Chapter 28: The Uzumaki

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was contemplating how to isolate the Uchiha clan and remove them entirely from Konoha's center of power, the door to his office suddenly opened. Frowning, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a twinge of dissatisfaction.

"Don't you know how to knock on the door?"

"Hiruzen, your temper is quite high these days, all because of the Uchiha."

Danzo entered from outside.

"Danzo, what brings you here?"

Upon seeing Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. Although Danzo was the Hokage's assistant, he typically stayed with the Root organization, the shadowy group that managed Konoha's darker affairs, and rarely appeared in public.

"I'm here about Kisaragi Uchiha. Hiruzen, that kid Kisaragi is a cancer. The Uchiha clan shouldn't exist in Konoha Village. We should eliminate them."

There was a cold gleam in Danzo's eyes. The Jonin from the Root organization, who had been sent to capture Kisaragi, had gone missing. Danzo was certain that something had happened, as his subordinates would never betray him. This only increased his fury. If it weren't for Uchiha's strength, Danzo would have already mobilized the Root to eliminate them.

But dealing with the Uchiha clan wasn't easy. Even if the Root managed to defeat them, the cost would be significant. That's why Danzo came to Sarutobi Hiruzen, hoping the Hokage would join forces with him. With the strength of Konoha's Anbu combined with the Root, they could completely wipe out the Uchiha clan.

"Danzo, you're too extreme. I won't agree to that," Sarutobi Hiruzen responded firmly.

It wasn't that he had mercy toward the Uchiha. He understood that eliminating the clan would be disastrous. Konoha would suffer heavy losses, and other villages would surely take advantage of the situation to attack. Additionally, targeting the Uchiha clan would cause other families within the village to grow suspicious. If the Uchiha could be destroyed, so could they.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, I think you've grown old and confused. If the Uchiha clan isn't dealt with, they will eventually bring ruin to Konoha." Danzo glared at Hiruzen, clearly displeased.

He had long been dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen. The man before him no longer had the vigor he'd displayed during the Second Shinobi World War. In Danzo's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer deserved the title of Hokage. Danzo believed he was far more suited for the role. As a fellow disciple of the Second Hokage, Danzo never saw himself as inferior to Hiruzen.

"You don't understand the consequences of attacking the Uchiha clan. I won't allow it. I also advise your Root organization to stay out of it. If you act on your own, I won't hesitate to disband the Root."

Hiruzen's warning was clear. Failing to get what he wanted, Danzo left in a foul mood, but not before issuing his own warning: "Sarutobi, you will regret this."

Meanwhile, the major ninja families in Konoha were surprised by how quickly Kisaragi had become the new Uchiha patriarch. The only one who wasn't surprised was likely Nara Shikaku. Although many people were unhappy with Kisaragi's rise, there was nothing they could do to change it.

"Patriarch, Uchiha Fugaku has disappeared. It's suspected he's been taken," Uchiha Shin reported gravely to Kisaragi.

Ever since Fugaku had been ousted from the Uchiha clan, Shin had kept an eye on him, planning to kill him if the opportunity arose. Despite Fugaku's expulsion, Shin felt that the only way to ensure true safety was for Fugaku to die.

"Alright, I understand," Kisaragi responded, unfazed.

To him, Fugaku wasn't worth worrying about, even though Fugaku had been the clan's patriarch in the original timeline and was rumored to have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Go monitor Uchiha Rin's situation and try to win him over."

Uchiha Rin was an Elite Jonin, close to reaching the level of Kage. His loyalty would be valuable.

"That might be difficult. Rin was groomed by Uchiha Nagisa. He's unlikely to betray Fugaku," Shun said, looking troubled. Rin was a close confidant of Fugaku, raised to support his leadership.

"Give it a try. It doesn't matter if it doesn't work. If he refuses, then he no longer has any need to live."

Though he couldn't eliminate Rin openly, Kisaragi had many ways to deal with such issues.

After giving Shin his instructions, Kisaragi dismissed him, leaving himself alone with Uchiha Mikoto.

"You did well before," Kisaragi said approvingly to Mikoto.

Mikoto wasn't sure how to feel about the compliment. This man had clearly used her as a pawn in his plans to oust Fugaku.

"Stay here today. Don't leave."

As Mikoto was about to leave, Kisaragi reached out and pulled her back into his arms. She no longer resisted, having learned to accept her fate.

"Who took Uchiha Fugaku, I wonder?" Kisaragi mused.

He had two suspects: Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo's Root organization. Both had reasons, but Hiruzen was the more likely culprit.

"Whoever it was, it doesn't matter. A beaten dog is nothing to worry about."

No matter who had taken Fugaku, Kisaragi knew he posed no threat. Even if Fugaku had unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan, Kisaragi wasn't concerned.

"You have a best friend named Kushina, right?"

Kisaragi asked, pulling Mikoto closer as he sat down. Upon hearing Kushina's name, Mikoto's face paled. She understood what Kisaragi was implying.

You're targeting Kushina?

Indeed, Kisaragi had his sights set on Kushina. Aside from the immense value in terms of his own goals, Kushina was a treasure. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, she held great power. The Uzumaki were renowned for their sealing techniques, many of which were famous in the ninja world. They also had strong life forces, descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, through Ōtsutsuki Asura.

Kisaragi coveted the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and saw Kushina as the key.