The Hokage's office was silent save for the soft patter of rain against the windows.
Dawn was still hours away, but the gravity of the night's events had brought several key figures to this emergency meeting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe unlit in his hand as he listened to the account being delivered by Iruka Umino.
Beside him stood Danzo Shimura, his visible eye betraying nothing of his thoughts.
Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably under the weight of their attention, while Indra maintained a composed demeanor despite the circumstances.
The unconscious form of Mizuki had already been taken to a holding cell by ANBU operatives.
"So Mizuki manipulated Naruto into stealing the scroll," Hiruzen summarized once Iruka had finished. "And in the process, revealed the S-class secret regarding the Nine-Tails."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Iruka confirmed, wincing slightly from his injuries. "He also attacked us with the intent to kill and flee with the scroll."
Hiruzen turned his gaze to Naruto, his expression softening. "Naruto, I apologize that you had to learn of your burden in such a manner. I had hoped to tell you myself when you were older and better prepared."
Naruto's eyes were downcast. "Is it true then? Everything Mizuki said about the fox?"
"It is true that the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox within you," Hiruzen confirmed gently. "But Mizuki was wrong about you being the fox itself. You are its jailer, not the beast."
"That's what Indra said," Naruto replied, glancing at his classmate. "He said it's like a kunai in a scroll."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly. "A fitting analogy." His gaze shifted to Indra, becoming more evaluative. "And you, young man, have had quite the eventful night as well. Iruka tells me you manifested the Sharingan during the confrontation."
Indra straightened, meeting the Hokage's gaze with appropriate respect. "Yes, Lord Hokage. It happened when Mizuki attacked. I felt a burning sensation in my eyes, and suddenly everything seemed... clearer."
"Show me," Hiruzen requested.
Indra channeled chakra to his eyes, allowing the single tomoe to manifest in each iris. The crimson glow reflected softly in the dim office lighting.
"Remarkable," Hiruzen murmured. "The implications are significant. You understand, of course, that this indicates Uchiha heritage."
"I'm still processing it, sir," Indra admitted, allowing his eyes to return to normal. "I've always been told I was an orphan with no known clan affiliation."
"Records can be incomplete," Hiruzen said thoughtfully. "Particularly during times of war or crisis. You may be descended from an Uchiha who left the clan, or perhaps from a branch family member who married outside the clan."
Danzo, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "What concerns me more immediately is the matter of the Forbidden Scroll." His voice was measured, but there was an edge to it that made Naruto tense. "Specifically, what information might have been gleaned from it."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Naruto has already stated he only learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"Indeed," Danzo acknowledged with a slight nod. "And given his academic record, I'm inclined to believe that was the extent of his capacity. However..." His gaze shifted to Indra.
"We have another student who was in proximity to the scroll for a significant period. One with exceptional intelligence and, as we've now discovered, the Sharingan - a dōjutsu known for its ability to memorize techniques instantly."
Indra kept his expression neutral, though internally he had anticipated this line of questioning. He had prepared for it, knowing that outright lies would be detected by shinobi of their caliber. Half-truths would serve him better.
"I did look at the scroll while helping Naruto," Indra admitted. "I was curious about its contents, given its obvious importance. I saw the Shadow Clone Jutsu that Naruto was practicing, and glimpsed other techniques, though I didn't study them in detail."
"The Sharingan doesn't require 'detailed study' to memorize information," Danzo pointed out. "Even a glance with those eyes active could have captured forbidden techniques."
"My Sharingan only awakened during the fight with Mizuki," Indra replied calmly. "Before that, I was seeing the scroll with normal vision."
Danzo's expression remained impassive. "A claim that cannot be verified without proper examination.
I propose that a member of the Yamanaka clan be brought in to confirm exactly what was seen and potentially remove any sensitive information that should not be in the possession of a genin."
Naruto looked alarmed. "You want to mess with his head? But he helped me!"
"This is standard security protocol," Danzo responded coolly. "The protection of village secrets supersedes individual concerns."
Hiruzen frowned, clearly weighing the proposal. "It is an invasive measure, Danzo."
"A necessary one," Danzo countered. "The contents of that scroll are classified for a reason. Some techniques within it could destabilize the entire shinobi world if misused."
Indra recognized the moment had come for his calculated gambit. He had anticipated this possibility - that his mind might be subject to examination.
His Rinnegan-enhanced spiritual energy would likely provide natural resistance to Yamanaka techniques, but revealing that would raise even more questions.
Better to avoid the situation entirely if possible.
"Excuse me, Lord Hokage," Indra said hesitantly, allowing a hint of nervousness to color his voice. "But given my newly discovered heritage... wouldn't such a procedure require permission from my clan head?"
