Tsunade hugged Sato all the way to Konoha, their group didn't have to run for long as they were already in the land of fire.
"We are here."
Tsunade stopped infront of a large gate, this was Konoha's entry gate, she hadn't seen this place for many years now.
*Swish*
Itachi and Shizune soon flashed and stopped besides Tsunade, Shizune was out of breath after running so much while Itachi still had his calm face.
"Let's go everyone, Itachi you take Sato to the Uchiha clan, that place should be safe for you kids."
"Shizune you will come with me, I will pay Sensei a visit and ask what his opinion is on this genocide."
Tsunade knew that she was going to work against the third Hokage from now on, there was no way he will let her save the Uchiha and help the Hidden Cloud, even if it was for Konoha.
That's why Tsunade wanted to know her Sensei's opinion on the Uchiha masscare plan, if he was a supporter of these mass killings she would not feel guilty working against him.
*Swish*
Tsunade and the panting Shizune flashed away again, the gate guards of Konoha pretended not to see them.
They were informed that Tsunade was coming with the hidden cloud messenger by the anbu, they were prepared for this.
"Let's go Sato sama."
Itachi gestured to Sato and they walked together towards the Uchiha clan.
Sato was stretching and loosening himself while walking, he was feeling stuffy after Tsunade hugged him for so long, It was hard to breathe when being held so tightly.
"Tsunade will handle the Hokage just fine, it's good that we brought her along, now we don't need to do anything until Hokage calls for me specifically."
"She's got the right idea here, I should go to the Uchiha clan now, this will show everyone that hidden cloud is with the Uchiha."
Uchiha needs someone to back them up right now, they were in danger of extermination.
Sato being here will stop Konoha from attacking the Uchiha, they would be safe as long as he was around.
Of course Sato wasn't doing this for free, one way or the other he was going to get the Uchiha clan as his henchman after this.
The choice was easy, either die by Konoha's hands or live with Sato's help, anyone with a brain will know which was the better option.
"Itachi!"
A rough voice suddenly called Itachi, Sato and Itachi looked back and saw a middle aged man walking towards them, this man had a serious face and the Uchiha symbol on his clothes.
"Father."
This was Itachi's father Fugaku Uchiha, the clan leader of the Uchiha clan and the suspected owner of a Mangekyo Sharingan.
"You are back Itachi! Why didn't you tell us before leaving the village, we were worried sick."
Fugaku scolded Itachi harshly in public, but Itachi felt extreme guilt instead of embarrassment.
Before Shisui was attacked, he considered the Hokage his master, he didn't even care about telling his family anything as long as the Hokage knew about it.
But now he had changed, he could clearly see his father's concern for himself.
"It was my mistake father I am sorry."
Itachi bowed to Fugaku who rubbed his forehead and sighed, he didn't know what to say to his son.
At least Itachi seemed sorry, this was better than Itachi saying something like 'I told the Hokage so why do I need to tell you, the village and family are one!' or some nonsense like that.
"Sigh, it's fine just don't do it again."
Fugaku shook his head and smiled, he could relax only with his family, the village and guard department was way too harsh on the Uchiha right now.
After he was done talking to his son, he realised that a small child his second son's age was standing with Itachi.
"Who is this Itachi?"
Fugaku softly asked, Itachi introduced Sato to his father in a calm way.
"He is Sato Nii, he is the Hidden Cloud's representative and is here to propose a deal."
Fugaku seriously considered this for a few seconds before allowing Sato to come with him.
He didn't trust Sato but he had faith in Itachi, as far as he as was concerned, Itachi wouldn't harm his family under any circumstances.
"You are Sato Nii? I have heard about your legend, being chosen for the next Raikage at such a young age, you are truly a genius."
"Please come with me, my house is a little farther from here."
Fugaku led the way with a steady pace, Sato couldn't help but admire this man's attitude.
