Uchiha Fugaku motioned for Shisui to sit down. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke:
"Shisui, do you know why I summoned you back so urgently?"
"Please enlighten me, Clan Head," Shisui said respectfully.
"The situation is far from encouraging."
Uchiha Fugaku sighed. "Although the Fourth Hokage successfully took office, we were still too optimistic before."
"Lord Third... Hiruzen Sarutobi has not truly relinquished power. He still keeps a firm grip on core departments such as the ANBU, the Sealing Squad, and the Barrier Team."
"The forces the Fourth Hokage can command directly are quite limited."
Shisui frowned slightly. Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi's desire to control power was too strong.
Although he was old, as the Shinobi Hero, he remained physically robust. It was entirely possible for him to hold power for another ten years.
He could well be called Konoha's "retired emperor."
"How could this happen? The Fourth Hokage is the rightful Hokage."
"Being the rightful Hokage doesn't mean he can control everything."
A hint of mockery entered Uchiha Fugaku's voice. "Hiruzen Sarutobi has spent years running Konoha and has deep roots. With the support of the Two Elder Advisors as well, the Fourth Hokage, who comes from a civilian background, faces obstacle after obstacle in trying to truly govern in his own right."
"I'm sure you're aware of the situation within the clan."
"Many clansmen have grown impatient. They believe our investment in supporting Minato Namikaze's rise to office has failed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's suppression of the Uchiha will not change."
"Radical voices... have begun to emerge again."
Shisui inwardly tensed. Naturally, he understood what "radical voices" referred to-a coup d'état.
It was the most dangerous choice, and the last resort.
"Clan Head, what do you mean?" Shisui asked cautiously.
"I still oppose taking that step now."
"It