Uchiha Clan Grounds, reception room
The room was not large, its furnishings simple yet carrying the Uchiha Clan's distinctive air of nobility.
An impressionistic landscape painting hung on the wall, while a faint incense burned in the corner.
Fugaku sat in the seat of honor and gestured for Tianyi to take a guest seat.
After the maid served tea and withdrew, he dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to the point:
"May I ask what brings you here, Tianyi?"
Tianyi did not answer at once. His gaze swept across the room before returning to Fugaku's face.
Then he said something startling:
"I came to save the Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku's eyelid twitched slightly.
His expression barely changed. He merely gave a quiet "Oh," lifted his teacup, and took a sip.
But his gaze clearly showed disbelief.
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, Tianyi."
Tianyi smiled, unconcerned by his attitude.
"Why pretend to be confused, Clan Head Fugaku?" He set down his teacup, his tone calm but each word increasingly weighty.
"Ever since Uchiha Madara defected from Leaf Village, the Uchiha Clan has been viewed with suspicion by the village.
Especially when the previous clan head led some of the clansmen in an attempted coup—what happened then?"
Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly.
"They were suppressed by the Second Hokage with thunderous force," Tianyi continued.
"From then on, everyone in the village regarded the Uchiha Clan with nothing but wariness.
And more importantly, the Second Hokage placed a shackle upon the Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku abruptly looked up. "What shackle?"
Tianyi smiled faintly and spoke five words:
"The Konoha Military Police Force."
Fugaku froze.
Looking at him, Tianyi spoke slowly. "The Konoha Military Police Force ostensibly grants the Uchiha Clan enormous authority, placing you in charge of village security and maintaining order.
But