Actually, I Was a Konoha Shinobi All Along

"The Hokage wants to see me, to clear up the rumors about your relationship..."

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have spread rumors about your relationship. Clan Head, nothing really happened between you and the Hokage. I made the whole thing up."

Youhu's voice was loud enough for every Ninja near the Hokage Building to hear.

At that moment, Youhu's statement did nothing to clear things up. Instead, it only made everyone even more curious about the relationship between the Third Hokage and Fugaku, and the atmosphere gradually grew stranger.

"What on earth are you talking about?!"

The Third Hokage and Fugaku had the exact same thought. They wanted nothing more than to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

This was perhaps one of the few things the Konoha Hokage and the Uchiha Clan Head could agree on: they both opposed this marriage between them.

Youhu, get over here!

Fugaku glared at Youhu, signaling furiously for him to come over. Youhu remained unmoved at the Third Hokage's side, which made Fugaku even angrier, though he couldn't lose his temper in front of the Hokage.

With no other choice, Fugaku stepped forward and went over to the Third Hokage, speaking in a meek, apologetic tone:

"Hokage, I'm sorry Youhu caused you trouble. As Clan Head, I failed to keep him in line. I'll make sure to punish him severely when we get back."

The Third Hokage was furious too, but to preserve the Hokage's image, he could only pretend not to mind.

"It's a good thing for young people to have energy. In a way, Youhu isn't wrong. Konoha is one big family, with the Senju and Uchiha playing the role of its parents."

"Though I'm not a Senju Ninja, I was influenced by the First Lord and Teacher Tobirama. And you, Fugaku, are the Clan Head of the Uchiha."

"As long as we stand together, there's no hardship Konoha can't overcome."

The Third Hokage's speech successfully eased the awkward atmosphere. The Ninjas around them nodded, agreeing with his metaphor.

As expected of an old-school politician. He knows all the tricks.

Youhu grumbled to himself, then stepped forward and said:

"The Hokage is right. That's what I meant yesterday. I think the village and the Uchiha are like a family and its members."

"That's why I think it would be best for the Hokage and Fugaku Clan Head to be together..."

Don't say another word...

This time, it was the Third Hokage's turn to glare at Youhu. He had only just managed to explain things. He didn't want Youhu dragging him into those rumors again. He really wasn't interested in men.

"Youhu!" Fugaku had finally lost patience with Youhu's antics. His face darkened as he said:

"Get back and go into confinement right now! Do you have any idea how much trouble your nonsense has caused the village and the clan? Do you even want your pay next month?"

Youhu wasn't the least bit intimidated by Fugaku's threat. He said with a serious expression:

"Fugaku Clan Head, I've decided I won't keep working in the Guard Division. After being influenced by the Will of Fire and the Third Lord, I identify more with being a Konoha man. I plan to work in the Anbu from now on."

"Actually, that's not right. I've been a Konoha man all along."

"You want to work in the Anbu? You?"

Fugaku was so angry he could barely speak. He pointed at Youhu's nose and laughed scornfully. "If you can become an Anbu Ninja, I'll gouge out my own eyes and give them to you. You can have the Clan Head Position too!"

"You can keep your eyes. That sounds horrifying. But I am rather interested in the Clan Head Position."

Youhu shook his head solemnly, then continued:

"Besides, after your political marriage, you won't be part of the Uchiha Family anymore. Rather than let someone else take the Clan Head Position, why not let me have a go? I'm sure I'd lead the Uchiha better than you."

"I'm going to banish you from the Uchiha!"

Fugaku was so furious that he activated his Sharingan. He was ready to draw his weapon and teach the insolent brat a lesson. Beating him until he was badly injured and hospitalized would be better than letting him keep spouting nonsense and ruining the Uchiha's reputation.

"Fugaku Clan Head, there's no need for that. Really, there's no need."

The Third Hokage dropped all pretense of dignity and hurried between them. At the same time, he quietly said to Fugaku, "Fugaku Clan Head, I actually rather like Youhu. I've been thinking about bringing him into the Anbu to train him. He wasn't entirely talking nonsense..."

"Is that so..."

Fugaku nervously put away his weapon, his gaze wandering between the sky and the ground.

What should I do?

How many people heard what I just said in anger? Do I have to give up the Clan Head Position? Do I have to hand over my Sharingan? If I refuse, will I lose standing within the clan?

The Third Hokage noticed Fugaku's unease and waved a hand.

"Youhu, stop fooling around. Go back with Fugaku Clan Head. Don't forget to come to the Hokage Building tomorrow. I have a mission for you."

With that, the Third Hokage walked into the Hokage Office.

Fugaku felt a weight lift from his shoulders. It had been a long time since he'd felt this kind of pressure, and yet its source was just an ordinary Chunin brat from his own clan.

I wonder why the Third Hokage thinks so highly of that brat. Is it because he's so good at spreading rumors?

Or could it be...

Fugaku suddenly looked toward the Hokage Office, struck by a horrifying possibility. Maybe the Third Hokage really was into men, but had always been too embarrassed to say so.

Youhu's rumors had actually helped the Third Hokage.

Forget it. I'll deal with all that later. Once we get back, I'll make sure to teach Youhu a proper lesson and show him the clan's dark side.

The Uchiha had been in Konoha for so many years and killed so many people on the battlefield. They weren't pushovers.

"Tiehuo, come here."

Fugaku beckoned. Tiehuo stepped forward and said, "Clan Head, I'll make sure to teach Youhu a lesson. Don't worry."

Fugaku nodded, confident in Uchiha Tiehuo.

Uchiha Tiehuo was one of his right-hand men in the clan. He would surely teach Youhu a proper lesson and make sure the brat stopped talking nonsense.

Still, Youhu hadn't been entirely useless. At least he'd disrupted Yachiyo and the others' plans.

Yachiyo and the others had been intent on staging a coup so the Uchiha could seize the Hokage Position. Fugaku wanted to become Hokage too, but he mostly wanted to maintain the status quo and avoid launching a coup too soon.

Rather than gamble everything and lose, it was better to keep waiting for a better opportunity.

Tiehuo led Youhu away from the Uchiha squad, his face still dark with anger. But once they reached a secluded grove, he immediately changed his expression and spoke respectfully.

"Youhu, I'm so glad you're all right. I thought the Third Hokage might try to harm you."

Youhu looked at his loyal subordinate, who kept getting him into trouble, and furrowed his brow. "Tiehuo, how did Fugaku Clan Head know I was at the Hokage Building? Did you tell him?"