章 2: Chapter 2

"What will we do with him, Hiruzen? We cannot allow any more witnesses to the Uchiha clan massacre. This boy must be executed immediately," Danzo said, pointing firmly at the unconscious young boy on the stretcher.

Hiruzen remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the child. Each of Danzo's words weighed heavily on his mind, clashing with his sense of duty and morality. Finally, he lifted his head and spoke calmly, but with unshakable authority.

"No."

Danzo scowled, his tone sharpening. "What do you mean, no, Hiruzen? This boy represents a risk. Don't you understand? He could become a threat to Konoha."

Hiruzen looked directly into Danzo's eyes, making his stance clear. "You heard me, Danzo. From now on, this boy and Sasuke will be under my protection. I will not repeat myself."

Danzo pressed his lips together, his expression hardening. "You will regret this," he spat before turning abruptly and leaving the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Once the door closed, Hiruzen exhaled deeply. Then, with a calm yet determined gesture, he signaled the medical ninja waiting in the corner of the room.

"Report. What happened? Why did he lose consciousness?"

The medic stepped forward, bowing slightly before responding. "Lord Hokage, after examining him, I found no external or internal injuries. It's likely that he suffered severe emotional shock, which caused him to faint."

Hiruzen nodded, processing the information. "Thank you. Leave us."

The medic complied and exited, leaving the Hokage alone with the boy. Hiruzen approached the stretcher, observing the serene yet pale face of the youth. For a moment, his gaze shifted to a scroll on his desk—the preliminary report on the massacre.

"Kazui Uchiha," he murmured to himself, as if testing the weight of the name on his tongue. His thoughts were clouded with doubts: How had he survived? What had he witnessed? What role did he play in all of this? Why did Itachi choose to spare him?

The door opened softly, interrupting his contemplation. Homura and Koharu entered, their faces marked by concern and disapproval.

"Hiruzen, you cannot allow this boy to live without restrictions," Koharu began bluntly. "If Itachi spared him, it must be for a reason. We can't ignore that possibility."

Hiruzen didn't take his eyes off the boy as he replied, his voice filled with determination. "Kazui has lost everything. He's no different from Sasuke. Both are victims of the same tragedy, and as Hokage, it is my duty to protect them."

Homura crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "And what happens when he grows up? Hatred has a way of consuming survivors of such tragedies. What will you do if he becomes a threat to the village?"

Finally, Hiruzen turned to face them, his expression as firm as his voice. "Then it will be our responsibility as a village to ensure he finds a purpose beyond vengeance. If we let him fall into hatred, it will be our failure, not his."

The two advisors exchanged glances but didn't press further. After a moment, they left the room in silence, leaving Hiruzen alone with Kazui once more.

The Hokage leaned slightly toward the boy, studying his face carefully. There was a faint tremor in his eyelids, as if trapped in a restless dream.

"I hope I haven't made a mistake with you, child," he murmured softly. "You may never know it, but what you do with this second chance will be entirely up to you."

With a sigh, Hiruzen straightened and left the room. Before closing the door, he turned to the ANBU stationed at the entrance.

"Keep him under strict protection. No one is authorized to enter without my permission, understood?"

The ANBU nodded in unison, and the Hokage walked away, fully aware that his decision would shape not only Kazui's fate but perhaps the future of Konoha itself.