply wandering around in plain sight. They certainly were not acting like a shinobi either. Their "miracles" - most likely jutsus - were not discreet by any means. Easily, other Hidden Villages would have picked up on them if they wanted to. It was the same reason why many whispers reached Fugaku all the way to Konoha.
Hiruzen would also not rule out such a possibility either. If they were the one who released the Kyuubi, he and Konoha would have their share of revenge and punishment. Many were thirsty for revenge and blood for all those they lost.
This was not a race though. Move slowly and discreetly. Snare them in a trap they would not recognize, while balancing the fragile peace in Konoha.
Being the Hokage was a heavy job and it was a weight he long wished was gone.
"Hear anything about our mysterious Uchiha?" Shisui asked, sitting in the window. Itachi gave the other a flat stare and Shisui sheepishly smiled, before sliding into the room.
"Father is… displeased," Itachi said slowly. Shisui snorted.
"That's an understatement. There are a few theories flying around from an Uchiha fleeing in the middle of the war to Uncle Asahi apparently having a passionate affair with a civilian he saved. His wife is very much displeased."
"Father does not care what happened, but someone being reckless enough to abandon their child is a different story. Not to mention all the rituals and teachings this child must have missed. With the emphasis of keeping the Shirangan within the clan on top of this…" Itachi trailed off.
Shisui grimaced. The Shirangan was thought to be a rite and its power was weighed against others. It wasn't uncommon for some whose parents married outside of the clan to have a weaker Sharingan or not awaken it at all. They were the ones shunned.
If this outsider had a weak Shirangan, perhaps it would be better for them to not come to Konoha at all. Cousin Obito was an outcast and his only accomplishment was that he awakened it before his death. However, because Obito gave it to an outsider, it was unsaid to never speak of him again. His only accomplishment in the eyes of the clan was now viewed as a disgrace
"Thank you so much, Hari," the old woman said fondly and patted his arm. "You have done so much for us."
"No worries!" a young man cheerfully said in response, adjusting his orange goggles. "I am glad to help!" He waved his hand as the groceries floated out of the bags and tucked themselves away into the cupboards and fridge.
"You really did not have to stop by and help me again," the old woman clicked her tongue.
"I wandered here with no memories of my past and only had the burned clothes on my back. You guys had no money, but still took me in. I am very grateful for that," Hari said sincerely.
Granny shook her head fondly. "It was nothing. When are you going to settle down? Are you going to continue wandering?"
Hari froze, looking uncomfortable. "I just… know I'm missing something. I don't know what. Either way though, it feels right helping people. Whenever I see someone in need, I can't help but jump in."
She gave him a look of sympathy. "Are you sure you don't want to go to Konoha?" Her eyes darted to his right black eye to his contrasting emerald green one.
Hari shook his head frantically. "No, no! It's blurry, but I know my family didn't treat me well there. I was alone. I was an outcast." Memories of people looking like him floated into his mind, but they all viewed him with disdain. The feeling swelling up in his chest and thinking I'll show them all. Another memory of a large man hitting him and shoving him in a tiny space made him flinch. Did his clan give him away and allow such abuse? "I don't want to return to a clan like that."
Granny squeezed his hands kindly. Her motherly warmth was so familiar that it tugged at his heartstrings. His heart ached, but his mind was confused. He didn't understand the complex emotions swelling in him.
"You always have a place here to rest."
"Thank you." Hari gave a watery smile, before looking outside. Granny looked at him with a bright smile before slowly standing up.
"Shall we?" Granny asked, before hobbling out.
Hari grinned widely as he followed her. In her backyard, there was a forest of trees. Each was a fruit tree taller than any house in the small village.
He has two powers that would be coveted by many. He didn't understand how he had the legendary Mokuton and Sharingan. His first memory is waking up next to an old man and a strange creature. He could only remember the fear with his heart burning, before everything exploded. The old man was dead and the creature was gone. And with that, his chance for answers.
He was only able to look out of one eye when he woke up, but walked out with two.
His hands moved robotically through the correct handsigns. When he first tried it, his Mokuton was twisted. It was a weapon and not something meant to grow life. When he used it, he could only feel bitterness and anger burning in his veins.
He had to let go of that hatred.
Through the kindness of Granny and her family, he learned to let go. Seeing the happy smiles of the people he helped made him feel… at peace. It reminded him of someone he cared about, but her name was on the tip of his tongue. His heart ached when he thought of her, but knew she would have liked this.
It was hard, but it was getting better and better.
Now, he was able to use his Mokuton to grow sweet fruit from all the families. The smiles from all the old people in the village just made it all the effort more worth it.
He didn't have a lot of answers, but he felt by wandering the world, he just might find them. And here, he felt like he was doing something good. It wasn't home, but it was still nice.
"Where are you going next?" Granny asked as she put her wrinkly hand on the new apple tree.
"I always wanted to try sand dumplings," Hari replied with a smile. Granny laughed fondly.
Part 2 of Fics No One Asked For, But Here It Is.
This plot bunny wouldn't leave me alone. I might just end up giving in and writing all my plotbunnies with Naruto Crossovers…
I just wanted more of my OTP, okay? I am always thirsty for more KakaObi, though Obito is more mild down because of Harry.
This is very, very self-indulgent. Not planning this to be a long fic either. Might just add another chapter or a few. It depends on my muse!
Hope you all enjoy!
