Naruto: I am Uchiha Seiryu

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Sages as Numerous as Grass



After leaving the hotel, Kakashi took Naruto home, while Seiryu headed alone to the Hokage building.

Upon arrival, Seiryu nodded to the Police Force's First Squad now in charge of security, then went straight to the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen stood at the window, smoking. Hearing the door open, he turned to Seiryu.

"Is the masked man dealt with?" Hiruzen asked.

"Third, do you want him dead or alive?" Seiryu replied sarcastically.

Seeing Seiryu's attitude, Hiruzen sighed and said, "Seiryu, if I told you I had nothing to do with the masked man, would you believe me? My wife died at his hands six years ago."

"I believe you," Seiryu said, half-smiling. "But do you know what jutsu he used when fighting me? Wood Release! Need I say more?"

Hiruzen's pupils contracted in shock.

"You guys are something else. That Wood Release experiment of yours really worked. One was kept hidden by Danzo for his ambitions, the other started the Nine-Tails incident and killed the Fourth. If the First Hokage knew, he'd roll in his grave."

Hiruzen wanted to explain but said nothing. He knew the suspicion on him was too great.

After a while, Seiryu sighed and said, "He's gone. I erased the signs of Wood Release with my Sage Mode techniques. I used Sage Mode the whole time, so your crystal ball shouldn't have seen anything. Only we know about this."

Hiruzen relaxed, realizing Seiryu didn't intend to make a fuss.

"Thank you," Hiruzen said.

"Don't thank me. Thank the Hokage hat and robes you wear!" Seiryu snapped. "A Hokage can retire for any reason, even defeat, but not because of a scandal! Once that name is stained, the village will lose its spirit!"

Seiryu's choice wasn't out of respect for Hiruzen, but because he didn't want to inherit a tainted Hokage title, or set a precedent for purging previous Hokage.

Hiruzen understood and nodded quietly.

After another pause, Seiryu spoke:

 "The masked man was Danzo's secret weapon. The Nine-Tails incident was his plot to kill the Fourth and seize the Hokage seat. This time, he acted for revenge. That's the explanation we'll give everyone."

Seiryu pinned all blame on the now-dead Danzo, then looked at Hiruzen: "Tonight's lockdown was because you uncovered this old problem and mobilized the Police and Anbu to lure out Danzo's remnants. That way, your only fault is oversight."

"Danzo, huh?" Hiruzen hesitated but realized Seiryu's plan was best: preserve his reputation and provide a reasonable explanation for the lockdown.

Sorry, Danzo. This really is the last time.

"Then, Seiryu, what's the price?" Hiruzen asked, knowing Seiryu wouldn't help for nothing.

"In the future, I plan to audit all ninja in the village. Anyone trained with village resources but not registered as a Konoha ninja—that's not right. I want the Sarutobi clan's cooperation."

Hiruzen fell silent, thinking. Most of the village's power now rested with Seiryu; he was for all intents Hokage, lacking only the Jonin vote and Daimyo's approval. Seiryu's demand would dismantle Hiruzen's last power base.

"Alright," Hiruzen agreed. "In the next few days, I'll have them cooperate."

With that, he'd be nothing but a retired old man.

But... Hiruzen looked at Seiryu, a man with courage, skill, and top-tier strength.

Maybe the village will flourish under his rule.

Being a retired old man isn't so bad.

Hiruzen made up his mind and asked his final concern: "Seiryu, how will you handle Jiraiya?"

He knew Jiraiya was innocent, but had been dragged in by him. If possible, he wanted to help his student.

"Jiraiya will be stripped of all positions for peeping and spreading indecent books, and forced to retire. From now on, let him be a wandering writer," Seiryu said.

Hiruzen nodded and fetched a tea set.

"I've heard Clan Leader Seiryu is skilled in the tea ceremony. May I taste it?"

Hiruzen's aura changed; he was no longer a feeble politician, but once again the formidable Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Seiryu smiled, accepted the tea set, and replied, "Of course."

After Kakashi returned Naruto home and left him a note to attend school, he also arrived at the Hokage building. Entering the office, he found Seiryu focused on making tea.

"Looks like you two have finished talking," Kakashi smiled.

"Sit," Hiruzen said.

Soon, Seiryu served tea to Hiruzen and Kakashi.

