Uchiha Gen didn't take Asuma's rude departure to heart.
If their positions were reversed and if he'd suffered such a crushing defeat, he wouldn't be in the mood to exchange the seal of reconciliation either.
"You two go shopping for a while. I've got something to take care of," Gen said. "But remember to come tonight."
The two kunoichi quickly agreed. With a puff of smoke, Gen's figure vanished from the training ground.
After leaving, he returned toward the Uchiha compound, planning to head home for some rest. He still had a night shift later, and though his work was closer to a guard's duty, patrols, quiet studies of ninjutsu, maybe a snack here and there; it was better to catch some sleep while he could.
But along the way, he overheard his clansmen talking about relocating their land.
Gen stopped cold.
Relocation? After the Nine-Tails incident, and with the Fourth Hokage's words still fresh, how could the village elders even dare to force such a move? More importantly, how could Fugaku possibly agree?
Suspicion prickled at his mind.
He hurried to Fugaku's home, only to hear from Mikoto that the clan head wasn't there. Without hesitation, Gen turned and ran toward the Police Department.
The sharp knock of his fist echoed against the office door.
"Come in."
Gen pushed through, face grim.
"Gen," Fugaku said, softening slightly as he rose from behind the desk. "Sit."
But Gen ignored the courtesy. He shut the door behind him and strode to the chair opposite Fugaku.
"Clan Leader, I just heard the clansmen talking about a relocation. Is it true?"
Fugaku nodded. "It's true. The matter was raised at the reconstruction meeting this morning, and I agreed. This afternoon I ordered word spread to prepare the clan."
"Where?" Gen demanded.
"Next to the Police Department and its detention center. What's wrong?"
Gen's brow furrowed. What's wrong?
Fugaku actually looked satisfied. Was he blind? A spy sent by Konoha's council? No, Fugaku wasn't the type to be coerced. He didn't look cornered at all.
Which meant he'd been tempted by a carrot, not beaten with a stick.
"Clan Leader… what conditions did the village offer you?"
Fugaku, slightly unsettled by Gen's tone, recited the terms the administration had laid out. Nothing secret, they would be public soon enough.
The moment Gen heard them, his suspicions hardened.
A sugar-coated trap. Danzo's hand, no doubt.
Koharu and Homura disliked the Uchiha, but they weren't the type to spring such a scheme without provocation. Danzo, though—the man lived and breathed schemes. And the Uchiha had offended him not long ago.
"Clan Leader, you've been deceived," Gen said, voice heavy.
Fugaku frowned. "Deceived? Those conditions, they grant us advantages."
"There are benefits, yes," Gen said, leaning forward. "But in the long run, the clan will pay dearly."
"How so?"
"Think about it. The gap between land and housing prices in Konoha's center and its outskirts is enormous. On paper, the new homes and bigger land sound generous. But the actual value? It will only diminish over time, while central properties grow ever more valuable."
Fugaku's expression began to stiffen.
"And that's only the surface," Gen pressed. "The real poison lies in the design. By moving us beside the Police Department, with full facilities and supplies, we become self-sufficient. A village within a village."
He tapped the desk for emphasis.
"With fewer ties to other clans, fewer dealings with civilians, fewer reasons to mingle and alienation grows, misunderstandings fester. And the work of the Police already breeds resentment. How can we hope to earn trust, let alone produce a Hokage, if we're isolated like that?"
Fugaku's hands clenched on the table.
"The Fourth Hokage is gone. The Third won't target us directly, but he won't coddle us either. And the so-called advisors—have you not seen their true colors? Unless we seize power outright, our future as equals in Konoha ends here."
Gen's words spilled like fire, half feigned, half raw truth.
Fugaku, are you really so blind? he thought bitterly. Still lulled by the Fourth's era of comfort, too shortsighted to see the trap?
Fugaku fell silent, his mind racing back to the morning meeting.
Before it began, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had greeted him with warmth, so unlike their usual disdain. He had been flattered, believing the Hokage's faction finally willing to accept the Uchiha.
Then, during the meeting, they showered him with kind words, flattering tones, promises that glittered like gold.
He'd been too elated to think clearly.
Now, with Gen's words ringing in his ears, the truth was inescapable.
Poison wrapped in sugar.
Fugaku's face tightened with regret so sharp he wanted to strike himself.
The Uchiha cannot decline in my hands. At the very least, I must preserve what we have.
He looked at Gen, trying to hide the panic in his voice.
"Gen… you've always been sharp and resourceful. Is there any way to undo this?"
Gen's expression remained steady.
"I have ideas," he said. "Not yet complete. But as the saying goes, strength lies in numbers. Gather the elders. Call Shisui. Mikoto-nee too. Together, we'll find a path."