[Read up to Chapter - 93 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
.
.
.
.
"Kan-sama, aren't you going to the Police HQ today?" Mikoto asked.
It was nearly noon, yet Kanzou was still at the Uchiha training ground, continuing his practice.
"There's no need to go. I trust they'll manage things just fine. If I had to personally oversee everything, I'd collapse from exhaustion," he replied.
Kanzou had already started acting like a hands-off leader.
Unless there was something Shin, Souta, or Hazuki couldn't handle, he wouldn't step in.
After all, what was the point of having subordinates if they couldn't shoulder responsibilities?
Kanzou wasn't the type who felt compelled to hold every bit of authority personally.
He believed in strength—if you had power, you naturally had control.
'On that note, I also need to think of the management of the Uchiha Clan as a whole,' he thought turning to the woman in front of him, "Mikoto, I want you to help me handle the affairs of the Uchiha clan."
Kanzou wanted to take a step back from day-to-day responsibilities, but the authority of the clan head had to be entrusted to someone he could rely on completely.
Until now, the three people he trusted the most were Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Souta, and Uchiha Satoru. But now, Mikoto had become one of the most trusted as well.
"Me?" Mikoto pointed at herself in shock, before shaking her head immediately upon hearing his words, "Kan-sama… such a responsibility… I don't think I can…"
"Why not? Aren't you my Black Swan?" shrugged Kanzou.
She is already deeply loyal to him after all the mental conditioning she has been put through.
And, he knew her nature—not that she had become his wife, she would never betray him.
That certainty made her the perfect choice.
Moreover, she has the Mangekyō Sharingan, so her strength was also not a problem. She would be able to handle most things without any trouble.
Besides, being the clan head didn't involve constant work.
Unless something major happened, the position wasn't particularly demanding.
"It's an order from me… so do it… It doesn't matter if you face a problem… as long as you don't disappoint me, it would be fine…" added Kanzou.
"Since it's an order from Kan-sama… then…" nodded Mikoto.
Even if she wasn't confident enough to be able to manage the affairs of the Clan, she wasn't going to refuse an order from Kanzou.
"Good," Kanzou nodded, then called out, "Hazuki!"
In an instant, a kunoichi around fifteen or sixteen years old with the striking beauty of the Uchiha Clan appeared before Kanzou and Mikoto, bowing respectfully to Kanzou, "Kanzou-sama…" Then she glanced at Mikoto with some hatred and anger hidden in her eyes, but reluctantly bowed to her as well, "Mikoto-sama…"
'She… doesn't really seem to like me,' thought Mikoto as she returned the greeting with a polite nod. "Hazuki-chan…"
She recognized Uchiha Hazuki—one of the kunoichi who guarded their mansion from the shadows. Trained and raised personally by Kanzou since childhood, Hazuki was fiercely loyal to him.
It was just that… Hazuki clearly didn't seem to like her.
Even though Hazuki never voiced it, the hatred and anger in her eyes were obvious to Mikoto.
'I wonder why she hates me…' she thought, glancing at Kanzou, then back at Hazuki. In those eyes, she noticed subtle hints of devotion—and even love—directed toward him.
And then she also thought of her own position as Kanzou's wife, and wondered, 'Is that the reason?'
Unaware of Mikoto's thoughts, Kanzou gave his order with firm authority.
"Hazuki, from now on, Mikoto will be handling the clan's affairs. Assist her with everything she needs. Understood?"
Hearing Kanzou's command, Hazuki's eyes shrank. She stared at Mikoto in disbelief, momentarily unable to respond.
'Uchiha Mikoto… you… not only the wife but also…' Hazuki bit her lip in frustration.
"Is there a problem, Hazuki?" Kanzou asked, narrowing his eyes.
His words snapped Hazuki back to reality. She quickly shook her head. "N… no, Kanzou-sama." Then, bowing, she accepted the order. "I understand…"
Reluctantly, she turned to Mikoto and offered a begrudging bow. "Mikoto-sama… please command me as you see fit. I, as well as the rest of the Zodiacs, live to serve the Patriarch… and you."
Indeed, Hazuki was one of the Kunoichi trained by Kanzou to handle matters in the dark… in total, there are thirteen of them… though not everyone is aware of the identity of the other Zodiacs.
They are Kanzou's personal secret forces, like the ANBU and the Root.
Of course, their existence is a secret even within the Uchiha Clan, and these thirteen Zodiacs live a normal life on the surface, with most of them not even being ninjas… but in reality, they are all skilled Kunoichi's each one possessing a three-tomoe Sharingan.
"I will," Mikoto said softly, her voice steady with determination—not willing to let Kanzou down.
Even if Hazuki didn't like her, Mikoto wasn't going to let that affect Kanzou's orders. She also believed Hazuki wouldn't allow her own feelings to interfere with carrying them out.
…
In the end, Kanzou was able to delegate some of the responsibilities pertaining to the Clan onto Mikoto, who accepted them as per his orders and began to manage them while making use of the Zodiacs
Still, whenever she handled clan matters, Mikoto would always consult Kanzou for his opinion.
