A Small Goal
The Uchiha clan was brutally exterminated in Konoha, and while Sarutobi Hiruzen did not directly orchestrate the massacre, his indecisiveness played a crucial role. Despite being the Third Hokage, he failed to mediate the growing conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan, ultimately allowing Danzo to manipulate the situation.
Xu Fan saw this as an opportunity to present his own strategy to Sarutobi Hiruzen. His plan offered a way to neutralize the Uchiha clan while simultaneously counterattacking Kumogakure.
"If we are talking about experience and strategy, I may not surpass the Third Hokage," Xu Fan mused. "But I possess historical knowledge and structural understanding beyond his reach."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, now well into his fifties, was a seasoned leader who had navigated countless political conflicts. He had fought in the Shinobi Wars and wielded immense influence, but even he was shaken by Xu Fan's proposal.
The internal conflicts of Konoha boiled down to three key factions:
1. The Uchiha Clan, led by Uchiha Fugaku, had long been marginalized despite their contributions to the village.
2. Danzo's Root faction, which justified its ruthless actions under the guise of protecting Konoha's stability.
3. The Hokage-led administration, which upheld the village's ideals but often made morally ambiguous compromises.
If someone like Zhuge Liang were in this world, he would question why the Uchiha clan clung so desperately to Konoha instead of seeking dominance elsewhere. After all, power struggles within a single village paled in comparison to full-scale war strategies.
Xu Fan's proposal to divert internal conflicts toward an external enemy—Kumogakure—was reminiscent of classic statecraft. Even Sarutobi, with all his experience, was astonished by the ingenuity of this approach. While the plan was simple in concept, its implications were profound.
For a moment, Sarutobi fell into deep contemplation. If executed correctly, he would not need to exterminate the entire Uchiha clan—only half their number would suffice to repel Kumogakure's forces. The remaining Uchiha could still be controlled by the ANBU. Should they attempt a coup during the campaign, they could be eliminated without suspicion.
Besides, Konoha had a secret weapon—Xu Fan. His Wood Release surpassed even Yamato's, and his chakra reserves were immense. With such an advantage, further compromise seemed unnecessary.
Of course, the decision wasn't solely Sarutobi's to make; he needed Konoha's senior council to deliberate further.
"Xu Fan."
"Hmm?"
Xu Fan met Sarutobi's gaze, awaiting his response. While some members of the Uchiha clan had questionable loyalties, they were still powerful assets. More importantly, they were thousands of lives—not just political pawns.
Becoming Hokage was only a small step in Xu Fan's grand plan. His ultimate goal was to unify the entire Shinobi World.
For true peace? Hardly.
It was about control, about establishing a new world order under his reign. Raising the Uchiha as his personal warriors was simply a logical step. Uchiha Itachi, in particular, had extraordinary potential.
Amaterasu
Tsukuyomi
Susanoo
Totsuka Blade
Izanami
With abilities like these, Itachi could reach Kage-level status with ease. However, his moral compass was difficult for Xu Fan to accept.
From a rational perspective, Itachi had several superior choices when faced with the Uchiha's predicament:
1. Convince his father to seek a diplomatic resolution with Konoha's higher-ups.
2. Accept Fugaku's plan to execute a controlled coup with minimal casualties.
3. Align himself with Konoha outright, forcing Fugaku to reconsider rebellion.
Instead, Itachi betrayed his entire clan.
Danzo, as expected, pushed for complete extermination. Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated, yet ultimately did nothing to prevent it. Even then, Itachi had better alternatives:
He could have stalled for time, as Sarutobi suggested.
He could have acted as a double agent, keeping both sides in check.
He could have enforced suppression within the clan with Fugaku's approval.
Fugaku, after all, was not unreasonable. Given his admiration for Sarutobi Sasuke, he likely would have supported a less violent resolution.
Yet, Itachi made a deal with Danzo, believing that by sparing Sasuke, he could atone for his actions. In the end, he slaughtered his own people for the so-called "sake of the village."
But was the Uchiha clan really the enemy?
They had stood by Konoha since its founding, even turning against their own patriarch, Uchiha Madara, to maintain peace. During the Nine-Tails attack, they were falsely accused and ordered to stand down. Then, without legitimate cause, they were forcibly relocated to the outskirts of the village. Their only crime? Seeking equal treatment.
No matter how many times Xu Fan revisited the story, it never sat right.
If the Uchiha were truly villains, it would be one thing. But figures like Fugaku, Mikoto, and even Izumi were kind-hearted despite their burdens. Fugaku even named his son Sasuke after Sarutobi's father, out of respect.
"Sigh."
Thinking about it, Xu Fan couldn't help but lament Uchiha's tragic history.
At the very least, in this timeline, he would reshape Itachi's worldview. If persuasion failed—well, there were always more forceful methods.
"I hope you can forget this conversation ever happened," Sarutobi finally said, breaking Xu Fan's train of thought.
"If word gets out, it could be dangerous for you. So..."
Sarutobi sighed, shaking his head. "I'll take responsibility for everything that was discussed here."
Xu Fan: "???"