c148 — Sarutobi Hiruzen's Winning Over
Konoha, Hokage Building. Though night had fallen, the complex still blazed with light.
The rebuilding after the Nine-Tails, daily administration, the two-front war, and the secret rivalries between great powers had kept the Hokage's office perpetually busy lately.
Uchiha Gen, the Gunbai slung over his back, arrived at the Hokage Building and walked straight in.
He carried no airs. Gen was a known jōnin; those who needed to know him already did.
After submitting his field report, Gen waited just outside the Hokage's office.
Gen was not Hiruzen Sarutobi's friend nor kin. Formal procedure required notification.
Boom… boom… boom.
"Please come in."
"Hokage-sama." Gen bowed, neither overly humble nor presumptuous as he entered.
Hiruzen's eyes flicked to the Gunbai on Gen's back. His amiable expression shifted subtly; he recognized the artifact's origin.
"I asked you to come in person. Did something major happen on the front?" Hiruzen asked, his tone regaining its steady calm.
"Yes. Something significant."
Gen produced the report scroll from his pocket, bowed slightly, and handed it across the desk with both hands.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said, accepting it kindly. "You are a front-line hero. And you are my disciple speak freely and be at ease."
Inside, Hiruzen thought: look at those words smooth, practiced. No wonder his rule remains steady and his followers many.
An ordinary Uchiha youth might feel his blood stir at Hiruzen's praise, but Gen had learned how appearances and performance mattered. He knew the balance between modesty and calculated pride.
He could afford restrained confidence now. With his Wind Release, the blessing of Zhu Rong, and Orochimaru's experiments, he had pierced Susanoo-level defenses in the field. If Danzo had been able to then Hiruzen, who was stronger surely could act likewise.
In canon, Hiruzen's Fourth Shinobi War performance was mixed but not disgraceful. The Second used advanced Water Style in decisive cuts; Hiruzen smashed through obstacles with will and jutsu resourcefulness. Facing peak godlike forces might be another matter, but against normal Kage-level threats he remained formidable. Onuki's brilliant maneuvers were excellent, but brute technique without hitting a target fails; Hiruzen's versatility still counted.
Hiruzen smiled at Gen's measured words, thinking this boy's emotional intelligence exceeded that of many Uchihas.
He unrolled the scroll and read. The smile slipped; his brow knit. The report unsettled him.
After a long breath, Hiruzen raised his head and regarded Gen with a complex mixture of pride and concern.
"This boy is a real pride of the Uchiha clan Shisui pales beside him," Hiruzen thought. Gen's talent had manifested a second "blood succession" with Orochimaru's help…
A second awakening besides the Sharingan was unprecedented, giving rise to powers that could shift Konoha's internal balance. The Gunbai's recovery, the sentient Kusanagi named Mubi, and Zhu Rong's emergent consciousness these were no small things. Gen's strength now brushed the shadows of the highest tier, and at such a young age the implications for Konoha were enormous.
Whether for better or worse, at this delicate moment the village needed to win him over and steady rule.
"You and Orochimaru have done well. You recovered something precious for Konoha's fallen. That is a great achievement," Hiruzen said.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. My main intent was to protect myself. The enemy has eyes on me," Gen replied.
"And as a Konoha shinobi, you did what you should. Konoha must not be destroyed."
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. So long as Konoha remained in Gen's heart, his motives could be forgiven even if he played with dangerous methods.
"No matter the motive, the credit stands. Keep up your efforts," Hiruzen continued. "When the wolfish ambitions of the outer lands are crushed and the war ends, I will allow you to choose one S-rank ninjutsu from the Archive of Seals."
This was no empty praise; Hiruzen's promise carried weight.
Gen laughed out loud. At last, the Flying Thunder God technique would have an official reason to be used.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will do my utmost to crush the enemy's ambitions and bring Konoha back into peace!" Gen's smile faded into solemn determination. His voice rang firm and loud.
Hiruzen nodded in approval. "Go. Finish your missions and rest."
"Yes goodbye, Hokage-sama."
Gen bowed and left without hesitation.
No sooner had he gone than Danzo arrived having heard of Gen's sudden return from a spy report.
Boom… boom… boom.
"Enter."
"What brings you here?" Hiruzen asked, removing his pipe.
Danzo's face was gloom wrapped in a forced smile. "I heard Gen Uchiha returned suddenly. What occurred?"
Hiruzen tossed the report across the desk. "Read it."
Danzo picked it up, scanned it. His face darkened and he cursed under his breath. "Damn Uchiha… he's formidable."
Hiruzen's expression tightened. "Danzo, don't be hasty with accusations."
"Ahem, understood," Danzo said. "I'll dispatch ears to collect more intel about this mysterious man."
"Do so," Hiruzen replied, pipe between his teeth, voice steady.
Danzo's next question came blunt: "This 'blood succession' aside from the Sharingan, where else does an Uchiha gain such a trait?"
"There must be foulness at work!" he muttered.
Hiruzen's face hardened when Danzo implied darker possibilities. He warned sharply, voice low but fierce: "I know what you mean to suggest, but not now, I will not hear such talk. Konoha needs unity and the bond between master and disciple now. If you make any rash moves, I will not tolerate it."
Danzo, sensing Hiruzen's barely-veiled threat and the ominous intent beneath his words, did not press his luck this time. He folded himself and conceitedly yielded.
"I spoke hastily. Since you've said it, forget it," Danzo grumbled and took his leave. The door closed quietly behind him.
On the Uchiha side, Gen returned to the clan after buying snacks in the market and leaped into the square in the way he knew best.
Public gatherings were not secretive; if a confidential meeting was needed, it would be held in the Nanga Shrine, as in the original tales.
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