---
Fugaku's gaze softened slightly as he spoke.
"If you encounter any difficulties, just say so," he said in a steady voice. "I will help you resolve them — no matter how troublesome they are."
The Uchiha Clan's position within Konoha was already strained.
Winning over a genius like Shisui was essential, and Fugaku's words carried both sincerity and weight.
---
Shisui finally exhaled, the tension in his shoulders loosening.
Without holding back, he told Fugaku everything.
He recounted Jin's harsh childhood, the neglect of Uchiha Kagami's former comrades, and the quiet suffering they had endured after Kagami's death.
By the time he finished, his eyes were moist with anger.
"Clan Leader!" Shisui's voice was firm, almost accusatory.
"Even if they once followed my grandfather, is this how they should be treated?"
"Are those who stood by Kagami no longer considered Uchiha?"
"If Jin-kun hadn't been taken in by Teuchi and his wife, he might not have survived to adulthood!"
His words hung in the air like a challenge.
---
Fugaku's brows furrowed, his normally calm expression shaken.
This… this had really happened?
And he hadn't known?
Though he was clan head, much of the day-to-day running of the clan had been handled by the elders, especially during the years when Elder Setsuna effectively held power.
He clenched his fist, a rare flash of frustration crossing his face.
"How… how could this happen?" Fugaku said at last, his voice low.
"Shisui, I swear to you — this is the first time I've heard of this. You know I only took full control of the clan a few years ago. Before that, Elder Setsuna was the one truly making decisions."
He stood abruptly, his face hardening with resolve.
"I will look into this matter immediately," Fugaku said. "I promise you, I am not like those radicals who put pride above people."
Without another word, he left in haste, his expression grim.
---
Shisui watched him go and finally allowed a faint smile to surface.
Fugaku might be stern, but he was fair.
If there was corruption or abuse within the clan, the clan head would see it corrected.
Feeling lighter, Shisui spent the rest of the afternoon with young Itachi, letting the boy drag him into games and small talk until the weight in his chest eased.
But as he left the compound, a masked ANBU appeared before him.
"Uchiha Shisui," the ninja said quietly. "Lord Hokage requests your presence."
---
Hokage Building, Third Floor
Shisui entered the Hokage's office and knelt immediately.
"Uchiha Shisui greets Lord Hokage!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up from his pipe, his ever-present smile softening his features.
"Good child, rise," Hiruzen said gently. "You look troubled. Has something happened?"
His voice was full of grandfatherly warmth — the persona he had perfected over the years.
---
Hearing those words, Shisui felt a rush of gratitude.
This was the Hokage — the man he revered most.
He bowed again.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage," Shisui said respectfully. "It was just a small matter within the clan. It has been resolved."
But those words made Hiruzen's eyes narrow, just for a second — a flash of sharp calculation behind the kind mask.
Then, as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced by that warm smile again.
"A small matter, you say?" Hiruzen said lightly. "Still, I am curious. Why don't you tell me about it?"
---
Shisui hesitated only briefly before nodding.
After all, this was Lord Hokage.
He recounted everything — Jin's situation, the clan's mishandling of Kagami's loyalists, and Fugaku's reaction.
Hiruzen listened quietly, nodding at the right moments.
When Shisui finished, the Hokage sighed deeply, setting his pipe aside.
"So that is how it is…" he said slowly.
"Kagami was a man who truly embodied the Will of Fire. To think his comrades and descendants suffered this way…"
Hiruzen shook his head, face solemn.
"This is my failing as Hokage," he said gravely. "When Kagami sacrificed himself, I believed it was best not to interfere in Uchiha internal affairs. But perhaps… I was wrong."
He let the words hang, his expression one of deep regret.
"If only I had paid more attention back then…"