Not only were the elders of the neutral faction worried, but even Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha clan, harbored deep concerns.
That was why he had kept Hiko behind.
Hearing this, Hiko, who had already been preparing to leave, paused and remained behind.
Normally, Fugaku would prepare tea and approach such conversations calmly, but not today. Today, he was so unsettled that even the sight of his tea set brought him no comfort—in fact, he felt like throwing it away.
The two of them entered the living room. Hiko, disliking formal postures, sat cross-legged, prompting a slight twitch in Fugaku's eyes. Taking a deep breath, Fugaku addressed him coldly:
"Hiko, what exactly are you trying to achieve?"
"What does the patriarch mean by that?" Hiko responded with an innocent expression.
Fugaku's tone turned sharp with irritation. "In just a matter of days, you've stirred up considerable chaos. Today, you even directly challenged the elders. What's your goal behind all this?"
He continued in a graver tone. "I understand your restlessness. But if this continues, the Uchiha clan will either become stronger and united—or completely unravel."
He couldn't hide the anxiety in his voice.
"To make Uchiha strong again," Hiko answered calmly, his tone unwavering even under Fugaku's sharp gaze, "and no longer live bowing and hiding like cowards."
Hiko wanted to say it was for his own survival, but he knew Fugaku would never believe it.
In truth, it was unfortunate that their clan head was so cautious—perhaps even cowardly. It left Hiko feeling hopeless. So he had taken matters into his own hands.
Hiko's statement, framed as being for the clan's sake, gave Fugaku no real angle to criticize. Though Hiko's methods were bold and impulsive, none of his actions had directly harmed the clan's interests.
Fugaku was silent for a while, lost in thought.
Hiko, on the other hand, waited patiently, showing no discomfort or unease.
Then, the tense silence was broken by cheerful laughter. It was a familiar voice—Uchiha Sasuke, the young "second son" of the clan.
With a carefree smile, Sasuke skipped into the room.
Seeing the two figures seated in the living room, he halted abruptly. Noticing his father's serious expression, Sasuke quickly straightened and bowed.
"I'm back, Father. Greetings, senior."
"Hmm," Fugaku grunted in acknowledgment, still wearing a stern expression.
Five-year-old Sasuke couldn't help but look disappointed.
"Father. Senior," Itachi's calm voice followed as he arrived just behind Sasuke. He greeted the two before silently pulling Sasuke upstairs with him.
Their presence eased the thick tension in the room slightly, and Fugaku's severe expression relaxed.
"What's your opinion on the hardliners?" Fugaku asked, now more composed. "Speak truthfully. I'll admit you were quite hard on Shisui. But his intentions were for the family's good."
"For the good of the family," Hiko scoffed, shaking his head, "we shouldn't be teaching our kin to live with their tails between their legs."
He didn't agree with Fugaku's defense. Hiko knew full well that Shisui had become a double agent with Fugaku's tacit support—and Itachi would eventually follow that same path. Unfortunately, Fugaku had overestimated the loyalty Shisui and Itachi held for the Uchiha.
They were both planted as spies but ended up fully aligning with the higher-ups of the village.
"If he truly cared for the clan," Hiko continued, "he'd abandon such naïve ideals."
"As for the hardliners, I believe you've already made your decision, Patriarch. I have no intention of joining them—not at all. I also don't agree with anyone within the clan attempting to incite a coup."
"I've said before: we're part of Konoha. Stirring internal unrest over misunderstandings doesn't warrant a coup."
"Believe me or not—that's my honest view. I'll continue working towards my goals."
That was Hiko's stance, and he made it clear.
Chapter 13 Spoiler: Danzo - 'See? I said long ago Uchiha should be eradicated, especially that damned Uchihahiko!'
Fugaku's brow furrowed, but the tension in his chest eased. Hiko's words, though brash, were clearly motivated by concern for the clan.
As long as Hiko didn't side with the hardliners or attempt to instigate a coup, Fugaku could accept him—even if he stirred things up occasionally.
Fugaku was cautious by nature, but he could see the larger picture.
"The conflict between the clan and the village is hard to resolve," he said after a pause, "and mutual suspicion runs deep."
"I know," Hiko replied with a confident smile, "but I don't think that's a bad thing. At least now, we're united. The clan only grew weak because we were divided, always battling among ourselves."
"But I believe that if we unite—if we avoid actions that force the village to retaliate—then no one will dare touch us."
"At most, we'll just have to deal with some political games."
"Strength and unity give us a voice in Konoha. We're not called the Number One Sharingan Clan for nothing—we've got the strength to back that up."
"If only things were as simple as you make them sound," Fugaku murmured, slightly wistful.
Ever since he became the clan head, he had struggled to balance power and diplomacy. The results had always been disappointing.
The Uchiha had grown increasingly marginalized—especially after the Nine-Tails' attack.
Fugaku didn't speak his full thoughts aloud, but Hiko could sense them.
"As long as you don't side with the hardliners, incite a rebellion, or endanger both the clan and village, I won't get in your way."
"Those words are enough, Patriarch."
Hiko wouldn't do anything to harm the Uchiha—but when it came to the village, that would depend on how Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo acted. If they made a move, Hiko wouldn't hesitate to create chaos for them.
After all, constant retreat only encouraged further aggression.
If you give an inch, they'll take a mile.
The "incident" involving Lian Fan sent ripples throughout the Uchiha. When word spread that the Sixth Elder was so enraged he collapsed on the spot, the clan's gossip mill exploded.
Unfortunately, the amusement was short-lived.
The hardliners intentionally leaked Hiko's words and accusations.
The clan was in an uproar.
Outraged members turned on the Dove Faction, accusing them of betrayal. Some even stormed their homes, demanding accountability.
The Sixth Elder remained hospitalized. Shisui, who was scheduled to be transferred the next day, could hardly believe what he heard.
He never expected the ideology he'd spent years promoting would be turned into such a damning charge.
Shisui was stunned—and the Third Hokage, upon receiving the report, wasn't faring much better.
What is going on?
Just earlier, Sarutobi had begun to suspect that Uchihahiko wasn't simple, and planned to ramp up surveillance.
Now everything had flipped upside down. The Dove Faction inside the Uchiha was essentially crippled.
Who could explain how that happened so fast?
Moreover, the accusation—though rooted in logic—was far too harsh. How was Shisui supposed to face his own people now?
Thanks to this masterful manipulation, even if Shisui and the other doves weren't outright hunted, they had certainly lost the clan's trust.
Reintegrating into the clan might now be impossible.
And with the doves losing their influence, what use was Shisui to the Hokage's side now?
Without influence, he could no longer attend high-level clan meetings or access crucial information.
The situation was getting more complicated by the minute.
Adding to the mess, Hiko had even pushed for Shisui's transfer out of the Police Department—arguing that someone like him should be kept away from serious responsibilities and complaints.
The Third Hokage was speechless.
This entire mess was still an internal Uchiha matter—he couldn't interfere directly, not even as Hokage. The most he could do was offer a vague warning or hint.
But hints were now meaningless.
He could only sit and watch as Shisui was ostracized.
Then came the familiar sound of footsteps echoing through the corridor. Lost in thought, Hiruzen looked up and sighed—he knew who it was.
The sound stopped at his door. Without knocking, it was flung open with force.
Danzo, wrapped in bandages across his forehead, right eye, shoulder, and arm, entered slowly, leaning on a wooden staff.
Only two people in all of Konoha entered the Hokage's office like this—ignoring all decorum.
And Danzo was one of them.