Naruto: North and South

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Uchiha Sasuke had never approved of the Sixth Hokage's methods. To put it simply, they were despicable. Underhanded. And, at their worst, utterly shameless. Unfortunately, such methods were often effective.

Take, for example, the Uchiha clan massacre years ago. Danzo had chosen the simplest solution to avert a civil war. When Sasuke learned the truth behind that tragedy, he finally understood something his brother had once said.

All humans live bound by their own knowledge and perception. That is what we call reality. But knowledge and perception are vague things. Reality may be nothing more than reflections in a mirror, or the moon in water. People live trapped within their own obsessions.

Years of hatred, gone like a dream. The truth is often more terrifying than you imagine. A casual remark once spoken by Kakashi had become a creed Sasuke lived by. To spend over a decade hating someone, only to realize, in the end, that he had hated the wrong person. What kind of absurdity was that?

For a moment, Sasuke wanted nothing more than to drink himself into oblivion for three days straight. And then, turn that fury toward Konoha, the village that had inflicted so much pain upon him. But Konoha hadn't given him only pain. It had also raised a certain blond, blue-eyed "fox." And that fox had become something irreplaceable, his comrade, his brother, someone he could never sever ties with.

A shinobi's life was one of constant loss. Sasuke had lost his parents. Lost his brother. Once, he had stood completely alone. Now, the only thing left in his world was that golden-haired "fox." Having tasted loneliness, he never wanted to return to that hell again.

At last, he understood why Kakashi, who had taught him both words and actions, was willing to cast aside so much, all for the sake of someone others might call unforgivable. All humans live bound by their own knowledge and perception. That is what we call reality. That line was like a curse. One Sasuke could never break.

And after losing his parents, after losing his brother, he refused to lose the last light in his life. So, that arm, embedded with countless Sharingan, Sasuke chose to pretend he hadn't seen it. People always find reasons to justify their actions. It's the only way they can live with themselves.

Brother, when you chose to turn against the village you were so proud of, did you also find a reason that let you sleep at night?

"I heard you halted the construction of the Sixth Hokage's monument. What's wrong? Finally realized you're unworthy of standing beside your predecessors?" Sasuke's voice dripped with mockery. His crimson Sharingan held no outright killing intent, but it was filled with ridicule, scorn, and faint disdain.

In the past, Danzo would have taught him a harsh lesson. But now, he didn't have the time. He skipped the provocation entirely. "Sasuke. You are not fit to become Hokage." "Hah. What a joke. Who would care about such a pointless position?" "Uzumaki Naruto."

Danzo spoke with absolute certainty. He turned to face Sasuke directly. "Enough nonsense. In the name of the Sixth Hokage, I appoint you as the vanguard of the front lines." It was an order.

And yet, Sasuke did not acknowledge it. He stood at the doorway, staring coldly at Danzo, his gaze sharp and venomous, like a snake. "What's going on?" "The new Daimyo's ambitions surpass even mine." "Hmph. At least you're honest about that. I'm not interested in your riddles, just say what you mean."

"The Allied Shinobi Forces will be formed soon. Sasuke, the Daimyo already knows that Akatsuki is not in Amegakure." Sasuke's eyes darkened. After a moment of silence, he looked at Danzo with suspicion. "You told him?" "I wish I had."

If it truly had been him, then perhaps the last remnants of humanity within Shimura Danzo would have vanished completely. And oddly enough, that might have made things easier.

"When Akatsuki went to deal with the Otsutsuki, we should have taken the opportunity to strike their base. Sixth Hokage, why didn't you explain that to the Daimyo? Why not tell him where they really went? If Akatsuki fails, we'll be the ones facing the Otsutsuki. Starting a war now only weakens us." Sasuke's voice grew colder. "I thought you were just ruthless. I didn't realize you were stupid."

"You think the Daimyo learned this on his own?" Danzo's voice sharpened. "Do you think you're Uzumaki Naruto, that naive child?" At the mention of Naruto, Sasuke fell silent.

The room grew heavy. Danzo waved his hand, dismissing the ANBU. Sasuke stepped inside. Click. The door shut behind him.

"This world isn't governed solely by the Fire Daimyo. Nor by the Hokage," Danzo said calmly. "If Konoha remains idle now, it will become the target of everyone. In matters of national interest, childish ideals are meaningless." He paused, then continued: "I asked the Daimyo, if war begins now, countless people will die."

Danzo lifted his gaze, repeating the answer he had received. "He said: 'Even if half die, there's still the other half. Konoha must not be among the dead. I've placed my bet on Uzumaki Naruto.'"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, mocking. "So you expect him to charge into battle for you?" Danzo shook his head. "No. You will fight at the front." He paused. "But he is Konoha's future."

After a long silence, Sasuke leaned against the Hokage's desk, arms crossed, gazing out the window at the unfinished stone monument. "What's your plan if things go wrong?" he asked. "I still have cards to play. Orochimaru, and Hatake Kakashi." "Disgusting."

Danzo ignored the insult. He turned his chair, looking out the window as well. This time, his gaze rested not on the Third Hokage, but the Second.

"I've always believed that under my leadership, Konoha would rise to the pinnacle of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. Even now, I still believe that." His voice was steady. "I never understood why my teacher chose Hiruzen over me before he died. I thought it was because I hesitated in a moment of life and death." He paused. "But now I understand."

"A tree needs light. It needs brightness. That is Uzumaki Naruto." "And I, you, your brother." "We are the roots. Drawing nourishment for that tree."

"The Uchiha clan is just fertilizer for that tree," Sasuke scoffed. "A rotten tree like that will die sooner or later." "Even so, the roots must keep growing deeper," Danzo replied. "Until the day it dies, they cannot stop." "This is my role." "And yours."

"Don't compare me to you," Sasuke said coldly. "Let's make one thing clear, I'm not on your side." "You don't need to be," Danzo replied. "Just make sure you stand on Uzumaki Naruto's side." "Hmph."

Sasuke turned and walked out. As he did, something flew toward him. Instinctively, he caught it. A square iron token.

"Root is yours now," Danzo said. "Naruto may not be the future I acknowledge, but he is the future Konoha needs." He continued: "You must be prepared to die for him."

Sasuke glanced back, his gaze cold. "And you? Were you prepared to die for the Third Hokage?" 

Danzo shook his head. His answer was simple. "I am only prepared to die for Konoha."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!