In a quiet, elegant courtyard.
Shinichi, who was growing increasingly fond of lazing around, relaxed in the cool air and took the occasional bite of watermelon. Life could hardly have been more comfortable.
Whoosh.
A figure suddenly appeared.
"Oh, Shisui! Want some watermelon?"
Once Shinichi recognized his visitor, a smile instinctively spread across his face.
"No, thank you, Shinichi."
Shisui shook his head and said solemnly, "I have results from the intelligence you asked me to gather. Members of the Akatsuki seem to have been active in the Land of Water recently. Do you need me to go there?"
After they had parted at the Hyuga Clan estate, Shisui had originally wanted to accompany Shinichi to fight the Fourth Raikage, but Shinichi had refused.
Still, Shinichi had not left him idle. He had assigned him a mission: track down the Akatsuki.
After all, Obito, the Shinobi World's resident troublemaker, was still lurking in the shadows.
Although it was not yet time to pull out that thorn, Shinichi did not want to remain completely in the dark. At the very least, he needed to keep track of Obito's movements.
"The Land of Water?"
Shinichi raised an eyebrow and began searching his memories of the plot.
If he was right, Obito had already taken control of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, in Kirigakure, ushering in the era of the Bloody Mist Village. But information rarely escaped Kirigakure, making its internal situation difficult for outsiders to learn about. Even Shinichi had no idea how far the Bloody Mist Village had progressed.
I can't let Obito run too wild. Kirigakure should retain as much fighting strength as possible. I have to plan for the future!
Looks like I'll have to go there myself, Shinichi thought.
He really was born to toil!
He had only just returned to Konoha, and now he had to head to the Land of Water.
But there was no immediate rush. The more pressing issue was probably Konoha's Uchiha Clan.
Before dealing with external threats, he had to secure things at home.
In truth, the Uchiha Clan was currently Konoha's greatest hidden danger. Until he had fully resolved that problem, Shinichi could not leave the village on a whim.
Some of his actions had already altered several people's destinies, so even he could no longer be certain that the plot would continue unfolding as it had in the original story.
Until he was completely confident, he needed to prioritize keeping his own home base safe.
"The Akatsuki isn't nearly as simple as you think, Shisui. You can't go."
After some consideration, Shinichi said firmly, "Oh, and if you find any trace of Orochimaru, inform me immediately. His existence matters far more than the entire Akatsuki."
His most important reason for having Shisui search for the Akatsuki was Orochimaru.
At this point, Orochimaru was still a member of the organization.
Orochimaru held the keys to cutting-edge technology!
Given the chance, Shinichi certainly would not pass up the man who possessed the most advanced technology in the Shinobi World.
"Understood."
Shisui nodded, then asked, "By the way, Shinichi, when do you plan to report for duty at the Konoha Military Police Force? I heard Lord Hokage has already issued your appointment letter."
"I'd have forgotten completely if you hadn't mentioned it!"
Shinichi smiled. "Since I have nothing to do today, I might as well go meet my future boss!"
He really had forgotten to report for duty.
After all, he had never taken the Third Hokage's so-called orders to heart, so naturally, the matter had slipped his mind.
"You mean Clan Head Fugaku?"
"Who else? Isn't he the one with the most authority in the Konoha Military Police Force?"
Shinichi sounded exasperated.
Since he was about to work under the man, he naturally needed to introduce himself beforehand.
Come to think of it, he did not seem to have actually met Clan Head Fugaku since his system had activated.
Whatever happened, the Uchiha Clan's survival would probably rest entirely on this clan head's shoulders. His importance could not be overlooked!
After saying goodbye to Shisui, Shinichi headed straight to the outskirts of the village.
"They certainly know how to pick a place to move to. They actually chose somewhere this remote."
Shinichi grumbled inwardly.
But he knew perfectly well that the Uchiha Clan had been forced to relocate somewhere so isolated. That old bastard Danzo had probably put plenty of effort into making it happen, while the Third Hokage had tacitly approved.
"Halt! Who are you?"
Shinichi strode openly up to the Uchiha Clan compound and was soon stopped by the Uchiha guarding the entrance.
"Please inform your Clan Head Fugaku that Hatake Shinichi is here to visit."
Shinichi smiled faintly.
"Hatake Shinichi!"
The moment he gave his name, every Uchiha present was stunned.
It could not be helped. Who in Konoha did not know that name now?
