The ninja world largely consists of the Five Great Nations, surrounded by numerous smaller countries. Beyond the Land of Fire, home to Konoha, lie the Lands of Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water.
Sunagakure, the Hidden Village in the Land of Wind, suffered defeat in the Third Great Ninja War. They were forced into an alliance with Konoha, shackled by treaties that severely hampered their growth.
Their vaunted "elite policy" had devolved to the point where they could barely sustain their own shinobi.
In such a state, protecting the Uchiha clan was out of the question, they couldn't even guarantee their own survival.
Worse, the current Kazekage was notoriously jealous and known to sell out his village's own talented ninja. If the Uchiha defected to Suna, there was no guarantee they wouldn't simply be handed back to Konoha.
The Land of Wind was not an option.
Kirigakure, the Hidden Village in the Land of Water, was consumed by its own Blood Mist Policy. This brutal internal conflict had led them to nearly exterminate their own Kekkei Genkai clans. They certainly wouldn't welcome outsiders like the Uchiha.
The Land of Water was not an option either.
The Lands of Earth and Lightning remained possibilities. Neither Iwagakure nor Kumogakure discriminated against Kekkei Genkai clans, in fact, they often welcomed them. Kumo, in particular, was known for doing almost anything to acquire unique bloodlines.
However, both lands were distant from Konoha. More importantly, who could say for sure that either village would choose to shelter the Uchiha, rather than simply exploit them for their Sharingan?
It was foolish to gamble their fate on the whims of others. A different path was needed.
And the smaller nations?
As for the smaller nations... the Land of Iron was permanently neutral. Interfering in ninja world affairs went against their founding principles. Taking in the Uchiha would be seen as choosing a side, something they would never allow.
The Lands of Rain and Rice Paddies were unsuitable for reasons that didn't need stating.
Others, like the Land of Grass, Birds, Rivers, or Waterfall, had their own small ninja villages. They were barely capable of protecting themselves, let alone guaranteeing the safety of a clan as prominent and targeted as the Uchiha. They were too vulnerable, too exposed.
But the Land of Whirlpools... that was different. The Uzumaki clan who once thrived there had been wiped out by Kiri forces in alliance with Iwa and Kumo forces, and the land itself became a vassal state of Kiri.
Now, however, Kirigakure was so torn apart by its Blood Mist Policy that it couldn't even manage its own affairs, much less occupy Whirlpool.
The land was essentially abandoned - no ruling Daimyo, no central government, no official ninja village.
'Sometimes the most dangerous place is the safest,' Naruto thought. It was the perfect place for the Uchiha to lay low and rebuild. No one would expect them to hide practically under Konoha's nose.
Of course, the Lands of Snow and Land of Waves were also potential, if less ideal, options.
After hearing Naruto's detailed assessment, Fugaku had to admit the plan had merit.
When he asked how they would manage to rebuild in the Land of Whirlpools, Naruto summarized the strategy succinctly: "Conserve our strength. Lie low. Wait for the right moment. Then, make a comeback."
'Build fortifications, store grain, and increase strength then make a swift and deadly attack when enemy is weak,' Fugaku mused silently, recognizing the classic strategy. 'Just like Minato... It seems he taught his son well. Naruto sees things, analyzes problems... maybe even more clearly than Itachi.' Fugaku couldn't help but feel a grudging respect, attributing the boy's sharpness entirely to Minato's influence.
If Naruto knew Fugaku was comparing him to Itachi, he wouldn't have been pleased, it would've felt like he was being cursed. He had no fondness for Itachi, not now, not ever.
This relocation would mean leaving some clan members behind. It was a harsh necessity, Fugaku knew, though the thought pained him. The task of choosing who would stay and who would go fell to him alone.
As Clan Head, he knew his people, their strengths, their weaknesses, their loyalties.
"Uncle Fugaku," Naruto said, his tone serious as he prepared to leave. "Decide on the list and the timing quickly. We can't afford delays or complications." He met the older man's gaze. "This needs to be handled only by those you trust completely."
