As the days passed, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, began accompanying Izuna more frequently. Their walks through the streets of Konoha became routine, and villagers would often greet their Hokage warmly, while casting curious glances at Izuna, the mysterious outsider. For Hiruzen, these walks were not just a way to observe the village but an opportunity to continue learning from someone who possessed knowledge beyond anything he had encountered in his long life.
Izuna, born on a distant world and having journeyed through countless planets, had a perspective unlike any shinobi Hiruzen had ever met. And Hiruzen, true to his title of "The Professor," was not a man to let an opportunity for learning pass him by. Each conversation with Izuna opened his mind to new ideas, new possibilities, and new understandings of the world—and worlds—beyond.
One day, as they walked near the Hokage Monument, Hiruzen turned to Izuna with a question that had been on his mind for a while.
"Izuna," Hiruzen began thoughtfully, "what do you think of the shinobi of this planet? Of us? How do we compare to what you've seen in your travels?"
Izuna glanced at the Hokage, his expression calm but contemplative. He had been expecting this question for some time, knowing that Hiruzen was a man who valued insight, especially from someone with a perspective as unique as his own. After a brief pause, Izuna answered.
"Shinobi," he said slowly, "are undeniably strong. You have the will of warriors, and there is power in that. But you are also proud—sometimes too proud—and full of yourselves. It's a common trait I've seen on many worlds, especially among those who live by the sword."
Hiruzen nodded, not surprised by this observation but curious to hear more.
Izuna continued, his tone taking on a more critical edge. "Your strength is your greatest asset, but it's also your greatest flaw. Shinobi often believe that because they are powerful, every problem must be solved through conflict. Even when there's a way to resolve things without shedding blood, they will still seek out violence. It's as if you are bound by a cycle of war, unable to break free from it, even when peace is within reach."
Hiruzen remained silent, allowing Izuna's words to sink in. It wasn't the first time he had heard such criticisms, but coming from someone like Izuna, who had seen far more than anyone in the village could imagine, it carried a different weight.
"And it's not just about choosing violence," Izuna added, his gaze drifting toward the Hokage Monument. "Even when a solution is right in front of you, even when you have the means to solve your problems peacefully, you don't take it. Instead, you seek out the most difficult path, almost as if you're drawn to conflict and chaos. Shinobi are bound by tradition, by pride, and by their past, and that often blinds them to the future."
Hiruzen sighed, looking down at the village below. He knew there was truth in Izuna's words. The shinobi world had been shaped by centuries of conflict, from the Warring States period to the Great Ninja Wars. Peace, though long desired, always seemed just out of reach, and more often than not, bloodshed was seen as the only solution.
"You're not wrong," Hiruzen admitted, his voice tinged with sadness. "We've been at war for so long that many of us have forgotten what true peace even looks like. Conflict has become a way of life, and breaking that cycle... is easier said than done."
Izuna glanced at the Hokage, sensing the weight of his words. "I've seen worlds destroyed by that mindset, Hokage. Civilizations that were once as strong as yours, reduced to nothing because they couldn't let go of their need for conflict. I hope your world doesn't follow the same path."
Hiruzen looked up at the sky, his thoughts heavy. "And how do we change it, Izuna? How do we break free from this cycle?"
"Look at the problem with the Uchiha Clan," Izuna continued, his voice calm but firm. "They were one of the founding clans of Konoha, and yet you've pushed them to the outskirts of the village, treating them as if they're already traitors. You're watching them constantly, isolating them. Do you really think that's going to help? You're making them into rebels, Hiruzen. You're creating the very threat you fear."
Hiruzen didn't flinch at Izuna's accusations. He knew the man was right. The distrust between the village leadership and the Uchiha had festered for years. But hearing it spoken so plainly made the situation seem all the more dire. Izuna, however, wasn't finished.
