76. Relocation of Uchiha Clan

Inside the leaf Village Hospital,

Izuna's Chakra recovers enough to trigger his healing factor. The wound around his stomach heals at a rapid pace. In a few moments, his wound closes and Izuna gains consciousness.

Tsunade who is examining a medical report nearby notices the change in Izuna's body.

"This is… Incredible!"

Izuna opens his eyes groggily and inspects his surroundings. He lies on a bed with an IV-drip attached to him. Izuna slowly stands up and removes the IV drip.

"Kid, you finally gained consciousness. How are you feeling right now? As a medic, you must know your condition better than anyone else."

Izuna flexes his hands and muscles. The soreness he felt earlier fades away. He takes a few steps and stands in front of Tsunade and bows to her.

"Thank you, Tsunade-San. I have recovered from my injuries and I am good to go."

"You should thank Hiruzen-Sensei. He was the one who sent you here. You were in terrible shape when you arrived here? Also, what was that just now, kid?

Your healing was almost on the same level as my Creation Rebirth, if not higher." Tsunade curiously looked at Izuna.

'Ugh! How to explain this to her?'

Izuna stays silent. Tsunade sighs and remarks,

"I know every Ninja has their own secrets and techniques. If you don't want to reveal it, then it is fine with me. But you can always trust me."

"Thank-you, Tsunade san. I hope you won't mention this to anyone. I will reveal everything to you in the future."

Suddenly something clicks in Izuna's head and he anxiously questions Tsunade.

"Tsunade-san, where is Naruto? The son of Minato and Kushina. He was with me before I lost consciousness."

"Calm down! Izuna. Naruto is fine. Hiruzen-sensei is taking care of him for now. He will eventually assign a caretaker for Naruto." Tsunade calms down Izuna.

"Tsunade-san! I have a request for you if you are fine with it." Izuna requests Tsunade.

"Well, make your request. I will fulfill it if it's within my capabilities." Tsunade assures Izuna.

"Tsunade-san, the village won't allow me to take care of Naruto. I am an Uchiha and many elders will be against the decision. So, I would like to request you to take care of Naruto for at least five years.

You can leave him when he enters the academy. At that time, I will personally train Naruto. This was the last wish of Minato and Kushina. I hope you agree with me."

Tsunade ponders for a while before sighing,

"Fine, I will take care of Naruto. Initially, I planned to leave the village with Shizune. But your request has delayed my departure. I will talk to sensei about this matter.

Also, Naruto is a part Uzumaki like me. So, it makes us a family. I will be his Godmother and take care of him."

Tsunade agrees with Izuna's request.

"Also, Hiruzen sensei wants to know the details of the entire incident from you. Apparently, you are the only survivor who knows about the details."

"I will answer all of his questions after the funeral."

Izuna changes his clothes and teleports from the spot.

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Later during the funeral ceremony,

Izuna joins other Uchihas in mourning. He silently stares at the crying baby Naruto placed in a basket in front of the Symbol of Will of Fire.

Hiruzen walks forward and addresses the ceremony,

"We lost many lives, including the Fourth Hokage Minato and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. The facts behind the incident are still unknown.

But for now, let us mourn our comrades."

All the shinobis silently pay their respect to their dead comrades.

Tsunade walks to the basket and picks Naruto in her arms.

Tch…

Danzo clicks his tongue and stares at Hiruzen. Hiruzen ignores Danzo and continues with the ceremony.

'At least, Naruto won't have a miserable childhood this way. Minato and Kushina, this is the best I can do for the current Naruto. He needs motherly love and Tsunade will be an excellent mother.'

Izuna stares at the departing back of Tsunade and other villagers.

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Inside the private room,

Danzo slams his hands on the table and questions Hiruzen.

"Hiruzen, what's the meaning of this? Why would you allow Tsunade to take care of that jinchuruki? You also know how irresponsible she is?"

"Danzo, I won't hear any question on this matter. Tsunade volunteered to take care of Naruto. Also, both of them are part Uzumaki.

I will change Naruto's last name to Uzumaki to prevent Minato's enemy from hunting down his son. Staying with Tsunade will also grant him additional protection." Hiruzen rebukes Danzo.

"We agree with Hiruzen's decision. We have other important matters to handle. Almost one-third of Central Konoha was destroyed. We have to conduct a meeting with various Clan heads to discuss reconstruction and relocation." Koharu and Homura discuss serious matters.

"Let us summon them and start the meeting."

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Inside the large meeting room,

Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura sit on elders' seats with various clan leaders seated around a table. A large map of Konoha is placed on the table, and Danzo explains the plans to clan leaders.

