Chapter 2: A Talk With The Hokage.

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Konohagakure - Hokage Office

Haruzen Sarutobe - The Hokage

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Back in the Hokage’s office, the smell of ink and burning tobacco filled the room as Hiruzen sat heavily behind his desk. With a tired motion, he reached under his desk and applied Chakra to the privacy Fuinjutsu formula. Specifically, the one that covered sound, as the curtains were already covered. A faint ripple shimmered through the air as the barrier activated with a barely soft hum, significantly muffling and altering all sound that would lead the room.

“Speak freely, Inoichi,” Hiruzen said, exhaling smoke. “What did you see in the boy’s mind?”

Inoichi stood a few feet away with his arms clenched at his sides and jaw tight. Even for a man accustomed to the horrors of the minds of some of the most heinous individuals, the memory made him pale. “It was… the massacre,” he began quietly. “Every second of it. Itachi used his Genjutsu on Sasuke to force him to relive the slaughter again and again from his point of view. And he was right.” He frowned. “He had to relive it thousands of times. I spent most of the time skipping it after I got the relevant information.”

Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment, halting the pipe halfway to his lips as his shoulders sank beneath the weight of another tragedy. “And the similarities to the investigations around the compound?”

“Almost exactly as I read,” Inoichi confirmed. “At least what we have for the residential section. The Genjutsu didn’t show anything regarding how the police force was killed, but I am led to believe, based on what I saw in Sasuke and what I read in the report, that he killed them the same way.”

With a slight frown, Haruzen started to wonder why Itachi wouldn’t want his brother to know he had helped with killing his fellow clan members, concluding that he just didn’t want him trying to kill a man of such power out of revenge before he was ready. For Itachi would no doubt hold back should Sasuke ever fight him to avenge his clan's downfall.

After a heavy silence, he looked up again. “Did you see anything else? Anything that might lead us to Itachi, or… something the village must keep classified?”

As bad as he felt for the child, he still had a job to do. He was already running most of his skilled shinobi ragged to make sure other hidden villages didn’t see them as weak due to their recent loss.

Fortunately, Inoichi shook his head. “No, Lord Hokage. Nothing of that nature. His memories are fragmented around the event itself, but beyond the massacre, there’s nothing, no hidden seals, no messages, nothing out of place.”

Hiruzen let a genuine sigh of relief escape him as he mumbled. “At least there’s that.” He leaned back while his pipe’s smoke curled slowly in the air as his expression turned contemplative. “What of the boy’s mind itself? What do you make of it?”

Inoichi seemed to hesitate, searching for the right words. “You can expect… a drastic personality shift, sir. As is expected, considering the events he has recently endured. That much is inevitable. But he isn’t self-destructive. His will is anchored to one purpose.”

“Vengeance,” Hiruzen finished for him.

“Yes.” Inoichi nodded grimly. “He will train relentlessly, obsessively, to find and kill his brother. It’s the only thing keeping him grounded. I also noted something… unusual.” He frowned, as if he himself was unsure of his own findings. “His psyche has developed natural defences, barriers that formed instinctively, likely from surviving the emotional trauma and, well, really not wanting to be under another genjutsu like that again. At the level I saw, it’s unprecedented. At least, for a child his age.”

Hiruzen drew in a long breath through his pipe, wondering if that was by Itachi’s design or just a positive coincidence. “Natural mental fortifications can only help him. Better to have them and never need them. Regardless of the unfortunate events of how they were obtained.”

Inoichi’s expression tightened. “It’s both a blessing and a danger, Lord Hokage. Such a mind will only harden with time.”

Hiruzen ignored the formality in his words, even though he told him to speak freely, and let out a quiet hum as he narrowed his eyes, looking off to where he predicted the boy would end up. “If his drive remains as I’m hearing, it won’t be long before he reaches his brother’s level. The massacre may have taken everything from him, but it’s also… reforged him.” He shook his head in annoyance. “If anything, I will have to deal with people not wanting me to let him advance like we did with his brother, for obvious reasons.”

