Fugaku's Japanese-style room returned to silence. The sliding doors shut out the growing chorus of insects outside. Little Itachi had been gently led away by Lady Mikoto, who was heavily pregnant and close to giving birth, leaving only three men in the spacious room. The lingering fragrance of tea filled the air, along with a more concentrated, invisible tension concerning power and resources.
The three sat on different sides, forming a subtle triangle. Fugaku Uchiha wore a calm expression, his gaze lowered as though studying the patterns on the tatami mats. Shota Uchiha seemed somewhat ill at ease, his eyes carefully shifting between Kyohaku and Fugaku as he tried to play the role of mediator. Kyohaku Uchiha sat directly opposite the seat of honor, his back straight and his eyes placid, as if the turmoil stirred by memories of his past life had never occurred.
He offered no pleasantries or detours. Like a blade drawn from its sheath, he went straight for the heart of the matter.
"The clan's daily affairs are tedious and complicated," Kyohaku said, his steady voice cutting directly to the point. "My energy is limited. The Security Department's reforms have only just taken shape, and I need to focus on them and coordinate with the Fourth Hokage regarding subsequent resources. As for the clan's various mundane affairs, I'll have to trouble Senior Fugaku and the clan elders to continue handling them."
Fugaku raised his eyes and looked sharply at Kyohaku. It sounded like he was delegating authority and showing trust, but Fugaku heard the deeper implication—this was not where the other man's ambitions lay. This new clan head had no interest in managing the Uchiha Clan's little patch of territory. He wanted a larger stage, and the Uchiha were merely important pieces on his chessboard, not