Chapter 42: The proposal
After immersing himself in the near limitless feeling of the sealing complex, Kaitou decided to add the limiters. For now, they were necessary, but possibly in the future they could be removed altogether.
Innerly, he was overjoyed, it at the same time he realized that he focused way too much on improving his strength, he always told himself, that he needed this exact strength to change it for the better, and while that maybe true on the bigger scale, he really needed to pay more attention to the things he could change right now.
With this realization, Kaitou began brainstorming for a moment, before he realized a small difference to the original timeline, Tobirama's team couldn't exist how it was supposed to, meaning he could encourage him to give someone like Kagami a chance.
While he wasn't the most sociable in this life, Kaitou still somehow got to befriend the little Uchiha, back when the village was still being build.
Uchiha Kagami, someone so drastically different compared to most other Uchiha, especially Madara. Kaitou and Kagami hit it off immediately, and Kaitou also helped Kagami with a bit of training.
This was the perfect chance to bring forth the proposal. While, it was undoubtedly that Tobirama was still busy, because of the new Advisor System implemented, he would have some spare time, even as an advisor to his older Brother.
Tobirama, right now, was still very suspicious of the Uchiha and the deep seated mistrust wouldn't disappear anytime soon, that much was clear. On the other hand, even in the original story, Tobirama at some point accepted Kagami as his student, and earnestly trained him.
Following this track of thought, the current Tobirama, who was more understanding, thanks to Kaitou, the chance was there, that he could accept Kagami even sooner, reinforcing even more the connection of the Village to the Uchiha.
It wasn't the most difficult plan to think of, but it was by no means easy to execute. The changes seen in Tobirama weren't just one sided either, as Kaitou had to agree, he was also influenced by his uncle over the years.
The change wasn't very drastic, but he became definitely more pragmatic and calculating than he was before. Though, the calculating part could also stem from his [Gamers Mind], which helped him greatly in remaining calm all the time, and in turn giving Kaitou an always clear mind.
The idea fully in his mind, Kaitou packed up what he needed, and made his way outside, on his way to the Uchiha district.
Kaitou himself was living in his own residence, which even against his wishes somehow became the biggest and most grand house in the Uzumaki Clan community . His aunt, who would occasionally visit and see how he was doing lived with her husband, Hashirama, in the Senju Clan compound.
Walking through the village, Kaitou let himself take in the sights around him. The streets were busier than ever, full of people moving between markets and shops, shinobi darting across rooftops on errands or training missions. It was a clear sign of how much Konoha had grown in just a few short years, and it made him wonder how different things would be in another decade.
Despite everything, he still wasn't used to how people looked at him now. Some with admiration, some with curiosity, and others with quiet wariness. His name carried weight, both as an Uzumaki and as someone closely tied to the Senju. Even if he didn't care much for status, he understood that his words and actions held influence, and it was time he used that to make a difference where it truly mattered.
That was why he was making his way toward the Uchiha district. The difference in atmosphere was immediate. The bustling energy of the central village gave way to a quieter, more orderly environment. The Uchiha were proud, and their homes reflected that - pristine, well-maintained, and positioned strategically. Even though there was no open hostility, there was still a clear divide between them and the rest of the village. That was something Kaitou intended to start fixing.
Stopping in front of a familiar house, he knocked on the wooden frame. He barely had to wait before the door slid open with a sudden *clack*, revealing a wide-eyed Uchiha Kagami, his dark eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
"Kaitou!" Kagami grinned, stepping aside without hesitation. "You never visit! I was starting to think you forgot I existed!"
Kaitou smirked, stepping inside. "Hard to forget someone who never shuts up in training."
Kagami crossed his arms, huffing dramatically. "That's because someone has to break the silence! You and your uncle always have that serious face, like the world's about to end any second! The only time that changes, is when Raiga and Fuyuki are there too."
Shaking his head in amusement, Kaitou followed him inside, taking a seat in the sparsely decorated room. Kagami flopped down across from him, still eyeing him curiously. "So, what brings the 'Great Uzumaki Prodigy' to my humble little home? Did you finally realize I'm way cooler than you and came to acknowledge it?"
Kaitou snorted. "I actually came to talk to you about something important."
Kagami leaned forward, intrigued. "I'm listening."
"I think, Tobirama needs a team. Or rather, students."
Kagami blinked. "Uh… does he know that?"
"Not yet," Kaitou admitted. "But he will soon. He's been too busy helping the Hokage as an Advisor, so he hasn't thought about it, but the village needs competent people to train the next generation."
Kagami tilted his head. "And what does that have to do with me?"
"You should be on that team."
For a second, Kagami just stared at him, then he laughed. "Hah! Good one! Me? On Tobirama's team? Yeah, right. That guy would rather train a brick wall than an Uchiha."
Kaitou's gaze remained steady. "You and I both know that's not completely true. Tobirama respects strength and loyalty. If he sees that you're worth training, he will train you."
Kagami's grin faltered slightly, his fingers fidgeting against the table. "I mean… sure, I want to get stronger, but do you really think he'd pick me? There are way stronger people out there."
Kaitou leaned back, crossing his arms. "You're strong, Kagami. Stronger than you think. And more than that, you're different from most of your clan. You actually believe in the village, not just the Uchiha. And if that is not enough, then I just blackmail him, no biggie."
Kagami looked away for a moment, uncharacteristically quiet. "…I guess." Then, shaking off the seriousness, he shot Kaitou a smug grin. "So, what, you're trying to recruit me for your uncle's sake?"
