"It seems your Uchiha clan is taking this quite seriously, putting on such a formidable display."
The door slid open, and Senju Tobirama's gaze swept across the gathered Uchiha, settling on Fugaku and the others at the front. His expression remained unreadable.
Under the collective weight of dozens of Sharingan, he calmly stepped into the room, followed by his brother, Senju Hashirama, and Namikaze Minato.
The appearance of the First and Fourth Hokage immediately stirred a wave of murmurs throughout the room.
To say the Uchiha held no sentiment toward the First Hokage would be a lie.
After all, he was the man who had ended the era of warring states and provided the Uchiha with a home to protect. His contributions over those peaceful decades could not be erased.
Furthermore, his repeated victories over their strongest ancestor commanded a natural respect for his overwhelming power.
The Uchiha were no exception to this reverence.
As for the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, the clan was even more familiar with him.
As the Hokage closest to their own generation, his strength and achievements were well-documented.
Had he not died so young, the tragedy of their clan might never have occurred.
In the aftermath of their extinction, many Uchiha couldn't help but indulge in such 'what-if' scenarios.
Fugaku gestured for the three of them to take their seats before him.
"You three are Hokage, after all. You deserve the Uchiha's full attention."
Tobirama and Minato took their seats with somber expressions.
Hashirama looked around the room, a confused expression on his face. "Where's the Monkey? I don't see him anywhere."
"The matter hasn't been settled yet. The Third Hokage cannot be released," Setsuna replied.
Hashirama nodded with a sigh of regret and sat down beside his brother without pressing further.
Knowing he wasn't the best with words, he left the negotiations with the Uchiha entirely to his brother and Minato.
Tobirama glanced at the tea in his cup before looking up at the crowd, his suspicions fully confirmed.
"Let's be blunt. What will it take for you to let the Monkey go?"
"Second Hokage, the Third's foolishness and indecision led to the slaughter of our entire clan, leaving only a single child alive. Such hatred for the destruction of our people cannot be brushed aside so easily," Fugaku said in a low, heavy voice.
Minato looked at the resolute Fugaku and then pictured the hunched figure of the Third Hokage. A flash of sorrow crossed his face.
"Fugaku, I understand your pain and hatred. I won't deny the mistakes the Third made, but the situation reaching that point wasn't solely his fault. Can the Uchiha truly claim they were entirely blameless in the choices they made back then?"
Kakkaku lowered his eyes, his voice deep. "The Uchiha indeed made mistakes, but wasn't that born from the Third's incompetence? Even if we were gravely in the wrong, did that justify our total annihilation? Nearly two thousand lives—how many were the elderly or children? How many had fought and bled for Konoha, only to meet such an end? How are we supposed to wash away such an injustice?"
"Back in the ninja world, you killed the families of the Third, the Shimura clan, and the two advisors. Even if we're talking about an eye for an eye, surely that's enough?"
Minato's voice held a hint of pleading, but Fugaku cut him off decisively.
"It's not enough!"
"How can the families of a few men pay for the lives of nearly two thousand Uchiha?"
Setsuna chimed in, "Back then, we were merciful and spared the distant branches of the Sarutobi clan. If it were truly blood for blood, the entire Sarutobi clan would have to be sacrificed to balance the scales!"
"We spared the innocent members of the Sarutobi clan only because Hiruzen Sarutobi was merely an accomplice. And now you expect us to spare his soul as well?"
Setsuna let out a cold laugh.
"Hmph. Life isn't that generous."
"It's precisely because he was an accomplice that we've come to negotiate with you."
Tobirama's voice rang out as he took over the conversation from Minato.
His gaze swept over the Uchiha before landing on Fugaku. His voice was as devoid of emotion as ever.
"Uchiha Fugaku, let's stop with the rhetorical posturing. Why don't we treat each other with a little sincerity?"
"Sincerity? Hearing that from the Second Hokage is quite a rarity."
Setsuna snorted mockingly.
Kakkaku added, "We might believe those words if they came from Lord Hashirama. But you, Tobirama... someone as devious as you? Heh..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was clear, causing Tobirama's face to darken instantly.
Seeing this, Hashirama spoke up with earnest sincerity. "Everyone from the Uchiha, we really did come here to be honest with you."
"Whether it's me, Tobirama, or the Fourth, we're all here to find a solution that satisfies everyone. Please, believe that much at least!"
