Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a certain melancholy.
Akihara Kagura's thoughts actually aligned well with Root's way of doing things.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Why had Mizuki, who wanted to betray Konoha, become a glorified martyr?
"Lord Hokage, shouldn't it be this way?"
Akihara Kagura earnestly asked, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Ultimately, Mizuki will be dealt with for stealing the Scroll of Seals, and Naruto will learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the scroll. He will understand the truth about what happened twelve years ago and will not be discouraged by it."
"My thoughts..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before speaking: "I hope Iruka can take on the responsibility of guiding Naruto. Iruka is an excellent teacher. He embodies the strong will of fire and can guide Naruto better in the future..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Akihara Kagura, pointing out the flaws in Kagura's plan: "Mizuki is deceitful at heart. If Naruto finds out about Mizuki's true nature in the future..."
"Then kill Mizuki."
Akihara Kagura, still earnest, said to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "If Mizuki is killed, no one will ever know the truth. Just like Lord Danzo taught me, if you don't want people to know some truths, you eliminate those who might reveal them..."
"You should not always follow Danzo's path."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag on his cigarette, reminded of that defected old friend, feeling a sudden suffocation: "Danzo took the wrong path. What you need to do is not only to eliminate the darkness within the village but also to discover the bright spots within the ninja of the village. Learn to let others take action, not just rely on force to solve everything..."
"There are things in this world that cannot be resolved with power alone."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a thick ring of smoke, continuing his guidance: "On any path, one should not only care about the destination but also appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way... In doing anything, one should not overlook the process and head straight for the outcome."
The wisdom in recognizing and utilizing people.
This is what a future Hokage should do.
As Akihara Kagura grew older, he became more focused on outcomes, a practice not very commendable because the process is also important. Otherwise, one might end up using unscrupulous means like Danzo.
"Then I'll add Iruka sensei's role."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's dissatisfaction, Akihara Kagura slightly revised his own story: "I'll re-examine Mizuki, make arrangements for him rationally, and as much as possible, proceed according to the guidance of the Third Hokage. Let Iruka sensei be Naruto's life mentor. This teacher indeed cares a lot about Naruto."
"Mm."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction, even divulging some information: "Actually, Iruka's parents died in the Kyuubi's attack..."
"Then he should hate Uchiha Obito."
Akihara Kagura casually mentioned another superior, adding: "Speaking of which, it makes sense for Iruka sensei to take care of Naruto. Naruto's parents, the Fourth Hokage couple, sacrificed themselves to save the village, allowing everyone in the village to survive..."
Uzumaki Naruto's parents were not a secret to Akihara Kagura, a high-ranking official in Konoha.
To this day, the villagers secretly cursed Uzumaki Naruto as the Kyuubi, yet admired the Fourth Hokage as the hero who saved the village.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen started smoking heavily again.
Initially, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to praise Iruka for not treating Naruto with cold indifference like other people who lost relatives in the Kyuubi attack but rather as a true teacher, treating Naruto equally and even caring more for the young boy.
However...
Hearing it from Akihara Kagura...
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that Akihara Kagura made a lot of sense.
According to Akihara Kagura's logic, not only Iruka but the entire village of Konoha should properly care for Naruto, instead of ostracizing him as they were currently doing.
"Forget it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not want to discuss the matter further, finally instructing: "Since you want to proceed with this task with the Root, then do it well."
[System Prompt]:[New mission (Sarutobi Hiruzen): Let Uzumaki Naruto know the truth about the past, help him learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to graduate successfully, prevent Mizuki from obtaining the Scroll of Seals, and let Iruka fulfill his mission as a teacher.]
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen truly became an old politician.
Such tasks could generate many missions under other supervisors, but here, under Sarutobi Hiruzen, it became one mission.
"Then I won't go to the mission assembly this afternoon."
Akihara Kagura took the opportunity to cancel his afternoon schedule.
