Naruto: Uchiha's Resolve

"Don't cry, don't cry! Be good, Tsunade," Uzumaki Mito said softly as she gently wiped the tears from Tsunade's cheeks, her tone soothing as she tried to calm the child.

Tsunade hiccupped through her sobs, slowly calming down under her grandmother's loving attention. Meanwhile, Senju Haruto stood nearby, his body stiff and his face pale. The shocking news had rendered him speechless.

His uncle, Tobirama Senju, was dead?

It seemed impossible. Tobirama possessed the Flying Thunder God Jutsu and was one of the most formidable shinobi in history. With his vast arsenal of forbidden techniques, how could anyone catch him off guard?

Yet the harsh truth loomed before him. The man he admired, the uncle who had guided him through the toughest times of his life, was truly gone.

Tears welled in Haruto's eyes as memories of Tobirama flooded his mind—his stern lessons, his unyielding discipline, but also his quiet care. After Hashirama's death, Tobirama had stepped in as both mentor and father figure.

"Haruto, now is not the time to grieve," Mito said firmly, pulling him from his thoughts.

Haruto blinked rapidly, suppressing his tears. "I understand," he said, his voice steadying.

Taking a deep breath, he followed Mito into a quiet room. The air was heavy with tension as Haruto braced himself for the discussion ahead.

---

"I called you back because we have a situation," Mito began, her voice solemn. "Tobirama's final decision was to name Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage."

"What?!" Haruto exclaimed, his disbelief evident.

Sarutobi Hiruzen? The name left a bitter taste in his mouth. How could someone from a minor clan, without the legacy of the Senju or Uchiha, be entrusted with Konoha's leadership?

"If you told me Tobirama passed the title to Uchiha Kagami, I could accept it," Haruto continued, his tone growing sharper. "But Hiruzen? A mere bodyguard? Is this some kind of cruel joke?"

His mind raced, searching for an explanation. The decision made no sense. Had Tobirama truly believed Hiruzen was capable of uniting Konoha? Or was there some larger conspiracy at play?

"This must be a mistake," Haruto muttered, shaking his head in frustration.

Mito watched her son closely. She understood his outrage. The Senju had built Konoha alongside the Uchiha; their bloodlines carried the weight of leadership. To see that legacy handed to someone like Sarutobi Hiruzen was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Mother," Haruto said, his voice quieter but no less determined, "you didn't summon me back to support Hiruzen, did you?"

Mito sighed deeply. She could feel Haruto's anger simmering beneath the surface. If she pushed too hard, it could fracture their relationship—and the Senju clan itself.

"Of course not," she said quickly, her tone reassuring. "The Senju clan stands behind you, Haruto."

Relief washed over Haruto's face, but it was short-lived as Mito continued.

"Still, Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't the true threat. The Uchiha are," she said.

At the mention of the Uchiha, Haruto tensed. Memories of Uchiha Madara, his father's greatest rival, flashed through his mind. The sheer power of Madara's Susanoo was unmatched, save for Hashirama's might.

"One of the Uchiha has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan," Mito said gravely.

Haruto's breath hitched. The name "Mangekyō Sharingan" alone was enough to send a chill down any shinobi's spine.

"A new Uchiha Madara?" he asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Mito shook her head. "Not yet. The Mangekyō Sharingan is a powerful tool, but it comes with limitations. Overusing it risks blindness. Without access to another Mangekyō, this Uchiha cannot reach Madara's level."

Still, Haruto's anxiety didn't fade. The Uchiha clan would undoubtedly rally behind their new prodigy, pushing for the Hokage seat.

"They'll try to claim the title for themselves," Haruto said bitterly. "And with their current strength, they might succeed."

Mito nodded. "Which is why we must act strategically. The Uchiha will aim their attacks on Sarutobi Hiruzen first, testing his resolve. If we position him as a buffer, we can observe their strengths and weaknesses without revealing our own cards."

Haruto frowned, considering her words. Using Hiruzen as a sacrificial pawn wasn't an honorable tactic, but it was undeniably practical.

"You're suggesting we support Hiruzen publicly but work in the shadows to weaken the Uchiha," Haruto said.

Mito's smile was subtle. "Exactly. If Hiruzen proves capable, we'll have an ally against the Uchiha. If he fails, we'll step in when the village needs us most."

Haruto nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. It wasn't the most noble strategy, but Konoha's survival—and the Senju's legacy—came first.

"I'll do it," he said finally. "But don't expect me to respect him. Sarutobi Hiruzen is a placeholder, nothing more."

Mito reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's all I ask. Remember, Haruto, the Senju's strength lies not just in our power but in our wisdom."

Haruto smiled faintly. "Mother, you really do love me the most, don't you?"

Mito chuckled, relieved to see some of his fiery spirit return. "Of course, my dear. Who else could take up your father's mantle?"

End of the Chapter.

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