At Hashirama's words, the Uchiha's dismissive attitude toward Tobirama vanished, replaced by solemn expressions.
They didn't trust Tobirama, but Hashirama's word was beyond reproach.
"First Hokage, are you serious?"
"Of course I am! Please, trust us!"
Hashirama's head slammed onto the low table in front of him with a dull thud.
Thump!
With his head still down, his simple, honest voice echoed with utter sincerity.
"I know the village did things to you all that can never be forgiven."
"Obito and Danzo were the primary culprits behind the Uchiha's downfall. Whatever fate befalls them is well-deserved, and we won't interfere with how you handle them. We only ask that you spare the Monkey."
"I beg you, please let him go."
Tobirama's eye twitched as he looked at his elder brother, but he didn't stop him. Instead, he took the opportunity Hashirama's display had created to speak plainly.
"Members of the Uchiha, you have been granted significant roles by the Shinigami in death, far more prominent than the ones you held in life. You might feel anger, but your actual hatred isn't nearly as deep as you're making it out to be."
"The fact that you agreed to meet with us and prepared so meticulously proves that you've already decided to compromise. You simply want to gain something from the deal. Am I right?"
Tobirama's words cut straight to the core of the matter, leaving Fugaku and the others silent for a moment.
In truth, Tobirama was right. Regardless of what they said now, the mere act of taking this meeting had revealed the Uchiha's intentions.
Aside from the unforgivable Obito and Danzo, their feelings toward the Third Hokage were more of indignant resentment than pure hatred.
They had already punished him. Even his teenage grandson had been killed, leaving only an unborn child. They had vented their frustrations.
Letting the Third Hokage go wasn't out of the question...
Noticing the Uchiha's softening stance, Tobirama knew he had an opening and struck while the iron was hot.
"Fugaku, Setsuna, Kakkaku, I'm sure you've noticed that the Shinigami holds us Hokage in high regard. He will undoubtedly put us to use."
"In the future, both we and the Uchiha will be subordinates of the Shinigami. We'll be colleagues. Why keep things so tense and risk hindering his plans later on?"
"The Shinigami likely wouldn't want to see conflict either. By stepping back and letting us handle this ourselves, he might have been testing our ability to cooperate."
Fugaku turned to look at the clansmen behind him. Their faces were devoid of strong emotion; if anything, they looked calm.
He then looked at Setsuna beside him. They shared a brief glance and a nearly imperceptible nod.
Setsuna addressed Tobirama. "Letting the Third Hokage go... is negotiable. But you'll have to meet our conditions."
Minato's expression brightened as he immediately asked, "What conditions?"
Fugaku said firmly, "The Third Hokage must never participate in politics again. He is to be denied all power and allowed to live out his days like an ordinary old man until he passes away peacefully."
Tobirama frowned at the demand, but after a moment's consideration, he slowly nodded.
"Agreed."
"If he possessed power, you would never be at ease. We can accept this."
Beside him, Hashirama sat up. A smile began to form on his face but then faltered. He tentatively asked, "I heard the Monkey had a grandson who was also killed. His soul is in your hands—could you let them be reunited?"
"That's a separate matter," Fugaku said ambiguously.
Tobirama immediately understood what Fugaku was doing.
He was using the boy as leverage to drive up the price.
"Tell us what you want. We'll fulfill it."
Setsuna sneered. "Heh. Look at yourselves. What could you possibly offer us right now?"
Fugaku added, "He's just a child. Whether he's with us or with the Third doesn't make much difference. We're willing to hand him over..."
His gaze shifted between the three Hokage before finally resting on Hashirama.
"Even if the Lord favors you, you currently have nothing—no chips to trade with..."
"Out of respect for your titles as Hokage, we won't push too hard. Consider this a favor owed by the three of you to the Uchiha clan, to be repaid when the time is right."
"How does that sound?"
Watching Fugaku speak so calmly, as if he were doing them a great favor, Tobirama's brow furrowed. Suspicion began to creep in.
'Was this the goal all along? Was this why the Uchiha had gone through all this trouble?'
Before he could think it through, Hashirama's eager voice rang in his ear.
"Fine! We accept!"
"If you let the Monkey and his grandson go, we'll owe you one. If you ever need anything, just say the word and we'll do our best to help!"
