Naruto: Starting with Snatching the Mangekyō Sharingan

Outside Konoha's grand gates, a crowd of villagers had gathered in two neat rows along the road, their faces alight with anticipation. Many held bouquets of fresh flowers, gazing intently toward the road's horizon, waiting with bated breath for the triumphant return of their forces.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the front of the crowd.

"They're here! They're back!"

"I see them! The Third Hokage-sama and Uchiha Akira are leading the group!"

"Akira-sama looks so young… even younger than the Fourth Hokage back in the day…"

Amid a shower of petals and deafening cheers, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Uchiha Akira appeared at the forefront of the returning troops, making their way into the welcoming embrace of Konoha's residents.

Hiruzen, though still recovering from his injuries, had regained much of his strength. His complexion was no longer pale, and he wore a rosy hue of vitality. Moved by the enthusiastic crowd, he waved and nodded with every step, graciously acknowledging their cheers.

By his side, Akira was composed and calm. With a gentle smile, he nodded and waved in response, exuding an air of quiet authority.

Following behind them, other notable figures like Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui also basked in the adoration of the villagers. Their heroic feats on the battlefield had earned them widespread recognition.

The celebration stretched into the afternoon before the exuberant villagers finally dispersed.

Returning to the Uchiha compound, Akira and the others were greeted with yet another wave of enthusiastic celebration from their clan members. After finally extricating himself from the festivities, Akira retreated to his home, seeking some much-needed peace.

As night fell, the Hokage's office was ablaze with light. In the third-floor meeting room, Konoha's elite jōnin gathered for a post-war debriefing. Despite his injuries, Sarutobi Hiruzen insisted on presiding over the meeting.

Hiruzen's voice was steady as he posed the crucial question:

"What do you all propose we do with the prisoners from Kumogakure and Iwagakure?"

The recent war had left Konoha with over a thousand prisoners from both villages, even after accounting for those who had succumbed to severe injuries. Among the captives were high-profile individuals, including the Fourth Raikage Ay of Kumogakure and Kitsuchi, son of Ōnoki the Tsuchikage. The overcrowded state of Konoha's prison underscored the urgency of the matter.

Yet no one in the room dared to speak. The political winds in Konoha were shifting, and everyone knew it. It was only a matter of time before Hiruzen stepped down, and Uchiha Akira would inevitably ascend as the next Hokage. Speaking out now, especially if it conflicted with Akira's views, was a risk few were willing to take.

Hiruzen, unfazed by the silence, turned to Akira.

"Akira, what is your opinion on the matter?"

"Interrogate them," Akira replied evenly. "Extract any valuable information they hold. After that, let Kumogakure and Iwagakure pay to ransom them back."

Hiruzen nodded slowly, Akira's suggestion mirroring Konoha's standard practices.

"Very well. Let's proceed as suggested. The meeting is adjourned. You've all worked hard, take some time to rest."

As the jōnin filed out, the room soon emptied, leaving only Hiruzen, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado behind.

"Are you alright, Hiruzen? I heard you were gravely injured during the battle," Homura asked, his tone laced with concern.

Hiruzen sighed, shaking his head.

"I'm getting old. I was caught off guard and paid the price."

Koharu leaned forward, her voice tinged with lingering doubt.

"Is Akira truly as strong as the reports claim?"

Hiruzen chuckled bitterly. "Stronger. On the Kumogakure battlefield, he faced the Raikage, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, and Nagato. If Nagato hadn't retreated, I doubt even they could have survived against him."

Koharu's eyes widened in disbelief. "He's that powerful?"

Hiruzen nodded, his expression grim. "I'd say he's stronger than Madara in his prime. I saw two fully formed Susanoo during the battle. It was…" He trailed off, the memory still vivid.

Homura's jaw dropped. "Stronger than Madara?!"

"Madara didn't have this level of mastery over his dōjutsu," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head. "Akira's chakra and physical strength might not match Madara's, but his techniques are on a different level."

Koharu hesitated before asking, "And what about the young Uchiha girl from Iwagakure? The reports say she's only about fourteen, yet she can wield a fully formed Susanoo. How is that possible?"

Hiruzen sighed deeply. "According to Fugaku, she's a relic from the Warring States period—a living weapon created by the Uchiha to fight the Senju. She was sealed away by the Senju, the Uchiha, and my own Sarutobi clan. Somehow, Akatsuki found her and broke the seal. Now, she bears a deep hatred for Konoha. She's a powerful new enemy."

Both Koharu and Homura fell silent, grappling with the weight of this revelation.

Finally, Koharu spoke, her tone resigned.

"It seems we'll have to leave these matters to Akira and the Uchiha. The future of Konoha is theirs to shape now."

"Koharu, you can't mean that!" Homura protested.

"Face reality, Homura," Koharu snapped. "The tide has turned. We have no choice but to accept it."

Their argument carried on, the cracks in Konoha's leadership growing deeper by the moment.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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