He had decisively defeated the Fourth Raikage single-handedly and saved Konoha from its crisis. A true hero of Konoha!
"Please wait a moment."
Shinichi's reputation really did carry weight now. The Uchiha who had initially looked hostile immediately softened his tone and said politely, "We'll send someone to notify the clan head right away!"
Soon, someone came specifically to receive Shinichi and escorted him all the way to Fugaku's home.
Like the Hyuga Clan's residence, it was built in a classic Japanese style. Uchiha Fugaku sat stiffly upright with a wooden expression, looking as though he had been waiting for quite some time.
"Please, sit."
Fugaku nodded slightly and gestured.
Shinichi dispensed with the formalities and sat down cross-legged.
That brought up just how inhumane the Japanese kneeling posture was. Shinichi could not be bothered to learn it, anyway. He was a devoted hedonist and would never suffer needlessly.
Seeing him sit so casually, Fugaku frowned slightly. He was displeased, but did not show it.
"Hatake Shinichi, what business do you have with me?"
Fugaku's expression was serious, his voice low.
He was speaking as the Uchiha Clan Head to the head of the Hatake Clan, after all. He could hardly abandon his dignity.
"Why so formal, Clan Head Fugaku?"
In contrast to Fugaku's utter seriousness, Shinichi remained as carefree as ever, wearing an amused smile. "I'm sure you've heard what I'm like. I really don't enjoy such a solemn atmosphere. Why don't we relax a little?"
"I am relaxed. Make yourself comfortable."
Fugaku's reply was cool.
This was his home. If he was not relaxed here, who would be?
Do you think everyone is as shameless as you, Hatake Shinichi, sitting in someone else's home as though it were your own?
"All right!"
Shinichi thought to himself that the Uchiha clan head really was every bit as stern and rigid as he had been in the original story.
That typical clan-head demeanor made him much like that old fellow Hiashi.
The thought left him feeling a little irritated.
"Clan Head Fugaku, let's speak plainly."
Shinichi could not be bothered to waste any more words. He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and said evenly, "You've already heard about my 'background' from Lord Hokage, haven't you? So I won't bother explaining certain things again. See for yourself!"
Sure enough, Fugaku's expression did not change when he actually saw Shinichi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Since Shinichi had openly used his Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities during his battle with the Fourth Raikage, he had never expected to keep them secret.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan."
Fugaku nodded and said solemnly, "The 'power of the gods' passed down through generations of the Uchiha Clan is indeed extraordinary. But since you and I are both members of the Uchiha Clan, why have you still not returned to acknowledge your kin?"
Fugaku had actually wanted to ask Shinichi that question in person for a long time.
The reason he had never taken the initiative to approach Shinichi was that he wanted to see exactly how Shinichi felt about the Uchiha Clan.
In Fugaku's eyes, someone who possessed Uchiha blood but felt no sense of belonging to the Uchiha Clan was not truly a member of it.
Clearly, Shinichi was just such a person.
Otherwise, he would not have continued using the Hatake surname all these years.
Had Shinichi known what Fugaku was thinking, he would definitely have complained that the man was overthinking things.
I don't have a damn thing to do with your Uchiha Clan! That whole story was just to fool the Third Hokage, you idiot!
"Because I'm a member of the Hatake Clan. Why would I return to the Uchiha Clan?"
Shinichi spoke as though it were obvious.
Fugaku was not surprised by that answer. He continued, "Then why have you come uninvited today and entered our Uchiha compound?"
Fugaku was very curious about what Shinichi had specifically come to see him for.
Was he acting on the Third Hokage's instructions?
Had the Konoha High Command finally decided to move against the Uchiha Clan?
At that thought, Fugaku's heart grew especially heavy.
"Do you even need to ask?"
Shinichi rolled his eyes and said irritably, "I'm about to become a squad leader in the Konoha Military Police Force, and you're my immediate superior. If I don't introduce myself beforehand, what happens if you take a dislike to me and make life difficult for me later?"
Shinichi suddenly realized just how difficult it was to communicate with someone this rigid.
What bad intentions could I, Hatake Washing Machine, possibly have?
"???"
Fugaku was utterly bewildered.
So you came all this way to visit me because you were afraid I'd make life difficult for you?
What kind of man do you take me, Uchiha Fugaku, for? Would I deliberately give you trouble over something so trivial?
Don't forget, you're Konoha's hero!
Even if I wanted to do that, I might not have the nerve!
Before you continue