"Besides Shisui and Itachi, there's actually another Uchiha who understands the greater good and wants to resolve the conflict. Very good, very good."
"What do you mean, the way to resolve the conflict is for Fugaku to divorce and then marry into the Sarutobi Clan?"
"What do you mean, having Uchiha Fugaku marry you?"
"What do you mean, a preference for men is part of the Will of Fire, passed down through the Master-Disciple tradition of the Senju Lineage?"
After hearing Shisui's explanation, the Third Hokage's smile gradually twisted.
He had thought another lost young Uchiha had been enlightened by the Will of Fire and had come over to join his side. He hadn't expected this person to be a demon seed with malicious intentions.
When the other Uchiha were merely dissatisfied that one of them could never become Hokage, this person had launched a personal attack on him, suggesting he had a preference for men.
After his wife Biwako died, he hadn't remarried. But that was because he was a man of noble character who had devoted his entire being to the village.
Of course, his age was also a factor. Lately, he had been feeling a little less than vigorous.
But none of that was a reason for the Uchiha to suspect he had a preference for men.
"This Uchiha..."
Just as the Third Hokage was about to ask for the name of the Uchiha spreading these rumors, he noticed Shisui looked embarrassed, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. Only then did he realize his hand had been rubbing Shisui's back the whole time.
Could Shisui suspect I have a preference for men, too?
The Third Hokage awkwardly pulled back his hand, leaving a clear handprint on Shisui's back. He cleared his throat and said righteously:
"Shisui, what do you think of these rumors?"
Feeling the sweat mark on his back, Shisui grew even more suspicious of the Third Hokage's preferences.
But remembering his mission, Shisui shook his head and said:
"These are completely baseless rumors about you, Lord Hokage. You would never force Fugaku Clan Head to marry you, and I wouldn't agree to it either."
"..."
The Third Hokage frowned at Shisui's answer, deeply dissatisfied.
What did he mean, he would never force Fugaku to divorce and marry him? He hadn't even considered such a thing. Shisui's reaction made him feel that the more he denied it, the guiltier he sounded.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage suddenly grew curious about what else Youhu had said. "By the way, what else did that Uchiha spread rumors about?"
"He said..." Shisui considered his words, then told him everything.
After hearing all of Youhu's speech at the clan meeting, the Third Hokage was at a loss for words. This was nothing less than a smear campaign against him and the Previous Hokage.
An Uchiha who acted so recklessly had to be severely punished.
Before taking action, the Third Hokage decided to ask Shisui's opinion. "Shisui, you're an Uchiha who inherited Kagami's Will. What do you think of this Uchiha spreading rumors?"
Shisui thought for a long while, then looked toward the Third Hokage, who had returned to his seat, and shared his thoughts:
"Lord Hokage, I think Youhu meant well. Although he smeared you and the Successive Hokage, he succeeded in diverting the clan members' attention from the coup and toward these rumors."
"The atmosphere at the clan meeting also became much more relaxed. The clan members all started discussing these rumors."
"I believe Youhu has always held the Will of Fire in his heart."
A few hours earlier, when Youhu had spread those rumors, Shisui had initially been furious. His grandfather, Kagami Uchiha, had been very close to the Third Hokage, so criticizing the Third Hokage was like criticizing his grandfather.
But Shisui was a perceptive Uchiha, and he quickly realized that this might be Youhu's strategy.
He'd deliberately used these outrageous rumors—though they might not even be rumors—to divert the clan members' attention. Youhu was undoubtedly a Dove Uchiha, trying to save the village by indirect means.
"So that's what you think?"
The Third Hokage watched Shisui for a moment, then waved for him to leave and lit his pipe.
After mulling it over, the Third Hokage had to admit that Shisui had a point. That Uchiha named Youhu really was quite crafty; he'd successfully changed the subject by bringing up the Hokage's supposed preference for men.
In a way, he'd prevented another conflict between the village and the Uchiha.
But as the target of those rumors, the Third Hokage still felt a little awkward. In all his years as Hokage, no one had ever suggested that he had a preference for men.
Clang!
Shisui had barely left when Danzo, leaning on his cane, pushed open the office door.
Seeing the Third Hokage puffing away, Danzo frowned. He hated the smell of smoke on Hiruzen.
Only a ninja who had let himself go would indulge in tobacco and alcohol. Danzo never touched either. He kept himself in peak condition at all times, always ready to compete for the next Hokage position.
Normally, he would have scolded Hiruzen, but he'd just run into Shisui outside.
Shisui was Hiruzen's spy within the Uchiha, just like his own subordinate Itachi. If Shisui had come here, something major must have happened among the Uchiha.
"Hiruzen, I just saw Uchiha Shisui outside. Did you discuss the Uchiha with him? Are those Uchiha planning to cause trouble again?"
"I did discuss the Uchiha with Shisui. But you—why are you coming to see me so late?"
"It's about the Uchiha, of course..."
Danzo paid little attention to the Third Hokage's expression and continued on his own. "The Security Force has been buying more and more supplies lately, including a large number of kunai and Explosive Tags, and even emergency medical kits."
"The Uchiha are preparing to launch a coup. Hiruzen, we have to strike hard!"
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo waited, but the Third Hokage didn't contradict him. He was a little puzzled.
Shouldn't Hiruzen try his utmost to stop him when he said he wanted to deal with the Uchiha? Then Danzo would argue his case, and in the end Hiruzen would pull rank as Hokage.
Wasn't that how their usual routine went?
"I'm listening..."
The Third Hokage gave a casual reply, but his mind had drifted back to Youhu's rumors.
According to Shisui, Youhu seemed to know that he and Danzo argued all the time, and had described their arguments as bickering between an old married couple.
Could there really be something a little... intimate about the way he and Danzo argued?
The Third Hokage began to doubt himself.
After waiting for a long while without getting a rebuttal from the Third Hokage, Danzo grew bored and spoke as he usually did:
"Hiruzen, if you don't deal with the Uchiha now, you'll regret it someday."
The Third Hokage snapped back to the present and nodded, gesturing for him to leave. "Danzo, I've heard your opinion. Please be gentle with the door on your way out."
"Also, I've heard the Shimura Clan is running short on talent. As clan head, you should pay more attention to your family."
"If you have nothing better to do, finding yourself a companion wouldn't be a bad idea. You don't have to come running over here every day."
Before you continue