Naruto: Assistant to the Hokage

The child, Akihara Kagura, was not quite normal.

Shimura Danzo never imagined that raising a child could be this challenging.

After all, Danzo's usual method of dealing with children was straightforward: gather a group of mentally stable kids, raise them together, and then let them engage in deadly battles, ensuring they evolve into mentally unstable assassins.

But now, confronted with a child who was excessively abnormal, Danzo found himself at a loss, worried the boy might cause serious trouble.

However...

Danzo couldn't exactly criticize him.

Because everything the child did was in his defense.

"I need to head out for a bit," Danzo said after some thought, deciding to visit the Hokage Tower and probe Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions. He glanced at Akihara Kagura. "Stay here at the base, Kou."

"Huh?"

The young boy seemed surprised and looked up at the old man. "Lord Danzo, didn't you say I was to act as your guard? I promise I can protect you!"

"Follow orders."

Danzo appreciated the boy's loyalty, but his tone brooked no argument as he rejected the proposal.

He understood all too well that his visit to the Hokage Tower was likely to end in an argument with the "Monkey". The last thing he wanted was for the boy to attack the Hokage on the spot.

At the Hokage Tower, Danzo arrived promptly, intent on gauging Sarutobi Hiruzen's interest in Akihara Kagura. He wanted to prepare in advance, especially if Hiruzen planned to snatch Kagura under the pretext of the upcoming Chunin Exams.

If that were the case, Danzo would have to... endure.

Of course, not without a fierce argument!

Yet, Hiruzen seemed to anticipate his friend's motives. As soon as Danzo entered the office, the Hokage handed him a list of participants for the Chunin Exams.

"And what is this?" Danzo asked, his eyes scanning the list until they stopped on one name. "Uchiha Itachi? Participating alone?"

That name had long been on Danzo's radar.

Itachi had graduated early from the ninja academy, hailed as the most talented child in years—a bright prodigy attracting significant attention. Notably, he had once clashed with members of Danzo's Root organization, effortlessly defeating one of them. That incident had left a deep impression on Danzo.

At the time...

Itachi was only eight years old.

Now, at ten, the boy was undoubtedly even more formidable.

Danzo composed himself and addressed Hiruzen. "I've heard of this child. With his abilities, passing the exam alone shouldn't be difficult. However, he is an Uchiha. If he passes alone, it will be unprecedented in Konoha, and those Uchiha..."

"Danzo!"

Hiruzen interrupted, puffing leisurely on his pipe. "We must not harbor malice toward someone simply because of their surname."

"But..."

"Nor can we ignore the meaning behind that surname."

Hiruzen walked to the window, gazing out solemnly at the village. "The village is becoming increasingly unstable. Conflicts between the Uchiha and the villagers are growing, and their relationship with the village is more strained than ever."

"Hmph. They should've been dealt with long ago," Danzo snorted, disdainful of Hiruzen's leniency. "You should follow our teacher's will and purge the evil Uchiha once and for all—"

"Danzo!"

Hiruzen's tone turned sharp, his voice resolute. "The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. Among them are those who embody the Will of Fire. Have you forgotten our comrade Kagami just because he has been gone for so long?"

Uchiha Kagami.

Once their teammate, Kagami had repeatedly saved their lives in times of crisis. Everyone acknowledged him as a brilliant Konoha ninja.

Even Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, who held strong reservations about the Uchiha, had admitted Kagami's excellence, recognizing that he transcended the narrow-minded nationalism of his clan.

Unfortunately, Kagami died young.

Yet, his legacy continued to influence the Uchiha. His descendants, like Uchiha Shisui, were loyal to the village and strived to mediate between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, spreading the Will of Fire within the clan.

Hearing Kagami's name, Danzo fell silent. Despite his attitude, he couldn't deny the debt he owed to his late comrade.

After a long pause, Danzo spoke again, unwilling to shift his stance. "Kagami... was an exception. You must understand something, Hiruzen: the village cannot bear the risk of a Uchiha uprising."

"Just because a small flame can provide warmth doesn't mean we should ignore the risk of a wildfire. That is not a decision fit for a Hokage. You've grown weak... and you will regret it."

"Danzo," Hiruzen replied coldly, turning to face his old friend, his voice steady. "I am the Hokage. As long as there is even a glimmer of hope for peaceful resolution, it should not be abandoned. And you will follow my orders."

"Hmph... what orders?"

"Doesn't the Root have a Wood Release user?" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, locking onto Danzo. "Relax. I'm only asking him to participate in the Chunin Exams. I won't reassign him from the Root."

"Hmph."

Danzo snorted, but his expression eased.

He had been frustrated by Hiruzen's soft stance toward the Uchiha, but realizing his friend was equally lenient about Danzo's secret Wood Release user…

Perhaps this soft-hearted Hokage wasn't so bad after all.

"I understand," Danzo finally replied, satisfied with the outcome. He even took the initiative to plan: "I will train him well and ensure he participates in the exams alone. This way, Uchiha Itachi won't overshadow the event too much, and it might keep the Uchiha in check."

"Do as you see fit," Hiruzen said neutrally, neither affirming nor denying, as though the conversation had never happened.

Danzo turned to leave, his cane tapping against the floor.

"Wait," Hiruzen called out suddenly. "When exactly did this child with the Wood Release appear? Is someone still conducting unauthorized Hashirama Cell experiments in the village? Or is it Orochimaru again?"

"The child came from the orphanage!" Danzo's eyes widened briefly but quickly regained composure. "He awakened the Wood Release naturally. I've kept him at the Root base ever since."

"I see."

Hiruzen sighed softly, seemingly accepting the explanation. "Then teach him well. Teach him to protect Konoha, and ensure he doesn't stray from the right path."