Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Konoha.

"Hiruzen, you're the Hokage. The Senju Clan has gone too far!"

In the Hokage's office, as they received a report from the returning Anbu, Koharu Utatane hesitated briefly before hoarsely voicing her opinion.

Nearby, Homura Mitokado frowned—a rare expression from him—but he merely sighed softly, clearly troubled by the complexity of the matter.

Danzo Shimura, however, scoffed coldly and said bluntly, "Hiruzen! I still have three candidates in Root. It's time to make a decision!"

But as the current leader of Konoha, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly exhaled a puff of thick smoke. Looking up at Danzo, he replied in a composed tone:

"Danzo, transfer those three candidates from Root to the Anbu."

At this, Sarutobi Hiruzen paused momentarily, then firmly added,

"That's an order!"

The warning in his eyes was unmistakable as if saying, Don't even think about playing any tricks.

"Hiruzen! You!"

Danzo's eyes widened as he stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen's calm demeanor, his heart brimming with anger.

Good old Sarutobi Hiruzen—he had painstakingly trained those three tools, and just as they were about to mature, Hiruzen was casually plucking the fruits of his labor.

Just as Danzo was about to speak further, Homura and Koharu exchanged glances and sighed in relief.

"Danzo, Hiruzen is the Hokage."

"Exactly. Besides, wasn't Root established for the village? Everything you do is for Hiruzen's sake."

The two worked in perfect harmony, framing everything Danzo had done as rightful and for Sarutobi Hiruzen's benefit.

Through it all, Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained an indifferent expression, as if everything was under his control.

Danzo, however, could only stew in frustration. Alright! Alright, you sharp-eyed Sarutobi Hiruzen. So, this was your plan all along.

No wonder you turned a blind eye when I secretly cultivated those three individuals in Root. You intended to harvest the fruits if they were useful, or treat them as excess shinobi training if not.

Seeing Danzo's dissatisfied expression, Hiruzen calmly adjusted his Hokage hat and said,

"Danzo, do you have objections? Shall we pay a visit to Lady Mito together?"

This simple statement rendered Danzo speechless and aggrieved. How could he face Lady Mito?

For all his ruthless methods, many of his sealing techniques were learned from her. More importantly, he still hoped to gain the Senju Clan's support.

After all, becoming Hokage was his ultimate dream—Root was merely a stepping stone.

At this moment, Homura and Koharu grew visibly serious. Uzumaki Kushina had already surpassed their expectations, and now they were forced to confront Lady Mito and the Senju Clan directly.

"Hiruzen, consider the bigger picture!"

Although they would not allow the immense power of the Nine-Tails to remain solely under one clan's control, facing both the Senju Clan and Lady Mito demanded the utmost caution.

"Heh, it seems some of you want to meet this old woman after all."

Just then, a familiar laugh echoed from outside the Hokage's office. Inside, the high-ranking officials' faces changed drastically—even Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, his eyes growing solemn.

As the office doors opened, the aged figure of Uzumaki Mito appeared.

"Lady Mito!"

"Lady Mito, please!"

"Grandma, take it slow."

Two voices called her name. The first was from the collective Konoha elders, including Hiruzen, who all stood to greet her respectfully.

The second was from the Uchiha Clan's leader, who, with a radiant expression, enthusiastically helped the elder enter the office.

It had been so long!

Since the incident with Kagami Uchiha, how long had it been since the Uchiha Clan set foot in the symbolic center of Konoha's power, the Hokage's office?

But today, he stepped in again—this time with his head held high.

Danzo's gaze darkened at the sight of the Uchiha leader. Homura and Koharu also looked grave.

Senju and Uchiha!

The scenario they least wanted to face had come to pass.

"Lady Mito," Hiruzen greeted her warmly, helping the elder with the utmost respect, his demeanor unchanged from their earlier interactions.

Trailing behind was Tsunade, who ignored everyone as she supported her grandmother. Uzumaki Mito, however, smiled kindly at everyone, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Konoha thrives because of all of you. Your hard work is appreciated."

Her warm words seemed to transport everyone back to a bygone era. Yet, as she was escorted by the Uchiha leader and the Third Hokage, Uzumaki Mito made her way behind the Hokage's desk.

And, without hesitation, she seated herself in the Hokage's chair.

This act caused a fleeting hint of displeasure to cross Hiruzen's eyes.

However, Uzumaki Mito, seated comfortably, sighed with nostalgia and remarked,

"How long has it been? This chair was just as stiff in Hashirama's and Tobirama's time. Why haven't you replaced it yet?"

Her tone was casual, as though reminiscing about family, but even the usually bold Danzo kept his head down, saying nothing.

"Lady Mito, this was our teacher's chair. As his student, I wouldn't change it," Hiruzen replied respectfully, gesturing toward the room.

"Everything here is as it was during our teacher's time—unchanged."

Hiruzen seemed to be honoring the past, but his words subtly asserted that he was now the Hokage of this village.

Mito's heart sank at his response. This seemingly benevolent monkey was, in fact, the most formidable of them all.

"Is that so?"

Feigning an air of frailty, Mito smiled kindly. Yet the presence of the Uchiha leader and Tsunade at her side made one thing clear: the Senju and Uchiha clans had joined forces again.

"Lady Mito, this concerns Uzumaki Kushina's test," Hiruzen said, steering the conversation toward official matters. Producing a report from the Anbu, he continued with a smile,

"Regarding the test, Uzumaki Kushina showed no signs of betrayal. Although the genjutsu drug caused her to dwell in darkness briefly, it's clear that your judgment was correct."

Tsunade, standing behind her grandmother, was experiencing the intricacies of high-level politics for the first time. Though amazed, she also felt a burning anger.

They treat her grandmother this way! After everything Grandma Mito had done to secure their positions following her uncle's death, they owed her.

Sensing her granddaughter's frustration, Mito gently patted Tsunade's hand and then turned her attention to the four officials. Finally, her gaze settled on Hiruzen.

"Is that so? I trust in that child's love, just as I trust in the love of the Uchiha."

Her eyes moved to the portraits of Hashirama and Tobirama hanging on the wall. Smiling, she continued,

"Just as Hashirama once trusted the Uchiha, and as Tobirama once acknowledged their love for their comrades."

Her words turned Danzo's face dark, while the Uchiha leader flushed with pride.

Tsunade smirked inwardly. As expected, Grandma's still the best.

With the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki united, who could claim that the Tailed Beast's power was a danger?

Would anyone openly admit mistrusting the Uchiha? Or that power was only safe in the Hokage's hands?

Nobody would utter such words aloud.

Everyone knew the stakes, but saying it outright would be crossing a line.