A moment of silence followed his question. Hiruzen's eyebrows rose slightly, while Danzo's visible eye narrowed.
"The Uchiha Clan is effectively extinct," Danzo stated flatly.
"Not entirely," Indra continued, his tone respectful but firm. "Sasuke Uchiha is of the main family line. Even if I am from a distant branch, the clan is still officially recognized by Konoha's laws. Doesn't he retain authority on internal clan matters?"
Hiruzen studied Indra with newfound interest. "You seem well-versed in clan law for someone who only discovered their heritage tonight."
"I've studied Konoha's legal structure as part of my Academy education," Indra explained smoothly. "The autonomy of clans regarding their kekkei genkai and members is covered in the advanced political curriculum."
This was true - Indra had indeed studied such material, both in his current life as a diligent student and in his memories of the anime, out of personal interest.
Hiruzen exchanged a glance with Danzo, whose displeasure was now evident despite his attempts to mask it.
"He is technically correct," Hiruzen finally acknowledged. "Clan laws do grant certain protections regarding procedures that might affect bloodline abilities or clan members."
"The boy is hardly an established member of the Uchiha Clan," Danzo argued. "His connection is newly discovered and unverified."
"The Sharingan itself is verification," Iruka interjected, then quickly added, "With respect, Lord Danzo."
Danzo's expression darkened, but before he could respond, Hiruzen raised a hand.
"We will proceed properly," the Hokage decided. "Sasuke Uchiha should be informed of this development regardless. As the last recognized member of his clan, he has the right to know of a potential relative."
Turning to one of the ANBU guards stationed discreetly in the shadows, Hiruzen instructed, "Bring Sasuke Uchiha here immediately. And summon Inoichi Yamanaka as well."
The ANBU disappeared without a sound. Hiruzen then addressed Indra directly.
"Understand that this is not merely about security protocols. The discovery of another Sharingan user in Konoha is significant, particularly given recent history.
Sasuke has lived with the burden of being the last of his clan for years. This news will affect him profoundly."
Indra nodded solemnly. "I understand, Lord Hokage."
The following thirty minutes passed in tense silence, broken only by Naruto's occasional fidgeting and Iruka's soft explanations to him about what was happening.
Indra used the time to center himself, knowing that the interaction with Sasuke would be crucial. The Uchiha heir was proud and traumatized, his reactions unpredictable.
Indra's gamble rested on Sasuke's protectiveness of anything related to his clan. Would that extend to a distant relative he'd never known existed?
Or would Sasuke see him as an interloper, someone falsely claiming connection to his massacred family?
The door finally opened, admitting a tall, blond man with a stern face - Inoichi Yamanaka - followed by Sasuke Uchiha.
The young Uchiha's hair was disheveled, his clothes hastily donned. His eyes, however, were sharp and alert despite having clearly been woken from sleep.
"What is this about?" Sasuke demanded, then froze as his gaze fell on Indra. Something in his expression shifted - recognition, confusion, and a flicker of something deeper.
Perhaps the Anbu have given him a small rundown?
Hiruzen gestured for Sasuke to approach. "Sasuke, thank you for coming at this late hour. We have a matter that directly concerns the Uchiha Clan."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, never leaving Indra. "Explain."
"Earlier tonight, during an incident involving the theft of a forbidden scroll, your classmate Indra Uzumaki manifested the Sharingan," Hiruzen stated plainly. "This suggests he possesses Uchiha blood, making him potentially a distant relative of yours."
Sasuke's expression remained carefully controlled, but Indra could see the subtle widening of his eyes, the slight tension in his shoulders. "Show me," he demanded.
Understanding the request, Indra activated his Sharingan, the single tomoe spinning slowly in each eye.
Sasuke stared for a moment in complete silence and wide eyes.
"How is this possible?" Sasuke finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We don't yet know the exact lineage," Hiruzen explained. "Records would need to be examined. However, the immediate concern is that Indra was present when the Forbidden Scroll was opened.
Danzo has suggested a mind examination by Inoichi to ensure no sensitive techniques were memorized, or if they were, to have them removed from his memory."
Inoichi stepped forward at this mention. "Such a procedure is invasive," he stated professionally. "While I can perform it with minimal risk to cognitive function, there is always a chance of complications, especially if there is resistance, conscious or unconscious."
"Which is why," Hiruzen continued, "given Indra's newly discovered Uchiha heritage, we are consulting you as the current head of the Uchiha Clan.
Under Konoha's clan laws, such a procedure involving a kekkei genkai user typically requires clan approval."
