Inside the Hyūga clan's reception room.
"I did not expect so many geniuses to appear among the Uchiha of this generation. Whether it's Shisui or Yun, both are truly remarkable."
Hyūga Hiashi spoke politely, but there was a hint of envy in his tone.
Shisui returned the courtesy with a few humble words, then said, "The Byakugan of the Hyūga has always been a pillar of Konoha's Intelligence Division. Your clan has no shortage of prodigies either. This time Yun and I came not just for pleasantries, but to hear the Hyūga's stance."
So it begins.
Hiashi paused briefly, then asked calmly, "What stance?"
Uchiha Shisui smiled faintly. "The very fact that you, Clan Head Hiashi, are personally receiving us today already makes your stance clear."
At that moment, Yun, who had been absently playing with his teacup, spoke up. "There's no need to circle around the matter. Because of the Second Hokage's policies, the Uchiha have long been pushed outside the circle of Konoha's noble clans.
"The power of the Sharingan set us apart, but that same power made us a target for suspicion and destruction. That night, Clan Head Hiashi, you must have seen the strength of the Uchiha for yourself. Shisui, meanwhile, has always been close to the Fourth Hokage."
"So then… having already taken a side that night, will the Hyūga now extend a hand to the Uchiha? Or put it another way—when it comes to reintegrating the Uchiha into Konoha, will the Hyūga lend their support?"
Such direct words seemed to catch Hiashi slightly off guard.
The Uchiha's problem was not simply between clans. From the battle between Uchiha Madara and the First Hokage at the Valley of the End, down to the Third Hokage and his advisors who inherited Tobirama's will, suspicion toward the Uchiha had always run deepest.
For decades, it had never changed.
And then there was the pitfall of the Police Force—something only a clan as proud as the Uchiha would step into willingly.
"Since you've spoken so plainly," Hiashi said, gesturing to his brother Hizashi, "I happen to have something here for the Uchiha."
Hizashi passed over the intelligence report from the day before.
Hiashi continued, "Since the death of Captain Fugaku, the Uchiha still have not chosen a new clan head.
"Of course, with those eyes you possess, I recognize your power. But today's meeting is merely between me, as an elder of the Hyūga, and you as Uchiha juniors—not a dialogue between two clan leaders.
"Two Mangekyō Sharingan are enough to inspire fear, but in the high council of the village, you two—perhaps with a few moderates at your side—cannot represent the whole of the Uchiha."
As his words ended, Shisui unrolled the intelligence report. After a glance, he passed it to Yun.
Moments later, Yun put the scroll away and rose to his feet with a smile. "So it's just a few insects trying to leap across the divide. Still, I'll remember this Hyūga intelligence.
"And I hope that the next time Shisui and I come to visit, the Hyūga can give us a clear answer. Of course, this alone is not a bad start."
Without waiting for Hiashi to reply, Yun and Shisui stood, pushed open the door, and left. Hizashi, at Hiashi's signal, rose to see them out.
When the three reached the edge of the Hyūga compound, Yun halted, then turned back.
"I once said something to Tokuma: for the weak of the branch family, the Caged Bird Seal is protection. But for the strong, it becomes shackles."
His eyes fixed on Hizashi. "I saw hatred in your gaze. Don't deny it—I won't tell anyone else."
Without waiting for a reply, Yun followed Shisui and departed from the Hyūga compound.
Behind them, Hizashi froze in place, trembling.
Even an outsider from the Uchiha could see it? Then… what about my brother?
Neji, forgive me…
…
"Why did you say that to Hizashi?" Shisui asked, puzzled.
Yun smiled faintly. "Just planting a seed. Perhaps one day it may bear unexpected fruit."
Such a vague answer only made Shisui shake his head with a wry smile. He then asked, "So that's it for this visit? It felt rather half-hearted—two polite words, two serious words, and done?"
Yun stopped and looked at him seriously. "The truth is, if not for that intelligence report, nothing we said today mattered."
"Didn't matter?" Shisui frowned.
"What we said is irrelevant," Yun continued. "What matters is that we came. That we were received by Hyūga Hiashi, the clan head himself. And when we left, it was his brother Hizashi who escorted us out.
"Those two facts alone are enough to send a signal to the other clans of Konoha. The intelligence we received was simply an unexpected bonus."
At the mention of the intelligence, Shisui sighed. "So it really will come to action? If Uchiha Setsuna appears at the clan assembly tomorrow, the hardliners will grow even more unstable."
Yun shook his head slightly. "The high-security prison of Konoha isn't something just anyone can tamper with. I had been wondering how to minimize Uchiha losses. Now it seems… others have already made the choice for us.
"The ones who broke Setsuna out must have been hardline elites. By making an example of them, then rallying the Uchiha around a Seventh Generation leader, the hardliners can be brought to heel. With their leader gone, their voice silenced, your position as clan head will be secure.
"And your eyes…?"
Shisui nodded. "I can already use another ability."
Yun smiled. "Good. Then after tomorrow, Shisui, you will be the new head of the Uchiha clan.
"And now, Clan Head, it's time to ask the Fourth Hokage for an order…"
…
Night fell over the heavy prison. Yun and Shisui watched from the shadows.
Soon, furious roars erupted from within.
"Brother, they won't give me food!"
"Brother, the seaweed rice balls… are gone."
"ROAR!!!"
The bellow shook the air. From the distance came Uchiha Yatsushiro, charging in with four clansmen.
After some time, Yatsushiro and the others emerged from the prison entrance, carrying a frail, skeletal figure.
But behind them lumbered two massive men—fat and towering.
Yun chuckled. In his memory, those two were nicknamed the Wind God and Thunder God. Their first fear: Tsunade, whom they called "Boss Lady." Their second fear: never getting enough to eat.
Releasing them first to stir chaos… was indeed a clever way to wash one's hands of involvement.
"Let's go."
In a flash, Yun and Shisui appeared before the group, cutting them off.
"Shisui?" Yatsushiro's eyes widened in surprise. "You knew about today's operation?"
Yun vanished in a flicker and reappeared behind Yatsushiro, walking straight toward the frail figure—Uchiha Setsuna.
A man who had lived in the same era as the Second Hokage… he truly looked like an old relic now.
When did this happen?
So quickly?