Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer

"The Flying Thunder God Technique was created by the Second Hokage. As far as I know, this technique existed even before the founding of Konohagakure."

Namikaze Minato's voice was calm but authoritative as he handed over a stack of documents. "This is the latest intelligence regarding Uzumaki Sora from the past year. I ask the Third Hokage and the Council to review it."

The rustling of papers followed as Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, eagerly began to read. Shimura Danzo remained seated, his one visible eye narrowing as he scanned the documents with intense scrutiny.

"The second individual after Minato who can adapt to the speed of the Flying Thunder God…" Hiruzen muttered, his brows knitting together. "His reaction capabilities are at the absolute limit for a shinobi."

"Resurrection from the dead?!" Koharu exclaimed, disbelief breaking through her usual stoic tone.

Homura leaned forward. "This must be a mistake—some kind of misreport…"

Minato, still standing tall in his Hokage robes, shook his head. "The intelligence has been confirmed. Once Uzumaki Sora is dealt a fatal blow—his heart pierced, his head severed—his body vanishes without a trace. But within days, or up to half a month, he reappears alive."

Danzo's fingers tightened around the document, the paper crumpling slightly under the pressure. No shinobi, no tactician, no commander wanted to face an immortal enemy. Especially not one who also possessed the most troublesome time-space ninjutsu ever devised—Flying Thunder God.

And if the report from the orphanage was accurate, the so-called conversation between Uzumaki Sora and the children… it had been a veiled threat. Not to the Hokage—but to Danzo, or perhaps Root itself.

"Hmph… Fourth Hokage," Danzo said at last, his voice calm but laced with sharpness, "is this the extent of the report?"

"If you're asking whether there's more," Minato replied coolly, "then no, this is all we have for now. According to our scouts, Uzumaki Sora has placed several Flying Thunder God markers throughout the shinobi world. With the ability to move freely across nations, we can't pinpoint his location."

He paused, then set the documents on the table and turned to Danzo with a steely gaze.

"But let's set Uzumaki Sora aside for now. I'm far more interested in hearing Root's report—about the orphanage incident."

A heavy silence blanketed the room. The Third Hokage slowly closed the file in his hand.

Minato's voice sharpened. "As Hokage, I personally approved the allocation of emergency funds for the orphanage. Yet Root agents used those very funds, and the children, to pressure Yakushi Nono into rejoining Root. Why?"

Danzo's expression darkened.

"Not only that." Minato continued, stepping forward, "Root appears particularly interested in collecting orphaned children. What kind of experiment requires so many unidentified minors? If the villagers learned the truth—children being harvested for secret projects—I doubt they would approve."

The final words were addressed to Hiruzen directly, and the message was clear. The aging Third Hokage had grown passive. Just as Uzumaki Sora once claimed, Hiruzen had become a relic of a bygone era, indecisive when faced with moral crises.

Danzo tapped his cane twice on the wooden floor.

*Tok. Tok.*

"The Fourth Hokage surely understands the situation with Iwagakure." he said. "Their aggressive posture is not a bluff. As for the Uchiha… you've always believed there is a gentler method. I hope you're right, Hokage-sama."

He stood. "Everything I have done is for Konoha. But if war breaks out—if Iwa makes their move—then I hope the Fourth Hokage is ready to accept full responsibility."

Minato's eyes narrowed. "Wherever the leaves dance, fire will burn. The shadow of the flame will illuminate the village… and cause new leaves to sprout."

His voice echoed through the room, firm and unwavering.

"The Will of Fire is what binds this village together. So long as there are children growing up under the symbol of Konoha, we must not sacrifice them for peace. Not a woman who devoted her life to raising orphans. Not the innocent children she protected."

He scanned the room. "We still have the Third Hokage. Myself, the current Hokage. The Anbu, the Jōnin squads, the clans, and the civilian shinobi. If our peace relies on butchering women and children—then what does our fire even mean?"

His words struck deep. Even the Anbu guards stationed outside the doors seemed to feel the weight of them.

Hiruzen stepped forward, moving to stand beside Minato.

"Danzo." the Third Hokage said, his voice low but commanding, "If such a thing happens again, I will personally revoke your command of Root."

The silence that followed was heavier than before. Minato considered adding more, but when he saw Hiruzen standing at his side, he knew he had said enough. Any further would drive a deeper wedge—something he needed to avoid for now.

Behind them, Koharu and Homura exchanged glances but said nothing. That was Minato's goal—to silence the old guards and isolate Danzo.

*Bang!*

Danzo's cane struck the floor again as he rose.

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen." he said with a sneer. "Everything I've done—every life I've taken—was to protect this village."

Without another word, he turned and stormed out, his robes billowing behind him. The two elders followed him in silence.

*Thud*

The office doors slammed shut. Hiruzen let out a soft sigh and turned to Minato with a faint smile.

"You are right, Minato. We are the fire that protects the newborn leaves…"

He looked out the window, gazing over the village he helped build.

"When the First Hokage founded Konoha, his dream was that no child would ever again be dragged into war. That no more sons and daughters would die in the mud. But Danzo… He believes that the end justifies the means."

Minato nodded. "I understand. Root was always Konoha's shadow. And shadows… only grow in darkness."

The Third Hokage changed the subject slightly. "Did you ask Kushina about this Uzumaki Sora?"

"I did." Minato answered. "She came to Konoha when she was young. She doesn't remember anyone by that name. She never met another of her clan before arriving here."

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "If the reports are accurate, then Uzumaki Sora's abilities have evolved. According to Danzo's field report, his physical strength is extraordinary. He even shows signs of possessing Wood-style."

Minato's eyes narrowed. "He struggled in our last encounter. His taijutsu was rough, and he couldn't use Flying Thunder God repeatedly. His chakra reserves were his main weakness."

"That was two months ago." Hiruzen pointed out. "If he's improving at that rate… and if he does have Wood-style—even an early form of it—then we're looking at potential on par with the First Hokage."

Minato fell silent. The name of the First Hokage was not spoken lightly.

"A man who cannot die, wields Flying Thunder God, and may awaken Wood-style…" Hiruzen continued, "Minato, if he cannot be brought into the fold, then we must, at the very least, ensure his powers do not fall into the hands of another nation."

The meaning was clear.

Minato nodded slowly. "I understand."

He no longer held the naivety of his youth. He was no longer just a genius shinobi—he was the Hokage. And being Hokage meant making impossible choices.

But deep down, Minato knew.

Uzumaki Sora did not harbor hatred toward Konoha.

Not yet.

And if they were to avoid turning him into an enemy… then the next step must be handled with care.

"I'll make contact." Minato said quietly. "There's still time."

There had to be.

*****

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