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Fugaku Uchiha looked at Shisui with a weary expression. The boy had just declared his willingness to strive for both the clan and the village, but Fugaku only felt a deep, hollow exhaustion settle in his bones.
"It's not that simple, Shisui," Fugaku said, his voice tinged with a profound resignation. "You're in the Leaf Village Defense Force, yes. The Fourth's Anbu are there too. But so is Qianyu. And Danzō's Root. The position of our clan… it will be incredibly difficult from now on."
"I won't let them act recklessly, Lord Fugaku!" Shisui stated immediately, conviction burning in his eyes.
Fugaku shook his head slowly. "You can't stop it. Even the Fourth Hokage can't. No one can hold back Qianyu. Or rather, the man standing behind him: Danzō."
Shisui's brow furrowed deeply. He held an unshakable, almost fierce trust in Minato Namikaze. He believed the Fourth could do it.
"Shisui," Fugaku continued, his tone becoming that of a teacher imparting a harsh lesson. "There are many matters the Fourth cannot decide on his own right now. The Third chose to retire, but he remains in the shadows. Then there are the Hokage's advisors: Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. The Third holds no particular malice nor goodwill towards us. The other two advisors… they fear us, and that fear breeds hostility. But Danzō… his hatred for us is absolute.
Do you know why I'm so certain our days ahead will be difficult?"
Shisui lowered his head. "…Because I'm still too inexperienced."
"No. That's not it." Fugaku's gaze was sharp. "The true reason is the two authorities carved out from our Konoha Military Police Force. First: establishing village regulations. You understand how crucial that power is, don't you? Every rule we've ever set may be erased. All of us will now live by the rules Qianyu and Danzō decree through the Defense Force.
Second: arresting ninja suspected of criminal activity. This is even more troublesome than setting rules. From now on, we cannot arrest fellow shinobi. Only civilians. Only the Defense Force has the right to detain a ninja.
Qianyu will exploit that authority. He will target us relentlessly.
You say you'll stop them from acting recklessly. I believe you'll try. But what if their actions are within their authority? Can you intervene then?"
Shisui opened his mouth, then closed it. He couldn't. If it was within their legal bounds… there was nothing he could do.
"However," Fugaku conceded, his voice softening a fraction. "Your position as Vice-Commander is still a boon. It will curb their worst excesses. They'll be limited to operating within their authority. If we strictly discipline our clansmen, keep them from causing trouble, we can minimize the damage.
Shisui, you are vital. The Fourth trusts you. You are the bridge between the Uchiha clan and him.
And I have decided… to stake the future of the Uchiha clan on the Fourth Hokage. Therefore, observe him closely. Report everything to me, immediately."
Shisui didn't understand. The request felt… off.
Fugaku saw his confusion and explained, "Our clan's situation is precarious. My father once tried to bet everything on the Third Great War. Build enough merit, become the war's greatest heroes… then the village elders wouldn't dare move against us. He failed. He never imagined they'd be so impatient as to strike during the war. The one who struck was Qianyu.
Later, you know what I did after becoming clan head. I reined everyone in.
The Fourth Hokage… he is the first. The only one who has ever shown genuine goodwill towards our clan. So I will gamble on him. Our allegiance would be a powerful asset to him now, while his authority is still limited.
But who can say how a Hokage with full, consolidated power will ultimately treat the Uchiha? If we bet wrong… I must cut our losses in time. Do you understand now?"
Shisui understood. Fugaku wanted him to spy on Minato. To monitor the Hokage's every move.
But the ugly truth was… Shisui was already monitoring the clan for the Fourth, reporting their activities. To now turn around and spy on Minato for the clan… what was he?
Fugaku saw his hesitation and mistook it for refusal. His eyes hardened, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous register. "Shisui. Remember who you are. You are an Uchiha. Your clan comes first. Always."
Shisui stared at his clan head, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes. In his heart, he was a shinobi of Konoha first, an Uchiha second. The village's welfare came above all. To hear Fugaku demand the opposite… it was a cold shock.
Fugaku's gaze was a physical weight, pinning him in place. "Do you understand me, Shisui?!"
The boy lowered his head, his voice barely a whisper. "…Yes, Lord Fugaku."
As Shisui walked away, Fugaku watched his retreating back, a deep, contemplative frown on his face. A seed of doubt had been planted. Perhaps… Shisui is not as reliable as I hoped.
…
Leaving the room, Fugaku saw his son approaching down the hall.
"Father," Itachi Uchiha said, bowing respectfully.
Fugaku's expression warmed. "Finished your training for the day?"
"I have, father."
"Good. Get some rest."
"You should rest as well, father."
Itachi turned and walked to his room. Fugaku watched him go, a surge of quiet pride replacing the earlier frustration. His son was a prodigy. Just four years old, yet driven, disciplined, wise, and rational. Fugaku held the highest hopes for Itachi.
He sighed softly. "If only he were a little older."
Older, and he could recommend Itachi for the Vice-Commander position of the Defense Force. Compared to Shisui, his own son was infinitely more trustworthy. Especially now, after Shisui's reaction had sown that seed of doubt, that subtle… estrangement.
"Ah…" Fugaku sighed again, the weight of leadership heavy on his shoulders, and retired to his own room.
…
Meanwhile, in the Land of Water.
Obito Uchiha, Pain, and Konan stepped onto the cool, mist-shrouded land. Obito had mentioned to Nagato before that he would scout the Hidden Mist for suitable candidates. Now, the three of them had come to collect.
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