Hiruzen performed the tea ceremony, drank, and praised, "Clan Leader Seiryu's tea skills are truly exceptional."

"You flatter me," Seiryu smiled. "If you like, you're always welcome."

"Maybe not. Once you're Hokage, you won't have time for tea," Hiruzen laughed.

"Seiryu, can you tell this old man what you plan to do as Fifth Hokage?" Hiruzen asked.

"After becoming Fifth?" Seiryu took a sip of tea and replied, "There's a lot to do. The village has many institutional problems. Frankly, the current system was cobbled together by the First and Madara, both illiterate warlords. The Second patched some issues, but unless we address the lingering problems at a systemic level, disaster is inevitable."

"Is that so?" Hiruzen nodded.

Seiryu and Hiruzen then discussed village matters, Seiryu sharing some of his less critical plans.

The three talked and drank until dawn.

….

On December 13th, the sun rose as usual, banishing the night. The sunlight that day was especially bright.

The next day, the village functioned as normal; villagers went to school and work.

Hiruzen issued an announcement explaining the previous night's lockdown according to Seiruy's plan.

Next came the handling of Shikaku and the others who violated the lockdown. They were dismissed, and all Ino-Shika-Cho ninja in village departments were stripped of positions.

Finally, Jiraiya was punished for peeping and spreading indecent books.

Meanwhile, non-registered Sarutobi clan ninja began registering at the Hokage building.

In the Uchiha clan, Fugaku's family held a simple funeral for Itachi.

Three days later, chairs were lined up outside the Police Force headquarters.

Inside a small conference room, people gathered. After a spatial jutsu ripple, Genma and his group arrived with Might Guy.

Seiryu, sitting at the head, clapped his hands: "Alright, everyone's here. Genma, go change, then come downstairs."

Genma and his friends smiled and went to change; Guy was still confused.

"What are we doing?"

"Guy, just get changed first," Kakashi said. "After the group photo, there's a banquet."

Guy wanted to ask more but was dragged off.

Once changed, everyone exited the building with smiles; Kakashi and Seiryu led.

Outside, the winter sun was dazzling.

"Nice weather," Kakashi grinned.

"Perfect for a group photo," Seiryu agreed.

He called everyone to sit.

"Clan Leader Ago, Clan Leader Shibi, you sit here! Guy, sit by Kakashi! Elder Fugaku, move closer to me!"

"Seiichi, Kaze, come stand in the middle—don't be shy!"

Everyone found their place in a friendly, lively atmosphere.

A Police Force chunin, whose family owned a photo studio, got the honor of taking the shot—because until the next recruitment, there were no genin left in the Police Force!

Once everyone was set, Seiryu took Kakashi's left hand from his knee.

Kakashi turned; both smiled at each other, then rested their hands on their knees.

"Everyone ready?"

With a click, a photo that changed Konoha—and the entire ninja world—was forever recorded in history.

Historians later debated those pictured, but all agreed: these were the people who changed the world's fate.

Ordinary people had but one description for the photo: "Sages as numerous as Grass."

After the photo, everyone laughed and went to the Uchiha banquet hall.

The hall was lavishly decorated, with even more luxurious dishes than last time. At the head table, a champagne bottle was waiting.

Seiryu took the champagne, shook it, and popped the cork—the foam gushed out.

Thunderous applause and cheers filled the room.

Seiryu poured drinks for those around him. Staff helped fill glasses for everyone else.

"Everyone, we succeeded in thwarting the traitors' plot and protecting the Will of Fire—all thanks to your decisive efforts. Let's celebrate!" Seiryu raised his glass.

Everyone lifted their glasses, but Kakashi stood up, "Wait!"

All eyes turned to him.

"We can all drink in celebration today because of everyone's hard work. But the one who made the toughest decisions and led us to victory was Clan Leader Seiryu. Let's toast to him!"

"Indeed!" Now promoted Jonin squad leader Seiichi added, "Thanks to Lord Seiryu's decisive actions, we achieved this!"

"Let me offer the toast," Kakashi said, looking at Seiryu.

"To Seiryu—may he have health, victory, and prosperity!" Kakashi raised his glass.

"To health and victory!" everyone echoed.

They clinked glasses and drank.

Seiryu clinked glasses with Kakashi and Fugaku, smiling brightly.

"Today's the happiest day!"


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.