To be fair, as long as it did not involve the Uchiha Clan, Shisui's judgment and social awareness were beyond reproach. Throughout the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi simply listened, never interrupting, calmly drawing on his pipe and releasing smoke like a stone statue.
When Shisui Uchiha finished his concise report, the office was filled with thick silence and smoke.
"Mm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the pipe from his mouth, his calm tone surprising Shisui. He smiled and said, "Yunchuan has already reported these matters to me in detail."
"The details of the mission, including him using Genjutsu on you and Itachi, and why he personally retrieved that Byakugan. He explained all of it."
His tone was as plain as if he were commenting on the weather, yet Shisui Uchiha abruptly raised his head in shock. Yunchuan Hyuga had confessed everything, even the matter of taking the Byakugan, and the Third Hokage showed no displeasure at all.
"I was aware of what he did, and I know about his Genjutsu ability. I was the one who told him to keep it secret, for strategic reasons."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked even more relaxed, smiling at the stunned Shisui. "I just did not expect you to break through his Genjutsu. That is impressive."
"…"
The office fell into silence again, broken only by the faint crackle of burning tobacco. Shisui Uchiha felt his thoughts in chaos, as Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction was stranger than any scenario he had imagined.
The higher-ups knowing about Yunchuan Hyuga's ability and keeping it secret for strategy was one thing. But why was the Third Hokage indifferent to Yunchuan taking the Byakugan?
This was simply because Shisui Uchiha did not understand those in power or politics. Yunchuan Hyuga had indeed told Hiruzen Sarutobi everything that Shisui considered important.
Yunchuan understood clearly that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Hyuga Clan did not stand on the same side in certain matters. The Hyuga Clan would be angered by him taking and hiding the Byakugan, but Hiruzen Sarutobi would be pleased by his honesty.
This meant Yunchuan Hyuga had placed himself fully opposite the Hyuga Clan and had handed a "fatal" handle to Hiruzen Sarutobi. At least in Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, if Yunchuan Hyuga ever betrayed him and turned to the Hyuga Clan, he could reveal this to the Hyuga Main Family, and Yunchuan Hyuga would surely be executed for hiding the Byakugan, which crossed their bottom line.
That was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had let Yunchuan Hyuga join the operation against Wujie Kohinata, to see whether he would choose the village or the clan at a critical moment. The answer Yunchuan Hyuga gave was even more satisfying than expected.
A handle that could be lethal, a perfect pledge of loyalty. There was nothing that reassured a ruler more.
As for what Yunchuan Hyuga planned to do with the Byakugan, Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed he simply did not want to remain a "Caged Bird" and wished to try breaking free of the Hyuga Main Family's control. Hiruzen Sarutobi did not care whether he succeeded, since both he and the Hyuga Main Family now held Yunchuan Hyuga's life in their hands.
And there was more.
"Wujie Kohinata's wife and child?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi drew on his pipe, smoke hiding the depth in his eyes. He thought to himself that it was good for someone to have desires.
Those in power did not fear subordinates who wanted something. They feared those who wanted nothing at all. After explaining everything, Yunchuan Hyuga had also made a request.
If an investigation confirmed that Wujie's wife and his young, sick child knew nothing of his betrayal, he hoped the Third Hokage would allow him to secretly look after them until the child recovered and grew up. With that, there was nothing left to worry about.
A man with no parents, no spouse, no children had no restraints. Now Yunchuan Hyuga had something to protect, and Hiruzen Sarutobi felt no remaining doubt, ready to use and cultivate him with confidence.
Clearly, Yunchuan Hyuga had acted first, closing off any chance for Shisui to raise suspicion with the Third Hokage. By showing weakness, he turned every disadvantage into an advantage.
These were methods beyond Shisui Uchiha's imagination. He would never have guessed that, without realizing it, he had added credibility to Yunchuan Hyuga's words and ended up helping him.
"Shisui."
Hiruzen Sarutobi broke the long silence and looked him in the eye, his tone serious. "I hope that you can keep this matter secret and tell no one."
"Neither about Yunchuan Hyuga taking the Byakugan, nor about his extremely strong Genjutsu ability."
Shisui Uchiha's chaotic thoughts were cut off. He showed an awkward, bitter smile. "Ahem, Third Hokage, I already told Itachi."
"Then tell Itachi not to let anyone else know," Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly.
"…Yes, I understand."
Shisui's heart was still in turmoil, but he did not dare say more. He lowered his head and responded.
After a brief silence, Shisui Uchiha looked up again. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then hesitated.
"What is it, Shisui?" Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, a guess forming as he smiled gently. "If there is something else, speak freely."
"Third Hokage."
Shisui Uchiha pressed his dry lips together, his voice uneasy. "Within the Uchiha Clan, the voices of the radicals are growing louder, and dissatisfaction with the village is boiling."
He paused, then spoke with great care. "Since Yunchuan Hyuga has such powerful Genjutsu abilities, could we consider asking for his help?"
"If his Genjutsu were used to create dreams and guide Clan Head Fugaku Uchiha and the others, perhaps this storm could be resolved without anyone noticing."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment. Looking at the anxiety in those dark eyes, understanding crossed his mind.
This was desperation. He could see that Shisui truly wanted to resolve the conflict between the village and the clan, but this approach was flawed.
"Every time I see you, I think of my old friend Uchiha Kagami. You are among the few in the Uchiha Clan who can think from the village's perspective."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, then slowly shook his head. "This method might press down the lid on a boiling pot for a while, but it cannot put out the fire underneath."
"This is not the correct solution. It is only avoidance and deception."
"Lies and Genjutsu will eventually be exposed, and in the end they will only give rise to deeper hatred and disaster."
Avoidance. Deception.
These words made Shisui's body tremble slightly, his breathing growing quick.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued speaking, his voice tired yet clear. He said that the problem of the Uchiha Clan weighed heavily on his mind, piled on top of mutual suspicion from both sides. He reminded Shisui that he had promised to seek channels of communication and solutions both sides could accept.
"You should also understand that your joining together with Itachi was my compromise toward them," he said, then paused and did not finish the sentence. Shisui understood the unspoken words in his heart, that the resentment and dissatisfaction of the Uchiha Clan had not eased at all. Some short-sighted people even treated the two of them as tools to probe the upper levels.
"I can also promise you now that as long as there is even a shred of hope, I will not give up," Hiruzen Sarutobi went on calmly. He warned that using Genjutsu to force down a boiling pot would only lead to a bigger explosion in the end. His voice stayed steady, but the meaning struck deeply.