Danzo planted both hands on the table and leaned forward, staring down at Kizaru with barely restrained excitement.
Kizaru remained seated, saying nothing.
Danzo did not rush him. He trusted his own judgment. More importantly, he believed Kizaru possessed the ambition necessary to accomplish something truly great.
Leaning back in his chair, Kizaru raised his head slightly and looked at Danzo.
How had the atmosphere suddenly become so serious?
With both hands resting on the armrests, Kizaru slowly rose from his seat.
"To deal with threats outside the village, we must first stabilize things within."
His voice remained as slow and relaxed as ever.
"We'll unify the shinobi world… after I become Hokage."
"Then become Hokage!" Danzo declared. "Kizaru, as long as you are willing, Hiruzen, the clans of the village, and every shinobi beneath them will support you!"
The more he spoke, the more excited his voice became.
Kizaru did not answer immediately.
He walked around the tea table, stopped beside Danzo, and placed both hands in his pockets.
"Uncle…"
Kizaru glanced at him from behind his tinted glasses.
"Then tell Sarutobi-sensei that I'll become Hokage in one month."
With that, Kizaru turned and walked toward the study door.
Danzo remained standing beside the table. A broad smile slowly spread across his face, his eyes narrowing with delight.
"If there's nothing else…" Kizaru said as he reached the door, "I'm going back to sleep."
He opened the door and left the study.
Danzo turned toward the door as it closed behind him, unable to wipe the smile from his face.
As expected, Kizaru had not disappointed him.
Once Kizaru became Hokage, Konoha's supremacy would be all but guaranteed. Danzo's lifelong ambition would finally be within reach.
At that thought, every trace of sleepiness vanished.
His body trembled slightly from the excitement surging through him.
Resting his right hand against the table, Danzo slowly walked around its edge until he reached the chair where Kizaru had been sitting.
He stared at it with a smile.
Then he turned and sat down.
Danzo closed his eyes, rested both hands on the armrests, and leaned back against the chair.
How many years had it been?
Ever since his teacher, Tobirama Senju, had fallen in battle and Hiruzen Sarutobi had become the Third Hokage, Danzo had longed for this position.
Today, that dream had finally come true through his nephew, Kizaru.
The smile gradually faded from his face.
Danzo opened his eyes again. A sharp, determined light burned within them as his fingers tightened around the armrests.
He would never become Hokage in this lifetime.
However, there was still one great task he had to accomplish.
He would support Kizaru, unify the entire shinobi world, and put an end to this age of conflict once and for all.
Within ten years, only one shinobi village would remain in the world.
Konohagakure.
In less than ten years, only one nation would remain.
The Land of Fire.
No…
Perhaps they should change its name when that time came.
The Land of Light had a pleasant ring to it.
In the future, that nation would belong to Konoha, the Shimura clan, and Kizaru.
As long as he could accomplish that one great undertaking, Danzo would die without regret, even if he never wore the Hokage's hat himself.
A fire seemed to ignite inside his chest.
It burned hotter with every passing second, swelling as though it wanted to burst free from his body and consume the entire world.
Danzo abruptly rose from the chair.
He would not sleep tonight.
He needed to revise the plan for his journey to Sunagakure. He had to use this opportunity to bind Chiyo firmly to Kizaru and the Shimura clan's growing influence.
The following morning, sometime after ten o'clock, Kizaru finally woke up.
More than two hours had already passed since Danzo had led his delegation out of the village.
Wearing loose pajamas, Kizaru pushed open his bedroom door with one hand while rubbing his head with the other. His hair stuck out in every direction, resembling a bird's nest.
"Kizaru, go wash up first," Keiko said when she saw him emerge. "I've kept breakfast warm in the kitchen. I'll bring it to the table for you."
She had been cleaning the room, but upon seeing him, a gentle and dignified smile appeared on her face.
Keiko was now twenty-one years old and served as the housekeeper of the Shimura clan's main residence. Strictly speaking, she no longer needed to personally clean Kizaru's room.
However, she had taken care of him since childhood and regarded him as her own younger brother. Because of that, she insisted on handling all of Kizaru's daily needs herself.
According to Keiko, she could not trust anyone else to take proper care of him.
"All right…"
Kizaru and Keiko were as close as siblings. He nodded lazily and shuffled into the bathroom.
After splashing cold water over his face, Kizaru finally woke up completely.
He placed both hands on the sink and raised his head, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
A troubled smile appeared on his face.
He scratched his messy hair in irritation.
Alcohol really did cause trouble.
Why had he agreed to Danzo's request last night after drinking and being swept along by his uncle's enthusiasm?
He had clearly planned to put it off for another four or five years.
At the very least, he wanted to wait until Kakashi and the others entered the Academy. He could enjoy a few more peaceful years before becoming Hokage.
Kizaru released a long sigh.
It appeared his leisurely days of idling around the Academy were about to come to an end once again.
