"Itachi is a fine child. Applying for early graduation at seven makes him an undeniable prodigy."
From the viewpoint of Konoha's upper echelon, which I half belong to now.
Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto brightened, feeling assured—yet Kageyama Kogetsu suddenly changed tack.
"But compared to Itachi, I like Sasuke more. When Sasuke is seven or eight, I want to take him as my disciple."
Use the younger son to block them, and make it when he's seven or eight. By then the window will have cooled.
I'm someone who likes to advance. The next step is becoming commander.
But the Anbu commander seat is blocked by Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Unless he dies unexpectedly, or I kill him, or he is removed, it's hard for me to take it.
With Sarutobi Hiruzen around, forcing Shinnosuke out is harder than killing him.
Yet father and son have treated me well. Even if politics play a role, they have done me no wrong.
So unless it's absolutely necessary, it's not right to have Shinnosuke killed. At most, let nature take its course and see if he dies on a mission like in the original timeline.
Unlikely though, because with me here, high-difficulty Anbu missions will likely fall to me.
Since that's the case, change course.
If Anbu has no upward path, then look outward.
Administration is run by the two elders. I would still be a junior there. Not interested.
Education and Interrogation have little clout. Hard to value.
Medical could work, but without being a specialist medic-nin, unless I show extraordinary medical jutsu, rising would be tough.
Leading a jonin platoon is decent. With Hiruzen's trust it has real authority, but dislodging Nara Shikaku by proper means is difficult.
Shikaku also holds Hiruzen's trust and has support from the Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Sarutobi clans. His seat is steady.
By that reckoning, the Police Department fits best. Big headcount, big power.
The Police maintain Konoha's internal order and stability, draft village public security laws, uphold order and security in the village, and arrest those with criminal tendencies.
This excludes the Hokage's Anbu and, nominally under the Hokage, Root. Sometimes they also support Anbu in village security.
The Police are the Uchiha's preserve. Short of an Uchiha extermination like in the original, it would at least take a major upheaval to take it over.
In that storm, it would be best if Fugaku as clan head and the elders with prestige all died cleanly. Only then would taking the Police be easiest.
I'm calculating against you. How could I risk offending Konoha's top brass to be your patron, no, your shield.
As for smiling to your face while plotting behind your back, should I feel guilty.
Guilty for what. Uchiha Fugaku and the others are fated to die.
With my plan the Uchiha will be badly hurt but not exterminated. Fugaku and the rest should be thanking me.
As for taking both sons as disciples.
If they pretend not to hear the subtext, and push shamelessly, I won't indulge them. Be ready to lose face completely.
Fortunately, Fugaku and Mikoto caught the subtext that I didn't want Itachi, and didn't pretend otherwise.
Not taking the elder but taking the younger was barely acceptable to them.
"In that case, we'll follow Kogetsu-kun's wishes."
"I just don't understand why Kogetsu-kun prefers Sasuke."
"Itachi is more accomplished than Sasuke," Fugaku asked in puzzlement.
"Maybe it's an affinity of the eye. That little guy Sasuke just clicks with me," Kogetsu offered a mystical reason that was hard to refute.
Is Itachi really more accomplished than Sasuke.
Not necessarily.
Without any clan support, at seventeen Sasuke was basically invincible in the shinobi world. Aside from Naruto, no one could match him.
Itachi's talent is high, but as the clan head's son, backed by the great Uchiha, he never lacked resources.
Do Indra's chakra and the Uchiha heritage not count as resources.
"It seems Kogetsu-kun really does click with Sasuke."
"Other than Itachi, Sasuke likes Kogetsu-kun the most," Fugaku said with a pleasant expression.
"Haha, then my doting hasn't been in vain," Kogetsu chuckled.
"Kogetsu-kun, once Itachi graduates and grows to chunin, I'd like to send him into Anbu to temper him. What do you think."
"A good idea. Anbu does train people."
Is this purely for training, or are you already thinking of sending him in as a spy.
"I'll still need your help with it, and of course I won't ask you to help for nothing," Fugaku said solemnly.
"Senior Fugaku, the Uchiha are not without a foothold in Anbu. Shisui has a real shot at the squad captain seat I vacated."
"Even if he loses the competition, he'll be a team leader."
"The Hokage trusts Shisui quite a bit. With his recommendation the success rate is high. Why make it complicated."
Sigh. Can I say I'm considering planting Itachi as a spy.
Though I haven't decided yet, if it comes to it and something goes wrong, Shisui would bear responsibility.
You're different. Even if you bear responsibility, with your ties across the leadership, it won't be an issue.
"That may be, but a recommendation from you is safer than from Shisui," Fugaku added a light compliment.
Heh. If you insist, that's fine.
In any case, you haven't seen your son's true nature. Even if he does enter Anbu as a spy, in the end it won't harm me. It'll add credit to my ledger.
"Alright, I'll do it," Kogetsu agreed crisply.
After Hiruzen probes Itachi's mindset, he'll certainly let him join. Pushing this through won't be hard.
"Thank you, Kogetsu-kun. I'll toast you with tea in place of wine."
"I'll toast you with tea as well."
The two smiled, raised their cups one after the other.
"No need for formality." Kogetsu clinked lightly and drained his cup.
"It's getting late. I should head back. Give Itachi and Sasuke my regards."
"Very well. Mikoto, see him out," Fugaku signaled with a glance.
"I'll walk you to the door," Mikoto rose with a soft smile.
"Much obliged."
At the entryway, as Mikoto brought his shoes, she slipped him a slip of paper.
"Mikoto-nee, no need."
"Things aren't as they once were. With the ties we have now, taking favors for every little thing just isn't right," Kogetsu declined directly.
"This is the transfer certificate for a street-front shop in the Konoha commercial district. Are you sure you don't want it," Mikoto smiled.
"A man's word is his bond. When I say no, I mean no," Kogetsu said firmly.
Mikoto paused, swept a lock of hair behind her ear, and spoke softly. "You make me feel embarrassed like that."
"If Mikoto-nee doesn't want to feel embarrassed, help me with my shoes as thanks."
"That's nothing. You're like a younger brother to me."
Mikoto knelt gracefully and carefully put on his shoes.
At the door, Kogetsu turned and smiled. "Haha, to me it feels more like a wife putting shoes on her husband."
On a whim, after a little teasing, Kogetsu made a quick exit.
Mikoto froze, cheeks flushing as she scolded. "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting."
Even so, she wasn't truly angry.
Just a joke. Why take it seriously.
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