Shisui returned to the Uchiha compound with countless thoughts weighing on his mind.
He still could not understand what kind of person Arashi truly was.
Everything Arashi had done today seemed to help the Uchiha, yet Shisui could not shake the feeling that it was not that simple.
Then there was Hiruzen-sama.
He had remained kind and approachable, yet something about him felt different from usual.
Shisui could not describe the strange feeling.
“Shisui, the clan head wants to see you.”
Before Shisui could return home, a clansman stopped him on the street.
“Understood.
I’ll go immediately.”
Shisui hurried toward Fugaku’s office.
Fugaku had already been waiting for quite some time, with Itachi standing beside him.
“Itachi and Tekka told me what happened in the street.”
Fugaku looked toward Shisui.
“Now tell me what happened after Arashi visited the Third Hokage.”
“Yes.”
Shisui nodded and recounted everything without holding anything back.
“I see…”
Fugaku closed his eyes and carefully processed the information.
Only after a long silence did he speak again.
“What do you think?”
“Advisor Kaeda certainly gained many benefits for our clan.”
Shisui answered honestly.
“But something about it still feels strange.”
“That is because he isn’t helping us out of simple kindness.”
Fugaku’s greater experience allowed him to answer Shisui’s doubts immediately.
“He is expanding his own influence.”
“The more benefits we receive, the more tightly we become bound to his ship.”
“Eventually, we’ll no longer be able to leave, because everyone will already consider the Uchiha part of Kaeda Arashi’s faction.”
“By then, no explanation will matter.”
Realization dawned on Shisui, and he could not help frowning.
Itachi’s expression also became slightly strange.
Neither of them liked Arashi’s methods, yet for some reason, they did not feel particularly opposed to them either.
“Then what should we do, Clan Head?”
After a long silence, Shisui finally asked.
“What else can we do?”
Fugaku spoke calmly.
“Since we’ve already boarded his ship, we must protect it and ensure it doesn’t sink.”
“But before that, I need you to do something.”
The scarlet color in his eyes expanded as his Sharingan activated.
“When Danzo comes to apologize to Arashi tomorrow, find an opportunity to look beneath his bandages.”
“As long as we confirm what lies there…”
Fugaku released a long sigh.
Even after confirming it, what could he do?
Could he openly turn against Danzo and begin a battle?
That was impossible.
Root possessed considerable power, and the Third Hokage would never allow such a conflict.
The only thing Fugaku could do was bind the Uchiha even more firmly to Arashi’s ship.
“Yes.
I understand.”
Shisui seemed to realize something as well and accepted the order with a grave expression.
…
Early the next morning, Arashi brought Shisui to the Hokage’s office and explained everything to Minato.
He stated that after receiving the Third Hokage’s guidance, he had decided to bury the conflict.
As long as Danzo apologized, Arashi would let the matter end there.
“Arashi, you…”
Minato wore a peculiar expression and was about to speak when the office door opened.
The Third Hokage entered with Danzo.
Danzo looked exactly as he always did.
He wore black robes, leaned on a cane, and had one eye concealed beneath bandages.
His face remained expressionless.
“Advisor Kaeda, this old man failed to discipline his subordinate properly.”
“As a result, he secretly slandered you.
I hope you can forgive the matter.”
His attitude hardly resembled an apology.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have assumed he had come to threaten Arashi.
Arashi responded with his usual narrow-eyed smile.
“You’re being too serious, Danzo-sama.”
“You’re already advanced in age, so it’s only natural that those beneath you might stop listening.”
“In the future, please take better care of yourself and worry about fewer matters.”
His sarcastic response instantly filled Danzo with fury.
Danzo’s expression did not change, but his grip tightened until faint cracks appeared along his cane.
The Third Hokage was clearly pleased by this outcome and stepped forward to smooth things over.
“That’s enough.
Both of you are important pillars of Konoha.”
“During my time as Hokage, Danzo provided me with great assistance.”
“Arashi is also one of Minato’s most important supporters.”
“From now on, let the past remain behind you and work together for the village’s future.”
“Certainly.”
Arashi continued smiling pleasantly.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
He needed to clash with Danzo in front of Hiruzen and convince him that cooperation between them was impossible.
That might sound difficult to understand.
After all, Arashi had previously slammed Hiruzen’s table and threatened to join forces with Danzo.
Why would he now do the opposite?
