Turning to the bed, Koharu felt very tired.
She didn't know since when, but the differences between her two friends, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, had grown so large.
She couldn't help but sigh. If the mirror were the Third Hokage, maybe there wouldn't be such a divide.
In her memory, Hiruzen shared the same love for the village as Tobirama, but he wasn't as naive. Hiruzen was more determined than Danzo but not as ruthless.
When she was young, she thought that with the support of the Uchiha clan and being a disciple of the Second Hokage, she would one day become Hokage.
But later, she realized that the Second Hokage, Tobirama, had never intended for an Uchiha to become Hokage.
At that moment, Koharu briefly considered retiring. But as soon as the thought arose, she discarded it.
As a ninja, she knew from the very first day that there was no right to simply walk away. She chuckled and shook her head.
Uchiha Tatsumi watched Koharu somewhat confusedly and smiled. Feeling the gaze from Uchiha Tatsumi, Koharu immediately frowned.
But she didn't know what to say. Clearly, she had no experience in dealing with children, and it left her feeling a little out of her depth.
"By the way, how's your injury?" Koharu asked hesitantly after thinking for a while.
"Well, Tsunade-sensei told me that I'm almost healed. I should be able to leave the hospital before school starts."
"That's good. Um..." Koharu hesitated again.
"What happened?" Uchiha Tatsumi asked.
"Do you want to switch teams, perhaps to Tsunade's squad?" Koharu asked.
"Orochimaru's team is too dangerous. He lacks medical ninjutsu. If something goes wrong, no one will be able to save you."
"Uh, the team is fine as it is now. No need for a change," Uchiha Tatsumi declined without hesitation.
"But... I remember you have a good relationship with that kid from the Uzumaki clan. Haven't you thought about it again?" Koharu persisted.
Uchiha Tatsumi was a little speechless. Was it really the responsibility of Konoha's senior officials to handle such personal matters?
Also, the ninja welfare system seems a bit too good if it includes matchmaking.
Koharu also realized that her words were a bit out of place, but she really wanted Uchiha Tatsumi to join Tsunade's team.
Uzumaki Kushina, as the future host of the Nine-Tails, would not be involved in direct combat. So the team wouldn't be sent to the battlefield often.
If Uchiha Tatsumi were on that team, he would have a safer position.
Uchiha Tatsumi shook his head. "The team is really fine as it is. No need to change teammates."
"Okay... okay." Koharu replied regretfully.
"Then, please be careful. You can't afford to be careless on the battlefield."
Uchiha Tatsumi looked at Koharu, and the word "battlefield" stood out.
Could it be...
Noticing the look in Uchiha Tatsumi's eyes, Koharu nodded. "Yes, the Chuunin Exams are coming up."
"The Third Hokage will soon announce the declaration of war against the Land of Rain. The war is about to begin."
Hearing this news, Uchiha Tatsumi nodded. He had been prepared for this.
However, one sentence caught his attention. "Declare war on the Land of Rain?"
"Yes," Koharu confirmed.
"Is it just the Land of Rain?" Uchiha Tatsumi frowned.
The Land of Rain was indeed troublesome, but he nearly died at the hands of the Hidden Sound this time.
Konoha, one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, didn't even bother with the Land of Wind?
At first, Uchiha Tatsumi was a bit surprised at the boldness of the Third Hokage, declaring war on the Land of Rain. But only the Land of Rain?
The most powerful country in the world hasn't been touched, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, the pacifist Hokage, is only targeting the Land of Rain?
Uchiha Tatsumi soon understood. Currently, Sunagakure (the Village Hidden in the Sand) was considered the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Nations after Konoha.
Having been stationed on the borders for so long, they were ready for war.
The Hidden Sand Village hadn't suffered the devastating defeats from World War II and III. It wasn't a poor village like before, and it had real strength now.
If Konoha got involved in both the war with the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain, it would be dragged into a quagmire.
Thus, it made sense to choose the Land of Rain. A small country caught between several major nations was ripe for the picking.
Understanding the reasoning, Uchiha Tatsumi still felt uncomfortable. But politics was what it was.
Looking at the silent Uchiha Tatsumi, Koharu pressed her lips together.
She was trying to figure out how to explain things. Should she tell him this was all about politics?
To avoid Uchiha Tatsumi causing problems for the village, she reluctantly said, "Sooner or later, there will be a battle with Sunagakure, but it's not the right time yet."
Uchiha Tatsumi nodded in understanding.
The atmosphere in the room became oddly quiet.
Koharu sighed. It seemed like she had messed everything up.
This situation felt like the first time a stepmother tried to impress her stepson, but instead, things went wrong. It was probably a similar feeling.
The awkward silence hung in the air.
Just as Uchiha Tatsumi was considering how to shift the conversation, Mikoto appeared.
She had a black ponytail and a lovely appearance.
"I'm here, Tatsumi." Mikoto opened the door and entered, carrying an oversized lunch box.
Upon seeing the awkward scene in the room, Mikoto apologized and began to turn to leave.
"No... No." Koharu quickly stood up and stopped Mikoto.
The woman smiled. She glanced at Uchiha Tatsumi in the hospital bed, then looked at Mikoto with a careful, satisfied expression.
"Okay, I should go now. Tatsumi, take care and make sure to see Mikoto." She patted Mikoto's head and left the room.
After walking down the hallway, Koharu felt much better.
It was another girl, plus the Hyuga girl she met earlier.
Koharu nodded in satisfaction.
Even she had to admit, Uchiha's son certainly knew how to attract attention.
As expected, the son of the mirror.
Visit patreon.com/TEA_QUILL to get 30+ chapters