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Izuna Uchiha had only been Hokage for a short time, but the balance of power in the shinobi world was already starting to change.
Sunagakure was putting considerable effort into developing puppet techniques.
Kirigakure had shut its borders and cut itself off from everyone else.
Iwagakure stayed on the sidelines, just watching and waiting.
By that time, everyone in the shinobi world had heard about Hashirama Senju's death.
Kumogakure became restless and started sending team after team into the Land of Fire, hoping to steal Konoha's kekkei genkai. Ever since they took control of their Tailed Beast, the village had only grown more arrogant.
Meanwhile, Iwagakure and Kirigakure stayed quiet. Both villages listened to Black Zetsu and Fukasaku's warnings and didn't try to get more involved.
..............
In the Hokage's office, Izuna sat at his desk with reading glasses on, going over the latest reports.
"Kumogakure keeps sneaking into the Land of Fire. They've almost managed to steal a Hyūga's Byakugan more than once..."
Izuna frowned as he thought about the problem.
Konoha couldn't handle another war. The First Shinobi World War had ended just a few years earlier, and everyone in the village was tired of fighting. But if Kumogakure managed to steal the Byakugan, the anger it would cause could lead to another crisis in Konoha.
"Teacher, let Hiruzen and me handle Kumogakure. We can keep things under control and only fight if we have to!" Danzō said eagerly from beside the desk.
"He's right, Teacher. We've had enough!" Hiruzen agreed, nodding firmly and already showing the determination he would be known for.
"No. If we strike back, there's no telling how Iwagakure and Kirigakure will react. If they get involved... And besides, Konoha has its own problems." Izuna paused, then shook his head.
Danzō clenched his fists in frustration, while Izuna glanced down at the report about unrest in the Uchiha Clan.
Izanagi had recently spread through the clan. Many Uchiha had learned the technique and started using it on missions and in battles, even though it cost them the sight in one of their Sharingan each time.
Some wanted to get rid of Izanagi completely. Others argued that the technique was too valuable to lose.
To them, it was the greatest forbidden jutsu their ancestor—Uchiha Kitsune—had created.
The argument had become so intense that the Uchiha Clan was on the verge of civil war. The First Shinobi World War had also created a new group of Mangekyō Sharingan users, which made things even harder to control.
Izuna faced more problems than he could handle, and age had weakened him. In a clan that valued strength above all, he could no longer keep every challenger in check by force.
"I hope she can bring the clan together. Naori Uchiha... I'm counting on you." Izuna looked at the report.
..............
"What am I supposed to do?"
Naori Uchiha walked through the forests around Konoha, worry showing on her face. Her long hair was tied back with a Konoha forehead protector.
Deep in thought, she wandered until she reached a quiet lake.
Naori looked up and saw an old man fishing by the water. His beard and long, loose hair were completely white. He sat so still, blending in with the water, trees, and hills, that it was as if he wasn't even there.
Not wanting to disturb him, Naori walked more quietly, turned around, and got ready to leave.
"Something about the Uchiha Clan has been troubling you, hasn't it?" the old fisherman said calmly from behind her.
"Yes... Do you have any advice?" Naori stopped, turned back, and nodded respectfully.
"It's about Izanagi, isn't it?" the old man asked.
Naori's Mangekyō Sharingan activated on instinct. Her pupils narrowed as she stared at the old man in shock.
Clan Head Izuna had mobilized the whole Uchiha Clan to keep the issue secret. Izanagi's spread and the conflict it caused were supposed to be hidden, but this stranger had uncovered the heart of the crisis with just one question.
"How did you find out about Izanagi?" Naori tried to stay calm, but her voice was cautious as chakra gathered in her body.
"How I learned about it isn't important. I'm here to help you end this crisis. I know a technique that can counter Izanagi." The old fisherman spoke calmly.
"Izanagi is a forbidden technique created by Uchiha Kitsune himself. Do you really know how to stop it?" Naori couldn't hide her shock anymore.
'Everyone on Mount Myōboku knew I was the strictest father Uchiha Kitsune ever had.' The old man smiled to himself.
A worn scroll appeared out of nowhere and landed in Naori's hand.
"Izanami?" Naori read the name on the scroll as she looked down.
"Take it. This technique is the perfect way to counter Izanagi," the old fisherman said.
"Why? Why are you helping the Uchiha Clan?" Naori gripped the scroll tighter, still unsure of his reasons.
"When Uchiha Kitsune created Izanagi, I couldn't stop him before the technique spread. Now Izanagi has thrown the Uchiha Clan into civil war. I share the blame, so I have to help fix the damage Kitsune left behind."
The old fisherman sighed.
As he finished speaking, his body became translucent and slowly faded away by the water until nothing was left.
"..." Naori stared at the empty shore, frozen and unable to think clearly.
After a few moments, she sent chakra through her body and activated her Mangekyō Sharingan, focusing both eyes on the spot where the fisherman had been.
"Who was that man?" Naori whispered, her thoughts spinning.
Everything he said had scary implications. He knew how Izanagi was created, which meant he must have lived at the same time as Uchiha Kitsune. His words also showed that he and Kitsune shared a deep history.
If that was true, just how long had the old man been alive?
"Was all of this just an illusion, or did it really happen? Can anyone in this world actually live forever?"
Naori looked down at the scroll in her hands, then back at the empty shore, unable to believe either answer.
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