Police Force Headquarters, Minister's Office.
Uchiha Kai had only just returned and sat down when Fugaku hurried in, his brow furrowed, worry written across his face.
The moment he saw Kai, he couldn't hold back.
"Kai-kun, something's wrong!
The Hokage's behavior this time—it's too unusual. He shouldn't have reacted like that, shouldn't have just admitted defeat so easily!
I've dealt with him for years, I know his personality well enough.
There must be a scheme behind this. But for the life of me, I can't figure out what counterattack he's planning."
Fugaku's expression was clouded with worry.
After all, this concerned both the clan and the village—if they misstepped, the impact on the Uchiha would be devastating.
So even though he hadn't shown his face at the meeting, he'd been watching closely. And the instant he heard what had happened, he rushed here at once.
Kai, however, looked utterly calm. He hadn't expected Fugaku to appear, but neither was he surprised.
The clan head had supported him thus far, but only because there was no other option—and because Kai's words had given him a sliver of hope for breaking the deadlock.
So Fugaku had gambled.
Now, sensing something amiss, he couldn't sit still.
"Clan Head, don't panic," Kai said lightly, smiling. "When great matters arise, one must remain calm. The bigger the problem, the steadier the hand must be."
"Panic solves nothing. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer we must appear. So—don't rush. Sit. Have some tea."
He poured two cups, raised his in a casual toast, and began to sip.
Fugaku was still restless, but something about Kai's tone made sense.
He drew a long breath, sat down, and drank.
The rich fragrance of the tea calmed him. With a cup warm in his belly, his mind did feel clearer, steadier.
Only then did he press on.
"Kai-kun, do you have any idea what he's planning? What exactly is Sarutobi Hiruzen after?"
Even with his nerves settled, he couldn't let it go. If he didn't get an answer tonight, he doubted he'd sleep.
Kai gave a long, quiet sigh.
"No idea. Can't figure it out either. It's baffling."
Pffft!
Fugaku spat his tea all over the desk, eyes going wide.
What?
Kai had been sitting here so calm, so composed, Fugaku thought he already had the whole board mapped out. But now he was saying he didn't know either?
Damn it all.
He nearly choked himself to death.
When he finally stopped coughing, he glared at Kai in exasperation.
"Kai-kun, you—"
"Clan Head, you're still too impatient," Kai interrupted gently. "I told you before, this isn't something you can rush. Why won't you listen?"
"When faced with great events, the first step is to calm yourself."
He spoke earnestly, almost like an elder lecturing a junior. But Kai wasn't doing it to mock him—he was right.
As the leader of a clan, Fugaku had to project steadiness.
If he lost composure at the first sign of trouble, how could the rest of the clan possibly hold together?
If the Hokage hadn't even made his move yet and Fugaku was already trembling, what would that make the Uchiha look like?
Kai could only sigh. Fugaku's character wasn't bad, but his ability as a leader was lacking.
"Clan Head, this won't do. You're the head of the Uchiha, the highest authority of the clan. Others may panic, but you cannot."
"Even if death looms the next moment, you must appear steady as a mountain. Only then will those beneath you remain firm."
"If Hiruzen saw you like this, he'd laugh himself to death."
"So change. Even if you're panicking inside, don't ever show it."
Fugaku's mouth twitched.
Being lectured by someone so much younger… It was awkward.
But he couldn't deny Kai was right. That made it all the more painful.
"I… I understand. I'll change," he said at last. "But let's get back to the matter at hand. The Hokage's behavior is suspicious. What do you think he's really planning?"
Kai could only give a helpless smile.
"Truly, Clan Head, there's no need to fret. I may not know his exact move, but I do know this much: we're still at war."
"As long as the battles with the three great villages continue, no matter how much Sarutobi hates us, he won't dare touch the Uchiha. The logic is simple."