"Brother! You—!"
Tobirama whipped his head around to look at a moved Hashirama, his face darkening instantly.
He had half-expected his brother to agree so readily, so he wasn't entirely surprised.
That was just how his brother was—far too emotional. He'd willingly take a bad deal if it felt right to him.
'He never spared a thought for his own brother, completely ignoring how many brain cells I've had to burn fixing the messes caused by his whims.'
Now that Hashirama had committed, no amount of arguing would change his mind.
Seeing Hashirama give his word, Minato quickly followed suit. "Fugaku, everyone, we agree!"
"We'll owe you a favor. In exchange, please spare the Third Hokage and his family!"
Tobirama looked at Minato. He'd known from the war that the Fourth could be a bit airheaded at times, but he hadn't realized he was this similar to his brother.
'Was I really the only sane person among all the Hokage?'
"Fine. Whatever."
With the other two so easily swayed, Tobirama found himself outnumbered and could only go along with it.
"I have no objections."
"Very well. Then the deal is struck."
Fugaku nodded, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
He looked toward the clansman standing by the door and gave a sharp nod.
Taking the cue, the man slid the door open, revealing two figures standing there.
The three Hokage turned to see a hunched old man and a young boy who still had the air of childhood about him.
Hashirama was overjoyed.
"Monkey! I'm so glad you're okay."
"And this must be your grandson, right?"
Minato looked moved, though his joy was more restrained than Hashirama's.
"Lord Third, you're safe now."
Tobirama looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi. The image of this haggard, defeated old man slowly merged with the memory of the spirited young disciple he once knew. He let out another sigh.
Time truly takes its toll.
"I'm sorry, Lord First, Lord Second... and Minato..."
"I've caused you all a lot of trouble."
Hiruzen's voice was low and despondent. Hashirama patted him on the shoulder, offering silent comfort.
Seeing that he was alright, Minato felt a sense of relief. He then turned to Fugaku and the others, his voice dropping slightly as he spoke.
"As for Obito... what do you plan to do with him?"
"Obito committed an unforgivable crime. He will, of course, be executed!" Fugaku said firmly.
Setsuna looked at him warily. "Minato, surely you aren't going to plead for his life?"
"Obito is different from Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was the direct perpetrator who slaughtered our people. He can never be forgiven!"
"Minato, don't forget—you and your wife were also his victims!"
Minato lowered his head and nodded dejectedly.
"I know. He deserves his fate. I won't plead for him."
He looked up at Fugaku with pleading eyes. "One last thing—could I see him? Regardless of everything, he was my student. I just want to see him one last time."
"No!"
Fugaku's refusal was stern, but seeing the sorrow etched into Minato's face, his heart softened slightly.
After all, they had been on good terms for many years during their lives.
"I can't let you visit him. However, the clan will be executing him soon. If you wish to witness it, we won't stop you."
"...Fugaku, thank you."
"Whatever."
With the evening's affairs concluded, the four Hokage left the Uchiha district, and the clansmen dispersed to their homes.
Shisui checked the time and hurried back to Ren's chambers within the palace.
Seeing the room still brightly lit, Shisui knocked gently. After receiving permission, he entered.
"My Lord, you're still awake at this hour?"
"I slept too much during the day, so I'm not tired."
Ren was leaning against the headboard, scribbling in a notebook.
He gestured toward a seat as Shisui approached.
"Sit down. Tell me, what's on your mind?"
"My Lord, the Uchiha and the Hokage met tonight and reached an agreement regarding the Third Hokage's fate," Shisui said softly.
"And what was the result?"
"The Uchiha will spare the Third and his grandson. In exchange, the Hokage have agreed to owe the clan a favor. It's something we should keep an eye on."
"Is that all? There's no need for concern."
Ren wasn't surprised by the outcome; he had expected something like this.
The Uchiha were developing under his authority, and the former Hokage needed to adjust to their new reality. It served no one's interest to let the tension between them boil over.
A mutually beneficial outcome was the only logical conclusion.
Ren waved a hand dismissively.
"Go and get some rest. There's plenty of work to do tomorrow."
"Also, pick out a few of the more reasonable ninjas and look after them. Once they're acclimated, bring them back to the Seireitei."
"The rest can be brought back in batches. Try not to draw too much attention."
"Yes, My Lord."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]