Police Department, Director's Office.
Even though it was late at night, the usually laid-back Uchiha Kai had not gone home.
He sat lazily on the reception sofa, sipping tea while chatting with Fugaku.
The thief incident itself was minor, but Kai's announcement afterward carried massive weight.
Upon hearing of it, Fugaku, as clan head, had rushed over immediately.
And to Fugaku, Kai made no attempt to hide anything.
He laid out the whole story—background, schemes, and plans in full.
There was no helping it.
Since he had already resolved to stage a "mock struggle" with Shisui, and also needed to cover for Nara Kazama in the future, Kai had to keep pushing forward now—all so he could eventually live a peaceful, carefree life.
"Kai-kun, isn't this strategy a bit too dangerous?" Fugaku frowned, unable to hold back.
"To provoke the Hokage so openly—if something goes wrong, we'll have no retreat. Shouldn't we reconsider? There must be a safer path."
Yes. Fugaku was wavering.
Hesitant by nature, he didn't immediately veto Kai's plan—that already showed considerable respect. But he himself preferred stability, not risk.
"Clan Head, you're overthinking it," Kai said with a sigh. "This isn't provocation at all.
The real problem is—you still don't see the Uchiha's true position."
"The village leadership and our clan have long been on a path of no return. Uchiha is too strong. Even if we act obedient, the village will still destroy us sooner or later."
"On the surface, they say it's because of Tobirama's will, passed down to his students. But in truth, it's just a slogan. No matter who sits in the Hokage's chair, they will target us."
"And the Uchiha aren't even the first. The first clan Konoha dismantled wasn't us at all—it was the Senju."
"Look around. Where is that great clan now?"
"They say the Senju 'integrated' into Konoha, but who actually believes that? If there had been any other option, would they have willingly dissolved their family?"
"And remember—this 'dissolution order' didn't come from Tobirama. It was issued by Uzumaki Mito, the First Hokage's wife and Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, on her deathbed. They only claimed Tobirama had decided it earlier, to make it sound better."
"But think about it—if Tobirama had really made that decision in life, would we, the Uchiha—one of the great clans—have seen not a single sign of it?"
"Why did it really happen? Because otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never have spared them.
Even Mito—First Hokage's wife, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—couldn't protect her own people. She couldn't save the Uzumaki, and she couldn't save the Senju either. Her lofty status meant nothing against hard interests."
"Think carefully—when Hiruzen first became Hokage, did he act against Uchiha immediately? No. He couldn't. Not until after the Senju had been dismantled.
And only then did the village turn its eyes on us."
"Do you understand now? The targeting of the Uchiha has nothing to do with right or wrong.
If they could wipe out even their teacher's clan, what chance does ours stand?
And once we are gone, the next in line will be the Hyuga."
Fugaku drew in a sharp breath.
It was the first time he had ever heard such an analysis. His worldview cracked.
So that was the truth?
Until now, he had assumed the village's hostility stemmed from Madara's betrayal.
He had never considered there might be deeper layers.
But… Kai's reasoning fits.
The timing, the sequence—everything lined up.
A chill ran through Fugaku.
If this was reality, then all his efforts at compromise and appeasement… had been meaningless.
"…The Uzumaki destroyed, the Senju disbanded," Fugaku muttered. "The Uchiha targeted next, and then the Hyuga to follow?
I truly was naïve. Kai-kun, you are right. From this day forward, I will support you unconditionally. The Uchiha, with a thousand-year legacy, must never be erased."
Kai let out a breath of relief.
Winning Fugaku's backing was no small matter.
Still, he decided he couldn't allow Fugaku to feel too much pressure. After a pause, he spoke calmly:
"Clan Head, rest easy. I will only play within the rules against Hiruzen. He won't dare flip the table.
Konoha is the strongest of the ninja villages, yes—but in every great war, they fought four-on-one.
If the village loses its moral high ground and attacks us outright, no other clan will stand with them. Even if they somehow crushed us, the village itself would be left crippled.
Do you think the other great nations would pass up that opening? Could Konoha withstand all four again?"
"So, don't worry. Hiruzen is not a fool. He won't drive us into a corner."
It was true.
With those words, Fugaku finally relaxed.
Feeling calmer, he asked:
"By the way, Kai-kun—it's already so late. Why are you still here?"
"I'm waiting," Kai said quietly.
"Waiting for who?" Fugaku frowned.
"I don't know myself." Kai smiled. "Perhaps the Hokage. Perhaps Danzo.
After all, I've got three Anbu locked up. If the Hokage doesn't show up, will his Anbu still dare to follow orders?
The question is—will he come with excuses to take them back peacefully?
Or will he send Danzo's Root to snatch them by force?"
"Ah… wait."
His smile sharpened.
"The result is here. Nine Root squads, all Jounin. The elite of Root.
It seems our Hokage has made his choice."
He leaned back with a chuckle.
"So… this is a test?"
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