Cautious Eyes: An Uchiha's Path

"Is the Orochimaru situation really something we can just ignore?"

The tension in the room was thick, but no one spoke up immediately.

Of course not. Neither the Third Hokage nor the other elders could simply brush it aside.

After all, Orochimaru wasn't just anyone—he was Hiruzen Sarutobi's most prized student, a prodigy molded under his guidance, someone once seen as the future of the village.

And Danzo Shimura?

He couldn't let it go either.

Yes, he had committed questionable acts in the shadows, especially in the years surrounding the Hokage succession. But from his perspective, those were necessary sacrifices for Konoha's security.

"Everyone here has done things for the village," Danzo muttered internally. "Even I once supported Orochimaru. Does that make me a traitor?"

But Hiruzen—Hiruzen had made his choice.

Instead of recommending Orochimaru, he'd named Minato Namikaze as the Fourth Hokage.

A young, inexperienced outsider.

Not Danzo.

Not even Orochimaru.

Just a talented rising star.

Danzo clenched his fist.

He had always believed he was the most suitable successor to the Hokage title.

And yet, it was his own hesitation—a moment of doubt—that cost him that chance.

Yes, he and Hiruzen had once been close, comrades under Tobirama's leadership.

But friendship was personal. Leadership required something more.

Danzo wanted power—for the village, he told himself—but also for himself.

And now, perhaps, the tide was turning again.

"We can set aside the Orochimaru matter for now," Danzo said coldly, his eyes narrowing. "Everyone here is aware of the experiments he conducted. I simply endorsed the one I deemed most qualified."

His voice hardened. "Maybe mistakes were made. But our concern right now isn't the past—it's the future. It's the Fourth Hokage. And Hiruzen... your golden boy certainly isn't disappointing you, is he?"

The Third Hokage frowned, his jaw tightening at Danzo's pointed remark.

He recognized it for what it was: a blatant attempt to disavow responsibility.

But even so, he knew now wasn't the time to argue over old wounds.

Minato's recent moves had been... bold.

Sarutobi didn't necessarily oppose the Fourth's experimental approach—youth comes with innovation.

And while Sarutobi wouldn't hand over the village reins so easily, he respected Minato's courage.

But what bothered him—what truly bothered him—was Minato's increasing closeness to the Uchiha.

Especially Uchiha Kai.

Sarutobi had been watching. Ever since Uchiha Kai returned from the Land of Grass and took up the long-vacant role of Deputy Chief of the Konoha Military Police, things had shifted within the Uchiha clan.

Sarutobi wasn't naïve. He understood Fugaku's game—leaving that seat unclaimed was no accident.

It was a signal, a test, a way to pit ambitious Uchiha against each other.

But Kai's rise had been too smooth. Too effective.

After Kai's second deployment to Grass Country, things escalated fast.

Uchiha Yuchi and Uchiha Osamu disappeared.

Coincidence? Sarutobi doubted it.

If those disappearances were linked to Kai, it might simply mean internal clan purging.

But if not? That left troubling implications.

Kai had consolidated too much power, too quickly.

And worst of all? The Fourth Hokage trusted him.

Sarutobi had also reviewed Minato's report: Kai defeated Kitsuchi—the son of the Third Tsuchikage—during the war.

A shocking feat, though Hiruzen still suspected it was more due to trickery than power.

After all, hadn't Kitsuchi nearly killed Kai earlier that year?

But after that? Kai's operations within the Police Force escalated rapidly.

The prison population spiked. Fugaku's report read like a cleanse.

Sarutobi was no fool. He sensed the clan was moving—but how far, and how fast, remained to be seen.

Then came the real warning sign:

Kai was appointed head of the Konoha Military Police.

Right as Minato formally became Hokage.

Coincidence? Not likely.

To Sarutobi, this wasn't just a promotion—it was a declaration.

To make matters worse, Fugaku submitted a request soon after: he wanted Uchiha members to join the Anbu.

And Minato had approved.

Just like that.

By the time Sarutobi considered pushing back, it was too late.

The Uchiha had already entered Anbu.

And Kakashi—Minato's protégé—was now sub-commander.

Sarutobi knew what that meant.

Minato was building a network of loyalty. And it included the Uchiha.

That's why the four elders had convened.

They hadn't built Konoha. But they had kept it stable.

And in their minds, it was still their village to guide.

"Danzo," Sarutobi said quietly, "how's Root faring now?"

Danzo blinked, then replied flatly, "Aside from Uchiha and Hyuga, most clans have at least some presence. But few are reliable. I didn't recall our operatives in the field. The best among them now is Ryoma of the Youru clan."

"Don't touch the ones outside," Sarutobi said firmly. "But for the rest—you have one month."

Danzo raised an eyebrow.

"I want a fully-trained unit embedded in Anbu."

For a brief second, Danzo was surprised.

Then a thin smile crept across his face.

So Sarutobi was preparing to challenge the Fourth.

A power rift between the Third and Fourth Hokage... this had never happened before.

But it would benefit Danzo.

Because no matter how clever Minato was, Danzo believed in the Third.

He had never outmaneuvered Hiruzen.

Why would a boy like Minato?

Danzo nodded. "One month is enough. They'll know their mission."

"Good." Sarutobi paused. "And also... I want you to investigate Uchiha Kai. Not Fugaku. Kai's just a Jonin, and tracking him won't cause as much noise."

Danzo's eyes gleamed with interest. "Kai Uchiha? Of course. But... what if Minato finds out?"

"He won't," Sarutobi replied coldly. "Even if he does, the deployment will be complete. He made Kakashi a sub-commander to sniff out our allies? Fine. Let him discover the whole Anbu is ours."

He lit his pipe, exhaled, and added:

"Spread rumors. Danzo—you're good at that. Reach out to our clan allies. Gauge their loyalty. And most importantly, see if there are any Uchiha who are... unhappy with Fugaku or Kai."

"We understand, Hiruzen," Koharu and Homura chimed in.

Sarutobi nodded and left, muttering as he walked:

"It's fine for a young man to be ambitious... but he needs to learn when to stop. This is Konoha. Our Konoha. Time to teach him that."