After listening to Kakashi's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, leaned heavily back in his chair, a deep sigh escaping his aged lips.
"Why does it always have to be Andrew…"
Ever since the young Uchiha emerged within the clan's ranks, the old man's headaches had only grown worse. If Fugaku was a headache, then Andrew was a full-blown migraine. Fugaku at least bent to pressure. But Andrew? He was defiant, tactically shrewd, and utterly fearless.
"And now this? Getting close to Naruto of all people?"
Hiruzen gritted his teeth.
On the surface, it looked like harmless bonding between children. But the old man knew better. Uchiha Andrew was many things—but never aimless.
But what could he do? Even if Andrew was clearly up to something, Naruto had been the one to approach the Uchiha, not the other way around. Could they imprison him? Enforce a restriction like Danzo suggested?
No. That would backfire horribly.
Naruto wasn't just a child—he was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. The slightest misstep could spell catastrophe. Other villages at least had seals and traditions to manage tailed beasts. But Konoha? They had relied solely on Kushina's Uzumaki lineage and Minato's strength. And they'd lost both.
If Naruto ever turned on the village… and cooperated with the Nine-Tails… Konoha might never recover.
And worse? Uchiha possessed the Sharingan—the only natural counter to the Tailed Beasts. But they were no longer aligned with Konoha. If they decided to support Naruto, the Leaf's doom would be swift.
"Kakashi," Hiruzen said heavily, "you'll need to increase your surveillance. The Uchiha's true intentions are unclear. From now on, in addition to Anbu, you are personally responsible for Naruto's protection. Appear to him, if necessary. Build rapport. Guide him."
Kakashi was the ideal choice—a disciple of the Fourth Hokage, respected, loyal, and possessing a Sharingan of his own. He had no allegiance to Danzo. His strength was elite. And best of all, he had a justifiable reason to protect Naruto.
What Hiruzen didn't know was that Kakashi, the very person he was now trusting, was already under surveillance the moment he stepped out of the Hokage building.
Kakashi moved silently through the village, deep in thought. He was still struggling with the idea of bonding with Naruto.
After Minato and Kushina's deaths, Kakashi had buried himself in Anbu operations, emotionally withdrawn, mechanical. Though he knew Naruto's identity, he had never tried to be close to the boy.
And yet today, Andrew had managed to make a connection with Naruto—with a bowl of ramen and a few kind words. Was it really that simple? Could he… try too?
Just as he was turning the thought over in his head, his eyes narrowed.
A suspicious figure emerged from Naruto's apartment. Shrouded in black, he darted toward the edge of the village at high speed.
Kakashi instantly signaled the Anbu detail through hand signs—but no response came.
Alarmed, he doubled back to check. The entire Anbu team… was unconscious.
"Something's wrong. Naruto!"
He rushed into Naruto's room, only to find the boy sleeping peacefully. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kakashi immediately summoned his ninken, Parker, and penned a scroll for the Hokage before bolting after the intruder.
In the shadows, Andrew watched silently. His white eyes had tracked everything.
"Danzo... really won't stop, huh?"
Andrew had seen it all—a Root member exiting Naruto's residence, knocking out the Anbu, and fleeing toward the Uchiha district. How convenient.
He could already see the narrative forming.
Uchiha Andrew meets with Naruto during the day. That night, a masked intruder attacks Naruto's home, stuns the Anbu, and flees—toward Uchiha territory. Who else could it be, if not Uchiha?
A classic Danzo frame-up.
Andrew didn't bother to interfere just yet. He'd let the scene play out.
Once Parker reached Hiruzen and the Hokage was distracted, Andrew vanished from his vantage point, placing a Flying Thunder God mark on Naruto's body, then tracing the fading chakra signature left by Kakashi.
In the forest outside Konoha, Kakashi had already caught up to the fleeing attacker. The two bounded from tree to tree at high speed.
"Fire Style: Flame Bomb!"
The masked figure spun midair, formed hand seals, and exhaled a fireball at Kakashi. Kakashi quickly drew his short sword, slashed the fireball in half, and retaliated with a volley of shuriken.
"You're surrounded. Surrender now!"
The assailant hesitated—just long enough for Kakashi to close in. But before Kakashi could strike, two additional ninjas appeared—one launching a fireball from the trees, the other a wind blade that cut a branch beneath him.
"A three-man cell… it's coordinated."
Kakashi didn't panic. He quickly assessed their strength and realized that, while competent, they weren't going all out.
They were holding back. Why?
Still, he couldn't underestimate them. Parker had already delivered his message to the Hokage. All he had to do was survive.
Drawing lightning chakra into his palm, Kakashi activated Chidori and surged forward.
"Now! Go for the eye!"
The lead attacker blocked Kakashi's strike, taking a wound to his shoulder to slow him down. The others pounced—one went for Kakashi's abdomen while the other lunged straight for his left eye.
"So that's your goal… you're after my Sharingan."
The realization struck Kakashi hard.
Andrew's words from earlier echoed in his mind: "Protect the eye. That belongs to Uchiha."
And these attackers—all using Fire Style—wanted to retrieve Obito's eye. Was Uchiha behind this after all?
"Heart Turning Technique!"
One of the attackers formed a seal. Kakashi froze mid-strike—his body seized up.
"Do it now!"
The final attacker reached for the Sharingan. With a swift motion, he ripped the eye from under Kakashi's forehead protector.
But then…
"Time Stop!"
Andrew emerged from the shadows, blood streaming from his left eye as the world froze in place. He appeared instantly next to Kakashi via his Flying Thunder God mark.
In a moment of stillness, he plucked the stolen eye from the Root agent's hand and vanished.
The world resumed. The jutsu holding Kakashi broke. He gasped in pain, and in a flash of rage, drove his blade through the chest of the ninja in front of him.
At that moment, the forest exploded with noise.
"Kakashi! Who dares to cause trouble in Konoha?!"
Third Hokage had arrived, flanked by a full Anbu squad.
Seeing their teammate fall, the two Root members didn't hesitate—they turned and disappeared into the forest.
"Chase them!" Hiruzen barked. Then he turned to Kakashi—only to freeze.
Kakashi's Sharingan was gone.
"Hokage-sama… I'm sorry. Their goal wasn't Naruto. It was my eye," Kakashi gasped, clutching his face.
"I suspect… Uchiha."
"You don't need to say more," Hiruzen said coldly, his mind already reeling.
Andrew had made contact with Naruto earlier that day. That night, Kakashi loses the Sharingan. Could this all be connected? Was reclaiming the Sharingan the Uchiha's true motive all along?
"Uchiha… is this your message? You want to reclaim what's yours by force now?"
"Bring the body," Hiruzen snapped. "Let's see what the Uchiha plan to do next."
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