Chapter 6: The Hokage's Mission
Inside the Hokage's office at the top of the Hokage Tower, the Third Hokage sat in deep thought, his eyes fixed on the straight-standing figure of Uchiha Yusuke.
Originally, he had intended for Yusuke to lead a guard mission. But after a casual conversation with his son Asuma the day before—who had brought up the incident involving Yusuke clashing with fellow Uchiha clansmen at the teahouse—he reconsidered.
This boy was a prodigy with exceptional talent. According to Asuma, Yusuke's current strength surpassed even Kakashi's. More importantly, he didn't seem particularly loyal to the Uchiha clan. If the Hokage could draw him into his own circle of influence, he'd gain a powerful and independent asset.
The Third Great Ninja War had just ended. This was arguably Konoha's most prosperous era since the death of the First Hokage. The powerful Uchiha clan was still intact. The Yellow Flash (Minato Namikaze) was at the peak of his fame. Among the Legendary Sannin, although Tsunade had left the village in grief over the deaths of her brother and lover, Orochimaru and Jiraiya remained, maintaining the Sannin's formidable reputation.
While Konoha no longer held absolute dominance over the ninja world like during the time of Hashirama and Madara, it still stood unshaken. Any serious challenge would require at least three of the four other great villages to unite against it.
The Third deeply admired Yusuke's abilities, but he wasn't in desperate need of talent at the moment. So instead of simply appointing Yusuke as team leader, he decided to test him first.
Taking a long puff from his pipe, the Third Hokage finally spoke.
"Yusuke, I've called you here to assign you a very important mission."
Yusuke remained silent, waiting for the details.
"Following the war, as the victorious nation, we're to collect reparations from the defeated. This time, Danzo will be negotiating with the Hidden Rain Village on behalf of Konoha."
He paused briefly to puff his pipe again before continuing.
"You will act as my representative—your job is to supervise Danzo. I want detailed reports on the negotiations and the terms he agrees to with Hanzo of the Salamander."
The Third had thought about this for a long time. Danzo was known for being domineering and ruthless. Without strength, it was near impossible to handle him. In the past, the Hokage had tried sending others to monitor Danzo, but they were either manipulated or mysteriously killed. Eventually, he stopped trying—he couldn't afford to lose any more valuable subordinates.
But now, Yusuke had appeared. Not only was he powerful, he wasn't tied to the Hokage's inner circle. That made him the perfect candidate. Whether Yusuke succeeded or failed, the Hokage had nothing to lose.
Moreover, there was the long-standing tension between Danzo and the Uchiha clan. Danzo had inherited the Second Hokage's distrust of the Uchiha, and the feeling was mutual. Sending Yusuke to supervise Danzo would serve to keep both sides in check—a win-win for the Third.
Yusuke quickly understood most of this just from the mission's description. He was no naïve believer in the so-called "Will of Fire." The Hokage's political maneuvering didn't surprise him.
"When does the mission begin?" Yusuke asked calmly.
"In three days. Someone will inform you when the time comes."
Yusuke nodded. "Understood. If there's nothing else, I'll go make preparations."
The Third gave a quiet "Mm," signaling Yusuke was free to leave. Just as Yusuke stepped out the door, the Hokage added,
"Be careful. Danzo's methods can be... less than honorable."
After leaving the office, Yusuke noted it was just after noon.
"Three days should be enough time to lay some groundwork for Kabuto. This mission might take a while. He'll need to train on his own while I'm gone."
Before heading home, he remembered something.
"Better stop by and visit Uchiha Fugaku. That old man Souichiro came to see me this morning—probably sent by Fugaku himself."
In the Uchiha clan compound, at the residence of clan head Uchiha Fugaku—
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A boy of about six or seven stood at the edge of a lake, unleashing one of the Uchiha clan's signature jutsu.
Flames gushed from his mouth, forming a massive fireball over the lake. He had executed it perfectly. The fireball held for five seconds before he ceased his chakra output, and it dissipated.
A kimono-clad middle-aged man nearby let out a hearty laugh, proud beyond words.
"As expected of my son," he said.
This was none other than Uchiha Fugaku and his son, Itachi.
Originally, Fugaku had planned to begin teaching Itachi ninjutsu only after he entered the academy. But recent events had changed his mind. And the more he taught Itachi, the more astonished he became. His son's natural talent was astounding—Fugaku now believed firmly that Itachi was the future hope of the Uchiha clan.
"Clan Leader, Uchiha Yusuke is here to see you. He said you wanted to meet him," reported a clan member.
"Bring him here," Fugaku said, his expression returning to its usual sternness.
"Itachi, no need to leave. Just stay and observe."
Itachi obediently nodded and stood off to the side.
Soon, Yusuke arrived at the lake where Fugaku and Itachi had been training.
Seeing Itachi present surprised him. He had expected a private meeting—perhaps something about strengthening clan bonds, participating more in clan activities, the usual rhetoric.
In Yusuke's eyes, Fugaku was a responsible clan leader and a loving father. But unfortunately, he lacked true control over the clan. He couldn't rein in the arrogant members, nor could he persuade the clan's two greatest talents—Shisui and Itachi—to support him.
In the end, despite awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku chose to die by Itachi's hand, sacrificing himself and the clan for his son's beliefs—a tragic figure, indeed.
Fugaku's face turned colder as he spoke.
"Yusuke, I've received reports from Ryuya and the others. Not only did you skip the clan meeting without explanation, but you also beat them up. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Yusuke frowned. He had considered the possibility that this was a reprimand, but thought it unlikely. Any leader short on reliable subordinates should know better than to alienate the strong.
"I apologize for missing the meeting," Yusuke said calmly. "I had something important to handle. Unexpected things happened."
He paused, then added,
"As for those three who attacked me—I simply responded in kind."
He wasn't one to apologize for things that weren't his fault. Not even to the clan head.
Fugaku snorted coldly.
"So arrogant. They say you and Kakashi are the strongest of the new generation. They even gave you the nickname 'Blazing Blade.' Let's see if you live up to the hype."
With that, he motioned for Itachi to step back.
"If the clan head wishes to test me, I'll respectfully comply," Yusuke replied coolly.
He hadn't expected Fugaku to fight him—but it was clearly meant to be a warning. A show of dominance. If Fugaku truly meant harm, he wouldn't have let young Itachi remain as a bystander.
The two faced each other silently. When Yusuke didn't move, Fugaku took the initiative, his eyes flashing as they turned into the three-tomoe Sharingan.
His hands flew into seals—Yusuke immediately recognized them.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."
Matching his opponent, Yusuke quickly mirrored the seals, and astonishingly, finished at the exact same time despite starting later.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames erupted from both mouths, colliding mid-air. The sheer heat warped the air around them.
This jutsu, though iconic, was more about intimidation and distraction than actual lethality.
Fugaku felt a flicker of surprise. Yusuke's speed was incredible—even after starting second, he still completed the jutsu simultaneously. More shockingly, although Fugaku had poured more chakra into his fireball, Yusuke's seemed stronger, forcing him to push harder to hold even ground.
"What? He's forming more seals—while still maintaining the jutsu?! His chakra control is on another level!"
Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief as Yusuke began weaving a second set of hand seals mid-jutsu.