After washing up, Kizaru left the bathroom and entered the dining room, taking his usual seat at the head of the table.
Keiko had already arranged a generous breakfast in front of him.
"Kizaru, I've prepared the clothes you'll be wearing today," she said. "After breakfast, you can return to your room and change."
"Thank you, Keiko-nee."
Kizaru picked up a piece of omelette with his chopsticks, raised his head, and smiled at her.
"Eat before it gets cold."
The smile on Keiko's face deepened slightly. She then returned to the living room and continued with her work.
After finishing breakfast and changing his clothes, Kizaru left his room and prepared to head outside.
The Academy was currently on break, and he had no work that needed his attention.
Going out for a walk had simply become part of his daily routine.
With both hands clasped behind his back, his waist slightly bent, and a pair of brown-tinted glasses resting on his face, Kizaru wandered through the main gate like a retired old man.
However, before he could even reach the end of the street, someone blocked his path.
It was Uchiha Fugaku.
Half a step behind him stood a middle-aged woman, quietly sobbing.
Kizaru looked at the two of them.
Remembering what Danzo had told him the previous night, he immediately understood why they had come.
"Kizaru."
Fugaku greeted him, but an embarrassed expression covered his face. His mouth opened and closed several times, yet no words came out.
Hearing his cousin crying behind him, Fugaku turned and looked at her grief-stricken face.
His mood worsened further.
How had things reached this point?
That bastard, Uchiha Kosuke!
Once Kosuke returned, Fugaku would personally teach him a lesson.
The very fact that such a disgraceful incident had occurred within the clan was humiliating enough. Had it not been for his cousin, Fugaku would never have approached Kizaru to plead on behalf of an Uchiha who had brought such shame upon them.
"Kizaru, do you have some time?" Fugaku finally asked. "There's something I need to discuss with you."
His voice grew quieter with every word. By the time he finished, he had lowered his head in embarrassment.
"Come with me."
The Uchiha clan currently supported Kizaru, but that was not the only reason he was willing to listen.
Fugaku had worked diligently under him for the past three years. For that alone, Kizaru was willing to give him some consideration.
Hearing Kizaru's answer, Fugaku secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Kizaru undoubtedly knew what had happened in Sunagakure.
The fact that he was still willing to speak with Fugaku meant there was at least some room to plead Kosuke's case.
Accompanied by his weeping cousin, Fugaku followed Kizaru through the Shimura clan's main residence and into Kizaru's private courtyard.
After entering the reception room, Kizaru invited both of them to sit and asked Keiko to prepare tea and refreshments.
Once everyone was seated, Kizaru looked at Fugaku.
"Fugaku, this is about what happened in Sunagakure, isn't it?"
His tone made it clear that he already knew the answer.
Fugaku nodded and lowered his head in shame.
"A member of the Uchiha clan committed such a disgraceful act. Both the clan and I are deeply ashamed."
"Fugaku! Kizaru-sama, please save Kosuke!"
Unable to restrain herself any longer, Fugaku's cousin finally spoke.
"Kosuke is a bastard, but he's still the father of my child!"
"Enough. Don't speak out of turn."
Fugaku turned and gave his cousin a stern look.
Kizaru let out a quiet laugh.
"Ooh… Fugaku, there's no need to be so harsh."
He smiled gently.
"Have her rest outside for now."
Fugaku's cousin looked at Kizaru with gratitude.
Fugaku persuaded her to leave, supported her out of the reception room, and spent some time calming her down.
After she had settled, Fugaku returned alone.
"I apologize," he said as he entered. "Her behavior was disrespectful."
"Sit down first."
Kizaru raised one hand toward the cushion across from him.
Fugaku had barely taken his seat when Keiko entered the reception room carrying a tray.
She placed the tea and snacks on the table before kneeling beside it and looking toward Kizaru.
"The lady outside is in your care, Keiko."
Keiko placed the empty tray across her lap and gave a graceful nod.
"I'll make sure our guest is comfortable."
She rose, bowed slightly, and quietly withdrew from the reception room.
Once the door closed again, Fugaku continued.
"The woman who just spoke is my cousin. Her name is Uchiha Nobuko. Her husband is Uchiha Kosuke, one of the shinobi who committed an offense while stationed in Sunagakure."
Kizaru's expression became strange.
"Uchiha Kosuke…"
He paused.
"Is he the one who got a Sunagakure elder's daughter-in-law pregnant?"
Fugaku clenched both fists against his thighs.
His expression darkened, but he reluctantly nodded.
"Ooh…"
Kizaru sounded genuinely impressed.
"That's quite something."
Fugaku's expression became even uglier.
He was not angry at Kizaru's words.
What his cousin's husband had done was simply far too humiliating.
"My father and the clan elders are deeply ashamed of this incident," Fugaku continued. "They have no intention of pleading for that bastard after he disgraced both the Uchiha name and Konoha."
