Naruto: The Fifth Hokage [3]

Chapter 3: Hiruzen's Response

After Makoto left, Shisui didn't even bother replacing his eyes with the one Makoto had given him. Instead, he rushed straight toward the Hokage Building.

Although Makoto claimed he wouldn't use Shisui's eyes to manipulate the Hokage, Shisui couldn't take that risk.

'At the very least, Lord Third must still be warned.'

With that conviction, Shisui endured the searing pain in his empty sockets and stumbled toward the Hokage Building.

"Uchiha Shisui?"

The two Chunin guarding the entrance were stunned by the sight of him. This was Shisui of the Body Flicker, known for his speed and strength—yet here he was, battered and blind.

"I need to see Lord Third! Now!" Shisui urged.

Before the guards could respond, Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged from his office, having heard the commotion. His expression hardened when he saw Shisui's hollowed eyes. The mission he had assigned was only to monitor the Uchiha clan, yet now Shisui had returned in this state.

Had the Uchiha finally decided to rebel?

"Shisui! Someone call the medical unit immediately!" Hiruzen ordered.

"Lord Third, there's no time! I have an urgent report!" Shisui pressed.

Seeing his desperation, Hiruzen sighed and led him inside, dismissing his aides.

"Tell me everything," he said gravely, bracing himself for the worst.

Shisui took a deep breath and recounted everything—the events of the night, Makoto's actions, and, most importantly, the fact that his eyes had been stolen. He left nothing out.

With every word, Hiruzen's expression grew darker. He had already expected an eventual Uchiha rebellion, but this was far worse than he had imagined.

"Uchiha Makoto…?"

Hiruzen exhaled a long stream of smoke, his mind recalling the man in question.

Unlike the more arrogant members of his clan, Makoto had always seemed more reserved, even eccentric. His "smiling law enforcement" policies had once been praised for easing tensions between the Uchiha and the village. Hiruzen had thought he was another Uchiha Kagami—a rare clan member who truly embraced the Will of Fire.

But now, it turned out he had been hiding his true ambitions all along. And worse, he now possessed two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Lord Third, you must be careful! Don't give Makoto an opening!" Shisui warned.

"I understand, Shisui. Don't worry. Things aren't beyond saving just yet."

Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe, his voice calm despite the gravity of the situation. "For now, get your new eyes implanted. We still need your strength."

"Lord Third, please!" Shisui clenched his fists, unwilling to step away.

"Even if he tries to control me with your eyes, he'll fail. You must understand, Shisui—the Hokage is Hokage not just because of power, but because the village acknowledges the Will of Fire. If Makoto thinks controlling me means controlling Konoha, then he's sorely mistaken."

Hiruzen placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Go. We'll stop him together."

Shisui's throat tightened at those words. He took a deep breath, then nodded. "Understood! I won't let him succeed!"

---

After Shisui was taken away for surgery, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness of the Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen, what are you hesitating for?!"

Shimura Danzo hobbled forward on his cane, his single visible eye glaring with frustration. "Are you planning to become that Uchiha brat's puppet?"

"Be patient, Danzo," Hiruzen said, his tone steady. "It's not time for drastic action."

"It's already too late!" Danzo snapped. "Uchiha Makoto has clearly been planning this for years! And once the rest of the Uchiha learn he's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, they'll rise up too! We have to act first—eliminate Makoto before he can take control!"

"Enough, Danzo! I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen's voice was sharp, his gaze unyielding.

Danzo clenched his jaw. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

With a loud bang, he slammed the door behind him.

Hiruzen watched him go, then turned to gaze out the window.

Knowing Danzo, he wouldn't sit idly by. He would take matters into his own hands—send assassins to eliminate Uchiha Makoto under the cover of secrecy.

And truthfully, Hiruzen wouldn't stop him.

If Danzo succeeded, all the better. If he failed… well, it would be Danzo's failure alone.

For years, this had been their silent agreement.

"It's been a hectic time lately."

Hiruzen sighed, exhaling a stream of smoke in the dimly lit Hokage's office.

…

The next morning, the sun rose as usual.

Makoto woke up, washed up quickly, and headed straight to work at the Police Force.

He had just stepped into his office—hadn't even taken a seat—when Uchiha Fugaku, the captain of the Police Force and head of the Uchiha clan, walked in.

"Makoto, get ready. There's an urgent mission in the village," Fugaku said, his expression serious. "You'll be leading the team this time. Inabi and Zaito will accompany you."

"I understand."

Makoto wasn't surprised. If anything, he found the timing a little too soon.

'So, the Hokage's side is already making their move?'

After Fugaku left, Makoto unsheathed his sword. The cold steel gleamed, reflecting his face in its polished surface.

Sliding the blade back into its scabbard, he packed his gear, grabbed the mission scroll, and made his way to the Police Force headquarters' entrance, where his teammates were waiting.

Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Zaito were among the more promising members of the younger generation. While nowhere near the level of Shisui or Makoto, both had reached Chunin and awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan before the age of twenty.

However, like many in the clan, their minds were entirely consumed by Uchiha pride. That same pride made them view Makoto's "law enforcement with a smile" philosophy with thinly veiled disdain.

Even so, with a mission before them, they gave a formal salute upon seeing him.

Makoto nodded in response. "Let's move."