The office of the Third Hokage was quiet, save for the occasional puff of smoke curling from his pipe. Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk. His eyes were covered by shadow.
To his left and right sat Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. Both wore their usual solemn expressions, backs straight, hands folded neatly.
In front of them stood Kisuke, their old friend. His straw hat tilted slightly, eyes hidden beneath the brim, lips curved in a lazy smirk. "So… you want me to what exactly?" he asked, voice dripping with mock patience.
Hiruzen's gaze didn't waver. "You will take on a group of students. Effective immediately." Kisuke laughed softly, the sound low and humorless. "Monkey, do you even know what you're asking? I didn't sign up to babysit kids. I live as I please. Teaching… it's not my thing."
Hiruzen's pipe smoke twisted. "This isn't optional, Kisuke. The village requires you to guide them. You are… uniquely suited for this task." Kisuke's grin faltered slightly when Hiruzen continued. "One of the students is… very young. Only seven."
His eyes narrowed beneath the brim. Seven? Seven. And the name that followed made his stomach tighten with something like contempt. "Itachi Uchiha?" Kisuke's voice was sharp, venom barely contained. "That born-evil Uchiha? You want me to waste my time molding a demon in the making?" Hiruzen's jaw tightened. "You will teach him. All of them." Kisuke let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "Monkey, you've lost your mind." He spat on the floor near Hiruzen's feet. "I will not teach a filthy Uchiha. Not now, not ever."
The door slammed open with a crash. Danzo stormed in, cane striking the floor. "Hiruzen! Itachi Uchiha belongs to Root! Hand him over!" His gaze suddenly landed on Kisuke. Recognition flashed.
Without hesitation, Kisuke turned and spit directly at Danzo.
The room exploded into motion.
Danzo's eye widened. Rage twisted his face as he ripped his cane free and hurled it like a spear. Kisuke shifted half a step to the side, the weapon embedding itself into the wall with a violent crack.
"Kisuke! Danzo! Stop this madness!" Koharu shouted, stepping forward, hands raised.
Danzo's fist snapped toward Kisuke's throat,
*Swish*
Kisuke was already gone.
The strike cut through air. Danzo twisted instantly, elbow rising to guard as Kisuke reappeared at his flank, palm slamming into his ribs. The impact landed like a hammer wrapped in silk. Danzo slid backward across the floor, boots carving lines into the stone, but he stayed upright.
Kisuke rolled his shoulders lazily.
""He started it.""
Danzo snarled, then both dashed towards each other.
"KISUKE—DANZO—STOP—"
Koharu threw herself between them.
Too late.
Both punches landed.
The impact snapped her head back. The sound was dull and brutal, flesh on flesh. She collapsed straight down, robes crumpling as she hit the floor.
Silence detonated across the room.
Homura screamed. "KOHARU!"
Koharu staggeringly stood up, then straightened slowly, murderous fury blazing in her eyes.
"…You little—"
She charged at them, fists flying.
Homura yelped and dove behind Hiruzen's desk.
"Everyone calm down! This is the Hokage's office!"
Hiruzen's pipe slipped from his lips.
His chakra erupted.
The room shook violently as invisible pressure slammed outward.
Silence fell heavy and sharp.
Moments later, the five of them—Kisuke, Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura—found themselves seated together, battered furniture surrounding them.
Kisuke leaned back in his chair, hat tilted low, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Well, now that we're all civilized," he said, waving a hand, "I propose a name for our little group."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, Koharu pinched the bridge of her nose, and Homura looked on nervously. "The Gorosei," Kisuke said cheerfully. "Fits us, don't you think?" The others stared at him. "…Kisuke," Hiruzen said flatly, "what are you even talking about?" Kisuke shrugged. "I've always said crazy things. Let's just… ignore me."
Danzo, still seething, slammed his hand on the table.
"Hiruzen. Itachi Uchiha must be placed under Root's authority. The child must be handled properly. Otherwise—"
Kisuke, surprising everyone, leaned forward with a dark glint in his eye. "I am with danzo on this one! Give that born-evil Uchiha to Danzo—or better yet… kill him. And while we're at it, let's massacre his entire clan."
Hiruzen slammed his palm onto the desk.
"Kisuke! That is unacceptable!"
Koharu hesitated… then leaned forward, voice low and sharp.
"Hiruzen… I hate to say it, but there is truth in what he's saying. The Uchiha are unstable. A threat waiting to erupt."
Homura shot to his feet.
"That's enough." His voice was firm, cutting through the tension. "Both of you have gone too far."
Hiruzen glanced at Homura and smiled faintly. He had always been his steadfast friend and voice of reason. But then Homura's tone shifted, quieter, almost grudging. "Still… they're kind of right. The Uchiha are a threat, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, smoke curling as a dull headache set in. After a long pause, he spoke.
"It's final. The Uchiha child will be assigned to Kisuke."
Danzo sprang to his feet, face a mask of disbelief and fury. "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"
Hiruzen slammed the table, his voice thundering. "Danzo! I am the Hokage!"
Danzo froze, eyes wide, face red with rage, then ground his teeth before slamming the door so hard the walls shook.
Kisuke leaned back, chuckling softly. Hiruzen looked at him incredulously. "Kisuke… why are you laughing?"
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances with knowing smiles.