Awakening Of Uchiha [Naruto/One Piece]

Chapter 37: Utatane Angrily Scolds Danzo

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"So strong?"

Hiruzen's frown deepened after hearing Mito's words.

"What do you think?" Mito glanced at him and said, "You know she quelled the Uchiha civil strife and suppressed the entire Uchiha clan singlehandedly. Do you think she could have done that without immense strength?"

"As for Katsumi becoming Tsunade's apprentice, don't overthink it," she continued. "She simply wants a backer and a safeguard for Katsumi to ensure his growth progresses smoothly, and to keep certain rats lurking in the shadows from interfering with him."

"Do you really think that becoming Tsunade's disciple—or even being the grandson of the Hokage—would be enough for him to secure the Hokage position? You're still alive, aren't you?"

If Katsumi truly managed to attain the position of Hokage this way, then he would deserve it. If someone proved to be useless, they could only blame themselves, not others.

At this point, Mito would rather see Katsumi become Hokage than allow Hiruzen to remain in the position.

Considering the master-disciple relationship between Tsunade and Katsumi, combined with Uchiha's alliance with the Senju clan and their future marriage plans, even if Katsumi were to become Hokage, it would only benefit the Senju and Uzumaki clans. Things certainly wouldn't be worse than they were now.

At the very least, Uchiha wouldn't need to consolidate power by suppressing other major clans. That kind of tactic was only necessary for weaker, less confident clans like Hiruzen's.

Well, the Sarutobi clan couldn't exactly be considered a small clan—it was more like a mid-tier clan, largely due to its population size. However, the clan lacked any unique specialties or standout advantages. They were, at best, mediocre.

Historically, the Sarutobi clan excelled at navigating relationships and winning people's trust. To outsiders, they presented themselves as law-abiding and loyal—a strategy that had earned them favor from the First and Second Hokage.

But since Sarutobi Hiruzen became Hokage, everything had changed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, of course, had no idea that Uzumaki Mito's perspective had shifted so drastically. Hearing her thinly veiled remarks, he quickly realized that she was referring to Danzo.

"You're right. I understand," Hiruzen replied with a respectful nod. "I will restrain Danzo and proceed cautiously with the Uchiha in the future."

After considering the matter carefully, he realized that Uchiha aiming for the Hokage position just because of Tsunade's disciple would indeed be wishful thinking. He wouldn't allow that to happen.

"Very well. Go," Mito said with a dismissive wave of her hand, signaling that their conversation was over.

Hiruzen bowed slightly and left promptly.

---

Back in the Hokage's office, Danzo and the other advisors were already waiting. The moment Hiruzen entered, they swarmed him, unable to contain their impatience.

"How did it go? What did they talk about? Has Kaori really made a full recovery?" Danzo demanded.

"Yes." Hiruzen nodded grimly and repeated Mito's words verbatim.

"What?!"

"Damn it!" Danzo roared furiously. "How could Lady Mito do this? She traded the Flying Thunder God Technique, the teacher's Water Style Ninjutsu, and even sealing techniques with the Uchiha?! Isn't she courting disaster?"

"What gives her the right to make such decisions?"

Danzo's anger boiled over. He knew that gaining access to those techniques would significantly strengthen the Uchiha clan.

Especially the sealing techniques. Once Uchiha began implementing sealing techniques in their clan territory, it would become nearly impossible to monitor their activities.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was even worse—it was a strategic-level jutsu. If the Uchiha mastered it, dealing with them in the future would become exponentially more difficult.

At that point, eradicating the Uchiha clan would be almost impossible.

"Well… Lady Mito is naturally qualified!"

"After all, these ninjutsu originally belonged to the teacher and the Senju clan," Utatane said, looking at Danzo with exasperation. "Even though the teacher recorded them in the sealed scroll or opened them to the village's ninjutsu library, there must have been copies left with the Senju."

Danzo's face turned red with anger as he sputtered, "You… Koharu, whose side are you on?"

Is she seriously defending this?

"This isn't about qualifications! This is aiding the enemy! Have the Senju forgotten that the Uchiha are their ancient rivals?"

"Tsk," Koharu clicked her tongue in disdain, curling her lips. "I'm just stating the facts. Besides, Lady Mito already completed the deal. What's the point of arguing about it now?"

"You…"

Danzo's hands trembled in frustration. Koharu's words felt like salt on a fresh wound, and her attitude today was downright infuriating.

"Enough, Danzo!"

At this point, the Third Hokage stepped in, cutting through the argument. He turned toward Danzo with a stern expression. "This is the reality we have to deal with now."

"Moreover," Hiruzen continued, "thanks to the transaction, Lady Mito has recovered some of her vitality. I suspect she'll be able to hold on for a few more years."

"In the coming years, we'll need to exercise restraint regarding both the Senju and the Uchiha. Otherwise, we could find ourselves in serious trouble."

Pausing for emphasis, Hiruzen then fixed his gaze on Danzo and warned, "And Danzo, listen carefully. Katsumi is now Tsunade's disciple. Don't target him. If you provoke Kaori and Lady Mito, even I won't be able to protect you."

Danzo's eyes flickered, and he frowned. "Is it really that serious?"

"It is," Hiruzen said firmly, his voice carrying a note of finality. "This was part of the deal between Lady Mito and Uchiha Kaori. If you harm Katsumi, you'll bring down their combined wrath. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"…Fine, I get it," Danzo grumbled reluctantly. Though displeased, he nodded in agreement. "I won't touch the boy for now."

Even as he agreed, frustration boiled inside him. Ever since learning that Kaori might have recovered, Danzo had been scheming ways to target her—and his focus had inevitably landed on Katsumi. But now, before he could even act, the other side had already taken preemptive measures.

Danzo clenched his fists, his mind racing in frustration.

"What a formidable woman! No wonder she managed to suppress the Uchiha for so long."

"But if she continues to live, it will be near impossible to target the Uchiha or get my hands on more Sharingan. Damn it!"

"Enough."

Hiruzen's voice cut through Danzo's thoughts again. Lighting his pipe, he took a deep drag and began to ponder aloud. "This situation is largely settled now. What we need to discuss next is the Uzumaki clan."

He exhaled a cloud of smoke before continuing. "With Lady Mito's vitality restored to some extent, should we send a larger force to support the Uzumaki clan in the future, or stick with the original plan?"

Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he weighed the possibilities. While he had seen that Lady Mito had only regained a portion of her strength, he couldn't be sure if that was all. Given her mastery of sealing techniques and her cunning mind, it wasn't impossible that she was hiding the extent of her recovery.

If, by chance, Uzumaki Mito had secretly returned to her peak strength, continuing with their current plans could invite her fury. And if that happened, the consequences would be devastating.

Even now, Uzumaki Mito's prestige in the village remained exceptionally high. She couldn't quite "summon a hundred responses with one call," but it wasn't far off.

The Senju clan's influence hadn't fully faded yet, and Hiruzen knew that if Mito truly wished to, she could rally enough support to have him removed as Hokage.