Hokage Tower, third floor.
The moment Shisui entered the Hokage's office, he dropped to one knee.
"Uchiha Shisui, paying respects to the Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was short in stature, his face wearing that ever-present kindly smile, looking for all the world like a benevolent old man.
Looking at Shisui before him, he chuckled softly.
"Good child, quickly, rise."
"You look troubled—did something happen?"
He didn't bring up business first, instead choosing to show concern for Shisui.
It had to be said—
This "kindly elder" persona, Hiruzen played to perfection.
Meanwhile—
Hearing the Hokage's comforting words, Shisui's emotions surged as if he'd been injected with adrenaline.
This was his most trusted, most revered Hokage, personally consoling him!
Immediately he bowed again, his expression filled with respect.
"Hokage-sama, thank you for your concern.
I'm fine!
It's just a small matter within the clan, but it's already been resolved."
But sometimes, speaking up was worse than keeping quiet.
The instant Shisui mentioned it, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, a glint of coldness flashing across them.
Only for a moment.
In the blink of an eye, the cold vanished, replaced by that familiar warmth. With a smile he said,
"Mmm, it's nothing serious then. But—I happen to be curious. Why don't you tell me about it?"
Anything concerning the Uchiha always piqued his interest.
Unfortunately—
Shisui, thoroughly indoctrinated, didn't even suspect anything.
It wasn't a big deal anyway, so if the Hokage wanted to hear it, he'd just say it.
And so, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, he spilled everything that had happened today from beginning to end.
When Hiruzen finished listening, his face was full of sighs and sorrow.
"So that's how it was!
Kagami was truly a shinobi with the Will of Fire, yet I never expected his subordinates and descendants to end up so miserable.
I… I have failed as Hokage.
When Kagami first died, I thought it was an Uchiha matter, and that as Hokage, it wasn't my place to intervene.
But who would've thought… ah!
This is my fault. If only I had paid more attention back then…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's performance began.
Of course he knew perfectly well what Kagami's old subordinates had gone through.
But he never lifted a finger.
A bunch of useless people—and Uchiha at that. Why would he bother helping?
Now, however, things were different.
Shisui was a valuable piece on his board. Of course he couldn't just ignore him.
To be honest—
His acting was sloppy. If Uchiha Kai were standing here, he could easily spot countless holes in Hiruzen's words.
But too bad.
The one standing before him was Shisui—thoroughly brainwashed Shisui.
Gratitude filled his face as he cut off the Hokage's self-blame, speaking with firm conviction:
"No, Hokage-sama, you are not to blame!
You're busy running the entire village—how could you have time to deal with such minor matters?
The real fault lies with those radicals within the clan. They're the ones too vile to tolerate!
Rest assured, Hokage-sama, as long as I, Shisui, still draw breath, I will never allow those radicals to run rampant!"
Shisui's words were as resolute as steel.
Hiruzen was thoroughly satisfied with that answer.
After a few more exchanges, he smiled and said,
"Shisui, you may return.
But know this—Fugaku alone can't suppress the radicals.
Those victims were once your grandfather's subordinates, so it is your duty to help Fugaku in this matter.
And as for the village—yes, we too bear some responsibility.
So, in the name of the Hokage, I decree this: if the descendants of Kagami's men find themselves in difficulty, and the Uchiha clan refuses to support them, then the village will step in and shoulder it all.
Truly, I have failed as Hokage…"
His face was the picture of pain and remorse.
Shisui's gratitude swelled so much he nearly wept.
What a wonderful Hokage!
And yet his own clansmen still dared say the Hokage was unjust?
He never realized that Hiruzen's words were just empty promises.
Those who had once followed Uchiha Kagami? They'd already been purged long ago.
And their descendants? How many were even left?
Even if the village "shouldered it all," how much could that possibly cost?
Especially when someone like Uchiha Kai was already a shinobi—how could he shamelessly demand compensation from the village?
That was Sarutobi Hiruzen for you—
Not spending a single coin, yet reaping a wave of good reputation.
And with this arrangement, the Uchiha would only split further apart—let the moderates and radicals fight among themselves.
The more they killed each other, the happier he'd be.
But too bad—
Shisui understood none of this.
Instead, he spoke with heartfelt sincerity:
"On behalf of Kai, and those other innocents, I thank Hokage-sama for your generosity!"
"Kai?" Hiruzen raised a brow.
Hearing his confusion, Shisui explained briefly.
Hiruzen nodded slightly. Having gotten the information he wanted, he lost interest in prolonging the conversation.
"Alright, you may go."
"But Hokage-sama, my mission—"
"Don't worry about that. I'll assign it to someone else. Your focus should be resolving this Uchiha matter."
"This… thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Shisui bowed gratefully and departed.
Once he was gone, Hiruzen's face turned cold.
"Come!"
In an instant, a masked Anbu appeared, kneeling on one knee.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Bring me the dossier on Uchiha Kai."
The masked Anbu bowed, then vanished.
Five minutes later, he reappeared, placing a file on the desk before vanishing again in a puff of smoke.
Clearly, it had been a Shadow Clone.
Hiruzen ignored that, instead opening the dossier and scanning its contents.
But the more he read, the deeper his frown grew.
Pathetic.
If Shisui was the definition of a genius, then Kai was the very picture of mediocrity.
Twelve years old already. At that age, Kakashi was a Jounin. Shisui was a peak Chuunin, only needing a few more merits to be promoted to Jounin.
And Kai?
The less said, the better.
Still stuck in the Academy's fifth year, barely managing to perform the Three Basic Jutsu, and his chakra reserves were pitifully low.
This was supposed to be an Uchiha?
Hiruzen's face soured into the expression of an old man riding the subway.
Disgraceful.
Even among civilians, this was nothing special.
He never even considered the possibility that Kai was hiding his true strength—because that simply wasn't something an Uchiha would do.
If the Uchiha had that kind of cunning, the Third Hokage would already be an Uchiha.
Sigh.
Closing the file, Hiruzen massaged his temple, deeply annoyed.
He had originally thought of summoning Uchiha Kai, giving him a rousing speech about the Will of Fire, and sending him to support Shisui against the radicals.
But now? Forget it.
A throwaway like this wasn't even worth his time.
Creak—
Just then, the office door opened.
A bandage-wrapped old man, leaning on a cane, stepped inside.
Yes—
It was none other than Hidden Leaf Village's "Pot King," Shimura Danzo.
His face was cold as he immediately spoke to Hiruzen.
"I've heard everything.
Since this Uchiha Kai is a worthless failure, then let him join Root.
Call it waste utilization. If used properly, even if he can't destroy the Uchiha, at the very least he can disgust them."
"…"