Inoichi could only give him an understanding smile, as if to say he himself would be one of those people. And Haruzen couldn’t blame him either. People were already talking about how Itachi broke due to the stress of responsibility and the mission he was forced to complete at such a young age.

“There's also the added fact that he knows he died,” Inoichi added while pausing his lips. “As you are aware, sir, different people have different reactions to that which may need to be considered.”

Haruzen sighed as he glanced toward the pictures of the previous Hokage on the wall, resting his gaze on the blonde and thinking back to the time he visited the Uchiha compound with him. “His chakra reserves have already grown beyond what a child his age should possess, and his Sharingan has awakened earlier than expected.” Turning his gaze back to Inoichi, his tone sharpened with command. “The activation of his Sharingan stays classified. No one outside this room is to know until he uses it openly to prevent something similar to the Hyuga incident. Understood?”

Inoichi bowed slightly. “Yes, Lord Hokage.”

“Good,” Haruzen nodded. “I look forward to your official report.”

With that, Haruzen deactivated the privacy seal, and Yamanaka Clan head understood a dismissal even when it wasn't verbally given, taking his leave with a respectful nod while his Hokage leaned back once more with his eyes distant. All the while, they hoped the young Uchiha wasn't beyond repair.

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Konoha Hospital

Sasuke Uchiha

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While staring at the blue translucent [Status] page in front of me, I couldn't help but feel disappointed that it wasn’t exactly like the Gamer’s, with the numerical stats for strength, agility, intelligence, etc.

[Status]

[Name: Sasuke Uchiha]

[Type: Chakra User (Naruto), Reiryoku User (Bleach)]

[Template(s): Byakuya Kuchiki (Bleach) 1%]

[Essence(s): Blank] [Abilitie(s): Inventory]

[Function(s): Status, Shop, Help]

I had spent a good few hours just throwing questions at the system for the last few hours, which seemed to unsettle the nurses who came in to give me food or check up on me. All of which had pity in their eyes, as no one wanted to see a child stare off into space after a traumatic incident. 

‘System, how come regular Genjutsu still works though?’ I mentally fussed. ‘Doesn’t that still count as indirect use of the system if they force me to do anything?’

[Answer: Due to the deceptive nature of the technique, it will be up to the user to escape. Your opponents will not be able to force you to use any System function. It will only affect your senses, making you more susceptible to damage, or it can be used to transfer information, excluding all information about the system. However, illusory techniques which change one's thoughts of their past will be automatically negated as your past life and how you arrived in this universe are directly linked to the System.]

That… made sense while also being confusing at the same time. It was good to verify, again, that Shisui’s eye won't affect me, though, not unless Danzo only uses it for regular, non mind-controlled related Sharingan Genjutsu.

‘And no one will be able to use any of my shinigami abilities, excluding my direct descendants, due to not being Shinigami themselves, right?’

[Answer: That is correct. However, the use of your Shinigami abilities can still be sensed if the relevant precautions are not taken. And, while difficult, they may be reverse-engineered by understanding the basic concept of the ability, ensuring a Chakra version can be created with sufficient effort, skill and power. Results may vary.]

And wasn’t that something. A part of me wanted to see the Jutsu version of Hado:90 and 96. The sheer destructive power of those ones stood out most. I knew they were dependent on the individual's actual power they already had and all that, and that there were more dangerous ones in existence that I couldn’t remember, but those two just looked like they would stop armies fighting and kill tailed beasts in one go.

I wondered how difficult it would be to create a Chakra version, but the System told me it depended on the difficulty of the spell or technique and that it could take years or decades, even for people as intelligent as Orochimaru.

The addition of the [Essence], which basically gave me limitless potential and the [Shop], pretty much cancelled a lot of Sasuke’s story, as I’d not need to go to Orochimaru for power. I’d still be learning things, like Sage Mode and a bunch of other things I might be able to get my hands on. It was only a matter of choosing what to learn… or just using the Shadow Clone Jutsu and abusing its ability to transfer skills and abilities each clone learns to the original. Who was I kidding? Of course, I’d be using Shadow Clone Jutsu.