Akihara Kagura was not keen on staying in the mission assembly dealing with clients who issued mercenary tasks every day. This kind of thing should be the job of the Hokage.
Ninja School.
Mizuki stood in the teachers' office, looking down at Uzumaki Naruto, who was being ostracized by a group of children, a sinister smile fleeting across his face.
Mizuki wanted to obtain the Scroll of Seals from the village but was afraid to venture on his own, fearing the attention of the village's Anbu. He had long considered exploiting Uzumaki Naruto.
Knock, knock, knock...
A knock on the door sounded.
A red-haired girl with glasses walked in, followed by a group of Root in grey uniforms, looking like they were not to be trifled with.
"Anbu..."
Mizuki's heart skipped a beat, thinking his plot had been discovered.
The first thought of this Chunin teacher was to flee. He quickly pushed open the window, intending to jump out, when a golden chain suddenly emerged from Karin's body, wrapping around him!
The golden chain pulled Mizuki back from the window, dragging him to Karin's side. Karin raised her fist and knocked Mizuki to the ground!
"Why run?"
Karin adjusted her glasses and said softly, "Lord Kagura was right, it seems this guy really is up to no good. Take him away."
"Lord Kagura..."
Mizuki recalled the prominent figure he had seen at the Hokage's office during the day.
The Root Base.
A group of people brought Mizuki to this dark base.
Mizuki's fear grew, hardly believing that Konoha had such a dark place: "Where is this?"
"This is the Root."
Karin introduced her department softly, saying, "If you haven't already heard of it, you should have..."
Mizuki was incredulous.
He had indeed heard of this department, as both Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto from his graduating class had mentioned wanting to join Root. Mizuki had always wondered what kind of department Root was, not expecting its base to be so dark. Clearly, this was not any sort of legitimate institution!
"Interrogate him."
Karin nonchalantly waved her hand, handing them a small red bottle, saying, "Use whatever means necessary, as long as he doesn't die, this thing can bring him back."
The small red bottle was Karin's blood.
"By any means necessary..."
"Isn't that a bit extreme?"
The leading Root ninja took the small red bottle Karin handed over, hesitatingly asked, "I remember Lord Kagura said last time, you shouldn't always be drawing your own blood, where did this come from?"
"You talk too much."
The red-haired girl glared at him, her gaze fierce: "So, absolutely do not tell Lord Kagura or Dean Nono about this, A, don't think reporting to Lord Kagura will take my place!"
The surviving Uchiha were troubled.
They weren't petty children like Karin, how could they possibly go and report to Kagura? They simply cared for Karin, who they had watched grow up!
Moreover, Karin's blood was precious, not to be wasted on someone like Mizuki. They had other ways to extract Mizuki's crimes.
Besides...
This guy named Mizuki seemed to have a small courage, likely not requiring any particularly cruel methods to confess. Karin's blood wasn't necessary at all.
Karin seemed to guess this, speaking coldly: "If it's not used, then keep it for yourselves, it might save your lives one day."
"Eh, you gave me some for my birthday last time..."
Most of these Uchiha had Karin's blood.
This girl, for some reason, other than following Kagura around, spent most of her time either training or in the lab. The gifts she gave were also odd, especially fond of giving her own blood.
But...
Karin's blood was indeed precious.
Should they be injured or low on energy, Karin's blood could save lives, though these surviving Uchiha hadn't undertaken any dangerous missions over the years.
"Go interrogate him quickly."
Karin looked at this group of Uchiha impatiently and urged, "It would be best if you hurry up, so as not to delay our evening accompanying Lord Kagura to the orphanage for a birthday dinner. This year, Dean Nono made a very large birthday cake."
"Yes."
The group of Uchiha nodded hurriedly, took Mizuki away to an interrogation room, and even before they could begin the interrogation, learned a lot from Mizuki.
Akihara Kagura also obtained all of Mizuki's charges.
For instance, Mizuki once killed his own companion to complete a mission, and in order to gain power, he planned to use Uzumaki Naruto to steal the village's Scroll of Seals. He even confessed to feeling jealous and resentful towards his former friend, Iruka Umino.
