Uchiha Compound — Late Night.
After Tsunade had so graciously used him as a prop and then promptly abandoned him outside the Hokage building, Uchiha Ye returned home—only to be greeted by none other than a flustered Uchiha Fugaku.
"Ye! I heard you and Lady Tsunade are… together!?"
At the door, Fugaku stared wide-eyed at him, utterly shocked. He had just gotten the news and rushed over, half-disbelieving what he'd heard — but the moment he saw Ye, his brain short-circuited.
The clan had assigned Ye a mission to approach the future Nine-Tails jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina. But now?
In barely any time at all, the boy had skipped straight over Kushina… and linked up with the Princess of the Senju clan, Tsunade herself!?
That wasn't just completing the mission — that was overachieving on a historic level.
Between Kushina and Tsunade, anyone in Konoha with half a brain knew which connection carried more weight.
"Captain Fugaku, listen to me—!"
Ye's face twisted in frustration. This was ridiculous. Before he could explain, Fugaku cut him off with a solemn nod.
"No need to explain, Ye-kun. I understand. The clan sees your… sacrifice."
Ye: …Sacrifice!?
Fugaku's gaze softened with admiration. No wonder Father and the elders chose him for the mission… I could never compare to this boy.
"Ye, the clan head and elders have summoned you. Urgently."
Ye's stomach dropped. You've got to be kidding me!
He had barely set foot home, and the rumors had already spread across the village. By morning, he was sure, all of Konoha would be talking about how Tsunade "picked up" a young Uchiha.
Sure, Tsunade was beautiful and powerful — who wouldn't be tempted? But right now, he didn't have the strength to handle this kind of "honor."
He remembered what happened to Kato Dan… and Nawaki before him. Too many convenient "accidents."
Without overwhelming strength, "love" in Konoha was just another battlefield.
Still, things had gotten completely out of hand.
Clan Council Chamber.
Under flickering candlelight, the Uchiha clan head and elder sat at the front, summoned in haste in the middle of the night.
They were silent — both still trying to process the absurdity.
That kid Ye had been tasked with establishing friendly contact with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki candidate… and somehow ended up entangled with Tsunade of the Senju clan.
They hadn't even dared to dream of something like this.
"Clan Head, Elder."
Ye bowed stiffly and started explaining, trying to sound as serious as possible. He told them the truth: Tsunade had only used him as a cover, nothing more.
No romance. No secret affair. Just political theater.
Still, the two elders didn't buy it — or rather, they didn't want to. Elder Shana eyes glinted thoughtfully.
"Tsunade represents the Senju. If she made such a public display, she must have done it with purpose."
The clan head nodded gravely.
"Indeed. It may concern White Fang's situation."
Both exchanged knowing looks.
Many clans in the village were leaning toward supporting Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang — even the Senju. It was no secret that the Third Hokage's faction had grown too powerful.
The Uchiha, of course, had wanted to align with White Fang as well — but had lacked the right opportunity.
If the Senju were extending a hand, that could only mean one thing: they wanted Uchiha cooperation.
The two elders' eyes lit up in excitement.
"This is a gesture of goodwill from the Senju. The Uchiha must not ignore it. If our clan joins this alliance, we will finally gain the village's trust."
Ye's mouth twitched. You've completely misunderstood everything.
He wanted to argue… but then realized — maybe he shouldn't.
If both clans viewed this "relationship" as real, it might just work to his advantage.
"Ye-kun."
Both the clan head and elder turned toward him, their faces solemn.
Ye straightened. "Clan Head, Elder."
"The burden you carry is heavier than before," the elder said gravely. "The clan needs you. If necessary, in front of Tsunade, we hope you'll be ready to sacrifice — for both clan and village."
There was an unspoken meaning in those words. Ye could read between the lines. He drew a deep breath, forcing himself to look resolute.
"Understood. For the glory of the Uchiha, I, Uchiha Ye, am willing to become the bridge between our clan and the village."
Fugaku, standing nearby, stared at him in disbelief. This "sacrifice" doesn't sound very proper!
They were supposed to be the proud Uchiha! Yet Ye looked ready to throw himself into the fire with a heroic gleam in his eye. Fugaku lowered his head, both embarrassed and… slightly impressed. I can't compete with that level of devotion.
The clan head nodded approvingly. "Good. Your bloodline is rare and valuable. The clan will fully support you with whatever funds you need. Gain Tsunade's trust."
Elder Shana chuckled. "Indeed. You do this for the clan's future. Once you've earned her confidence…"
They took turns encouraging him, showering him with praise and promises — the classic carrot before the stick.
Fugaku kept his gaze down, expression stiff. He knew exactly what they were implying — Ye was to use every advantage, including charm, to win Tsunade's favor.
That was asking a proud Uchiha to weaponize himself.
"Father!"
Young Fugaku clenched his fists, finally unable to stay silent. "What about the clan's honor!? How will others see the Uchiha after this?"
The clan head froze mid-breath.
Elder Shana frowned deeply and shot him a look that said, Control your son.
They were old men — long past youthful pride, long since accustomed to bending when necessary.
"Captain Fugaku!"
Ye cut in quickly, eyes wide. "This is all for the clan — I accept it willingly!"
He glared meaningfully at Fugaku. Not now, idiot! Don't ruin my setup!
Truth was, Ye had already reasoned it out. If Tsunade's public "scene" had set things in motion, the best course was to ride the wave.
This could be his power ladder.
As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.
He rose to his feet, looking between the elder and the clan head.
"Though the Uchiha live at the heart of Konoha, we remain isolated — a lone flame in the dark. This incident may be the chance we've needed.
My unique bloodline gives me reason to stay in close contact with Lady Tsunade under the pretense of treatment. That way, both the clan's pride and the village's eyes are satisfied."
It was a perfect justification — noble and strategic.
The clan head and elder exchanged satisfied smiles. Finally, a young man who understood what it meant to serve the clan's future.
Fugaku, meanwhile, could only lower his gaze in shame. Ye-kun… you've sacrificed too much for us.
Though if he were honest, it felt less like a sacrifice — and more like the proud Uchiha spirit being forcibly… bent out of shape.
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