Cautious Eyes: An Uchiha's Path

Opening the ANBU to the Uchiha Clan?

This was a tempting proposal.

ANBU was a covert unit directly under the Hokage's command, and its members followed only the Hokage's orders.

It was arguably the most trusted unit of the Hokage — or at least, that's how it was meant to be.

However, due to its complex composition, the ANBU wasn't entirely loyal or unified. Various clans and factions with influence over the Hokage often had their members placed within ANBU, whether due to political compromise or favor. In that sense, ANBU had become a dense web of interests, less of a unified command and more of a balancing act of power blocs.

By contrast, the Hokage's personal guard, selected by the Hokage themselves, was much smaller but often more loyal. While not always the most powerful shinobi, these individuals were trusted above all else to act decisively in moments of danger — to protect the Hokage with their lives.

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had combat strength beyond question. His guards served more as his moral and political anchors than bodyguards.

When Uchiha Fugaku heard Minato's offer to integrate Uchiha into the ANBU, his eyes gleamed.

This was more than just an olive branch. It was a sign that the Third Hokage's long-standing policy of sidelining the Uchiha might be shifting — that cracks in that exclusion were widening.

If properly leveraged, those cracks might never close again.

Fugaku wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. His estimation of the Fourth Hokage rose significantly, and his willingness to support Minato deepened.

Of course, Fugaku knew this wasn't without risk.

He didn't want to ruin the budding relationship between the Uchiha and the Hokage.

"I understand, Minato," Fugaku said gravely. "If you find any of them acting against our agreement, then… eliminate them. I won't allow anyone from our clan to jeopardize this cooperation. And I trust that Kai, who will lead them, won't allow such betrayal either."

Uchiha Kai frowned at Fugaku's wording.

"He ordered them"? Kai wasn't pleased with how Fugaku subtly implied command authority. But he didn't argue. It was a political game, after all.

Fugaku was simply demonstrating his influence over the clan — indirectly reassuring the Hokage that the Uchiha were loyal and organized. Kai understood. He just didn't like being used as a pawn.

But what truly bothered him was that integrating Uchiha into the ANBU reminded him of two infamous traitors.

Though such a betrayal seemed unlikely now, part of him welcomed it.

Let those who wished to bare their fangs do so — he'd tear them out himself.

Still, one concern lingered in his mind: Shisui's eyes. The Kotoamatsukami was a terrifying ability — subtle, absolute, and almost undetectable. He needed to get closer to Shisui and understand the scope of that genjutsu.

Later, though. That was a future problem.

Turning back to the present, Kai spoke up.

"With their help, Kakashi has recovered considerably from his trauma. Once he completes the investigation into which key personnel remain loyal to the Third Hokage, we'll need to either reassign them quietly… or eliminate them. After that, things should stabilize."

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Minato said quietly, taking a deep breath. "But... I understand."

"Then, please be ready, Kai-kun, Fugaku-san," Minato continued. "The assignments ahead will be dangerous and politically sensitive."

"It's fine. Proceed as planned," Kai said, cutting off Fugaku before he could reply. "They're prepared. They know what they've signed up for. They're all elite shinobi. They can handle it."

Fugaku opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He understood Kai's point — and more importantly, the weight of what lay ahead.

Assigning Uchiha to ANBU wasn't just a promotion. It was a sacrifice. These missions weren't meant to be easy or survivable. They were meant to fast-track Kakashi's rise, and that meant Uchiha lives would be spent for political capital.

"Thank you," Minato nodded. "With their support, Kakashi should be able to secure a firm standing. I just hope the investigation won't uncover too many compromised ANBU operatives."

"Hope for the best," Kai said, "but prepare for the worst. That's our responsibility. Oh, by the way, I have something to report — not actionable evidence, but something you should be mentally prepared for."

"Information?" Minato asked, eyebrows raised.

Kai nodded. "Yes. I've confirmed that Orochimaru is conducting human experiments. That was what triggered our initial cooperation, and it seems your worst fears were justified."

He relayed everything he had discovered — calmly, without exaggeration. There was no need for theatrics. The truth was disturbing enough.

Whether the Third Hokage knew about Orochimaru's actions didn't matter. What mattered was that Danzo, operating under no formal authorization, had participated in those crimes.

If this came to light, both Danzo and Hiruzen would be implicated. After all, Danzo was the "shadow" of the Third Hokage — and in politics, the shadow's crimes reflect on the master.

Kai thought bitterly about how effective Hiruzen had been at defining people through public narrative. He had painted Danzo into a corner — never fit to lead, always loyal in darkness, yet never able to rise. Even Danzo had come to believe that definition.

This strategy, Kai realized, was how the Uchiha had also been suppressed. Not through outright aggression, but through stereotypes and social control.

It reminded him of the world from his past life — where oppressive propaganda had shaped public perception for generations.

The "Jim Crow" image, for instance — how a single piece of theatre had shaped laws, created stereotypes, and rewritten reality for millions.

Konoha had done the same to the Uchiha.

They were no longer comrades — just the dangerous clan with the cursed eyes.

As Kai finished his report, Minato's expression turned grim.

The implications were staggering.

The First Hokage's DNA. Grave robbing. Forbidden experiments.

If the truth ever got out, it would shake the very foundation of Konoha.

"Thank you, Kai-kun," Minato said quietly, bowing his head. "This information… it's too vast, too dangerous."

"Don't worry, Lord Fourth. We haven't shared this with anyone else," Fugaku said. "You must decide how to proceed."

"This could be the end for the Third Hokage," Kai added. "Orochimaru will likely be sacrificed to preserve the system. Act quickly."

Minato nodded. He already knew. Once Orochimaru was gone, the investigation would be stonewalled. Evidence buried. Witnesses silenced.

He couldn't allow that to happen.

"If Kakashi succeeds, I'll make this a priority."

Minato wasn't naive enough to think Kai would hand this off to the Yamanaka clan for verification. Trust was still limited. And right now, he lacked the manpower for a broader investigation.

"That's all for now," Kai said, then looked directly at the Hokage. "But I have one final question for you — something to think about once you truly have the power of a Hokage.

How do you intend to rebuild this village?

How do you plan to transform this melting pot of clans into a single, unified home?"

Minato took a deep breath. He had hardly thought about it — but the answer came to him naturally.

"I want everyone in this village to feel like family," he said firmly. "And I want them all to live good, peaceful lives."