He took a breath before continuing.
"They even suggested allowing Sunagakure to execute him as an apology."
Truthfully, Fugaku agreed with his father and the elders.
Had his cousin not begged him while looking as though she might collapse from grief, and had it not been for the sake of her daughter, who was only a little over four years old, Fugaku would never have pleaded with Kizaru for Kosuke's life.
The Uchiha were a powerful shinobi clan with a long history.
They placed great importance on the clan's reputation and the conduct of its members.
For a married man like Uchiha Kosuke to commit adultery with another man's wife while carrying out an official mission was an unforgivable offense.
"I agree with my father and the elders," Fugaku admitted. "A beast like Uchiha Kosuke deserves to be executed as an apology to the Sunagakure elder."
His voice grew strained.
"However, after my cousin learned what had happened, she brought her four-year-old daughter to me and begged for help."
Fugaku opened his mouth, but the rest of the words refused to come out.
"You couldn't turn her away," Kizaru said in his place. "So you agreed to help and brought her here to see me."
Fugaku closed his mouth.
After a moment, he shut his eyes and silently nodded.
He knew that, as the heir of the Uchiha clan, his current actions were inappropriate.
However, he could not completely abandon his family.
If his father learned of this, he would undoubtedly be disappointed.
The image of his father's disappointed expression appeared in Fugaku's mind.
"Kizaru, I don't dare ask for too much," he said at last. "For the sake of our friendship over the years, I only ask that you spare that bastard's life."
"Any other punishment is acceptable."
He lowered his head deeply.
"Please… just allow him to live."
Kizaru did not answer immediately.
He calmly lifted his teacup and slowly drank all the tea inside.
Fugaku was one of his most capable subordinates.
For three years, he had worked hard and contributed greatly.
However, the Uchiha shinobi responsible for this incident still had to receive the punishment he deserved.
Konoha could not overlook such behavior.
They also owed Sunagakure a proper explanation.
"Remove him from the shinobi ranks," Kizaru said at last. "Divide all property under his name into two equal portions."
"One half will be sold for money and given to the Sunagakure elder as compensation."
"The other half will be handed over to his wife to manage as she sees fit."
Kizaru placed the empty teacup back on the table.
The tension immediately left Fugaku's body.
His heart finally settled.
Kizaru's punishment was severe. It would essentially destroy Uchiha Kosuke's future.
However, at the very least, his life would be spared.
From now on, his cousin would have to suffer alongside that bastard.
"And…"
The moment Fugaku heard that word, his body tensed again.
He stared at Kizaru, wondering what further punishment awaited Kosuke.
"What are you planning to do with the Sunagakure elder's daughter-in-law?" Kizaru asked directly.
"That woman?"
Fugaku hesitated.
"What do you mean?"
"You aren't planning to ignore her after Kosuke got her pregnant, are you?"
Kizaru looked at him over the rim of his glasses.
"That child carries Uchiha blood."
Fugaku immediately understood.
"What my father and the clan elders decided is that the woman must terminate the pregnancy."
In Konoha, women from the Uchiha branch families were allowed to marry outside the clan. Uchiha men were also permitted to marry women from outside the village.
However, there was one condition.
If any of their descendants awakened the Sharingan, that child had to take the Uchiha name and move into the clan compound.
The Uchiha clan's control over its bloodline was less restrictive than the Hyūga clan's, but they still could not allow the Sharingan's bloodline to spread freely to another shinobi village.
"Go to Sunagakure," Kizaru said. "Tell Elder Danzo that this is my decision."
"If the woman refuses to terminate the pregnancy and is willing to live in Konoha, bring her back to the village."
"Bring her to Konoha?"
Fugaku looked confused.
"How are we supposed to arrange things after that?"
"The man who caused the problem should take responsibility."
Kizaru smiled.
Fugaku immediately became anxious.
They were going to bring Kosuke's mistress back to Konoha?
Then what would happen to his cousin?
Although the Land of Fire permitted a man to have multiple wives, such relationships were extremely rare among Konoha's shinobi.
Men and women who possessed chakra were both capable fighters. Their social standing was largely equal, and most shinobi marriages were monogamous.
If they brought the woman from Sunagakure back, wouldn't that mean Uchiha Kosuke would end up with two wives?
At that thought, Fugaku suddenly felt that perhaps Kosuke really should be executed.
"Go to Sunagakure and investigate the others as well," Kizaru continued. "For those village shinobi who became involved with women from Sunagakure, confirm whether both sides were unmarried and whether the relationships were consensual."
"If they were simply single men and women who fell in love, spare them and bring them all back to the village."
"I understand."
Fugaku nodded, accepting the task Kizaru had given him.
"That settles it, then."
Kizaru reached for the teapot and refilled his cup.
"Come on… have some tea."
With a stiff smile, Fugaku picked up his own teacup and quietly drank with Kizaru.
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