Konoha.
"Put on your ANBU combat uniform and familiarize yourself with the terrain. Follow ."
Itachi led Sasuke, taking him on a route that circled nearly half of Konoha. Under Sasuke's frowning, puzzled gaze, they arrived at the cliffs above the Hokage Rock.
Inside a few nearby houses, the sound of footsteps echoed as the 13-year-old Itachi calmly led Sasuke upward, explaining the tasks assigned to their ANBU team.
"Now that you've joined the ANBU, so of the darker missions within the village are unavoidable. Eight years ago, during the Nine-Tails incident, all evidence pointed to the faction led by the Third Hokage and his inner circle.
After the coup d'état that overthrew the Third Hokage's leadership, a series of heinous cris were uncovered. Since then, the forr territories of the Third Hokage's faction have been under 24-hour surveillance, and forced relocations were implented…"
As Itachi spoke, Sasuke showed a look of shock. It seed that so long-buried mories in his mind were being stirred.
In the world he ca from, there was also a Nine-Tails conflict, followed by his family being forced to move to the village's outskirts.
From as far back as he could rember, his family had lived on the outskirts, never stepping foot into the central areas of the village.
The sound of a door opening brought him back to the present. Itachi led him into a secret room.
"This is ANBU Captain Senju Nawaki, the main person in charge of this surveillance mission. The ANBU Vice-Captain is Hatake Kakashi, a disciple of Shirou-sensei. And over there is Uchiha Shisui…"
Inside the secret room, with a warm smile, Itachi introduced the ANBU mbers to his younger brother, who was technically older than him in this tiline.
Among the residents of Konoha, only a few people knew about the four mbers of Team Hebi coming from another tiline, and the information was strictly classified.
"Welco, new mber."
"Wow, another Uchiha genius? I'm so jealous!"
"I heard he's the Hokage's new disciple. He must be incredibly strong."
At that mont, Sasuke stood there, dazed, as the ANBU mbers greeted him warmly. Among them were familiar faces—Uchiha Shisui, whom he knew as a brother figure, and the white-haired Hatake Kakashi.
"Sasuke, from today onwards, you're one of us."
Under the lively welco ceremony, Sasuke, feeling stiff and slightly out of place, officially joined Konoha's ANBU. However, only a select few knew his true identity—people like Senju Nawaki and Kakashi.
"This is the surveillance mission…"
Familiarizing himself with the mission procedures, Sasuke saw images of the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans displayed on the screen. There were also telescopes capable of monitoring every corner of these clans' territories.
"Sasuke, your mission is to use this telescope to keep watch. Stay vigilant and report any abnormalities imdiately."
Hatake Kakashi, in his usual laid-back manner, smiled as he explained Sasuke's task.
"In recent years, the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans have grown increasingly dissatisfied with their loss of power. They believe everything was part of the Hokage's conspiracy, yet they conveniently ignore the cris they committed in the past.
Over the past two years, troubling rumors have erged within these clans. They've been stockpiling explosive tags, kunai, and other weapons. That's why the village has stationed many ninjas here, with the ANBU, Root, and the Police Force maintaining a constant state of readiness…"
As Kakashi explained, Sasuke took a deep breath, nodded, and began skillfully operating the surveillance equipnt.
"It's our shift change. Captain Kakashi, we'll take our leave now."
After a few mbers left, the room was left with just Kakashi, Itachi, and Sasuke. The atmosphere shifted slightly.
But Kakashi, ever the master of lightening the mood, casually observed the screens and joked lazily:
"Don't worry too much. While ANBU does take on so shady missions, surveillance tasks like these are pretty easy. We have plenty of ti to train.
This is part of the Hokage's plan to optimize the village. For talented young ninja in their pri, he tries to assign missions that allow ample ti for training."
"Though we're monitoring our villagers, sotis that's just how it is. Over the past two years, we've discovered that so individuals have secretly been trading with ninjas from other villages…"
Kakashi's relaxed tone eased the tension in the room. The trio began to feel more comfortable.