Naruto's reasons for helping the Uchiha weren't simple. There was a sense of repaying a debt, a disapproval of how Konoha had treated them, but also self-interest. The current Konoha leadership was Naruto's enemy, just as it was the Uchiha's.
As they say the enemy of his enemy... Helping the Uchiha served his own goals too. And choosing the Land of Whirlpools... well, that had its own advantages beyond what he'd stated.
"Everything went smoothly." Leaving the Uchiha compound, Naruto met up with the figure who looked like Minato deep within the Konoha forest.
Minato nodded, a touch of melancholy in his voice. "I expected more resistance. Fugaku agreed almost too easily. He's usually much more cautious... It seems he truly felt backed into a corner.
Like a drowning man clutching at reeds, Fugaku had grasped the lifeline offered, perhaps not even caring if it was real. It was his only hope.
Though, in this case, what Naruto and the disguised clone had offered was real. A shame, still, to see Konoha's once-proudest clan brought so low.
*Poof*
With a burst of white smoke, the Minato vanished. The chakra flowed back into Naruto, its source. The figure Fugaku had spoken with was merely a clone, skillfully manipulated by the real Minato sealed within Naruto, its appearance crafted by the Reverse Harem Jutsu.
It even came with a built-in filter that enhanced its handsome features. That explained the slight strangeness Fugaku might have sensed in the figure's aura and chakra signature.
The Reverse Harem Jutsu was far more sophisticated than a standard Transformation Technique, it had fooled even Kaguya. Ordinary shinobi wouldn't stand a chance of seeing through it.
**--**
Hokage Tower, the Hokage's office.
*Bang!*
The door slammed open, and Danzo stormed in, leaning heavily on his cane, his face a mask of fury.
"Hiruzen! I demand an explanation!"
Only two things tended to rile Danzo up this much: matters concerning the Hokage seat, or matters concerning the Uchiha. If it wasn't the former, it had to be the latter.
"Danzo..." Hiruzen glanced towards the shadows, signaling the hidden ANBU to withdraw. *Swish, swish, swish.* Several figures melted out of the room, pulling the door shut behind them as they vanished.
"The Uchiha have been meeting with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki far too often lately," Danzo spat, his voice tight with anger. "You're aware of this, aren't you, Hiruzen? Why haven't you put a stop to it?"
"Calm yourself, Danzo."
Hiruzen knew all about it. He'd read Naruto's diary, which clearly explained everything.
Why did Naruto have such a good impression of Fugaku and his wife? Because of the sins you committed back then, Danzo.
'You should know, Danzo,' Hiruzen thought wryly, 'Naruto isn't a child anymore. He can't be handled the way he once was. He needs...' Hiruzen suppressed a sigh, '...the influence of love.'
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki can't even access the fox's power yet!" Danzo paced, growing more agitated, gripping his cane tightly. "That cursed clan cannot be allowed near him! If they somehow gain control over the Nine-Tails... the consequences would be catastrophic!"
"According to his academy instructors, the boy shows promise in taijutsu," Hiruzen said, deliberately changing the subject. "I was thinking Guy might be a suitable Jonin Sensei for him."
"Hiruzen! Are you listening to me?" Danzo almost roared, incensed by the deflection. "The Uchiha are meeting with the Jinchuriki! This is dangerous!" His voice grew strained. "Have you forgotten what happened nine years ago? If the Nine-Tails breaks loose again, there won't be another Minato to stop it!"
Mentioning the Minato was a mistake.
"Danzo Shimura!"
Hiruzen's voice cracked like a whip, sharp and sudden. Danzo became alert. Hiruzen rarely, if ever, used his full name with such force. It meant he was truly angry.
Meeting Hiruzen's hardened gaze, Danzo felt a flicker of unease.
"Since you've brought it up. About that night, Danzo," Hiruzen said, his voice low and cold. "There are a few things you need to explain to me."
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