Chapter 57: The Third Hokage’s Plan

"The Mangekyo Sharingan…"

Hearing Danzo's words, Hiruzen nodded silently, acknowledging the possibility. He'd considered it himself, but it wasn't confirmed yet.

"Hiruzen, Mirai is only thirteen. He's only been a ninja for just over a year since graduating from the Academy," Danzo continued. "Sure, he displayed remarkable talent in that sparring match with Hatake Kakashi, but to think he could grow strong enough in such a short time to overpower the Fourth Raikage—do you really think that's possible?"

Sarutobi thought it over and shook his head. "Impossible."

No matter how gifted a ninja is, the growth of power always follows certain natural laws. Even with unmatched talent, a young body can't yet reach its full potential. Not even Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha could.

"So, it must be that the Fourth Raikage underestimated the strange and unpredictable powers of the Mangekyo Sharingan," Danzo declared firmly. "That's the only way Uchiha Mirai managed to gain such an advantage."

Sarutobi didn't argue, tacitly accepting Danzo's theory. Instead, he asked,

"So, what do you propose we do?"

"Hmph! I told you long ago to hand Mirai over to me. It's your hesitation that led us here."

"Danzo, let's not play the blame game now." Sarutobi waved a hand dismissively. "Just because Mirai awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan doesn't mean my previous approach was wrong."

"What we need to decide now," he continued, "is how we should treat Uchiha Mirai moving forward."

Danzo smirked. "Simple. Hand him over to me. Once he's in Root, I have a thousand ways to make him obedient."

"Danzo, there's no way I'll hand Mirai over to you," Sarutobi replied, eyes narrowing. "Let's not bring this up again." He knew Danzo's intentions too well. If Mirai fell into his hands, he'd become Danzo's deadliest weapon. And if Danzo ever decided to turn that weapon against him… well, that would spell trouble.

As childhood friends, Sarutobi knew exactly how far Danzo would go for the Hokage's seat.

Seeing Sarutobi's refusal, Danzo shrugged. "Then I have nothing more to say."

Since Danzo wasn't cooperating, Sarutobi decided to share the plan he'd already formulated.

"Since Mirai has such power, he should contribute more to the village. I'm planning to send him to the battlefield in the near future. Perhaps he'll replicate our success from the last war with Kumogakure."

A cold smile crossed Danzo's face upon hearing Sarutobi's plan. After all, the Mangekyo Sharingan gradually blinds its user with repeated use. By sending Mirai to the front lines, Sarutobi intended to wear down his powers against the enemy. In this way, even if Mirai didn't go completely blind by the war's end, he'd no longer be a threat to them.

As for delaying his deployment, Danzo could guess the reason. Sarutobi didn't want Mirai, who had just defeated the Fourth Raikage, to gain too much fame and influence too quickly. Such a careful strategy—truly impressive, even their old master would have approved.

"What's with that look, Danzo?" Sarutobi's brow furrowed in irritation.

"Oh, nothing. But next time, if you've already made up your mind, there's no need to consult me," Danzo replied dryly.

"Nonsense!" Sarutobi scolded. "I only came up with this plan after dismissing your suggestion."

"Whatever you say," Danzo muttered as he left. "After all, you're the Hokage now."

Watching Danzo's retreating figure, Sarutobi's mouth twitched. Why did it feel like Danzo had stolen his line?

Leaving the Hokage's office, Mirai bought a few sticks of dango before heading back to the clan's compound. As he walked down the street, fellow Uchiha clan members paused to greet him respectfully, even children peeking shyly from behind their parents, nibbling on snacks while watching him in awe.

"Mirai-sama, we've all heard your story—you even defeated the Fourth Raikage! That's incredible."

"Indeed! They're saying we Uchiha have produced a truly remarkable figure."

"Mirai-sama, you should come to our house for dinner someday. It's on the house!"

"Our Uchiha clan's reputation will spread across the ninja world once again."

"The village should really be celebrating such an achievement in these turbulent times. They should be spreading word of Mirai-sama's victory!"

"With the Uchiha watching over the village, any thoughts of attacking Konoha are pure folly!"

Seeing the genuine expressions on everyone's faces, Mirai felt his sense of belonging to this world deepen. His past life felt like a fading dream, now he was a true son of the Uchiha, rooted in this world. With him here, he would make sure the Uchiha wouldn't suffer the same tragic fate as they did in the original story.

When he arrived home, Mirai found his house spotless, though he hadn't returned in nearly two months. It seemed someone had been coming by to clean for him regularly. Puzzled, he mused, Could it be that the ninja world has its own "Cinderella"?

After sitting quietly for a while, Mirai went to the kitchen, ready to treat himself to a well-deserved meal after months of surviving on military rations. With the help of a Shadow Clone, he soon had a feast laid out in front of him.

Just as he was about to dig in, the door opened, and a familiar figure walked in.

"Shisui?"

Seeing Uchiha Shisui standing there, holding a bucket and a cloth, Mirai understood. Shisui must have been the one keeping his place clean this whole time. With a slight sense of disappointment, he chuckled to himself. He'd thought some girl in the clan had taken a liking to him and had been cleaning his house in secret. But no—it was Shisui.

So much for his Cinderella dream.

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