"What's that? Why are there so many people working in the fields outside the village? I rember those people are supposed to be from the Land of Lightning, right?"
Observing the monitors, Sasuke frowned in confusion and posed the question.
Seeing this, Itachi smiled and explained to his younger brother, who carried a heavy heart.
"Slavery is quite common in the ninja world, although it's mostly practiced by nobles. In the past, even the Hyuga main family had so, but after certain events, they stopped.
However, the Sarutobi and the other two clans purchased a significant number of these slaves. So of the areas designated for them even claim to oppose discrimination, though they're still under surveillance."
Kakashi, more mature in his perspective, added:
"The real reason is that the Hokage doesn't approve of slavery. But as the most economically advanced village in the ninja world, Konoha hosts a massive slave trade every year. These slaves are castrated…
As for the three clans, they continue using these slaves partly because so people can't let go of their forr glory and still live in the past. The other reason… well, you can probably guess."
At this point, Kakashi, in his usual lazy manner, adjusted the instrunts, displaying images of the fields and the figures working in them—so planting cotton, others tending to different crops.
"This is essentially a diplomatic maneuver. Simply put, these three clans have been in contact with the Land of Lightning, using their favorable treatnt of slaves as a bargaining chip to secure aid from them…"
Kakashi's blunt explanation made Sasuke, who wasn't just a skilled ninja but also politically astute, imdiately understand the situation.
"So, the three clans realized we're monitoring them. Unable to win allies within the village, they've turned their attention to external forces."
Sasuke, now enlightened, voiced his thoughts, surprising Kakashi, who then chuckled and teased:
"Itachi, your little brother is far sharper than you."
When it ca to political matters, Itachi, despite his genius as a ninja, was at a loss. But seeing his brother's brilliance, Itachi smiled and nodded:
"Kakashi-senpai, Sasuke still has a long way to go."
A dissatisfied huff from Sasuke brought up unpleasant mories, leaving Itachi awkwardly silent.
Kakashi, still amused, waved it off and pulled a red book from his ninja pouch.
"Sasuke, take this book. It was written by Shirou-sensei, and it contains his fascinating life experiences, the truths of the world, and even the secrets behind the Hokage's strength."
Caught off guard by Kakashi's playful gesture, Sasuke hesitated but eventually accepted the book.
"A book written by the Hokage?"
Under normal circumstances, Sasuke would've dismissed it. His sole pursuit was power.
However, in this world, everything he'd seen—every scene unfolding before him—triggered mories and realizations, as if he were on the brink of grasping sothing profound.
Yet, his heart remained uneasy.
"I understand. I'll read it." For the first ti, Sasuke spoke earnestly. This world, more fantastical than the Tsukuyomi realm, felt like a dream but was undeniably real.
The Mangekyo Sharingan, the powerful Uchiha clan, and even Konoha's Hokage… all belonged to the Uchiha.
...
In the Sarutobi Clan's Secret Room.
"We must fight back now! Konoha has been monitoring and ostracizing us…"
Inside the secret room, a middle-aged Sarutobi Jonin angrily exclaid, recounting how glorious they once were. He ranted about how the current Hokage had seized power through a coup and described the unfair treatnt they now endured.
"Exactly! For years, they've been bullying us. Even those lowly villagers in the village—look at how they used to flatter us back then. But now? They keep filing complaints against us…"
"We can't just sit here and do nothing. Konoha's ANBU has been monitoring us all along…"
Ninjas from the Mitokado and Utatane clans voiced their grievances as well, their frustration evident.
The past eight years had seen their once-lofty positions crumble. No one could truly understand the bitterness of their fall from grace.
In the past, they were at the top of the village's hierarchy. Even when facing the powerful Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga clans, they stood unafraid.
But now?
"Look at how the Fourth Hokage has used aggressive tactics over the years—expanding Konoha's military power and even allying with outsiders, including clans from other villages like the Yuki Clan, the Uzumaki, and the Kaguya!
Even smaller and insignificant clans like the Fūma can now join Konoha. And what about us? We who have shed blood for Konoha, who have made countless contributions—yet we are treated unfairly and pushed aside!"
