The journey back to Konoha was quiet. Yukie Fuzikaze, or rather Koyuki Kazahana, sat beside Naruto, her thoughts racing. She had left the film set behind and was now stepping into the heart of Konoha under the direct protection of the village's youngest and most mysterious leader. The weight of what she had read in her secret diary pressed on her mind—Naruto Uzumaki was more than just a child or a Hokage. He was a force that could reshape the world.
But for now, she played along, keeping his secret.
Naruto had made it clear—his true identity as the Hokage was an SS-rank secret. No one outside the council was to know. To the world, he was still an academy student, an orphan with nothing to his name but a dream of being Hokage. And yet, here he was, running Konoha from the shadows.
Upon arrival, Naruto wasted no time. He immediately sent a message to Mikoto and Fugaku Uchiha, summoning them to the Hokage office. As they arrived, Koyuki stood to the side, observing the couple who had once been destined to die in the Uchiha massacre.
Meeting the Uchiha Leaders
Fugaku Uchiha stood tall, his expression as unreadable as ever, while Mikoto, though calm, carried an air of quiet warmth. They had been surprised to receive Naruto's summons, but after everything the boy had done to save their clan from destruction, they took his words seriously.
Naruto gestured toward Yukie. "This is Yukie Fuzikaze." He handed over a sealed scroll. "Inside are her official records. I'd like you to verify them."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow but opened the scroll. As he read through her files, Mikoto leaned in, her eyes widening slightly.
"The famous actress?" Mikoto asked, glancing at Koyuki with curiosity.
Koyuki smiled faintly but said nothing.
After reading, Fugaku handed the scroll back. "Everything seems legitimate. What do you need from us, Hokage-sama?"
Naruto nodded. "For some time, I need you to shelter her within the Uchiha compound."
Mikoto looked at Koyuki again, her motherly instincts kicking in. "Of course, we can provide her a safe place."
Fugaku gave a small nod of agreement. "I will inform our security to be discreet. No one outside the compound will know she's here."
Naruto smirked. "That's exactly why I came to you."
Koyuki studied the Uchiha couple. This was different from what she had read in the diary. The Uchiha were supposed to be massacred. Yet here they stood, alive and powerful, thanks to Naruto.
Assigning a Guardian
Naruto then turned his head slightly. "Dog."
A masked Anbu wearing the signature dog mask stepped forward, kneeling on one knee. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Koyuki's sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the masked shinobi.
Naruto folded his arms. "Dog, I am officially removing you from Anbu. From now on, you will hold the rank of Elite Jounin."
Dog—Kakashi Hatake—didn't react outwardly, but those who knew him well would have noticed the slight stiffening of his posture.
"I understand," Kakashi said calmly.
Naruto continued, his tone carrying undeniable authority. "Your new assignment is to personally supervise the security of Koyuki Kazahana."
Kakashi glanced at Koyuki, his mind processing the situation. "Understood. I will ensure her safety."
Naruto gave a satisfied nod. "Good."
Koyuki, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "You're putting one of your best shinobi on my protection detail?"
Naruto turned to her, his blue eyes unwavering. "Doto won't stop until he gets what he wants. I intend to make sure he fails."
Koyuki smirked, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You certainly don't do things halfway, Hokage-sama."
Naruto smirked back. "I never do."
A New Life in Konoha
With that, arrangements were finalized. Koyuki would stay within the Uchiha compound, under the watchful eyes of both the clan and Kakashi. Her identity as the Princess of the Land of Snow remained hidden, and she was to continue acting under her Yukie Fuzikaze persona until further notice.
As she walked out with Mikoto and Fugaku, Koyuki couldn't help but glance back at Naruto one last time.
He was only eight years old, yet he carried himself like a ruler. Not a king, she thought, but an emperor in the making.
And she couldn't wait to see what he would do next.
The Strategy for the Land of Snow
Naruto sat at the head of the council table, his fingers interlocked as he listened to Jiraiya's report. The Toad Sage had just returned from his espionage mission regarding Doto Kazahana, and the news was both troubling and enlightening.
Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Doto has a powerful backer—Iwagakure. They've been secretly supplying him with weapons and resources. If we attack directly, we risk escalating tensions with Iwa."
Naruto nodded, deep in thought. So, Iwa is involved. That means if Konoha openly moves against Doto, it could spark another war.
A smirk slowly spread across his lips. "Then we'll make it look like we had nothing to do with it."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "What's your plan, kid?"
