Time flowed as always, steady and unstoppable, and in the blink of an eye it was already December of Konoha Year 54.
On the Rice Field Country front, Kumogakure who after failing to achieve decisive results for too long finally grew weary of dragging the war out. They formally proposed peace talks.
Konoha, after years of fighting, also needed time to recover. The village wanted the war to end just as badly.
To show sincerity, both sides pulled back some of their shinobi and sent representatives to the negotiation table.
Since both wanted peace, at least outwardly, the talks moved quickly. Within just a few days, they had reached a consensus; Kumogakure would send a delegation to Konoha to sign the peace treaty on December 27th.
Whether by coincidence or intention, that day also happened to be the third birthday of Hyūga Hinata, eldest daughter of the Hyūga main family.
Even before the Cloud delegation set out, word of the coming treaty spread like wildfire throughout the village. With certain hands fanning the flames, it soon became the talk of Konoha.
This much commotion was unusual. Konoha had signed treaties before, but never had the village buzzed like this.
The peace with Kumogakure meant the end of all current wars for Konoha, a true return to peace but the reaction was overblown. A treaty from what was essentially a limited conflict was being treated as if the entire Third Shinobi World War had just ended.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other elders even went so far as to plan a celebration, requiring every shinobi in the village to attend.
Uchiha Gen couldn't understand what there was to celebrate. It wasn't as if Konoha had defeated Kumogakure.
After years of battle, the result was nothing more than a stalemate.
To Gen, the fuss reeked of political maneuvering is likely the Sarutobi faction trying to inflate Sarutobi Shinnosuke's record of achievements.
Gen wasn't concerned. Shinnosuke had no real chance.
Too many shinobi were more qualified for leadership, now and in the future. Unless they all died off, Shinnosuke would never see the Hokage's seat.
So Gen ignored the village's turmoil. He simply instructed the Police Force to carry out its duties, then quietly sent invitations to the heads of the Yamanaka and Aburame clans.
Inoichi Yamanaka had only recently returned from the Rice Fields front, while Shibi Aburame was almost always in Konoha. Gen waited until both were present before sending the invitations as he disliked wasting time on one-by-one formalities.
The two were surprised, even hesitant, but eventually agreed to attend.
The Uchiha's position in Konoha was very different from the 'original story.'
The Nine-Tails' attack had never been tied to the clan, so the other families had far fewer reservations about dealing with them. And the higher-ups, for all their hostility, couldn't realistically forbid clans from normal interaction.
On the afternoon of December 15th, Inoichi and Shibi arrived at Gen's residence. They were shown to the tea room, where they sat across from him.
Inoichi, with his long blond hair and red cape draped over his flak vest, radiated calm steadiness.
Shibi, in his high-collared coat and dark sunglasses, his trimmed beard lending gravity, exuded mystery.
They were familiar with one another but not close. After polite greetings, Inoichi cut straight to the point with a smile.
"Head of the Police Force, Gen… this isn't just for tea, is it?"
"Tea, yes," Gen replied. "But also… I have two people for you to meet."
He clapped twice. Footsteps soon followed, and the sliding door opened. Two small figures entered.
"Clan Head," Fu Yamanaka and Torune Aburame bowed simultaneously.
"Fu."
"Torune."
Both Inoichi and Shibi stiffened, eyes wide behind their calm masks.
"What is the meaning of this?" Inoichi demanded, voice taut with emotion.
Gen simply waved a hand. Fu and Torune bowed once more, then quietly withdrew, sliding the door shut behind them.
"Danzo overreached," Gen said lightly, almost amused. "I seized the opening. They are one of the results."
The clan heads exchanged glances, their surprise giving way to awe. For him to say it so casually… but they knew how impossible such a thing should have been.
When their prodigious children had been selected for Root, neither clan had dared resist. And once taken, Root shinobi never came back.
Born Root, die Root. That was the iron law.
Kakashi had only been tricked into service briefly, never a true member. Yamato was an exception but at this time, they didn't even know of his existence.
To them, this was unprecedented.
Inoichi exhaled heavily. "Head of the Police Force… what do you want?"
Gen leaned back, voice calm. "I'll allow them to return to clan life. In exchange, I want two things."
"First, when the time comes, I want them to form a team with Itachi. This will require all three of us to promote. Second, I want the friendship of the Yamanaka and Aburame clans."
His gaze flicked between the two. "What do you say?"
Shibi answered without hesitation. "Yes. It is an honor for the Aburame to be counted friends of the Uchiha."
Their clan had always been more independent, less bound to the Hokage faction than the Yamanaka. They had fewer reservations.
Inoichi was slower, but not by much. After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Yes. The Yamanaka also find it an honor."
Fu and Torune were prodigies. That was why Danzo had chosen them in the first place. To have them back, alive, was invaluable for their clans' futures.
Gen raised his teacup and laughed. "Then let us toast with tea instead of wine to our friendship."
The others quickly lifted their cups, respectfully tilting their rims lower than his.
By clan size, strength, reputation, and personal power, neither could compare to Gen. Yet as heads of Konoha's secret technique clans, they were far from insignificant.
"Stay for dinner tonight," Gen said warmly. "I'd like to introduce Fu and Torune properly to Itachi. I hope you'll guide him as a junior."
Both men exchanged fleeting, private thoughts. This Gen… he treats Fugaku's son with surprising care. Even after Fugaku's family fractured, he hasn't abandoned him.
They showed nothing outwardly, simply smiling in agreement.
Gen called Mikoto and asked her to prepare a meal. She accepted gladly, enthusiastic as always.
To Mikoto, there was no disdain for civilian-born shinobi, but reality was clear; clan shinobi were stronger, and geniuses among them stronger still. Training alongside such talents meant better futures for everyone.
That evening, over dinner, Gen introduced Fu and Torune to Itachi.
Both boys treated Itachi with deep respect, not just because of Gen but also because of Itachi's reputation and ability. Living among the Uchiha, they had already heard of his feats.
Itachi, in turn, treated them with kindness and humility, welcoming them as comrades.
The dinner passed in warm harmony. Afterwards, conversation lingered, and even Mikoto's hospitality shone brighter than usual.
It was a success from every angle, political, personal, and familial.