When Tobirama had chosen Hiruzen to become his successor, he hadn't had much time to contemplate on his decision and it's consequences. He had trusted his student's intelligence and will of fire to guide him and his other students to support their comrade and new Hokage.

Even though it hadn't been more than a few days for him, he couldn't believe how naive his past self had been.

Sure, Hiruzen had managed to not screw up completely. Konoha had survived....... Actually, that was it. Konoha had survived. It wasn't strong, it wasn't stable and it surely wasn't the haven of peace Hashirama had intended it to be.

Seventy years after the establishment of Konoha and after three great shinobi war, one of which led to the destruction of Uzushio, peace seemed even further on the horizon than it did during the warring clans era. Even worse was the fact that Konoha itself had no peace amongst itself.

The clans were still as segregated as they were around the founding of village, with no corporation happening other than within the old alliances. Civilian born ninja were shunted of to genin corps and given no proper guidance to grow. The jinchuriki was treated like a village pariah. Danzo had fallen low enough to train an army of emotionless child soldiers in ways that would even put Hidden Mist to shame. And the Uchiha were on the verge of rebellion.

This was a mess and a half, and Tobirama was the one responsible to clean it, he thought as Hiruzen proceeded to tell him about the increased power of civilian council and changes to the academy curriculum.

"Stop." Tobirama said firmly. "Let us deal with one problem at a time. Who is Naruto-kun's official gaurdian?" He asked regrettably. Tobirama wanted to take the gaurdianship of the Uzumaki child, but it couldn't be fair to him if his gaurdian had to divide his loyalties between the village and him.

Hiruzen sighed. "My student, Jiraiya. He was chosen as Naruto-kun's godfather by his parents. However, he is responsible for Konoha's spy network and cannot spend much time in the village."

"I will reassign the gaurdianship, then. Are there any friends of Naruto-kun's parents who would be willing to take him in?" The Niidaime asked.

"Uchiha Mikoto has been petitioning to get his gaurdianship for years. She was a friend of Kushina-chan. But it wouldn't be wise to give the jinchuriki's gaurdianship to a clan that intents on rebelling."

Tobirama contemplated on that. "I think it's the perfect solution, hitting two birds with one stone..."

"But.."

"Hiruzen, Naruto-kun's seal is so masterfully made that even I can't open it without a key, let alone the Uchiha. Giving Naruto-kun's gaurdianship to Uchiha Mikoto would be instrumental in conveying our trust in them. It would be a step to come to a peaceful solution."

"Sensei...."

"What were you planning to do about this coup?" He interjected.

"I was hoping that they'd drop the plans after realising that they won't stand a chance against the collective might of Konoha."

Tobirama couldn't contain his snort at that. "The Uchiha? Surrendering against impossible odds? If there is one thing I've learnt about that clan is that they are stubborn as mules. If they think they are right to carry out the coup, they would do that regardless of the odds of succeeding. The only way to stop them would be to either convincing them that a coup isn't required or committing a full scale genocide."

Hiruzen's silence indicated that he had considered the idea of genocide. Tobirama was finding it hard to compare this tired old man with the bright eyed, optimistic young man he knew, or had known.

"That boy, Shisui? Does he support this coup?" He asked.

"No. He and the clan heir, Itachi, have been spying on their clan for the village. They are also trying their best to put a stop to the plans."

"Shisui wouldn't have much luck in that. Despite his rank, he's still a teenager. He wouldn't have much influence with the elders. How old is the heir?"

"Twelve." Hiruzen answered, causing Tobirama to stare at him with incredulity.

"Twelve? How has he been passing you information? Thorough his homework at the academy?" He asked, as a brief flare of irritation in chakra if one of the ANBU stationed in the room drew his attention. "Or maybe not." He murmured, before calling out. "Crow."

The next moment, a small ANBU operative was standing in front of him.

"Remove your mask." Tobirama ordered.

The ANBU obeyed promptly, revealing the face of a pre-teen Uchiha.

"Didn't I write a clause that restricted entry in ANBU to those below fifteen?" The Niidaime asked his student.

"I changed it to make the minimum age to thirteen." Was the reply.

"Did you also change the number system to make thirteen come before twelve?"

"Itachi-kun here was an exception." Hiruzen replied, as the boy stood silently with face perfectly blank.

"Is that so?" Tobirama murmured. "I'm afraid I cannot let this continue, Uchiha-kun. Please, hand over your mask."

The boy did so, only hesitating briefly. "I mean no disrespect, Niidaime-sama, but my father would consider this an insult."

The words could be taken as an idle threat from an entitled brat, but Itachi's grave tone indicated that he was more worried about the effect of his demotion to village clan relations.

"And if I take you on as my apprentice, would he still consider this an insult?"

That seemed to still the Uchiha for a moment. "No, Niidaime-sama, he wouldn't." He answered, without emotion.

"Then, return home and tell your father the news, Itachi-kun."

The young boy bowed deeply before vanishing.

"An apprentice?" Hiruzen spoke up. "Not that I disapprove, but you barely know anything about him. What made you decide to take him on as your student, sensei?"

"The same thing that had prompted me take in you and your teammates as my students- the Will of Fire."