Fugaku looked somewhat helpless when Shisui expressed his willingness to work for both the clan and the village.
"Shisui, it's not that simple," Fugaku said sadly. "Although the Konoha Defense Force has you and the Yondaime's Anbu, it also includes Sora and Danzo's Root shinobi. Our Uchiha clan will face difficult times ahead."
"Clan Leader, I won't let them cause trouble!" Shisui immediately declared.
Fugaku shook his head. "You can't stop them, Shisui. Even the Yondaime can't. It's impossible to prevent Sora, or Danzo who stands behind him, from acting as they wish."
Shisui frowned. He firmly trusted Namikaze Minato and believed the Hokage could handle the situation.
"Shisui," Fugaku continued, "the truth is that the Yondaime cannot make decisions on many matters right now. Though the Sandaime has officially retired, he still influences things from behind the scenes. Then there's Assistant Hokage Shimura Danzo, and the senior advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu."
Fugaku's expression darkened. "Except for the Sandaime, who has neither ill will nor goodwill toward us, the other two advisors are somewhat hostile and fear our power. And Danzo hates us intensely."
He leaned forward slightly. "Do you know why I'm so certain our clan will struggle in the future?"
Shisui lowered his head. "Is it because I'm too inexperienced..."
"No," Fugaku shook his head, "that's not the reason. I'm concerned because of the two powers they've taken from our Konoha Guard Force."
He held up one finger. "First is the authority to formulate village regulations. You should understand how important this power is. The rules we established before will likely be invalidated. All of us will have to follow whatever rules the Konoha Defense Force—meaning Sora and Danzo—decide to create."
He raised a second finger. "Then there's the authority to arrest shinobi with criminal tendencies. This is even more troublesome than making village rules, because we can no longer arrest ninjas, only civilian offenders. Only the Konoha Defense Force has the authority to arrest shinobi now."
His voice grew grimmer. "Sora will definitely use this power to target us harshly. You'll try your best to prevent their interference—I believe in you—but what if their actions fall within their authority? Can you still interfere then?"
Shisui hesitated. He realized he couldn't interfere if Sora's actions were technically within the bounds of his authority.
"However," Fugaku continued, "your appointment as deputy leader is still beneficial. At least they won't dare act recklessly and can only target us within their official authority. As long as we keep our clan members in check and avoid causing trouble, we should reduce many potential problems."
He placed a hand on Shisui's shoulder. "You're very important, Shisui. The Yondaime trusts you deeply. You're the bridge between our clan and the Hokage. I've decided to place the Uchiha clan's future in the Yondaime's hands, so you must observe him closely and report any developments to me immediately."
Shisui didn't fully understand Fugaku's meaning.
Seeing his confusion, Fugaku explained, "Our clan is in a difficult position. Originally, my father planned to focus all our efforts on the Third Shinobi War and establish military achievements. That way, as the greatest contributors to the war effort, Konoha's leadership wouldn't be able to move against us. But... that plan failed."
His eyes reflected old pain. "My father never expected Konoha's leadership to be so impatient that they would act against us even during the middle and late stages of the war, with Sora as their instrument."
"Later, as you know, after I became clan leader, I restrained our members' actions. The Yondaime was the first person to show genuine goodwill toward our clan, which is why I'm betting on him."
Fugaku's gaze intensified. "That's why I need you to observe the Yondaime for me. Currently, he lacks real power, and our loyalty greatly benefits him. But no one knows what arrangements he might make for our clan after he fully secures his authority. If I've bet wrong, I must cut our losses quickly. Do you understand, Shisui?"
Now Shisui understood. Fugaku wanted him to monitor Namikaze Minato's actions.
But Shisui was already monitoring the Uchiha clan and reporting to Minato. Now he was being asked to spy on Minato as well. What did this mean for his position?
Seeing that Shisui hadn't immediately agreed, Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "Shisui," he said in a deep voice, "remember that you are a member of the Uchiha clan. Never forget your identity. The clan's interests must always come first!"
Shisui looked at Fugaku in disbelief. In his mind, he was a Konoha shinobi first and an Uchiha second. Konoha's welfare came before all else. He found it difficult to accept Fugaku's assertion that clan matters should take priority.
Fugaku stared into Shisui's eyes with a threatening gaze. "Do you understand, Shisui?"
Shisui lowered his head slightly and whispered, "I understand, Clan Leader."
As Shisui departed, Fugaku watched his retreating back with suspicion. He suddenly felt that Shisui might not be trustworthy after all.
...
After leaving the room, Fugaku encountered his son Itachi walking toward him.
Seeing his father, Itachi bowed respectfully. "Father."
Fugaku smiled and nodded. "Have you completed today's training?"
"Yes, Father."
"Then go rest early."
"Father, please get some rest as well."
Itachi turned and headed back to his room.
Fugaku felt great satisfaction with his son, who was a rare genius. At only four years old, Itachi showed remarkable motivation and diligence in his training. He was wise, rational, and thoughtful beyond his years.
Fugaku had high expectations for Itachi, though the boy was still very young.
Fugaku sighed. "If only he were a bit older..."
If Itachi had been older, Fugaku could have recommended him for the deputy leader position in the Konoha Defense Force. Of course, he trusted his own son more than Shisui. Moreover, Shisui's reaction just now had created a seed of doubt in Fugaku's mind.
"Well..." Fugaku sighed again and returned to his bedroom.
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, Uchiha Obito, Pain, and Konan had entered Kirigakure.
Obito had previously told Nagato that he would come to Kirigakure to find suitable candidates to join the Akatsuki organization.
And so the three of them had arrived.
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