Naruto leaned forward. "We stage it so that Koyuki is the one reclaiming her throne—not us. We make it seem like she approached Konoha purely as a client, hiring us for protection while she leads a rebellion. That way, even if Iwa discovers our involvement, we can claim we were just completing a mission. No village can fault us for taking a legitimate mission."
Hiruzen, who had been sitting quietly, nodded in approval. "It's a wise strategy. If we move subtly, Iwa won't have enough justification to retaliate against Konoha."
Naruto turned toward Koyuki, who was seated nearby. "You'll need to reach out to your old allies in the Land of Snow. Your most important contact is Sandayū Asama, your father's former assistant and loyal retainer. He has been working underground, waiting for a chance to overthrow Doto. Contact him and let him know it's time."
Koyuki had been listening silently, her expression unreadable. Now, she spoke, her voice carrying a new determination. "Sandayū has been waiting for this moment for years. He'll be ready."
Naruto nodded. "Good. Work with him to rally the rebels. Meanwhile, we'll arrange the necessary logistics to support you covertly."
Hiruzen stroked his beard, thinking. "It would be best if I handled communications with outside forces. As far as the world knows, I am still the Hokage, so I can negotiate on your behalf without raising suspicion."
Naruto smirked. "Exactly. That's why I need you for this, old man."
Hiruzen sighed, but a small smile formed on his lips. "Fine, fine. I'll take care of it."
Naruto's gaze sharpened. "We'll proceed carefully. The official story is simple— yuki Fuzikaze, the famous actress, is hiring Konoha for protection while she attempts to reclaim her rightful throne. We'll ensure that leaks out to the right ears. If Iwa gets involved, we'll deal with them in a way that doesn't bring war to Konoha."
Jiraiya chuckled. "You've got a devious mind for an eight-year-old, kid."
Naruto grinned. "I have to. The world isn't kind to the naive."
With that, the plan was set in motion. Koyuki would contact Sandayū, Hiruzen would handle external communications, and Jiraiya would keep an eye on Iwa's movements. Naruto, as always, would continue pulling the strings from the shadows.
As the meeting ended, Koyuki glanced at Naruto, admiration flickering in her gaze. This boy… no, this leader… is going to change the world.
Strategizing the Downfall of Doto
Naruto sat behind his desk in the Hokage's office, hands folded as he listened to Itachi and Shisui's report. The two Uchiha had just returned from their surveillance mission in the Land of Snow.
Shisui spoke first. "Doto has been manufacturing and distributing Chakra Armor in exchange for support from Iwagakure. They're supplying him with manpower, weapons, and additional resources."
Itachi added, "The Chakra Armor is a serious threat. It enhances the wearer's defense and negates most ninjutsu-based attacks. Conventional shinobi tactics will be ineffective."
Naruto leaned back, processing the information. So that's why Iwa is involved. The Chakra Armor could change the balance of power between villages if it spreads.
He glanced at the Anbu commander, Dragon, and then at Shikaku Nara and Jiraiya, who had joined this strategy meeting.
"We'll need a specialized plan," Naruto said. "A direct assault isn't an option. Iwa is waiting for an excuse to escalate things. We have to eliminate Doto without it looking like Konoha was involved."
Shikaku rubbed his chin. "Then guerrilla warfare is the best option. We strike fast, eliminate key targets, and disappear before they can react. We should weaken Doto's forces bit by bit."
Jiraiya nodded. "We could sabotage their supply lines. Cut them off from Iwa's support."
The Anbu commander spoke next. "If we're dealing with Chakra Armor, we need taijutsu specialists. Those armors absorb chakra-based attacks, but physical strikes and weapons can still damage the wearer."
Naruto smirked. "Then we'll send fighters skilled in pure taijutsu and weaponry. I'll assign some of our best Anbu alongside samurai-style combatants."
Shikaku added, "We should also spread misinformation. Make it seem like an internal rebellion is growing in the Land of Snow. If Doto is distracted by internal conflict, it'll be easier to take him out."
Naruto's mind was already calculating the next steps. "We'll use Koyuki as the rallying symbol for the rebellion. We'll also leak false intelligence that suggests another faction—maybe Kiri—has an interest in the Land of Snow. That should keep Iwa hesitant about committing too many resources."
Jiraiya grinned. "You've got a devious mind, brat. I like it."
Naruto stood. "Then it's decided. We'll use guerrilla tactics, sabotage, and misinformation. Doto won't even see his downfall coming."
With the plan set, the meeting concluded. The preparations for war in the shadows had begun.