I Just Want to Survive

Fugaku was silent for a long while before finally speaking.

"The clan council accepts Shingetsu's suggestion."

"Starting tonight, patrols around the clan grounds will be doubled."

"All underage clan members will be registered and placed under protection."

"Tomorrow, the Police Force will submit an official document to the Hokage Building."

"We demand a public investigation into last night's break-in."

As he spoke, Fugaku swept his gaze over everyone.

"But I warn you."

"Without orders, no one is to storm Root or start a conflict with the village leadership on their own."

"Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to clan rules."

The crowd was still dissatisfied, but this was already far better than they had expected.

At least the clan head hadn't chosen to sweep the matter under the rug.

Instead, he intended to formally challenge the village.

"Yes!"

The clan members responded in unison.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Shingetsu's mind.

[The host has influenced the Uchiha clan council to change its resolution.]

[The predetermined trajectory of conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha has shifted.]

[Night of the Clan Massacre Deviation increased.]

[Current deviation: 3%.]

[Causality Points gained: 1200.]

[Current Causality Points: 1700.]

Shingetsu's heart stirred.

Twelve hundred points!

As expected.

Changing the clan council's resolution earned more Causality Points than simply influencing one person.

As long as he kept pushing the Uchiha away from the original storyline, he'd soon have the three thousand points he needed for the Two-Tomoe.

Fugaku looked at Shingetsu.

"Your injuries haven't healed. Go rest for now."

Shingetsu nodded.

"Yes, Clan Head."

He turned and headed outside.

But just as he reached the door, Uchiha Tekka's voice came from behind him.

"Shingetsu."

Shingetsu stopped and looked back.

Tekka regarded him, his voice grave. "You didn't bring shame on the Uchiha last night."

Many of the clan members inside the Shrine turned to look at him.

Some nodded.

Others showed their approval.

Even several young Uchiha who hadn't known him before looked at him with admiration.

Shingetsu lowered his head slightly.

"I just want to survive."

Tekka grinned.

"Even if you just want to survive, you still need the guts to draw your blade."

"From today on, come find me at the Police Force if you need anything."

"If anyone dares lay a hand on you again, they'll have to answer to us first."

At that, many members of the Police Force nodded.

Shingetsu understood.

From this moment on, he was no longer just an orphan among the Uchiha.

He had his first natural allies.

The young guard of the Police Force.

They were passionate and hotheaded, easily swept up by their emotions.

But they were sharp enough, too.

Used well, they'd be the first blade he could wield to shift the Uchiha's course.

Shingetsu said no more. He simply bowed with sincere respect.

"Thank you, seniors."

With that, he left the Shrine.

The night breeze swept over him, carrying a chill.

His face paled a little more.

But his eyes were bright.

He'd made the right move at the clan council.

The Uchiha had begun protecting the children of their clan.

The Police Force had demanded a public investigation.

And Fugaku was no longer keeping the conflict buried, as he had in the original story.

Next, the pressure would fall on the Hokage Building.

How would the Third Hokage handle it?

How would Danzo react?

This was where things truly began.

Meanwhile.

At the Hokage Building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, holding the intelligence scroll that had just been delivered.

His expression was grim.

The scroll detailed everything that had happened at the Uchiha Clan Grounds last night.

It also described the latest developments at tonight's Uchiha clan council.

"A public investigation..."

The Third Hokage murmured the words, his brow furrowed.

The thing he'd feared most had still come to pass.

The Uchiha hadn't revolted outright.

Instead, they'd chosen a far more troublesome approach.

A public investigation.

If the matter grew, it would sway public opinion in the village.

Then more people would start paying attention to Root.

And more problems on Danzo's end might come to light as well.

In the shadows of the office.

Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane, his voice cold.

"Hiruzen, we can't let the Uchiha make a big deal out of this."

The Third Hokage turned and looked at him gravely.

"Were you the one who sent those people last night?"

Danzo didn't so much as blink.

"No."

The Third Hokage stared at him.

"Danzo."

"I hope you understand that the Uchiha are already on edge."

"Any provocation could lead to consequences we can't undo."

Danzo snorted.

"That's exactly why we can't indulge them."

"The Uchiha are using some brat's troubles to force the village into a public investigation."

"That means they've begun challenging the Hokage's authority."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened.

"Their child was attacked on their clan grounds. Asking for an investigation is hardly unreasonable."

Danzo replied coldly, "Hiruzen, you're still too soft."

"The Uchiha don't want an investigation."

"They want to use this as an excuse to make trouble."

"If we give in this time, they'll make even more demands next time."

"In the end, they'll point their blades at the Hokage Building."

The Third Hokage said nothing.

He knew full well how thorny the Uchiha problem was.

But he also knew that mishandling last night's incident would only alienate the Uchiha further.

Then Danzo spoke slowly. "That brat called Uchiha Shingetsu needs to be watched closely."

The Third Hokage frowned.

"He's just a nine-year-old child."

Danzo sneered.

"A nine-year-old child can kill two ninja in a counterattack?"

"A nine-year-old child can force the Uchiha to change their resolution at a clan council?"

"Hiruzen, do you really think he's just a child?"

The Third Hokage fell silent.

The information about Shingetsu in the scroll had indeed surprised him.

Especially Shingetsu's speech at the clan council.

Too mature.

Too calm.

Too perceptive.

A child who had faced life and death might grow up early.

But if he'd grown up this much, there was reason to be wary.

Danzo continued, "The Uchiha Clan is dangerous enough as it is."

"Now there's also a brat who can stir up the clan's emotions."

"If we let him grow unchecked, he'll become a major threat."

The Third Hokage gave Danzo a cold look.

"What do you intend to do?"

Danzo replied indifferently, "Leave him to Root."

"I'll make him disappear from the Uchiha's sight."

"Impossible."

The Third Hokage refused without hesitation.

"If we move against him now, we'll only enrage the Uchiha completely."

Danzo narrowed his single eye.

"So we just wait?"

The Third Hokage said firmly, "You can have him watched."

"But don't lay a hand on him again."

"At least not now."

Danzo didn't answer.

He merely tapped his cane lightly against the floor.

He knew Sarutobi Hiruzen too well.

His old friend was always the same.

Always trying to maintain a balance.

Always trying to avoid conflict.

Always hoping to solve everything with gentle measures.

But the Shinobi World had never run on gentleness.

Some destabilizing factors needed to be snuffed out while they were still budding.

Uchiha Shingetsu was just such a bud.

Danzo turned and disappeared into the shadows.

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this."

The Third Hokage watched him leave and let out a long sigh.

Outside the window, Konoha's lights still glowed.

But beneath that calm, undercurrents had already begun to churn.

The Third Hokage lowered his gaze to the name on the scroll.

Uchiha Shingetsu.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke.

"Someone, come here."

An Anbu appeared in a Body Flicker.

"Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage said gravely, "Starting today, keep Uchiha Shingetsu under discreet observation."

"Don't approach him. Don't provoke him."

"Just observe."

The Anbu bowed his head.

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Shingetsu had no idea that both the Hokage and Danzo had their eyes on him.

Or rather, he'd guessed as much long ago.

Back in the hospital room, he leaned against the bed and looked at the system panel. His Causality Points had increased to 1,700, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

Only 1,300 more.

The Two-Tomoe Sharingan was within reach.

Shingetsu gazed out at the night, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"Tomorrow, the Hokage Building should be quite lively."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen."

"Danzo."

"Let's see how you handle this move."