A soft breeze flowed through the open window as I finished the slow, methodical stretches Sasuke learned from the clan to stay flexible. My body still felt weaker than I liked because I hadn't moved for so long while I was out, but each movement was deliberate and helped me get accustomed to my now more petite frame.

Without warning, an animal-masked figure suddenly appeared in front of me. “Uchiha Sasuke,” the ANBU operative said in a somewhat monotone voice, which was probably altered by the porcelain mask he was wearing. “The Hokage has summoned you.”

The lack of silver hair let me know that it wasn’t Kakashi, but I was starting to get annoyed that I couldn’t sense them. But now that he was here, I took the opportunity to activate my Shaingan to watch his every move and hope to copy his Jutsu, if he used one. They may only have two tomoe in them, indicating my lack of mastery, but anything I could copy was better than nothing.

Before I could respond, a gloved hand settled on my shoulder, and I saw how his Chakra moved before the world blurred. In the next instant, the ground shifted beneath my feet as polished wood replaced tiled floors. My stomach lurched as a wave of nausea washed over me for a moment before quickly dissipating, thanks to my experience with roller coasters in theme parks. 

So that was the Body Flicker, huh? I saw how the Chakra moved and knew how to replicate it, but whether I had the Chakra control to do so was a whole other story. I would have to test all that later.

I clenched my jaw as I found myself standing before the familiar sight of the Hokage sitting behind his desk, with a pipe resting beside a stack of reports. May Sharingan was still activated, and I took in the office the best I could, even noting the books on the small bookshelf off to the side, the pictures of Hokages on the wall, and a small tree, a bonsai, on a desk underneath them. 

“Lord Hokage,” The ANBU knelt. “I’ve brought him.”

Why he thought he needed to verbalise that when the old man was staring right at me while I made my observations was beyond me.

“Thank you,” Hiruzen said with a nod, while keeping his eyes trained on me. “You may go back to your duties.”

As the ANBU operative vanished, I saw his Chakra move the same way again, even though he was too fast for me to perceive. My expression remained blank as my ruby eyes remained on the spot where the ANBU had been before shifting back to the leader of the village.

“Please,” Hiruzen said, gesturing toward the chair across from him. I gave him a slight nod and sat in the seat without a fuss. “It’s good to see you up and moving again,” he continued in a kind tone. “You’ll be discharged from the hospital today.”

I inclined my head slightly. “Understood.”

At some point, a doctor wanted to take my blood, but I declined, and there was nothing they could do about it, as it was illegal to do something like that with Kekkei Genkai holders unless their life was in danger. I wanted to bring it up, but since it wasn't stolen or forced from me, I don’t think it would have been enough to ensure he doesn’t get his hands on my DNA. Then again, it could have been Haruzen that wanted it done.

“I’ve arranged for an apartment for you,” Hoaruzen continued after a pause. “You can stay there until you–”

“I’ll be staying in the Uchiha compound,” I politely interrupted, keeping my Sharingan activated and taking note of every micro expression on his features.

The old man’s brows drew together faintly as he exhaled through his nose, choosing his following words with care. “That area… has yet to be properly restored. I would suggest allowing the village to use a portion of your clan’s assets to—”

“No,” I didn't waver as I spoke. “I’ll clean it myself. However, I will be open to making payments for people to maintain the grounds once I'm done.”

I read a few fics in my past life about the village using the Uchiha Clan's assets to fund Root, and didn't want to sign something that would allow for that. Granted, they were cannon, but I couldn't even be sure O was in a perfectly cannon verse either.

Hiruzen seemed to study me for a long moment, probably seeing something that unnerved him, even if his features didn't indicate it. After a slow breath, he nodded. “Very well. We can revisit maintenance payments later, if that is what you want.”

“Agreed.” I nodded.

Hiruzen exhaled softly after taking a drag of his pipe and setting it back down. “I can confirm that the bodies of your clansmen have also been disposed of.”

“Disposed of?” I asked with a raised brow, knowing I was talking about the leader of a village that has, on multiple occasions, experimented on and violated the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines.

The Hokage met my gaze evenly. “They were cremated, as per the village’s Uchiha clan mandate, due to the lack of… conscious Uchiha clansmen to say otherwise. It’s standard procedure to prevent bloodline theft. The ashes are waiting to be retrieved.”

