Konoha: Uchiha's Two-Way Travel in One Piece

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"Is she really that strong?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows even deeper upon hearing the news.

"What do you think?"

Uzumaki Mito glanced at the Third Hokage with a cold smirk. "You already know the answer. Back in the day, she single-handedly quelled an internal conflict within the Uchiha clan and subdued the entire Uchiha tribe."

"How could she have done that without immense strength?"

"As for Uchiha Kaito becoming Tsunade's apprentice, stop overthinking it," she continued. "She simply wanted to give Kaito more support and security, ensuring a smoother path for his growth. It's to prevent certain rats from targeting him behind the scenes."

"Do you honestly believe that being Tsunade's disciple, or even the grand-disciple of the Hokage, would make him Hokage one day?"

"You're not dead yet, are you?"

If such a thing were to happen, it would mean Kaito earned it.

If you're incompetent, you have no one to blame but yourself.

At this point, Mito would rather see Kaito become Hokage than let Hiruzen remain in power.

With Kaito's ties to Tsunade as his mentor, his alliance with the Uchiha, and future plans of inter-clan marriage, even if he ascended to Hokage, it would be far better for the Senju and Uzumaki clans than the current situation.

At the very least, the Uchiha wouldn't need to oppress other noble ninja clans to consolidate their authority and establish their dominance.

Only someone like Hiruzen, who lacked both strength and confidence, would need to resort to such tactics.

Then again, the Sarutobi clan couldn't exactly be classified as a minor ninja clan.

A mid-sized one, perhaps, mainly due to its numbers.

But aside from that, they had no standout talents or unique advantages.

Their strength was their political acumen—knowing how to win people over and project an image of being cooperative, obedient, and trustworthy.

That's what earned them the favor of the First and Second Hokage.

But since Hiruzen became Hokage, everything had gone downhill.

Hiruzen, however, was oblivious to the fact that Mito's stance had drastically shifted.

From her tone, though, he realized she was likely referring to Danzo.

"You're absolutely right! I understand now."

"I will rein in Danzo and tread carefully with the Uchiha moving forward."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

After some thought, Hiruzen bowed respectfully and excused himself.

The idea of the Uchiha claiming the Hokage title solely through Tsunade's mentorship was laughable. He wouldn't allow it anyway.

"Hmm, go ahead."

Mito waved her hand dismissively, indicating that the Third Hokage could leave.

Hiruzen wasted no time, retreating swiftly.

---

When he returned to the Hokage's office, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado eagerly crowded around him.

"What happened? What did they discuss? Has Uchiha Jiri fully recovered?"

"Yes."

Hiruzen nodded and relayed Mito's words verbatim.

"What?"

"Damn it!"

Danzo roared in fury. "How could Lady Mito do that? Trading the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama-sensei's Water Release jutsu, and sealing techniques with the Uchiha?!"

"This is like making a deal with the devil!"

"What gives her the right to do this?"

Danzo was livid.

If the Uchiha mastered these techniques, their power would skyrocket.

Especially with sealing techniques—if the Uchiha applied them to their territory, spying on them would become nearly impossible.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was even worse—a strategic-level jutsu.

If the Uchiha learned it, they would become exponentially harder to deal with. Overthrowing them would be nearly impossible.

"Well… Lady Mito has every right to do this."

"After all, these techniques originally belonged to Tobirama-sensei and the Senju clan."

"Even though they were recorded in the Scroll of Seals or shared with the village's jutsu archive, it's likely the Senju kept their own copies."

Koharu stared at Danzo, unimpressed. "Do you even hear yourself?"

"If Lady Mito doesn't have the authority to handle her clan's techniques, then who does?"

"You—"

Danzo's face turned red with anger, unable to counter Koharu's point. "Whose side are you even on, Koharu?"

Her words felt like deliberate provocation.

"This isn't about authority!" Danzo fumed. "This is aiding the enemy! Have the Senju forgotten that the Uchiha have been their enemies for millennia?"

"Ha!"

Koharu scoffed. "I'm just stating the facts."

"Besides, the deal is already done. What's the point of complaining now?"

"You—"

Danzo clenched his fists in frustration, veins bulging.

"Enough, Danzo!"

Hiruzen cut in, halting the bickering. "The situation is what it is."

"Lady Mito has also regained some vitality through the deal. I suspect she'll hold on for a few more years."

"For the next few years, we'll need to ease up on the Senju and Uchiha. Otherwise, things could get very messy."

"Also—"

Hiruzen turned to Danzo with a stern look. "Don't target Uchiha Kaito. He's Tsunade's disciple now. If you provoke him, neither Uchiha Jiri nor Lady Mito will tolerate it. Even I won't be able to protect you."

Danzo's eyes flickered. "Is it really that serious?"

"It is."

Hiruzen nodded gravely. "This arrangement is part of the deal between Lady Mito and Uchiha Jiri. If you act against him, you'll face their combined wrath. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Fine, I get it!"

Though displeased, Danzo begrudgingly agreed.

"I'll leave that brat alone for now."

Still, his heart sank.

Ever since learning of Uchiha Jiri's potential recovery, he'd been plotting ways to undermine her.

But before he could act, their countermeasures were already in place.

He felt utterly exposed, as though all his schemes were laid bare.

"Damn it!" Danzo seethed internally.

"She really is an extraordinary woman. No wonder she's kept the Uchiha in check for so long."

"But as long as she's alive, it'll be nearly impossible to secure more Sharingan or suppress the Uchiha further."

"Damn it all!"

Hiruzen, noticing Danzo's brooding, snapped him out of it with a sharp voice.

"Enough!"

Lighting his pipe, he continued, "Now we need to address the Uzumaki clan's situation."

"With Lady Mito regaining her strength, should we still send reinforcements as originally planned?"

"Or do we proceed with the previous arrangement?"

Although Mito appeared only partially restored, Hiruzen couldn't shake the thought that she might be hiding the full extent of her recovery.

If she had truly returned to her prime, then following their current course of action could provoke her wrath, something the village could not afford.

Even now, Mito's influence within the village was immense.

While it might be an exaggeration to say her word was law, it wasn't far from the truth.

The Senju's legacy still held significant weight.

If she wished, she could potentially have Hiruzen ousted as Hokage.

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