After Uchiha Tsuki entered the office, he casually picked a place to sit. He showed no restraint at all, nor did he display the slightest fear toward Danzō or Hiruzen.
"I heard you were discussing something important with Arata. I happened to overhear a bit on the way here," Tsuki said calmly. "To be honest, I agree with Arata. Mito-hime has always hoped her granddaughter would find a good partner. What's wrong with letting her future grandson-in-law visit her?"
With that one sentence, he publicly aligned himself with Arata.
Hiruzen and Danzō exchanged a glance—each seeing a hint of unease in the other's eyes.
Arata noticed it too and was confused. Why would these two old monsters be afraid of a mere clan head from the Uchiha?
In the original timeline, weren't these the same two men who orchestrated the Uchiha massacre?
These ruthless, cold-blooded men—actually showing fear?
Arata could sense Tsuki's chakra. At most, it was comparable to Danzō's—solid, but nowhere near enough to justify the reaction he was seeing. So it wasn't Tsuki's strength that scared them.
Is it… the power of the Uchiha clan itself?
This era wasn't the Uchiha's doomed future. No massacre. No rebellion. No decline. Except for the already-dead Uchiha Kagami, Arata didn't know many other elites—but the clan's collective power was intact and formidable.
That alone might be enough to pressure even Hiruzen and Danzō.
Hiruzen finally spoke:
"Since even Tsuki feels this way… then I suppose I can agree. But Arata—remember, do not disturb Mito-sama for too long. She is elderly and needs rest."
Arata raised an eyebrow. He actually agreed?
This only confirmed one thing: Konoha's internal politics were far deeper than he imagined. A clan head with no official authority had just forced the Hokage's hand.
Seeing the effect of his words, Uchiha Tsuki gave a faint smile.
"Exactly. If you won't even let your granddaughter's future husband visit, people in the village will start talking behind your back…"
The tone sounded casual—almost joking—but Arata felt the edge hidden underneath.
Hiruzen stood up with a forced smile.
"That's true. We're all family, after all. By the way, Tsuki—I heard you've been playing shogi with Hiashi lately. You should bring me along sometime."
Arata blinked. Shogi? Why are they suddenly talking about that?
But the name Hiashi jogged a memory. In Konoha, the only person with that name who would play shogi with the Uchiha clan head was the current Hyūga clan leader—Hyūga Hiashi.
The Uchiha clan head playing shogi with the Hyūga clan head?
There's something going on there.
Tsuki waved dismissively, half amused.
"Come on. Ever since you became Hokage, you've been drowning in paperwork. Unlike us, you don't have time for shogi."
Then he looked at Arata.
"Kid, you're impressive. Let's go. Don't cause more trouble for the Hokage—he still has work to do."
Tsuki left first. Arata, though still bewildered by the cryptic exchange, quickly followed. He had no desire to sit in the same room with Hiruzen and the ominous Danzō any longer.
Though he regretted not getting the chance to ask Danzō about Shizune's whereabouts, the system hadn't issued the failure notice for her reward yet—which meant she wasn't in life-threatening danger.
Once Arata stepped outside, he saw Tsuki waiting for him.
"Thank you for helping me back there," Arata said immediately. "I appreciate it."
Tsuki waved it off casually, as though it meant nothing.
"You've got guts, kid. I almost forgot—when was the last time someone dared speak to Hiruzen like that?"
Arata perked up.
"Oh? That'll make the Hokage angry?"
Tsuki sighed.
"It'll get you killed."
Arata stopped pretending.
"Who died last time?"
Tsuki fell silent. He didn't answer.
Seeing he wouldn't speak, Arata shifted the topic.
"Uchiha usually act independently. Why help me at all, Tsuki-sama?"
Tsuki lifted his head, gazing at the sky. His voice softened, but carried weight.
"If you ever need help, come to us. I wasn't just helping you… I was helping us."
With those words, his form blurred—and vanished.
"Body Flicker, huh… what terrifying speed."
Arata frowned slightly. The resemblance between Tsuki and Uchiha Kagami was uncanny—at least seventy percent alike.
Are they brothers?