"I'm doing this for the future," Kaitou corrected. "This village is still young. We need people who can bridge the gaps before they become too wide."
Kagami was quiet again, tapping his fingers against his knee before sighing dramatically. "You're really making it hard to say no, huh?"
"That's the idea."
Kagami groaned, flopping backward onto the floor. "Ugh, fine! I'll do it! But if Tobirama throws me into a lake or something, I'm blaming you."
Kaitou smirked. "You'll survive."
Sitting back up, Kagami huffed. "You owe me for this, though. Next time we spar, you're not holding back!"
Kaitou chuckled. "Don't know, if you want to see really everything, but fine. Just don't cry when you lose."
Kagami stuck out his tongue before grinning again. "This is gonna be awesome."
Watching him, Kaitou couldn't help but feel a bit more hopeful. If things went right, this could be one of the first steps toward a better future. For everyone in the village.
With everything talked about, the two young Shinobi mad their way towards the Hokage building, the place where Tobirama was the likeliest to be present.
When they arrived, they were nearly shooed away, before the guards recognized Kaitou. They originally thought, that this were just some kids playing around.
Even with Kaitou's fame in the village, not everyone met him yet, and just from near say, it sometimes is hard to recognize someone immediately.
After the guards realized their mistake they bowed slightly, letting the two enter the building, one shouldn't forget, that Kaitou was, after all, an member of the council.
Both of them ventured through the building and also met some of the other important members of the village, like Shikakane, who was always needed to be present for his strategic thinking, or an elder of the Hoshikawa, who was sent to hand in a request for a leave of absence, regarding a few members of their Clan. They chatted for a bit before going their ways, both times.
After a few minutes, the two were finally able to find Tobirama, who was currently in one of the many offices of the building.
Tobirama barely looked up when the door slid open. His brush continued moving smoothly across the paper, finalizing yet another document that required his attention. Only when he sensed Kaitou stepping inside did he glance up, his sharp red eyes taking in both Kaitou and Kagami standing at the doorway.
"If you're here for something trivial, leave," Tobirama said, returning to his writing.
Kaitou ignored the sharp dismissal and stepped further inside, Kagami trailing behind him with a slight bounce in his step. "Not trivial. Something important."
Tobirama sighed, setting his brush down. "I doubt that, but go on."
Kaitou took a seat without invitation, leaning forward slightly. "You need students."
Tobirama raised a brow. "Do I?"
"Yes," Kaitou said firmly. "The Advisor System is stabilizing, and while you're busy, you're no longer needed for every minor issue. You're one of the strongest shinobi in the village, and Konoha needs people like you to train the next generation. Otherwise, we'll fall behind. You know, that the other big countries are already aware of what we created here, and are working on founding their own villages."
Tobirama exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "I have no time for children."
Kagami pouted at that. "Hey!"
Kaitou smirked but continued. "You make time for everything else. You made time to create the village's infrastructure. You made time to study sealing techniques. You made time to develop new Jutsus, and you're also trying to create your own Kekkei Genkai."
Tobirama frowned slightly at the last one. "That is still unfinished."
"But you're working on it." Kaitou leaned back. "So, you can make time for this too."
Tobirama studied him for a moment. "...You already have a candidate in mind."
"Of course." Kaitou motioned to Kagami. "Him."
Silence filled the room.
Tobirama turned his gaze fully to Kagami, his expression unreadable. Kagami, to his credit, didn't shrink under the scrutiny, though his fingers fidgeted against his leg.
"An Uchiha?" Tobirama asked slowly.
"Not just any Uchiha," Kaitou said. "Kagami is different from most of his clan. He's loyal to Konoha, not just his family. He understands what this village stands for. You said yourself that loyalty is more important than blood."
Tobirama hummed, shifting his attention back to his documents. "And yet you believe he is worth training?"
"Yes," Kaitou said without hesitation.
Kagami grinned. "See? Even he thinks I'm amazing."
Tobirama shot him a flat look. "You are far too immature."
Kagami crossed his arms. "That's what training is for, right?"
Tobirama exhaled sharply. "And what makes you think I would be willing to train him?"
'Because you did in the original timeline,'Kaitou thought but didn't say. Instead, he chose his words carefully. "Because you need to, for the sake of the village. Konoha is still fragile, and there are still divisions within it. If people see an Uchiha trained by you, it will help mend some of the distrust between the clans. It will show that the Senju and Uchiha can move forward together."
Tobirama leaned back slightly, his expression still unreadable. "You assume much."
"I assume correctly."
There was another long pause. Kagami fidgeted beside him but didn't interrupt.
Finally, Tobirama sighed. "I will consider it."
Kagami blinked. "Wait… really?"
Kaitou smirked. "That's as close to a yes as you'll get for now."
Tobirama gave them both a sharp look. "Do not mistake my consideration for immediate acceptance. If I take students, I will be demanding. I will not tolerate incompetence, weakness, or insubordination."
Kagami grinned. "Good thing I'm amazing, then."
Tobirama exhaled heavily, as if already regretting his decision. "Dismissed."
Kaitou stood, gesturing for Kagami to follow. As they stepped out of the office, Kagami let out a breath. "I can't believe that worked."
Kaitou smirked. "You're welcome."
Kagami nudged him playfully. "Yeah, yeah. But if he kills me, I'm haunting you."
Kaitou chuckled. "You'll survive. And in the case you don't, I'll try making you a new body."
Hearing this and seeing the thumbs up, Kaitou was giving him, Kagami began having some new doubts about this.