For a long moment, I just stared at him.

“You’re certain? No exceptions?” I asked. “Even their eyes?”

I knew he was aware of Danzo killing and taking Shisui’s eyes, but I just wanted him to look me in the eyes and lie. That way, I won’t feel as bad when he dies in a few years.

Hiruzen’s brows furrowed slightly. “Yes. The records confirm it. And as for their eyes… I’m afraid many of them were missing when ANBU found and collected their bodies.”

“Then I can safely assume that if I ever encounter anyone with a Sharingan who isn’t Hatake Kakashi or someone who awakened it naturally…” I narrowed my eyes. “…they’re enemy shinobi.”

A beat of silence hung between us as I let the unspoken implications settle, hoping he was thinking of Danzo the same way I was, knowing full well I would be disappointed if I could read minds, considering the man is still alive. After a moment’s pause, Hiruzen nodded gravely. “That would be a fair assumption, yes.”

I inclined my head in return, keeping my expression as still as I entered. “I would like to take my parents and Izumi Uchiha’s ashes home. I would appreciate it if the others were disposed of in the correct manner.”

“Of course. They will be delivered along with the signed certificate of disposal,” Hiruzen nodded, noting the names down on some paper. He then let out a hum before changing the subject with a weary sigh. “We can speak about your clan’s assets another time. There will be paperwork to settle, whether you wish to sell or rent –”

“I don’t mind discussing it now,” I interrupted again, and like the other time, he didn’t seem insulted by it.

Hiruzen just blinked in mild surprise, then gestured for me to continue. “Go on.”

I nodded. “I’ll be cleaning the compound myself. Once that’s done, I plan to rent out the Uchiha-owned apartment complexes and commercial buildings. The residential district will remain private. The profits can fund the upkeep of the compound and cover my living expenses.”

Hiruzen leaned back slightly, carefully masking his expression so I wouldn’t be able to glean anything going through his mind. “Very well,” he said after a moment. “You may proceed as you see fit, though I’ll have the village treasury assist with the legal arrangements to make sure your new tenants keep deals fair. You are, after all, still a minor and inexperienced in the field to my knowledge.”

“That’s fine,” I replied. “I’ll review the contracts myself when they’re ready.”

Another quiet hum escaped Hiruzen. “Of course. The village is still obligated to give you a weekly stipend regardless, as it does for all orphaned clan children.” For a moment, the old man seemed to consider leaving it at that, but went on to add. “One last matter, young Sasuke. We have had to remove the clan’s Jutsu scrolls of C-rank and above from the Uchiha Clan library. For safety. They will remain sealed until you either come of age or reach the appropriate rank to access them.”

Of course they did. Each one had Fuinjutsu on them that prevented those who didn’t have a Sharingan from reading them, so I could only assume they had Kakashi read them to check. “I see,” I sharpened my gaze and paused. “In that case, I’d like permission to retain as many C-rank fire-style techniques as possible, and as many scrolls related to Fuinjutsu, medical ninjutsu, and chakra theory that may be C-rank or above which you would be willing to allow.”

Seeing the lack of willingness to budge, I went on. “As a Uchiha, we have a ritual we need to complete before we can even wear the clan symbol on our clothes. That being the ability to perform the Great Fireball Jutsu. Our clan is almost completely focused on fire Jutsu, much like the Hyuga’s is based on Taijutsu. To take it away would be to take away the palm techniques of the last Hyuga in the village, if they were in my place.”

Hiruzen regarded me for several seconds with a barely perceptible frown as he considered the implications. “Very well,” he said finally. “I’ll authorise some C-rank fire Ninjutsu and Chakra theory. The scrolls will be returned to the library at some point today. However, the Fuinjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu at that level are far too dangerous without formal training, I’m afraid."

I clenched my jaw, knowing the higher the level of Fuinjutsu I can get for him, the better my lie about Byakuya’s Kido spells will be. “I will sleep better knowing Fuinjutsu I put in place myself for protection is working. And as for healing… well, I had a front row seat to see my entire family essentially wiped out in a single day, and none of them were able to heal themselves when they were cut down.” I pursed my lips. “I would not like that to be the case with me.” 