"All of this started because someone saw a Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes during the attack on Konoha," Izuna continued. "Everyone immediately assumed it was the Uchiha Clan's doing. But you've all conveniently forgotten something—the Sharingan can be transplanted. Anyone could have been responsible, even someone who isn't Uchiha."
Izuna glanced at Hiruzen, his expression unreadable. "Like your old teammate, Danzo."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock. "Danzo?"
"Yes," Izuna replied, his tone cold. "Danzo has a Sharingan hidden beneath that bandage he always wears over his eye. Did you know that?"
Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine. He had never heard this before, and the thought of Danzo possessing such a power, especially without his knowledge, deeply unsettled him.
"Are you suggesting that Danzo was the one who unleashed the Nine-Tails?" Hiruzen asked cautiously, his mind racing with the implications.
Izuna shrugged. "I wasn't here when the Nine-Tails attacked, so I don't know. But I do know for certain that Danzo has a Sharingan. And I also know that some members of the Uchiha Clan are aware of it. They wanted to execute him for stealing a bloodline, because no one gave him that eye. Which means Danzo took it by force, possibly killing an Uchiha for it. That's treason in its own right."
Hiruzen clenched his fists, his mind swirling with the new information. He had always known Danzo operated in the shadows, making difficult decisions for what he believed to be the good of the village. But this... If Danzo had indeed stolen the Sharingan and kept it secret from him, it was a betrayal of the highest order.
"I'm not saying Danzo unleashed the Nine-Tails," Izuna clarified. "I'm simply pointing out that the Sharingan isn't exclusive to the Uchiha anymore. If you want peace with the Uchiha Clan, you need to stop treating them like the enemy."
Hiruzen was silent, processing everything. Izuna's words were harsh but truthful. The Uchiha had been ostracized for too long, their loyalty questioned at every turn. And the idea that Danzo, his old comrade, might have stolen from them only made things worse.
Izuna gave Hiruzen a moment before continuing, his tone softening slightly. "There's a simple solution to this. You're getting older, Hokage. You need someone younger to eventually take over. Someone who can bring peace between the village and the Uchiha."
Hiruzen looked at him curiously. "What are you suggesting?"
"It's simple," Izuna said with a small smile. "Make Itachi Uchiha your assistant. Retire him from the Anbu, and let rumors spread that Itachi is being groomed to be the next Hokage. You don't have to confirm or deny anything—just let the rumors run their course. If Itachi proves himself capable, then maybe he should become Hokage. It's what the Uchiha have always wanted, after all—one of their own to lead the village. And even if you decide he's not fit for the role, as long as he's your assistant, no Uchiha will dare rebel against you."
Hiruzen's mind raced. It was a brilliant idea. Itachi was already highly respected, not just within the Uchiha Clan but throughout the village. If he were positioned as a future Hokage candidate, it would quell the unrest within the Uchiha and buy Hiruzen the time he needed to find a lasting solution to their grievances.
He had never considered using Itachi in this way, but now that Izuna had brought it up, it seemed like the perfect move.
"I never thought of it like that," Hiruzen admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But it's a good idea. Itachi is a loyal shinobi, and if anyone could bridge the gap between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, it's him."
Izuna nodded, satisfied that Hiruzen was considering his suggestion. "Think about it, Hokage. The Uchiha don't need to be your enemies. You just need to give them something to believe in. Something to hope for."
Hiruzen took a deep breath, his mind clearer now than it had been in weeks. Izuna was right. It wasn't too late to fix things with the Uchiha. But he would have to act quickly, and decisively, if he wanted to avoid the bloodshed that seemed to loom on the horizon.
"I will," Hiruzen said quietly, determination in his voice. "Thank you, Izuna."
Izuna simply nodded, his expression unreadable. "Let's hope it's not too late, Hokage."
As Izuna turned to leave, he called back to Hiruzen with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh, and one more thing, Hokage. You shinobi always use your clones for battle, but have you ever thought of using them for the more... mundane tasks? Like building things, cleaning your house, or, more importantly, doing your paperwork?"