Fugaku was a good clan leader, if Shisui and Itachi didn't backstab him one after the other in the orginal story, Fugaku would have saved the Uchiha with a bloodless coup.
The Uchiha's plan was explored a bit in the light novels and it was a good plan, nobody would have died and Uchiha would live too, but Itachi just had to mess everything up.
*Step*
"We are back Mikoto, Itachi has brought us an important guest."
With one sentence Fugaku gave his wife all the necessary information.
He told her that he was home, he let her know Itachi was back and he cautioned her about Sato's presense, who was the important guest.
This was the mark of a great Ninja, the ability to adapt to all situations.
"You are back..!"
Mikoto walked out from inside the house with a gentle smile, she gave Sato the proper respect and helped put their accessories in place.
She soon left to bring some refreshments, Fugaku took this chance to bring Sato and Itachi to their discussion room.
Sitting down with correct manners, Fugaku made some small talk before asking.
"I don't know what deal you have for us Uchiha, Sato san."
Sato smiled and gestured to Itachi, Itachi understood Sato's meaning and gave his father a stack of papers.
These papers were the proof of Konoha's crimes, this recorded their plans of exterminating the Uchiha.
Fugaku read the thing slowly at first but his eyes kept widening with each page.
"How could this be..?! Konoha already knew about our rebellion..!? And Itachi, you and Shisui betrayed us for the Hokage.."
It took Fugaku a few minutes to calm down after reading the whole thing, he was very disappointed that Shisui and Itachi had betrayed the Uchiha but he was also hopeful.
He felt hopeful because Itachi showed him this information, this means Itachi was no longer working for the Hokage's interests.
"Did you betray the Hokage when he planned to kill us? But it's of no use anymore Itachi, if Konoha has decided to kill us then we can't survive."
"You should have told me this sooner, maybe we could have found another way out."
Fugaku said softly as if accepting his fate, but Itachi seriously shook his head.
"No we can survive, as long as Sato sama helps us we will live."
"Father, Shisui didn't go to Hidden cloud for a girl, he ran away because he was almost killed by Danzo."
"I didn't know this back then so I followed after Shisui, and it's there that we met Sato sama, he has promised to solve our problem."
Fugaku gripped his fist and his eyes became narrow.
"The hidden Cloud wants to help? What do you have to gain from this? You should know that helping us is equal to declaring war on Konoha's Hokage."
"It's Sarutobi Hiruzen and his Elders who want to kill us, you will make an enemy out of them after this."
Fugaku didn't ask any silly questions like if Sato could actually help or not.
Sato wouldn't have come here as a representative if he couldn't help, and Sato had already helped the Hyuga clan once before this.
Fugaku simply wanted to know how Hidden Cloud planned to save his clan and what they needed to give in return.
"Fugaku san my plan is very simple, my company needs strong guards and the Uchiha clan has extra manpower."
"I will hire your clan for this job, it's just that my shops are in the Hidden Cloud and not Konoha, so the Uchiha clan needs to leave Konoha."
Sato smiled at the stunned Fugaku, after a few seconds Fugaku understood Sato's intentions.
"I see, Konoha can't kill us if we don't live in Konoha, if we work for your company we can officially stay in the Hidden Cloud as employees."
"There is no practical way the Hokage can stop us from doing this, the Hokage can't interfere with a clan's personal business."
"This way Uchiha can legally stay in the Hidden Cloud, Konoha can't even attack us, attacking us would be equal to attacking the Hidden Cloud."
Fugaku took a sip of tea, this was such an easy way to solve their problem that he was amazed.
The threat which was about to kill them was solved just like that by Sato, Fugaku was frankly speechless.
This was a great idea and Fugaku was totally onboard with it, but there was still one thing he didn't know, what did Sato want from them?
For doing such a lifesaving favor Sato had to have harsh demands, he couldn't help but wonder what Sato's demands would be..?
Advanced chapters ahead on patréon
www.patréon.com/ImagineMaker