Seeing that he shook his head and was about to decline, I continued before he could do so. “I am willing to get training so I will have supervision. And I will be willing to offer all Konoha shinobi a discount on the apartment.”

That earned me a raised eyebrow from the absolutely lethal bastard standing in front of me. “I didn’t realise you were taught business or politics,” he said with almost a smirk. “But that does sound like a wonderful thing to do for the village, young Sasuke. I will have a Medical Ninja picked out for you in exchange for the discount, but the Fuinjutsu will only be increased to C-rank, along with the fire Ninjutsu, until I can find a suitable teacher. Unfortunately, that will take a while, as they are focused on changing the Fuinjutsu surrounding the Village.”

Then how did Itachi get back in the village to kidnap Naruto after the Chunin exams?

“Thank you, Lord Hokage,” I said respectfully with a nod. I didn’t want to try for more and push my luck. There were already too many who would be in my way, not wanting another Itachi rising up for another massacre after all.

After further discussion about business and areas of the Uchiha’s section within the village I wanted to remain inaccessible, like the Uchiha’s private training grounds, Hiruzen exhaled and leaned forward, softening his expression. “Sasuke, I would advise you to see Inoichi Yamanaka for regular sessions. As he’s already familiar with your mind, he would be a suitable therapist to help you process what you’ve endured.”

I didn't even blink. “I appreciate the suggestion, Lord Hokage, but I’ll decline for now. However, I’ll keep it in mind.”

Hiruzen gave a slight, solemn nod. “Very well.” He didn’t press further, probably due to the finality of my tone. After a moment, he shifted the conversation. “Then, about the Academy… Should we expect your return this year, or at the start of the next?”

Of course, they want to make sure I’m still a shinobi. A bloodline like mine would be wasted sitting at home and doing nothing all day after all. I took a moment to ‘consider’ it briefly before replying.

‘Hey System, how long will it take for Byakuya to assimilate fully?’ I mentally asked, using the [Help] function.

[Answer: Byakuya Kuchiki is estimated to assimilate at around 1% per day due to the age and experience of the individual.]

Yeah, I thought so. He was centuries old after all. In that case…

“The start of the next academic year, a few months from now, if that’s acceptable.”

“That will be fine,” Hiruzen said with a faint, understanding smile. He gave a subtle gesture, and an ANBU operative appeared kneeling beside the desk. The same ANBU that brought me here. “Take young Sasuke to the hospital,” the old man instructed, “so he can sign the discharge documents and return home.”

The ANBU rose smoothly and stepped closer, reaching toward my shoulder. But before he could make contact, I questioned. “Do you always do that without permission?”

The operative froze, glancing at me from behind the mask but said nothing. Hiruzen cleared his throat softly. “My apologies for his… efficiency, Sasuke. Would you prefer to walk instead?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose that will be what you will do,” the old man said, while looking at the ANBU, who merely bowed in silent acknowledgement.

I stood, straightened his posture, and turned for the door. As I reached for the handle, Hiruzen gently added. “Inoichi will be in contact soon. Should you change your mind about therapy, he’ll make time for you.”

I didn’t respond as we stepped out, not wanting to give anyone the ability to read me. It might have been paranoia, but there were literally people out to get me, so it wasn’t unhealthy. 

As for my plans, well… I was going to take the time cleaning the compound while assimilation did its work, learn as much as I could from the library, and train as much as I could in my free time.

While the original Sasuke focused on killing his brother, my end goal was to be the Sosuke Aizen of the verse. So powerful that killing Danzo, Madara, and Kaguya becomes a walk in the park.

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“This Is The Path I Walk. Not You Or Anyone Can Change That.”

— Sasuke Uchiha.

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Hello There

I can confirm, Sasuke will be making his own version of Chair-sama. And he will be sitting in it in a similar way to how his brother sat in his own chair in the Uchiha hideout.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original character and ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.

Note: All chapters will eventually be posted on public forums.

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Thank you for reading.

As always, stay awesome.

Until next time, Light's out.