"This alone would be enough for a death sentence."
Holding a confession signed with Mizuki's handprint, Akihara Kagura said softly, "Bring him to my office; I'll arrange a splendid life for him."
"..."
Karin nodded in surprise.
Although Karin did not quite understand what Akihara Kagura intended to do, she felt that Mizuki probably did not want a splendid life.
Mizuki was dragged into Akihara Kagura's office like a dead dog, collapsing on the floor as soon as he was released, his body constantly sweating.
As this Chunin teacher lay trembling on the ground, he saw the young Hokage's assistant he had met in the Hokage Tower that morning: "Lord Kagura! Lord Kagura! Spare me! I can do anything for you…"
"Be strong."
Akihara Kagura squatted beside him, smiled, and handed him a cup of pear juice: "Have something sweet first to replenish your strength. I heard you wanted to use Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals…"
"I don't want to anymore! I'm too scared to!"
"No, it's not a matter of courage."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, earnestly planning his life: "I feel you're lying. You're not after the Scroll of Seals, but the sealing techniques within it…"
"Yes… but I…"
"The Scroll of Seals should contain the technique to release the Nine-Tails' seal."
Akihara Kagura patted his shoulder, intending to help him stand up: "You've always been jealous of Iruka Umino getting the ninja teacher position before you, resented the village for not giving you a teaching position in Konoha, and saw that Iruka Umino was an excellent teacher who treated Uzumaki Naruto, who had once killed his parents with the Nine-Tails fox, equally…"
Akihara Kagura looked at the trembling Mizuki, who dared not stand up, could only squat beside him kindly, and continued planning aloud: "So you wanted to steal the Scroll of Seals, to use it to release the Nine-Tails seal within Uzumaki Naruto, and create another Nine-Tails disturbance in the village, making Iruka Umino regret caring for Uzumaki Naruto in school…"
"No, no, no… I didn't!"
Mizuki collapsed on the ground in fear.
He just wanted to steal a Scroll of Seals!
He just wanted to steal the Scroll of Seals to join Orochimaru!
The charges Akihara Kagura accused him of were far too great, and Mizuki knew he could not bear such charges!
"Be braver, don't let your thoughts limit you."
Akihara Kagura slowly stood up, looking at the shadow under the light, and gently flicked his fingers, controlling Mizuki's shadow.
With Akihara Kagura's control, Mizuki's body followed the shadow's movements and stood up, even standing upright in front of Akihara Kagura.
"This…"
"Shadow Possession Jutsu…"
Mizuki had long heard of the horror of this technique!
It was said that the Shadow Possession Jutsu was a secret technique of the Nara clan among the Shika-Ino-Cho triad, how could Akihara Kagura, the Hokage's assistant, know such a terrifying technique!
"Shisui."
Akihara Kagura casually commanded, "You control him to complete this task…"
"Are we really going to recreate the Nine-Tails disturbance in the village?"
Tendo Shisui's body slowly emerged from the shadow, hesitantly looking at Akihara Kagura: "Even if you can easily stop it…"
"He doesn't deserve it."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Mizuki, softly determining Mizuki's fate: "When he reveals his conspiracy to open the Nine-Tails seal on Uzumaki Naruto, Naruto's teacher Iruka Umino will stop him…"
"Of course, Iruka-sensei won't be able to defeat Mizuki, but he will tell Naruto about a technique in the Scroll of Seals that can defeat Mizuki, the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique…"
"Uzumaki Naruto learns the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique from the Scroll of Seals, deals with Mizuki, the mastermind behind the scenes, and prevents a possible outbreak of the Nine-Tails disturbance in the village, becoming a hero like his father who stopped the Nine-Tails disturbance."
"My script…"
"What do you think?"
Akihara Kagura looked into Mizuki's increasingly terrified eyes and asked softly, "If you find it exciting, why don't you all applaud?"
~~~
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