"If he strikes us while we're fighting outside enemies, Konoha may crush us in the end—but it will be too broken to stand against the other villages. Even Hidden Blood Mist Village, who signed peace, would likely break the treaty and pounce."
"Is Sarutobi Hiruzen that foolish? Would he really overlook something this obvious?"
"So put your heart at ease. He won't dare touch us. At worst, he'll smear us, try to divide us from within, whisper rumors among the villagers. Little tricks. We can counter them as they come."
"What we must do is remain steady. The clan must stay calm. Don't let the village disrupt our rhythm.
If the enemy does not move, we do not move.
Never let ourselves collapse before the real battle begins. In this contest, patience is everything. Whoever breaks first—dies."
Kai spoke with patient persistence, hammering the point home until even Fugaku's panic subsided.
But then—Kai's eyes sharpened.
Patience. Endurance. A battle of will.
Suddenly, he realized.
Perhaps that was Hiruzen's strategy.
He fell silent, mind racing, piecing together the hints.
Fugaku didn't notice. For him, Kai's words were already revolutionary.
His entire life, the clan's teachings had been simple: grow strong, awaken the Mangekyo, restore the clan's glory, defeat all enemies, and become Hokage.
Strategy? Human nature? These were things the clan never taught.
But Kai was opening a new world to him.
He almost felt like a student before his teacher. And he was learning.
"You're right, Kai. I see my error. I'll strive to be a worthy clan head.
You're right—the Hokage won't dare move against us during the war. So we should walk our own path, at our own pace.
Thank you, Kai-kun. You've done so much for the clan."
Kai only smiled faintly. "Good. No need to rush. This is still a world where strength rules. Strategy needs power behind it. As long as the Uchiha don't make fundamental mistakes, killing us won't be easy.
Do what you must. Keep the clan steady. As for the village—we'll watch. But…"
His voice softened, his smile turning sly.
"After talking with you, I think I've grasped why Hiruzen chose to yield so quickly."
Fugaku leaned in eagerly.
"Oh? Please, Kai-kun, tell me."
"Simple," Kai said. "This is a battle of endurance. He knows it. Winning or losing one skirmish doesn't matter. What matters is time. The longer he stays mired in this dispute, the worse for him."
"Even if he won, his reputation would rot—because he starved the Police Force of funds, and that can't be denied. So he chose to abandon the match entirely. Admit a mistake, cut the losses, clean his hands. Then start the next game—on his own terms."
"He surrenders a piece to preserve the board. That way, his image is spotless again, and in the future we can't use this against him. Clever old fox."
Kai's eyes gleamed with grudging respect.
"Most people can't bring themselves to sacrifice like that. But Hiruzen did. It cost him some money, but he gained far more. Worth it."
Fugaku shivered.
Even in something so small, they can twist it into a weapon… No wonder we've always lost.
He sighed.
"It's exhausting. Why must it be so complicated? But fine—I admit I'm not cut out for this. Kai-kun, I'll leave these matters to you. What matters now is—what should we do next? Just tell me, and I'll make it happen."
Kai's mouth twitched. Fugaku's blind trust was… both frustrating and convenient.
But he couldn't deny it—this worked.
Still, he couldn't let the Uchiha fall. And he couldn't let the Hokage's faction rest easily.
If the village leaders were idle, they would turn their minds to destroying the clan.
Defense was not his style.
This time—he would attack first.
He thought for a long while. Then his lips curved.
"First—our foundation. Internal unity. We must ensure the clan is of one heart. Even if some won't join us, at least they mustn't oppose us."
"Second—we spread word. The Police Force will announce that, since the village has changed greatly since its founding, the laws must be revised to better serve the people and improve the village."
"And we will open the process to all villagers. Anyone can submit suggestions. We'll review them all and publish a new legal code later."
"It will be a massive undertaking. I'll draft the declaration. Tekka can release it. Clan Head, just keep the clan steady—that will be more than enough."
"Leave the rest… to me."
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