Izuna smirked, as the realization dawned on Hiruzen's face. "Yes, paperwork, Hokage. Shadow clones can handle that too. You could have had them help you years ago."
With that, Izuna, leaning on his walking stick, strolled away toward the academy to pick up Naruto, his lone arm swinging by his side as he moved. Hiruzen stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing with the simplicity and brilliance of what he had just heard.
The thought of using clones for paperwork had never crossed his mind in all his years as Hokage. He had been overwhelmed by the endless stacks of documents, yet here was a simple solution. He suddenly felt the urge to bang his head against the nearest pole, wondering how he had missed such an obvious use for clones all these years.
The Uchiha problem now had a potential solution, and Izuna had casually handed him the key to tackling the soul-crushing monotony of his administrative duties. He couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. For years, he had wrestled with these issues, and in one brief conversation, Izuna had offered two simple, yet elegant solutions.
"I really do owe him," Hiruzen muttered to himself, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and frustration.
With the weight of these two massive problems suddenly feeling lighter, the Third Hokage realized he might finally have some time to actually enjoy life. Maybe, just maybe, with the Uchiha at peace and the paperwork no longer consuming his days, he could finally relax.
As he began walking back to the Hokage Tower, a small smile crept onto his face. He would put Izuna's advice to the test and find out just how effective shadow clones could be at handling village paperwork. And as for the Uchiha, it was time to make some decisions.
The very next day, Hiruzen Sarutobi made his move. As planned, Itachi Uchiha resigned from the Anbu and was appointed as the Hokage's personal assistant. Hiruzen wasted no time in subtly starting the rumor that Itachi was being groomed to be the next Hokage. In truth, it wasn't just a rumor from Hiruzen's perspective—he truly believed that Itachi could be his successor and wanted to ensure the young Uchiha had the skills to handle the village when the time came.
The impact of the rumor spread like wildfire across Konoha. Within days, the villagers' attitude toward the Uchiha clan shifted drastically. With the possibility of the next Hokage being from their clan, the once-wary citizens of Konoha began to treat the Uchiha with newfound respect. Shopkeepers, merchants, and even rival clans tread more carefully in their interactions with the Uchiha, not wanting to risk offending a clan that could soon hold the highest office in the village. Business dealings with the Uchiha flourished, and their social standing rose.
Hiruzen also took additional measures to appease the Uchiha further. He approved the construction of a new police station in the heart of the village, ensuring the Uchiha clan had a strong presence in Konoha's center. For years, their district had been on the outskirts, making it difficult for them to function effectively as the village's police force. This new station symbolized their reintegration into the heart of village affairs and restored a sense of dignity to the clan.
Though many in Konoha didn't like the sudden shift in power dynamics, the village remained a military state where the Hokage's word was law. And Hiruzen, with his decades of experience, knew how to maintain control. He had put his plan into motion, and the Uchiha clan, once on the verge of rebellion, now felt pride swell within them.
Fugaku Uchiha, head of the clan and father to Itachi, was especially proud. His eldest son, Itachi, was already a prodigy, and now, with the possibility of becoming Hokage, Fugaku saw the chance for his family to secure true power in Konoha. To ensure his family's continued prominence, Fugaku turned his attention to grooming his younger son, Sasuke. He saw Sasuke as the future head of the Uchiha clan and began pushing him even harder in his training.
Everything was going according to Izuna's plan. The Uchiha were satisfied, the tensions between the clan and the rest of the village had cooled, and Itachi's rise to power had the potential to prevent further conflict. But Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a small twinge of uncertainty. Izuna had helped him solve one of the village's most dangerous problems, but Hiruzen knew that in the world of shinobi, peace was often fragile. For now, though, the village was at ease.
With the Uchiha pacified and Itachi growing into his new role as his assistant, Hiruzen turned his focus back to the other looming challenges facing the village. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder just how deeply Izuna's influence would change the future of Konoha.
Author's Note:
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