Jiraiya's restless heart finally found a long-lost peace when he saw the two sleeping babies. As a master, he was so clumsy that he was afraid of waking up the children even when he held them. He could only stand aside and watch Uchiha Mikoto tuck Naruto into the quilt with skillful movements, and his eyes were full of a loss that is rare for men of this age group.
Taking advantage of this gap, Senju Chen and Uchiha Fugaku exchanged a look, and the two exited the baby room in tacit agreement and came to the study room outside.
The door was gently closed, cutting off the warmth in the baby room, and the atmosphere instantly became solemn.
"Chen-kun." Uchiha Fugaku was the first to speak, and he bowed deeply to Senju Chen, "That night, if it weren't for your advance warning and careful deployment, I, Uchiha Clan, would have been unable to defend myself and become a sinner of the village. This kindness, Fugaku, will never be forgotten."
In his tone, there was a feeling of joy for surviving the disaster and gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
That night, Uchiha Clan's performance was perfect. Not only did they control the situation immediately and protect the villagers to the maximum extent, but under the secret guidance of Senju Chen, they accurately eliminated dozens of Root dead soldiers who were lurking in the village and intended to take advantage of the chaos to commit crimes.
Later, when the bodies of these Root members were discovered and linked to the crimes of Shimura Danzō, the image of the Uchiha Clan in the hearts of the villagers instantly rose from an "arrogant law enforcer" to the height of an "unsung hero who sees into the darkness and protects Konoha."
Now when walking on the street, what the tribesmen receive is no longer looks of fear and rejection, but real respect and gratitude. This kind of change is something Fugaku never dared to dream of.
"Clan Head Fugaku is serious, we are allies." Senju Chen waved his hand, motioning for him to sit down, and poured tea for the two of them in a familiar manner, "I just did what I thought was right. After all, protecting Konoha is our common responsibility."
Fugaku sat down and picked up the teacup, but did not drink it. He rubbed the warm side of the cup, and the joy and gratitude on his face were gradually replaced by a heavy worry.
"Chen-kun, having said that... but the recent situation makes me a little uneasy."
"Oh?" Senju Chen raised his eyebrows and waited for the next words.
"After Lord Third regained the position of Acting Hokage," Fugaku's voice lowered a bit, with a hint of unwillingness and confusion, "I can clearly feel that the attitude of the senior management towards us Uchiha Clan is undergoing subtle changes."
"Nine-Tails' Attack's post-war summary meeting, as the top officer of Konoha Military Police Force, I should have participated in the whole process, but Lord Third did not let me participate on the grounds that 'Konoha Military Police Force had a heavy task and should not be distracted'. Afterwards, I only learned about the core issues such as village reconstruction and defense handover from announcements after the fact."
"Also, the detailed report we submitted on that night's operation recorded the achievements of each tribesman in rescuing the villagers and eliminating the rebels. I wanted to take credit for them. But after handing in the report, it was like a stone sinking into the sea. Lord Third only verbally praised a few words, but nothing more happened."
Fugaku's fists were clenched unconsciously on his knees, and his knuckles were slightly white from the exertion.
"I feel that he is deliberately downplaying my Uchiha Clan's contribution and marginalizing us! Chen-kun, I'm worried that... the reputation we have worked so hard to earn will be worn away bit by bit by them using this soft knife. If things go on like this, the blueprint we originally envisioned... I'm afraid..."
He didn't say any more, but the anxiety in his eyes said it all.
The grand blueprint drawn for him by Senju Chen to make Uchiha Clan a "world policeman" is based on the Uchiha Clan's continuous accumulation of reputation and expansion of power.
But now, Acting Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi is quietly building invisible walls for their way forward.
What makes him even more confused is the future.
"Furthermore, Chen-kun... you proposed that Princess Tsunade take over as Fifth Hokage. Naturally, I fully support it. But...Princess Tsunade is you after all. Sister. If she takes office, will her philosophy and her governance policy... will she still support us in continuing to expand the authority of Konoha Military Police Force? In her eyes, will that 'grand' plan seem too... extraordinary?"
This was the deepest worry in his heart.
Minato Namikaze is an idealist and will put shackles on Uchiha.
Orochimaru is a pragmatist and will regard Uchiha as the sharpest knife.
What about Tsunade?
She is Senju Tatsu's sister, but she is also the grandniece of the Second Hokage. Everyone knows that the Uchiha clan has been reduced from being a powerful clan in the ninja world to being ostracized and marginalized by the village over the years. This is all because the second generation was too guarded against the Uchiha clan.
Then Tsunade, as the grandniece of Second, will her will really be completely consistent with Senju Chen?
Uchiha Clan, who just climbed out of a quagmire, Fugaku never wants to step into another unfathomable Uzumaki.
After listening to Fugaku's confession, there was no surprise on Senju Chen's face. He took a sip of tea slowly and then slowly put down the teacup with a soft sound.
"Clan Head Fugaku, the fact that you can see this level shows that you truly have the vision of a superior person."
He first gave affirmation, which made Fugaku's anxious mood calm down a little.
"You think Lord Third is suppressing you, yes, he is suppressing you." Senju Chen's tone was terrifyingly calm, "But have you ever thought about why he would do this?"
"Because... our contribution is too great?" Fugaku asked tentatively.
"No." Senju Chen shook his head, with a meaningful arc on his lips, "It's because our plan was so successful."
"Uncle Fugaku, you should look at the problem from a different angle now. Lord Third's suppression just proves that the path we are taking is completely correct! The reason why he wants to suppress you is not because you have done anything wrong, but because you have done so well that he feels threatened!"
These words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting the fog in Fugaku's mind.
Yes!
I only saw the frustration of being suppressed, but ignored the meaning behind it!
It is precisely because Uchiha Clan's reputation among the people has gradually increased, and it is precisely because Konoha Military Police Force's performance that night was beyond reproach that Hiruzen Sarutobi cannot make any accusations and punishments on the surface, and can only use this unflattering political method to marginalize!
This in itself is a victory!