Throwing in the Towel

"The General of the Left Imperial Guard... isn't that just guarding the Daimyo's door?"

Inabi was still somewhat dissatisfied. "Only the position of Senior Vice Minister of War is remotely acceptable. He didn't even give us a ministerial post. And with so few positions, it won't solve anything at all. The Daimyo is being far too stingy."

"What the hell is this guy talking about?"

Xiu had wanted to ask for more gossip, but upon hearing that, he immediately turned around and stared at Inabi with hollow eyes, as though he were looking at some kind of impostor.

What felt most absurd to him was that quite a few people were actually nodding along, looking thoroughly convinced!

Sure enough, if I really became clan head, I'd probably kill these idiots from sheer stupidity-induced rage before solving any problems.

Xiu suddenly smiled in relief. "Though I don't really understand why those noble good-for-nothings get to rule the world, this time... I have to say, the Daimyo has shown plenty of sincerity. He has fully demonstrated the bearing and decisiveness expected of a ruler."

"To put it simply... the Imperial Guard Bureau is responsible for the Daimyo's safety, the Guardian Shinobi answer directly to the Daimyo, and with the Senior Vice Minister of War included, nearly all of the Daimyo's Court's armed forces have been handed over to Uchiha control."

Xiu gave Inabi a smile that did not reach his eyes. "And most importantly—have you figured out that you're fucking outsiders? You're going onto someone else's turf to take a share of the cake! Every extra bite you take means one less bite for someone else. Or is the cake just not to your taste? Do you prefer eating shit?"

He truly could not understand how these people's minds worked.

It was like being unwelcome in your own home and going next door to mooch a meal. Not only did the neighbor give you food, they even cleared out part of their kid's room for you to stay in.

And then you complained that the place was not spacious enough...

I'm a player with cheats, and even I'm not this shameless!

"Ahem, Inabi... is still rather immature."

Yashiro Uchiha tugged at Inabi's sleeve and gave him a look, signaling for him to say less.

"The Daimyo's willingness to entrust his own safety to Uchiha already demonstrates his sincerity, and it also represents his acceptance of Uchiha. Compared to that, official titles are not important. In fact, if he gave us too many, it would instead provoke rejection from the other nobles."

"Senior Yashiro is right."

Shisui nodded. "Besides, I do not intend for the clan to completely sever ties with Konoha. I merely hope to make the higher-ups realize through this method that Uchiha are not soft persimmons they can squeeze whenever they please. We accept peace, but we will never grovel for it!"

After speaking with Xiu that day, Shisui had thought long and hard after returning home, and in the end, he agreed with Xiu's idea.

Part of the clan would join the Daimyo's Court and integrate into the noble class.

At the same time, the relatives of those clansmen would also be brought to the capital, becoming an external branch of the Uchiha.

The rest would remain in Konoha, give up their work in the Police Force, and live as ordinary shinobi from then on. They would also permit marriages outside the clan and political marriages. As long as both parties were willing, the clan would never interfere.

The other branch would be the same. With the support of the Daimyo's Court branch, even if the higher-ups wanted to target the Uchiha, they would have to think twice.

As for the issue Inabi had raised, it did not count as a problem at all.

Would the Sharingan ever lack a market?

Shisui candidly laid out his thoughts as well. This time, no one objected, because anyone who did would get a big slap from Xiu.

With Xiu, that walking pressure machine, present, Shisui's plan proceeded very smoothly.

As long as the announcement of his succession as clan head was posted on the notice board outside the clan grounds tomorrow morning, people from the Daimyo's Court would soon come to contact them.

"Does anyone else have any questions?" After discussing everything, Shisui swept his gaze around the room and asked.

"I..."

In a corner, Itachi Uchiha slowly raised his hand. His tone was stiff, making it sound more like an interrogation. "What if the clansmen who remain in the village are never able to reconcile with the village?"

Noticing Itachi's emotions, Shisui fell silent for a moment. "In that case, we will completely leave Konoha. If we can avoid turning our blades on one another, perhaps that will already be the best outcome."

Itachi paused. His expression seemed somewhat gloomy, but also carried the anger of betrayal.

He had never imagined that Shisui, his most trusted friend, who had once shared the same ideals as him, would say such a thing.

His own decision to support Shisui had actually become the fuse that would completely split the clan from the village!

No, it had nothing to do with Shisui.

Itachi suppressed his anger and sat down, lowering his head deeply as an icy chill flickered in his eyes.

Uchiha Shu!

He was the one behind all of this!

Shisui had just mentioned that he had been influenced by Xiu.

That was right, it was Uchiha Shu...

Memories of Sasuke being humiliated and his father being seriously injured flashed through his mind frame by frame.

And now, even Shisui, the friend he trusted most, had been bewitched by that man.

At that moment, Itachi's killing intent toward Xiu reached its peak!

After the clan meeting ended, outside Naka Shrine.

Shisui had wanted to have a proper talk with Itachi, but Itachi did not give him the chance. He left as soon as the meeting ended.

Watching his departing back, Shisui's expression was complicated. "Xiu, if... I mean if, if Itachi really does something irrational, could I ask you to... spare him once?"

"Let it off once? No problem~" Xiu replied without hesitation, both hands tucked into his pockets.

Shisui: "..."

He felt that Xiu was probably up to no good.

But he could not ask Xiu to easily spare someone who might harm him.

Especially now that he was the Uchiha clan head. Sitting in this position, he had to take responsibility for his clansmen.

All his helplessness could ultimately only turn into a sigh.

Early the next morning, two announcements from the Uchiha ignited public opinion throughout Konoha.

The first announcement concerned Shisui Uchiha succeeding to the position of clan head.

The contents of the second announcement, however, were rather thought-provoking.

The general meaning was that the village's opinion of the Uchiha had been worsening recently, and complaints had been increasing. They felt deeply ashamed and believed they could no longer bear the responsibility of the Police Force, so the entire clan would shut themselves away to reflect, and nobody better fucking stop them, and so on...

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office building.

Looking at the application report Shisui Uchiha had handed him, requesting that the Uchiha completely surrender the Police Force's authority and that the entire clan shut themselves away to reflect, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned livid.

The thing he had feared most had finally happened!

He did not even need to think to guess whose idea this was!

"Must it be this way, Shisui?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe, his brows tightly furrowed. "You should understand that this is not an application. This is forcing the issue. It will only push the Uchiha completely to the village's opposite side."

"Then... I would also like to ask you, Third Hokage." Shisui spoke calmly. "How long has it been since the Nine-Tails Attack?"

"Six years."

"Then how long have the Uchiha been suspected by the higher-ups?"

"..."

"Has six years still not been enough to prove anything?"