With a long stick in his hands, Danzo moves back and forth around the table as he explains,

"The Nine-tails caused major devastation throughout the village. Almost one-third of the village is destroyed. For the reconstruction, we have decided to revise a number of the Village's boundaries."

He points the stick at a certain part of the map and explains,

"We'd like the Aburame clan to move into this district. The clan previously submitted a request to occupy the forest, so we took that into consideration."

Shibi Aburame nods to Danzo, and Danzo continues.

"The Nara clan's territory was not part of the stricken area, so they will remain where they are. The Leaf Police Force headquarters which sustained damage will be rebuilt here."

Danzo points at the furthest end of the village, almost near the outer periphery of the Village. Fugaku frowns at this decision.

"And the Uchiha clan will move along with the headquarters…"

Fugaku stands up and slams his hands on the table.

"Lord Danzo! The Uchiha clan makes up the Leaf Police Force that protects the Hidden Leaf. As such, that location is too far from the village center. We wouldn't be able to act swiftly in an emergency."

Other clan leaders nod in agreement. Danzo cuts off Fugaku and argues,

"We have the ANBU Black Ops for such emergencies."

"The Leaf Police has to commute to the training ground, does it not? This location is near an area that's ideal for training. You can use that area exclusively for the Uchiha's training grounds." Hiruzen points out the facts.

"Continuing on… In conjunction with the reconstruction of the Leaf Police Headquarters, the Uchiha clan will also relocate. Home and buildings that were spared will be…"

Danzo continues to explain the construction plans.

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Inside the Naka Shrine,

Many Leaf Police force members gathered for a secret meeting. Fugaku and an elder led the meeting.

Izuna walks to the Naka Shrine and notices Itachi at the Tori Gate of Shrine.

"How are you doing, Itachi?" Izuna questions him.

"I am doing fine, Izuna nii-san. Father has summoned you for the meeting." Itachi replies to Izuna.

Izuna walks inside the Naka Shrine and meets with Fugaku,

"So, the dog of Anbu has appeared for the meeting." One of the police force members taunts Izuna.

"What are you doing at this secret meeting?" Another police member questions him.

"What I am doing here is none of your business?" Izuna activates his Sharingan and stares at the police member.

The police force members activate his Sharingan and stare back at Izuna. Izuna murmurs,

'Genjutsu: Sharingan'

The police force member sweats profusely and pants heavily. Another member tries to dispel the genjutsu but fails.

"Enough… stop this unnecessary quarrel right now." Fugaku bellows.

Izuna dispels the genjutsu and walks in front of Fugaku.

"You have summoned me, clan leader."

"Yes, today we are conducting a secret clan meeting and you are also one of the elites of the clan. We will start the meeting now." Fugaku signals to start the discussion.

"During the nine-tails incident, we Uchiha were not credited because they feared that we used our Sharingan to manipulate the Nine-Tails." One of the Uchiha member remarks.

"Even worse, there are some who say that the Uchiha caused the Nine-tails incident!" Another member yells.

"They are sending us to the outskirts of the village to keep an eye on us!" Another member states his opinion.

"This is just like during the second Hokage's era when the Uchiha were rounded up and isolated in one part of the Village!" Another member complains.

"This time, it is even further away! The village suspects us!" Another member chimes in.

"Captain, we can't accept this decision! We should reject this outright!" One of the members riles up the crowd.

"Captain! Captain! Captain!" all of them shout in unison.

"You are absolutely right. But the other clans have accepted their respective relocations as well. The Uchiha cannot be the lone voice of dissent." Fugaku interrupts them.

"But Captain!..."

"I'll do what I can to negotiate the conditions. But we must accept the move. Pass the word around. That is all. Dismissed." Fugaku dismisses them.

Izuna stands and starts to walk away but is interrupted by Fugaku,

"Izuna, stay behind. I have some matters to discuss with you."

Izuna stops in his tracks and waits for Fugaku to speak. After a while, when all members dispersed, Fugaku speaks,

"Izuna, you have been part of Anbu since the tenure of the Last Hokage. So, this makes you a trustworthy person in the eyes of Hokage. I would like you to monitor Village elders, especially Danzo Shimura and the Hokage, and report their matters to me.

The welfare of the clan should be prioritized. I don't want our Uchiha Clan to fade in the annals of history similar to the Senju Clan. You will be our spy in the Anbu."

'What? He wants me to spy in Anbu. I don't want the Uchiha clan to go extinct. I will act accordingly for the betterment of my family.'

"Yes, clan leader. I will take care of that."

Fugaku nods and dismisses Izuna.

'I am strong enough to deal with Danzo. But first, I have to collect proofs against him. Orochimaru is still in the village. After Orochimaru leaves the village. I will put my plan into action.'

Izuna is lost in his thoughts as he flickers towards his house.