The answer could only be understood from Hiruzen’s perspective.
By using his reform plan to test Konoha’s leadership, Arashi had already confirmed that the village’s true ruler remained Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As a Kage who stood above countless shinobi, Hiruzen could tolerate scheming, greed, lust, arrogance, and disobedience among his subordinates.
At times, those flaws could even be considered advantages, since people with obvious weaknesses were easier to control.
Without that degree of tolerance, Hiruzen could never have remained Hokage for so long.
He even kept Danzo beside him despite the man repeatedly sending assassins after him.
What a ruler like Hiruzen could never tolerate was a subordinate who built factions, gathered allies, and developed ambitions toward the position that resembled imperial authority.
Unfortunately, that was precisely the image Arashi had displayed.
Therefore, he needed to distance himself from Danzo at the proper moment.
By openly opposing Danzo, he could show Hiruzen that the two of them would never cooperate.
As long as Arashi did not join forces with Danzo, it did not matter how deeply Minato trusted him.
Provided his influence remained beneath a certain limit, Hiruzen could ignore it.
He might even push Arashi forward to oppose Danzo, secretly favor one side when necessary, and weaken both while preserving a delicate balance.
This was the classic art of controlling one’s ministers, used by rulers throughout history.
Anyone hoping to survive among Konoha’s highest-ranking officials needed to understand that unwritten rule.
Just as the room appeared harmonious, an incredibly sharp killing intent suddenly erupted behind Arashi.
Shisui glared at Danzo’s bandages with his scarlet Sharingan.
Through his enhanced vision, the chakra flow beneath the cloth revealed the unmistakable outline of an eye.
A Sharingan.
No matter how composed or tolerant Shisui normally was, seeing the eye of one of his clansmen turning within an outsider’s face was unbearable.
Even a Buddha could be angered.
The moment Danzo saw Shisui’s expression, his visible eye narrowed.
His free hand quietly began forming a seal.
“Shisui!”
Arashi shouted sharply and seized his wrist.
“You stand before the Hokage.
Do not behave disrespectfully!”
His wording was deliberately ambiguous.
He never specified whether he meant the Third or Fourth Hokage.
Even so, it helped Shisui regain some control.
He lowered his head unwillingly.
His fingers trembled as the tomoe in his Sharingan spun violently before gradually slowing.
“Danzo.”
The Third Hokage gave a timely grunt.
Danzo stopped forming the seal and lowered his hand.
In the end, Minato released a sigh.
“This matter ends here.”
“Danzo-sama, please leave with Hiruzen-sama.”
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
Hiruzen nodded and exchanged a glance with Danzo.
The two turned and departed.
“I’ll take Shisui back first—”
Arashi attempted to withdraw, but Minato stopped him.
“No.
We’re going to make everything clear right here.”
Minato wore an unprecedentedly serious expression.
His voice carried authority.
This was an order from the Fourth Hokage, not a request from Arashi’s friend, Namikaze Minato.
Arashi froze for two seconds before giving a bitter smile.
“What else is there to explain?”
“You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you, Minato?”
Minato’s expression was grave.
“Beneath Danzo-sama’s bandages is a Sharingan.”
“Yes.”
Shisui barely prevented his voice from choking.
He was only a teenager.
Even after experiencing war, death, and separation, he had never imagined that the knife would come from behind—from someone he had believed was a comrade.
Were they not all supposed to believe in the Will of Fire and risk their lives protecting one another?
Minato’s expression also darkened.
“This matter—”
“We will give you an explanation.”
Arashi interrupted him with a serious expression.
“Danzo and Orochimaru will both pay for what they’ve done.”
“But not now.”
“The time is not yet right.
Acting now would only cause internal conflict and allow our enemies to take advantage of the village.”
Arashi could not help mocking his own hypocrisy.
Just yesterday, he had told Hiruzen that he would never accept such an excuse.
Now he was using those same words to lecture Shisui.
“I…”
Shisui clenched his fists in anger.
“I understand.”
“All right.
I’ll take you home.”
Arashi pulled the shaken Shisui toward the door.
“Your guard duty ends here for today.”
Shisui followed almost unconsciously.
Just before they left, Minato’s voice came from behind them.
“Arashi, when you return, we need to talk.”
“A serious talk.”
Arashi did not turn around.
He simply opened the door and left behind a single word.
“Fine.”
…