Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
To the outside world, everything seemed calm—almost as if the Nine-Tails Incident had never happened.
And inside Konoha, after Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to office and the Uchiha were pushed out of the village's core, life "returned to normal."
Reconstruction began. Order was restored. The village moved forward—steadily, quietly.
Hokage Tower — Hokage Office
After dismissing the ANBU hidden in the shadows, only Hiruzen and Uchiha Shisui remained.
Hiruzen drew on his pipe and asked evenly, "How are things? Has the Uchiha clan made any extreme moves?"
"No," Shisui answered at once.
Being summoned privately by the Hokage had him visibly energized—serious, respectful.
"Some within the clan are dissatisfied with the village leadership… but Clan Head Fugaku has kept them under control."
"Good." Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. "Don't worry. The leadership placing restrictions on the Uchiha is also for the Uchiha's own good. Endure for now—peace comes from restraint."
"I understand." Shisui's expression stayed solemn. "Only when the Uchiha abandon narrow, clan-first thinking can they truly understand the greatness of the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "It's fortunate the Uchiha have someone as clear-headed as you. Otherwise…"
He exhaled a pleased breath of smoke, smiling like an indulgent old man through the haze.
Then his tone shifted.
"Right… what about Uchiha Ren? Any reaction from him?"
"None." Shisui shrugged. "Ren may be an Elite Jōnin focused on taijutsu, but he's always kept his head down. He doesn't involve himself in clan politics."
"I see." Hiruzen waved it off. "Then ignore him. Without serious chakra control or ninjutsu development, his ceiling is limited."
"Yes." Shisui agreed, not thinking too deeply about it.
Then he added, "Also… Fugaku's eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, seems very interested in the Will of Fire."
"Itachi?" Hiruzen's eyes sparked with curiosity.
"In a few days," Shisui said carefully, "I'll bring him to you privately. Please… teach him properly."
"No problem." Hiruzen smiled, clearly pleased.
He tapped ash from his pipe, then spoke with deliberate weight:
"If the Uchiha show signs of going off course… I authorize you to use Kotoamatsukami. Control Fugaku, if you must."
Shisui hesitated—just for a heartbeat—then his eyes hardened with resolve.
"I understand what to do."
He knew exactly what that meant.
If the Uchiha ever moved toward rebellion, he would be expected to use Kotoamatsukami on his own clan head to stop it.
After a short pause, Shisui took a breath and bowed.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. The village is rebuilding—I want to do my part."
"Go." Hiruzen waved him off.
Whoosh—
Shisui vanished.
The Hidden Listener
The moment Shisui left, a slow clap echoed in the room.
Clap… clap… clap…
A concealed partition slid open.
Shimura Danzō stepped out.
"Hiruzen…" Danzō said with a crooked grin. "You really are ruthless. Old age hasn't dulled you—if anything, it's sharpened you."
He walked forward, eyes glinting.
"The Uchiha get isolated, and they can't even squeak. What a waste of those Sharingan."
"Watch your mouth." Hiruzen snapped, exhaling a heavy stream of smoke. "I'm doing this for Konoha's stability. I'm not 'targeting' the Uchiha."
"Sure." Danzō sneered. "Isn't that what you said back when you dealt with the Senju, too?"
"Get out." Hiruzen's gaze turned cold. "Any clan that grows too strong becomes a threat to the village. I'm simply taking precautions."
Danzō shrugged, then cut to the real point.
"You've already pulled Shisui onto your leash. Fine." His voice hardened. "Then Itachi should be mine."
"No." Hiruzen refused instantly. "Itachi is ANBU."
"Hiruzen—don't push it." Danzō's face twisted with anger.
"Enough." Hiruzen flicked his hand. "Leave."
Danzō's expression darkened.
"Fine."
He turned and walked out, voice dripping with malice.
If you won't give him to me… I'll take him myself.
Since the village has already started marginalizing the Uchiha… wiping them out is only a matter of time.
And Shisui's eyes…
Those will be mine too.
Hiruzen remained alone.
He drew from his pipe again—harder this time—until smoke clouded the room.
His expression shifted, unreadable in the haze.
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