"And one more thing—after delivering the low-tier ninjutsu scrolls, send the Uchiha clan techniques to the Hokage's office as well."
"If the village is willing to accept us, then aside from dealing with the hardliners, we must also show sincerity."
"Understood. I'll select them tonight," Itachi nodded. "What about Shisui? Should he continue staying at Konosuke's place? An Uchiha living in the Sarutobi clan compound… won't that harm our clan's reputation?"
"It's fine," Fugaku replied. "Let Shisui remain there. Konosuke is the bridge between the Uchiha and the village. As long as Shisui is with him, that bridge stands."
After finishing the discussion about the clan, Fugaku's expression darkened.
"Since the village has offered us a path, we must seize it. Make preparations. We move at the end of this month."
Fugaku might be cautious by nature, but he wasn't foolish.
Using a few low-tier techniques to win over students? That was a bargain.
And giving them through Konosuke ensured the students would know the Uchiha had sponsored them.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
No sooner had Fugaku left than Danzo stormed in, visibly displeased.
"Hiruzen, I oppose reconciliation with the Uchiha. Have you forgotten our teacher's teachings? You are unfit to be Hokage. You should retire. I will take your place and—"
"Enough, Danzo!" Hiruzen slammed the desk. "Our teacher told us to be wary of the Uchiha—to prevent another Uchiha Madara from emerging—not to eradicate them."
"You're wrong," Danzo snapped. "The Uchiha are inherently evil. They must be destroyed. That was our teacher's unspoken will. I will fulfill it."
His face twisted, barely concealing a hint of madness.
Hiruzen studied his old comrade carefully.
The Uchiha had done nothing directly to Danzo. Yet Danzo's obsession with their destruction bordered on fanaticism.
Hiruzen didn't believe this was purely for the village's sake.
The only thing Danzo truly coveted… was the Sharingan.
Hiruzen stepped forward.
"This matter is decided. If you interfere in secret, I will strip you of your authority. Do not test my bottom line—even if you are my comrade."
Danzo scoffed.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen."
With his customary threat delivered, he turned and left.
There was no point arguing further. Better to consider how to collect more Sharingan without crossing Hiruzen's line. Recently, the Hashirama cells in his body had begun acting up again.
Watching Danzo's retreating back, Hiruzen felt a quiet heaviness settle over him.
They were drifting apart.
Their beliefs had diverged beyond reconciliation.
Deep down, Hiruzen never wanted to exterminate the Uchiha.
The village was in a fragile state. Without the Uchiha, other villages might seize the opportunity to strike.
If not for the looming coup, he would never have considered action against them.
And Konosuke's words echoed in his mind.
If Konoha can't tolerate the Uchiha now, it won't tolerate the Sarutobi later.
If annihilating a clan became precedent, who could guarantee the Sarutobi wouldn't one day face the same fate?
The Sarutobi clan had grown large. If a future Hokage targeted them… the consequences would be disastrous.
The next morning—
Shisui informed Konosuke about the scrolls Itachi had delivered.
Itachi was even humming while cooking breakfast, an unusual sight for someone normally so composed.
Though Itachi had said he would eliminate a few hardliner leaders, Shisui didn't seem crushed.
If casualties could be limited to just a handful, that was already a miracle.
He silently thanked Konosuke.
Without him, the Hokage would never have shifted his stance.
After breakfast, Konosuke and Shisui headed toward the Academy together.
"I heard you're teaching the students the Substitution Technique already," Shisui remarked. "Isn't that too soon? They have years before graduation. Wouldn't fundamentals be better for now?"
"Iruka mentioned your methods are… rather direct. Even Sasuke got injured."
Konosuke adjusted his frog-shaped sunglasses lazily.
"Direct methods are the fastest. I'm a teacher. My job is to ensure they survive in the future. The rest doesn't concern me."
"If they choose to be ninja, they must endure hardship. If they lack the resolve, they're better off as civilians than dead."
Shisui found that oddly contradictory coming from someone who usually acted like a carefree slacker.
Just as they reached the school gates, Naruto rushed up, brimming with excitement.
"Konosuke-sensei! I've mastered water walking! Please teach me the Substitution Technique!"
Konosuke ruffled his hair, pleased.
If even Naruto had learned water walking, mastering the Substitution Technique would only take another week or so.
The morning consisted of theory lessons.
After making a brief appearance in the staff room, Konosuke slipped away—time to slack off.
Specifically, to gamble.
Though he'd been blacklisted from the gambling hall, that was easily solved.
He could simply transform.
After some thought, he chose the perfect disguise.
Jiraiya.
Not only would it help him win more money, it ensured no one would dare stop him from collecting his winnings.
In a quiet corner, Konosuke performed the Transformation Technique.
Moments later, a greasy middle-aged man stood in his place.
As he entered the gambling hall, a receptionist rushed over.
"Lord Jiraiya! What brings you here? Shouldn't you be at the women's bathhouse? You—mmph!"
Before he could finish, the owner hurried over and covered his mouth.
Running a gambling hall in Konoha meant not offending someone like Jiraiya.
Konosuke ignored them and headed straight for a table.
Winning money was the priority.