The jonin from the three clans vented their anger during their monthly secret eting. Their voices were filled with resentnt and hostility as they loudly condemned the injustice they faced.
"That's right! The evil Uchiha would rather trust outsiders—even using those outsiders to monitor us!"
"And don't forget Asuma—that traitorous dog. He's already beco a lapdog for the Uchiha!"
"If the Uchiha could seize power through a coup, why can't we do the sa and restore the old order? We can reinstate the Third Hokage…"
Years of pent-up resentnt had pushed the three clans to their breaking point. Their discussions grew increasingly radical, and few among them could suppress their outrage any longer.
It was eerily similar to what had happened to the Uchiha Clan in another tiline. After enduring years of unjust treatnt, their suppressed anger had reached a boiling point, teetering on the edge of an explosion.
"If the Third Hokage regains power, we can take control of Konoha once again. Under our leadership, Konoha will beco great again. Only then will we have a future."
"That's right! With the Third Hokage back, and with Konohamaru's talent already showing remarkable promise, he is undoubtedly the strongest genius of the Sarutobi Clan. In the future, he can even be grood to beco the next Hokage…"
Amid the heated discussions in the secret room, the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans had already begun to plan their course of action.
However, the eting they believed to be highly secretive had been recorded word for word—and the transcripts lay on the Hokage's desk.
...
Inside the Hokage's Office.
"The dissatisfaction among the three clans has been growing. Even if the village remains stable for now, it's only a matter of ti before they reach their breaking point…"
"This mutual distrust between the two sides will only worsen the situation."
Standing before his desk, Shirou's expression was heavy as he discussed the matter. In the room with him were the heads of Konoha's six major departnts.
Head of the ANBU: Senju Nawaki
Head of the Intelligence Division: Hyuga Hizashi
Head of the Barrier Division: Uzumaki Kushina
Head of the dical Division and Hokage's Advisor: Senju Tsunade
Head of the Police Force: Uchiha Mikoto
The head of the Root Division, Orochimaru, had attended briefly but left early, uninterested in the matter.
"Hokage-sama…"
Sarutobi Asuma's face was filled with pain as he reported the increasingly radical sentints within his clan. He revealed everything word for word, unable to hide his dismay.
"I'm truly sorry for disappointing you, Hokage-sama. But the voices of discontent within the clan are growing louder. Many within the clan are no longer willing to endure…"
As he spoke, it beca clear that Asuma could no longer control the Sarutobi Clan. Over the years, he had beco increasingly isolated within his own family.
Watching Asuma's pain, Shirou shook his head and said, "Asuma, you've worked hard. Everything you've done for Konoha has not gone unnoticed."
"But you know the truth. Back then, if the Third Hokage had been resolute in dealing with Danzo—if he had punished him for his cris of harming fellow villagers and secretly experinting on their kekkei genkai—this situation would never have escalated to this point."
Hearing Shirou's regretful tone, Asuma felt even more stifled. It had indeed been his father's unwillingness to deal with Danzo that had led to the current predicant.
The Hokage had even given them a choice back then: executing Danzo could have mitigated at least half of the negative sentint.
"Asuma, Danzo is still in prison. If the three clans are willing, I am prepared to extend my trust to them once again… but only if the Third Hokage is willing to make a decision."
Shirou's solemn words caused Asuma's face to light up with excitent.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
The Hokage was willing to trust them once more and give them a chance. If the Third Hokage made the decision to execute Danzo, even though it was eight years too late, it could still help reduce so of the lingering hostility.
As long as both sides could ease tensions, there was still hope for reconciliation.
"Asuma, I believe you embody the true Will of Fire of Konoha."
Hearing Shirou's heartfelt words, Asuma's spirits soared. He nodded repeatedly, energized by the Hokage's trust.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
After Asuma respectfully left and the doors to the Hokage's office closed, Tsunade, who had been watching coldly, scoffed.
"Husband! The Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans are plotting a coup to reclaim power from the village…"
Perhaps playing the role of the bad cop—or simply expressing her frustration—Tsunade made her stance clear.
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