Uchiha Kai sat with a grave expression.
Yes.
The Uchiha name already had a terrible reputation throughout Konoha.
So if they wanted to draw more clans into their fold, then those who had already joined needed to feel the warmth and reliability of the Uchiha's protection.
They had to know the Uchiha would take responsibility.
Only by proving that following the Uchiha led to a brighter future could their banner grow stronger and more attractive.
"Alright, I'll go spread the word.
With Kai-kun handling matters this way, our alliance can finally stabilize.
That puts my heart at ease!"
Aburame Shibi let out a long sigh of relief.
Yes.
Before Kai had returned, he hadn't even dared to negotiate with other clans.
The reason was simple: Uchiha Fugaku, their so-called clan head, just couldn't shoulder responsibility.
Always hesitant, always wavering.
With a leader like that, who would dare to bet their future on the Uchiha?
Fortunately—Kai had returned!
He was the true backbone of not just the Uchiha, but their entire alliance.
Fugaku: "…"
He looked awkward.
Shibi's tone all but said outright that he wasn't fit to lead.
But truly, what could he do?
Even with Kai explaining and guiding him, he still couldn't see the bigger picture.
The future looked like fog to him.
And when you couldn't see the road ahead, how could you dare make decisive choices?
At last—sigh.
Fugaku gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile.
He was starting to realize… maybe he really wasn't a qualified clan head.
"Clan Head Aburame, rest assured." Kai smiled faintly.
"Since you've chosen to stand with the Uchiha, I will not let you down.
Oh, and there's one more thing you need to know—"
But before he could finish, there came a knock at the door.
Kai paused.
Fugaku frowned slightly, rose, and opened it.
The moment he saw who stood outside, he froze.
"Shisui?" Fugaku blurted, stunned.
Shisui smiled warmly:
"Clan Head, I'm here for Kai-kun."
Across the room, Kai too was startled at the sight.
Wasn't Shisui supposed to still be at the frontlines?
Even so, he quickly waved off Fugaku's concern:
"It's fine, Clan Head.
Shisui is one of us.
Let him in—what I was about to say involves him as well."
Relieved, Fugaku nodded.
Truthfully, he had always felt conflicted about Shisui.
Yes, he wanted to recruit such a prodigious clan member.
But given Shisui's grandfather Kagami's history, and Shisui's own open embrace of the "Will of Fire," Fugaku often felt at a loss for how to handle him.
Especially with all the recent changes—he had worried that if Shisui saw them, he might outright oppose them.
Yet to his surprise, before he had even worked out a strategy, Kai had casually revealed that Shisui was actually with them.
What? How did that make sense?
Fugaku shook his head again, sighing.
He truly was unfit to be clan head.
Meanwhile, Shisui had already seated himself beside Kai.
Kai personally poured him a cup of tea, then asked curiously:
"Shisui, why are you back?
Weren't you stationed at the frontlines?
And how did you even return?
I only got back because Minato gave me a lift with Flying Thunder God.
But you don't know that technique."
"I ran the whole way using Body Flicker Jutsu." Shisui gave a helpless smile.
"After you left, Kazama came to me.
He said it wouldn't be fitting if only you returned.
Since I intended to 'defect' to the Hokage, I couldn't appear leisurely at ease.
If I did, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never trust me.
Coming back dusty and exhausted fit the persona better.
After all, since you've returned, it would make no sense for me to know nothing of the Uchiha's and the village's current state.
If I just sat comfortably at the frontlines, Sarutobi would never believe I was truly loyal.
So I asked Nara Shikaku for leave, then pushed myself the entire way with Body Flicker Jutsu.
I just came back from the Hokage's office, actually.
Honestly—even though Sarutobi said he supported me, I don't feel at ease.
It didn't seem like he really believed me.
So here I am, straight to you."
Shisui shrugged tiredly.
He was worn out—utterly so.
Yes, Body Flicker Jutsu was fast, but from the Land of Fire's border to Konoha was a tremendous distance.
No one knew what toll it had taken on him.
He gulped down several cups of water in a row before slumping in his seat.
Kai, however, silently admitted that Kazama's thinking had been correct.
He himself had been a bit too simplistic.
Though he longed to ask what Shisui and Hiruzen had spoken of, he held back.
Instead, he turned to Fugaku and Shibi and outlined his strategy.
Both men gasped sharply.
Since the moment Shisui had walked in, they had been confused beyond belief.
What was going on?
Shisui, supposedly pledging loyalty to the Hokage, coming here to report to Kai?
Now it was clear.
This was a ruse!
Feigning loyalty to Hiruzen, while Kai and Shisui staged a double act!
And Kai's true plan—
to lull the village into lowering its guard, while secretly building strength and siphoning resources from the Hokage himself—
Good heavens.
The two could only sigh, shaking their heads in disbelief.
Kai concluded gravely:
"That's the outline.
You two take your time to digest it.
For now, I need to question Shisui in detail.
Shisui—tell me everything.
Word for word, recount your entire meeting with Hiruzen.
I need to analyze it carefully."
Shisui nodded.
Though exhaustion weighed heavy, he downed another cup of tea, forced himself upright, and grew solemn.
Then he began to recount every word of his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He knew well—planning was not his strength.
His role was to carry out orders faithfully.
The thinking could be left to the true strategists.
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