Senya sat on his desk, mulling over how to make use of this information.
"Itachi, you're just in time. Help me take care of these files while I get some rest."
Itachi froze, the expression on his face turning rigid.
As expected of Senya. Well, they were only some files. It wasn't a big deal. He picked up a huge stack of documents, carried them to the desk beside him, and began working.
Itachi still hadn't realized how serious the situation was. He thought it was no big deal, after all. He had no idea that once he started, he'd be working overtime until nightfall...
Senya leaned back in his chair, then promptly stretched out. Before he did any thinking, he'd have a good nap and get some rest.
He dispelled his Shadow Clone, and the flood of information poured into his mind. He promptly fell asleep.
When he opened his eyes again, moonlight streamed through the window and fell across the desk. Senya adjusted his chair and sat up. Itachi was still working on the files beside him. What an honest kid. He was so young, yet already bearing burdens no one his age should have to shoulder.
Itachi's face was blank, his eyes vacant, as if life had lost all meaning. So this was how Senya spent every afternoon? Senya really did give so much to this clan...
Looking at Itachi, Senya felt a little bad. For a thirteen-year-old, this kind of work was just too cruel.
But then he remembered that he'd spent the whole afternoon slacking off and resting. Itachi! Keep it up! You're the clan's hope. Me, Senya? I'm fine just playing support.
Conscience? He tossed it to the back of his mind. What was a conscience? Could you eat it?
He'd actually felt sorry for Itachi just now. What a sin, what a sin.
After waking up, he sat in his chair and started thinking about Obito. Obito had probably noticed him by now, but he didn't know Senya had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He could use that information gap to catch Obito off guard.
About ten minutes passed. It was just about time to get off work.
Senya stood and walked over to Itachi's desk.
"That's enough for today."
At those words, the light returned to Itachi's eyes. Handling paperwork was much harder than going on missions, but at least it was finally over.
Itachi stood up too and stretched his stiff limbs.
"Senya, have you thought about how to deal with the Masked Man?"
Senya walked to the window and gazed at the moon outside.
"He's already secretly joined forces with Danzo. Since that's the case, we might as well make good use of it."
Itachi lowered his head, thinking it over. He wasn't sure how they could use that information.
Senya continued, "Hiruzen is fairly satisfied with how the Uchiha are doing now, but Danzo has never trusted our clan."
"It won't be long before Danzo looks for an opportunity to make a move against the Uchiha. We just need to use that chance to drive a wedge between our Hokage Advisor and the Hokage."
"As for the Masked Man, he doesn't dare act rashly for now. When the time comes, someone will take care of him."
"Just keep up your cover. Exaggerate a little in front of Danzo and make him think the Uchiha are planning a coup."
Itachi understood what Senya meant, but not completely. Still, Senya had always been this cryptic. It was a little hard to bear, but he always managed to handle things.
Since Senya had a plan, all Itachi had to do was follow it.
Then Itachi prepared to leave.
"Itachi, if you're free after a mission next time, you can come help me with the paperwork too. This position will be yours sooner or later, after all."
Itachi stumbled, nearly falling as he turned to leave.
"Sure. If I get the chance, definitely next time!"
He hurried out of the Police Force and headed home. He hadn't seen Sasuke in almost a whole day. Thinking of his adorable little brother, he decided he'd rather spend more time with him than come back to help with the office work. He really wasn't cut out for it.
Senya headed home too, looking forward to tonight's midnight snack...
In the Land of Rain, inside the Akatsuki base, the Masked Man and Nagato stood in an underground cavern.
"Madara, where did you go yesterday? There didn't seem to be any mission that required you to go out."
"Nothing much. I just made a deal with Danzo about the Uchiha in Konoha."
Nagato looked displeased.
"Madara, remember, I'm the leader of the Akatsuki. The organization is short on people right now. Don't waste time on pointless matters."
Behind the mask, "Uchiha Madara's" expression was impossible to see.
"Nagato, what I'm doing will weaken Konoha and help with your plans to gather the Tailed Beasts. Don't rush. It's not time to put the plan into action yet."
"The Akatsuki still needs more members. I've found the location of that 'bounty hunter.' He's on the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth. Get ready to make your move."
With that, "Uchiha Madara" used his ocular jutsu to vanish.
Some time later, within the Land of Fire.
"Uchiha Madara" appeared in a forest.
The ground beside him suddenly bulged, and a strange man with a black-and-white face emerged from underground.
"Obito, there's recently been a new Vice Clan Head in the Uchiha Clan called Uchiha Senya. He seems to be interfering with our plans."
Obito didn't care about the Senya Black Zetsu had mentioned.
"Hmph. That loser hasn't even awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. What kind of impact could he have? We can just find a chance to kill him."
"Hey, Obito! Long time no see. Can you tell me why you poop now? I've been researching this for ages. Why won't you tell me?"
Hearing White Zetsu speak, Obito recognized that guy who was always obsessed with poop. He punched through the tree beside him.
"That's enough! Black Zetsu, possess a different White Zetsu next time. This one's going to interfere with the plan."
White Zetsu wasn't having it and immediately argued back.
"Obito, I've done my job perfectly and gathered all the intel. Why won't you tell me why you poop? You're so selfish! You've been pooping behind our backs this whole time!"
Even Black Zetsu, possessing White Zetsu, was starting to lose patience with what he was saying. White Zetsu had always been strange, but none of them had ever been this sharp-tongued.
Obito instantly appeared in front of Zetsu, drew his Ninja Blade, and cut him in half with a single stroke. Only then did the turmoil in his heart subside, and he returned to calm.
Black Zetsu turned into a mass of viscous, pitch-black liquid.
"Obito, there aren't many White Zetsu. You've already taken out too many just to vent your anger. Are you actually following Lord Madara's plan properly?"
"Don't lecture me. I can finish the mission without these few White Zetsu. Go back to base and find another one to possess. Tobi should be about ready now. When I get back, I'll team up with him."
Obito set out for Konoha, preparing to eliminate that troublesome Vice Clan Head.
"Uchiha Senya, huh..."
Before you continue