Ambiguity in the Hokage Office

"Unexpectedly, besides Shisui and Itachi, there is another Uchiha who is so righteous and wants to resolve the conflict. Not bad, not bad at all."

"What do you mean the way to resolve the conflict is for Fugaku to get a divorce and then enter into an intermarriage with the Sarutobi Clan?"

"What do you mean by having Uchiha Fugaku marry you?"

"What do you mean that a preference for men is part of the Will of Fire, a master-disciple tradition of the Senju lineage?"

After listening to Shisui's explanation, the Third Hokage's smile gradually twisted.

He had thought that there was another lost youth in the Uchiha Clan who had been baptized by the Will of Fire and had come to defect to his command, but he never expected this person to be a demon pill harboring hidden malice.

When other Uchiha were merely dissatisfied with the status quo of not having a Hokage from their clan, this person had directly launched a personal attack on him, questioning his preference for men.

After his wife Biwako died, he had not remarried. But that was because of his high moral integrity, having dedicated his body and soul to the village.

Of course, there was also the factor of age; lately, he had been feeling a bit powerless.

These were absolutely not reasons for an Uchiha to suspect him of having a preference for men.

"This Uchiha..."

Just as the Third Hokage was preparing to ask for the name of the rumor-mongering Uchiha, he noticed that Shisui's expression was a bit embarrassed, looking as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. Only then did he notice that his own palm had been resting on Shisui's back, rubbing it.

Hmm... could it be that even Shisui suspects I have a preference for men?

The Third Hokage awkwardly retracted his hand, leaving a clear palm print on Shisui's back. After clearing his throat, he said righteously:

"Shisui, what is your opinion on these remarks?"

Feeling the sweat mark on his back, Shisui became increasingly suspicious of the Third Hokage's preferences.

But thinking of his mission, Shisui shook his head and said:

"These words are completely rumors against the Hokage. It is impossible for you, Lord Hokage, to force Clan Head Fugaku to marry you, and I would never agree to it."

"..."

Faced with Shisui's answer, the Third Hokage frowned, feeling very dissatisfied.

What did he mean by it being impossible for him to force Fugaku to divorce and marry him? He didn't have such thoughts at all! Shisui's reaction made him feel like the more he tried to explain, the worse it looked.

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage was suddenly curious about what else Youhu had said: "By the way, what else did that rumor-mongering Uchiha say?"

"He said..." Shisui deliberated for a moment and told him everything.

After hearing all of Youhu's statements at the clan meeting, the Third Hokage was left speechless. This was completely and utterly smearing him and the previous Hokage.

Such wanton behavior from the Uchiha must be severely punished.

Before taking action, the Third Hokage decided to ask for Shisui's opinion: "Shisui, you are an Uchiha who has inherited Kagami's Will. What is your take on this rumor-mongering Uchiha?"

Shisui thought for a long time, then looked at the Third Hokage, who had returned to his seat, and voiced his thoughts:

"Lord Hokage, I believe Youhu's original intention was good. Although he smeared you and the successive Hokage, he successfully diverted the clan members' attention from the coup to these rumors."

"The atmosphere of the clan meeting has become much more relaxed because of this, and the clan members have all started discussing these rumors."

"I believe that Youhu has always held the Will of Fire in his heart."

A few hours ago, faced with Youhu's rumors, Shisui had initially been very angry, because his grandfather, Kagami Uchiha, had been very close to the Third Hokage; to fabricate things about the Third was to fabricate things about his grandfather.

But Shisui was a sharp-minded Uchiha, and he soon realized that this might be Youhu's strategy.

Deliberately using these exaggerated rumors—or perhaps they weren't even rumors—to divert the clan members' attention; Youhu was definitely a dove among the Uchiha, saving the village via indirect means.

"Is that your opinion?"

The Third Hokage stared at Shisui for a moment, then waved his hand to signal for him to leave before lighting his pipe.

After pondering for a while, the Third Hokage had to admit that what Shisui said made some sense. That Uchiha named Youhu was indeed very cunning, successfully changing the subject by using the rumor about the Hokage's preference for men.

To a certain extent, it had avoided a conflict between the village and the Uchiha.

But as the target of the fabrication, the Third Hokage still felt a bit awkward. He had been Hokage for so many years, and no one had ever fabricated rumors about him having a preference for men.

Clang!

Just after Shisui left, Danzo pushed open the office door, leaning on his cane.

Seeing the Third Hokage puffing away in a cloud of smoke, Danzo frowned. He hated the smell of smoke on Hiruzen more than anything.

Only a ninja who had grown slack in body and mind would indulge in tobacco and alcohol. He himself never touched them, keeping his body in peak condition at all times, forever ready for the election of the next Hokage.

Under normal circumstances, he would have scolded Hiruzen, but he had just run into Shisui at the doorway.

Shisui was a spy Hiruzen had planted inside the Uchiha, just like his own subordinate, Itachi. Coming here like this, something major must have happened with the Uchiha.

"Hiruzen, I just saw Uchiha Shisui at the door. Were you discussing the Uchiha issue? Are those Uchiha trying to stir up trouble again?"

"I did discuss some Uchiha matters with Shisui. But what about you? Why are you looking for me so late?"

The Third Hokage did not deny meeting Shisui. He stared at Shimura Danzo before him, as if confirming something.

"It is, of course, also about the Uchiha..."

Danzo didn't pay much attention to the Third Hokage's gaze and continued on his own: "Recently, the supplies procured by the Security Force have been increasing, including a large amount of kunai and explosive tags, and even emergency medical kits."

"The Uchiha are preparing to launch a coup, Hiruzen. We must strike hard!"

"Hiruzen..."

Danzo waited for a moment, but when he didn't hear the Third Hokage refute him, he felt a flicker of doubt in his heart.

Logically speaking, shouldn't Hiruzen be strenuously opposing him the moment he heard he wanted to deal with the Uchiha? Then, after Danzo argued his case, shouldn't Hiruzen finally pull rank as the Hokage to suppress him?

The usual routine shouldn't be like this.

"I'm listening..."

The Third Hokage replied casually, though his mind was occupied with the rumors about Youhu.

According to Shisui's account, Youhu seemed to know that he and Danzo argued all day, and had even defined their bickering as that of an old married couple.

Could the arguments between him and Danzo really be a bit ambiguous?

The Third Hokage fell into a state of self-doubt.

After waiting for a long time without hearing the Third Hokage refute him, Danzo felt a bit bored. Following his usual routine, he spoke up:

"Hiruzen, if you don't deal with the Uchiha now, you will regret it one day."

The Third Hokage snapped back to reality, nodded, and gestured for him to leave: "Danzo, I have heard your opinion. Please be gentle with the door on your way out."

"Also, I've heard that the Shimura clan is suffering from a lack of talent. As the clan head, you should pay more attention to your family."

"If you really have nothing to do, finding a partner wouldn't be a bad idea. There's no need to run over here every single day."