What now?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's head pounded.
If today's mess wasn't explained clearly, then forget just the Uchiha—every ninja clan in Konoha would join forces to get rid of him.
Yes.
For all clans, there was one iron law: the village does not meddle in clan affairs.
If even that couldn't be upheld, how could the clans possibly endure?
So this matter had to be clarified.
Otherwise, it wouldn't just be an Uchiha issue, but the business of every clan in the village.
At that thought, he wanted to curse aloud.
What a damn mess!
When Shisui came to see him last night, he'd only intended to say a few perfunctory words.
But who would've thought—
Shisui not only took it seriously, he acted immediately.
With no preparation at all, Hiruzen now found himself stuck.
But… he had no choice.
On reflection, the blame did lie partly with him.
Didn't he, the Hokage, know what kind of people the Uchiha were?
Brains?
Aside from Kai, did any Uchiha truly have them?
Sigh…
With a weary breath, his mind whirred frantically.
The matter was already public—he had to find a way through.
After a long, tortured pause, he finally spoke.
"First of all—I admit it.
Yes, Shisui came to me last night, saying he could not accept Kai's philosophy.
Shisui carries the Will of Fire in his heart.
As Hokage, of course I hope for more Uchiha like him.
So naturally, I supported him.
When he said he wished to spread the Will of Fire within his clan, how could I, the Hokage, not agree?"
"But that's all it was.
I support Shisui's devotion to the Will of Fire—
I never told him to seize power within his clan!"
"And let me reiterate:
the village will not interfere in clan affairs.
That will never change.
All of you may rest easy!"
Hiruzen's tone was grave.
And credit where it was due—he still had some skill.
Though Kai had backed him into a corner, Hiruzen managed to wriggle out, redirecting the issue.
He spoke in a way that neither hurt Shisui's feelings, nor compromised his own stance.
In short:
He shifted the topic.
He framed Shisui's defection not as rebellion, but as loyalty to the Will of Fire.
And in Konoha, nothing could be more correct.
Who dared deny the Will of Fire?
Thus, with one clever turn, he separated himself from clan interference while keeping Shisui's value intact.
The other clans all breathed a sigh of relief.
Good—
Hiruzen had explained himself.
Otherwise, today might have spiraled into disaster.
But now, all eyes turned to Uchiha Kai.
Yes.
If Hiruzen was cleared, then what Kai said next would decide everything.
"Oh, I see…" Kai said softly.
"If it was just a misunderstanding, then let's leave it at that.
But by the same logic, this entire affair was an internal Uchiha problem.
And since the battle took place outside the Forest of Death, on Uchiha private land, I won't be explaining further."
"Of course—Shisui!"
"Out of respect for our past, I'll overlook today.
But clearly, you and your faction reject my leadership.
Too bad—"
"—the vast majority of our kin do follow my command."
"I don't want further bloodshed.
So if you refuse my authority, then leave the Uchiha compound.
This is my final mercy.
Since we're at odds, better we part completely.
What I won't allow is for you to keep stirring trouble inside the clan."
"Clan Head—no objections, right?"
Kai's words cut cleanly.
With so many witnesses, it was the perfect chance to nail down the outcome.
As for Hiruzen?
Kai couldn't care less about more back-and-forth.
Besides—did Hiruzen really think a few smooth words could wash away the mud he'd just been splashed with?
None of the clan leaders here were fools.
The more important thing was to shove Shisui and his people out—
let them become the Sarutobi clan's headache instead.
Fugaku, of course, wasn't stupid either.
Seeing it was his turn, he stepped forward decisively.
"Uchiha Kai acts with my full authority.
And the majority of Uchiha acknowledge and support him.
So, Shisui—
as clan head, I declare this:
Since our ideologies are irreconcilable, we will divide into two families.
The pride of the Uchiha scorns underhanded methods.
If we cannot agree, then I will grant you freedom instead.
From this day on—we are no longer bound!"
With both Kai and Fugaku speaking in unison, the matter was settled.
The surrounding Uchiha, led by Tekka, withdrew their blockade.
Kai stepped forward, lifting Shisui's fallen comrade's body with solemn care.
He handed it over.
"Congratulations, Shisui.
From today, you are the clan head of the Uchiha branch family.
Setsuna died for you all—take him home, give him a proper burial."
"Clan Head Shisui, leave now.
Since we've divided, staying here would be inappropriate.
I'll grant you half a day to move your people."
Having said his piece, Kai turned to the gathered clan leaders and Hiruzen with a polite farewell.
Claiming other matters awaited, he departed.
Fugaku, Tekka, and the others naturally followed.
Aside from a few guards left to watch the "outsiders," the majority of Uchiha dispersed.
In moments, Setsuna's manor was desolate.
Only the corpses and bloodstains remained to remind them of the brutal clash that had taken place here.
"Lord Hokage, I have matters at home…"
"I also have things to attend to, so I'll be leaving now…"
"Lord Hokage…"
One by one, the other clans excused themselves.
Yes—
With the situation resolved, there was no reason to linger.
But before leaving, many cast strange looks toward both Hiruzen and Shisui.
Because this was all too bizarre.
The sudden battle.
The sudden split.
In Konoha's history, this was unheard of.
Aside from the Hyuga with their branch family system, no clan had ever formally divided.
The Uchiha had set a precedent.
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