Sasuke's gaze shifted between Indra, Hiruzen, and Danzo, his mind clearly working through everything.
Indra could almost see the calculations happening behind those eyes - the politics, the personal considerations, the unexpected discovery of not being entirely alone.
"What exactly would this procedure entail?" Sasuke asked Inoichi directly.
"I would enter his mind," Inoichi explained, "search for any memories of the Forbidden Scroll's contents, assess what techniques might have been viewed or memorized, and if ordered, remove those specific memories."
"Remove," Sasuke repeated, his tone flat. "You would alter the mind of an Uchiha without knowing how it might affect his Sharingan?"
Inoichi hesitated. "The interaction between memory manipulation and dōjutsu has not been extensively studied, precisely because clan laws have historically prevented such procedures."
"For good reason," Sasuke stated firmly. He turned to face Danzo directly. "The Sharingan's development is tied to emotional and mental states. Memory is fundamental to its function. Tampering with the mind of a Sharingan user could potentially damage or alter the dōjutsu itself."
He himself having extensively studied everything he could about his clan, and dojutsu and clan politics to not be tricked and deceived, since the Uchiha name and all they had now rested on his shoulders.
Danzo's expression remained impassive, but his displeasure was evident in his tone. "The security of the village-"
"Is not served by potentially damaging one of its most valuable assets," Sasuke interrupted, a boldness that surprised even Indra.
"The Sharingan is one of Konoha's strongest bloodline abilities. As head of the Uchiha Clan, I refuse permission for this procedure."
The tension in the room was palpable. Danzo's visible eye narrowed dangerously, but Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"Very well," the Hokage said. "The clan's position is noted and will be respected. However, Indra," he turned his gaze to the newly discovered Uchiha, "you are bound by the same laws that protect you.
Any forbidden techniques you may have seen are classified. Attempting to use them or share knowledge of them would constitute treason."
"I understand completely, Lord Hokage," Indra replied.
Danzo clearly wasn't satisfied, but with both the Hokage and clan law against him, he had no immediate recourse. "This matter is not closed," he stated, more to Hiruzen than anyone else, before turning and exiting the office without further comment.
Hiruzen sighed once Danzo had left. "It's been a long night for everyone. Naruto, Iruka, you're dismissed. We'll discuss your graduation and team placement tomorrow.
Inoichi, thank you for coming at such an hour. You may return home."
As the others filed out, Hiruzen addressed Sasuke and Indra. "I suggest you two take some time to discuss this development privately. The revelation of shared blood is significant for both of you."
Sasuke nodded curtly, then turned to Indra. "Come with me."
Indra bowed respectfully to the Hokage before following Sasuke from the office.
They walked in silence through the empty corridors of the Hokage Tower and out into the pre-dawn streets of Konoha.
The rain had stopped, leaving puddles that reflected the fading stars above.
Only when they were well away from the tower did Sasuke speak. "You live alone?"
"Yes," Indra confirmed. "In an apartment provided through the orphan stipend program."
Sasuke nodded as if confirming something to himself. "Not anymore. From today, you'll live in the Uchiha Compound."
Indra halted, genuine surprise forming on his face. "The Compound? But-"
"You're an Uchiha," Sasuke stated flatly, as if that explained everything. "Your place is with your clan."
The air was filled with silence for a moment, both understanding what Sasuke was saying -that he, who had been alone for so long, was acknowledging Indra as family, however distant the connection might be.
"Thank you," Indra said quietly.
Sasuke merely nodded, resuming his walk toward the Uchiha district. "We'll collect your belongings tomorrow. For tonight, there are empty houses with furnished rooms."
As they approached the massive gates bearing the Uchiha crest, Indra felt a strange mixture of triumph and unease.
His plan had succeeded beyond his expectations - he had avoided the mind probe, gained access to forbidden techniques, and now stood to benefit from Sasuke's access of Uchiha techniques and history.
Despite this being part of his plan, he was... grateful.
Yes, he played on Sasuke's personality and history, but it is still Sasuke who decided to help him, and accept him into the clan, and for that he decided he will repay him in the future.
He after all wasn't an ungrateful person.
Ingrates were revolting in his eyes after all.
It seems he'll have to kill Danzo sooner than he planned.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
Do tell me how you found it.
Yeah, look, Indra is a guy, who very intelligent, talented, powerful and all that, does appreciate connection and being helped - part of his plan or not.
So, Danzo at first was planned to be killed near the end of everything, Conquest and all, but well... Today's annoyance, and now Sasuke helping Indra has shorted his lifespan by a lot.
Tell me, when do you think Indra will kill him? Which arc? I'm curious of what you guys expect.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)