Hokage's Building
Early in the morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already prepared his things to meet the Priestess.
But before he could leave, a familiar figure entered his office.
"So, Hiruzen? Itachi turned out just as I told you, didn't he?"
Upon entering, Danzō immediately brought up the subject of Itachi.
Recently promoted to chūnin, Itachi had already completed an A-rank mission — bringing the Priestess back to Konoha.
And he had excelled.
To the point of outshining nearly everyone else.
Even Asuma and Kurenai had been stunned by his talent.
"Yes, Danzō… as you predicted, keeping Itachi as a genin for two years was a loss for the village…"
Hiruzen nodded.
Had he known earlier, he would have promoted him long ago.
"I received an interesting request a few days ago…"
Danzō smiled, pulling a document from his robe.
"From Uchiha Fugaku. He wants his son Itachi to join the ANBU…"
"Oh?"
Hiruzen seemed surprised.
"Homura and Koharu are strongly against it… after all, the Second…"
Danzō trailed off.
Some things were better left unsaid.
But Hiruzen understood perfectly.
That proposal... was the Police Force, designed to exclude the Uchiha from the center of power.
An idea from the Second Hokage, to ensure the Uchiha would never touch Konoha's decision-making core.
"So you too, you…"
Hiruzen thought Danzō shared Koharu and Homura's opinion.
After all, for years, Danzō had shown nothing but hatred for the Uchiha.
"No. Letting this boy join the ANBU doesn't come without its benefits…"
Danzō's unexpected answer nearly made Hiruzen fall out of his chair.
In truth…
Danzō wanted Itachi to join ANBU — or more precisely, Root.
By any means necessary.
In his plan, Itachi was essential. Had Danzō proposed it himself, Fugaku would have been suspicious.
But the war with Kumo and the Uchiha's exploits... had made them arrogant.
Arrogant enough for Fugaku to make the request himself.
An unexpected blessing for Danzō.
"Itachi is a genius the likes of which Konoha has never seen, surpassing even the Fourth, Namikaze Minato. Letting him go unnoticed would be a waste…"
Danzō sighed, pretending to regret it.
Hiruzen, radiant, thought he saw a sudden admiration for talent in him.
Itachi was so gifted that even Danzō had to acknowledge the worth of the Uchiha.
After all… Itachi thought like a Hokage at the age of 7.
He might even become the first Uchiha Hokage…
In a good mood, Hiruzen burst out laughing:
"Danzō, so I take it you've already convinced Koharu and Homura?"
"Of course."
Danzō had spent days getting them to yield.
He had even shared his plan — the one to exterminate the Uchiha.
Only then had they accepted.
The only one still unaware of the truth… was that big fool, Hiruzen.
"Itachi will join the ANBU. And I will personally guide him."
"Perfect…"
Hiruzen agreed, satisfied.
If Danzō was willing to train Itachi himself…
Then the fate of the Uchiha was truly about to change.
Hiruzen was smiling.
So was Danzō.
"We have… a bright future."
But who has no future?
I won't say. No one will know that the Uchiha are doomed.
Danzō left, eager to make Itachi a member of ANBU as soon as possible.
---
A morning in Konoha.
The main avenue leading to the Hokage's building was crowded from dawn. The arrival of the priestess from the Land of Demons had stirred the curiosity of the villagers, all eager to catch a glimpse of her legendary beauty.
When the priestess, dressed in a magnificent white sacred robe trimmed with gold and wearing a golden crown, walked through the crowd, the murmurs ceased instantly. The people froze, watching in awe the passage of this woman of incomparable nobility. Her aura eclipsed every other female presence.
"..."
All eyes were mesmerized.
Only after she had passed did the crowd seem to awaken. Excited whispers then rose, each person commenting enthusiastically on the priestess's presence.
Mōryō.
That millennia-old demon, inseparable from the lineage of priestesses. The elders of Konoha had lived through more than one crisis caused by that scourge.
About twenty years ago, Mōryō had plunged the shinobi world into chaos. And twenty years before that, the same scenario had repeated…
Many villagers had witnessed it. They knew the tragic history of the priestesses who, generation after generation, had sacrificed their lives to seal the demon. Seeing the current priestess, some couldn't hold back their tears, moved by her bravery.
Among the crowd, Naruto did not miss the event.
"I see…"
Knowing the history of his world, he had already sensed changes since Asuma, Yuuhi Kurenai, and Itachi had left. The priestess's presence in Konoha confirmed his suspicions: his actions had caused a butterfly effect, steering history in an unknown direction.
The priestess, who was supposed to have perished, was here.
Did that mean Mōryō hadn't been sealed yet?
The priestess, her long chestnut hair flowing gracefully, was accompanied by a pale-blond-haired girl. Her features resembled the priestess's — no doubt, she was her successor… Shion.
"The priestess… is truly beautiful."
Naruto stared intently at the woman.
Her majestic aura surpassed any he had ever encountered.
Inside him, the sealed beast began to stir.
He calmed it with a whisper. Not yet… But soon.
Shortly after, the priestess was received by the Hokage.