This time, Kanzou had fully embraced his role as a hands-off leader.
Of course, that didn't mean he was idle—his top priority remained the same: increasing his strength.
Nothing mattered more than power. Becoming the patriarch and taking control of the Uchiha clan had always been a means to an end—for Kanzou, it was all about accumulating evil points to grow stronger. His goal had always been crystal clear.
That evening, after returning from the Konoha Police Force, Shin reported the day's events to Kanzou, as was routine.
Today, the Police Force has taken several actions, including shutting down multiple shops operated by other clans under various pretexts.
Most notably, the casino run by the Shimura family had been completely destroyed by Shin under the guise of legal authority.
Though Shin hadn't formally reported all his actions, Kanzou already knew what had happened—he had gained a surge of evil points as a result.
Even if the gains were small individually, consistent actions added up quickly over time.
"Patriarch, there's news that might interest you," Shin said. "It's about Hatake Sakumo." And began to report, "After Hatake Sakumo failed to save his teammates last time, some people began inciting the villagers of Konoha to gossip about him. Even the very people he rescued have now come forward to accuse him. Hatake Sakumo hasn't stepped outside for days," Shin reported, his tone tinged with schadenfreude.
Hatake Sakumo, a high-ranking member of Konoha's leadership and the head of the ANBU, held a prestigious position. Given the strained relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership, Sasuke naturally found some pleasure in Sakumo's misfortune.
"Don't bother reporting anything about Hatake Sakumo to me," Kanzou said disinterestedly.
He already knew how it would end—Hatake Sakumo would eventually take his own life.
His death, in fact, was advantageous to Kanzou.
With his goal of triggering the Third Great Shinobi War in mind, Sakumo's absence would weaken Konoha's deterrent power, making the other villages more inclined to act.
After all, Konoha's White Fang had a formidable reputation across the ninja world. His death would remove a significant obstacle.
"Understood, Patriarch," nodded Shin, catching Kanzou's lack of interest in the Hatake Family's affairs and said a few more things before leaving.
Soon after Shin left, Hazuki arrived, and Kanzou directly asked her, "How is Araki? Has he made any moves?"
He had fed Araki poison and ordered Hazuki to assign a zodiac to monitor him closely.
"Not yet," Hazuki replied, shaking her head, and added coldly, "If he doesn't act against Sarutobi Shinnosuke within three days, I'll personally sever the traitor's head."
Hazuki deeply despised traitors. If Kanzou hadn't stopped her, Shin and the others from taken action against Araki, the man would've been dead yesterday.
"There won't be any need for that," Kanzou added. "The poison I gave him will take his life in three days. He'll die regardless—whether he completes the mission or not."
In truth, Kanzou had never intended to spare Araki.
Even if the task was completed, Araki's death was already sealed.
"Also, keep a close eye on Fugaku and his supporters. If any of them attempt to leave the village, eliminate them the moment they step outside," Kanzou ordered.
Disloyal clansmen have no place among us. Since they've chosen to follow Fugaku, they'll have to pay the price.
"In addition, keep a closer watch on the Root organization," Kanzou instructed.
Danzō, the leader of Root, had previously sent someone to approach Kanzou—only to have that person ruthlessly killed.
Kanzou knew Danzo wasn't someone who could be trusted, so heightened surveillance was necessary.
After giving his orders, Kanzou dismissed Hazuki.
…
Turning to Mikoto, who was cleaning up the table, he said, "How about inviting your friend, Uzumaki Kushina, over tomorrow?"
Hearing this, Mikoto, who had been holding a tray of refreshments, visibly paused.
She knew all too well that Kanzou harboured ill intentions toward Kushina.
If he wanted her to visit, it was undoubtedly for some wicked purpose.
"…Can I say no?" Mikoto asked him softly, expecting a scolding or punishment like the last time.
To her surprise, he didn't show any anger; rather gave a casual shrug, "You can."
"Huh?" Takenaback, she looked at Kanzou's calm expression.
'Do I really have the authority to decide?' she wondered.
She was unable to read his expression at all… and wondered to herself, 'Would I be displeasing Kan-sama if I refused to call Kushina-chan here?'
She didn't want to hurt Kushina, but more than that, she didn't want Kanzou to be dissatisfied with her.
After a long internal struggle, Mikoto sighed and silently apologized to her friend in her heart, 'I'm sorry, Kushina-chan, but this is what Kan-sama wants... and he is more precious to my heart.'
"I will invite Kushina-chan over for dinner," she finally said.
Mikoto had made her choice.
Hearing her words, Kanzou, who had an unreadable expression until now, smiled faintly, "Good girl," and patted her head as though patting a Swan for her obedience and choice.
He was happy that between him–her Danna-sama, and Kushina, a friend, Mikoto had chosen to follow her Danna-sama's order, even if it meant betraying Kushina, her friend.
Being praised by Kanzou and feeling the warmth of his hand on her head, Mikoto smiled delightedly, "Yes, Kan-sama."
.
.
.
.
Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 93 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]