"No, Shisui-nii, this has always been my own idea. It has nothing to do with the Sharingan."
It could only be said that, in terms of personal cognition, Itachi was inherently more extreme than Shisui.
Makoto said, "I already heard you two talking about this before. So, what—are there people within the Uchiha clan who are dissatisfied with the current situation?"
Shisui replied, "There is indeed a group."
"Is it a lot? Who are the main ones?"
"Not many. Most of the clan are still willing to follow the clan head and agree with the Fourth Hokage's policies. Only a small faction led by Sōsuke-senpai has openly expressed opposition."
Makoto immediately recalled the person in question. "Uchiha Sōsuke, huh? I remember fighting alongside him on the Kirigakure battlefield. Didn't expect him to be such a hardline hawk."
Shisui said, "A hawk faction? That's actually a very fitting way to put it, Makoto. Sōsuke-senpai belongs to the lineage of Elder Uchiha Setsuna. He probably inherited his ideology."
"And your squad members?"
"Yashiro-sensei would count as a hawk as well. He's fairly close to Sōsuke-senpai. The two of us have always been trying to persuade each other."
"As for Inabi and Tekka, they've been more influenced by me. For now, they support the clan head. In fact, among the younger generation, after being reassured by both me and the clan head, most of them aren't hawks."
Makoto said, "I see. Actually, within Konoha, the ones most wary of the Uchiha clan are those who inherited the ideology of the Second Hokage. But the most hardline among them—The Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō—have already stepped down."
"Now it's the era of Minato-senpai. He's gradually removing the Uchiha from the Military Police Force and accelerating their integration with the village. What, is that still not enough to satisfy the hawks?"
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "That's exactly where the problem lies. They believe that the Uchiha and the Senju founded Konoha together, so the village owes the Uchiha a Hokage position. Forget Hokage—even the advisory positions are gone now."
"As for integrating with the village, they think it's a conspiracy. They believe it will lead the Uchiha down the same path as the Senju—slowly disappearing within Konoha."
"Hokage? At this rate, it's entirely possible that an Uchiha will become Hokage in the future. Honestly, Shisui, I think you'd be a good candidate."
"As for some conspiracy? That's ridiculous. The Senju bloodline doesn't have any obvious traits, and Wood Release was only possessed by the First Hokage alone. But the Uchiha are different. Even if a woman marries out, as long as her child awakens the Sharingan, they naturally belong to the Uchiha."
"Izumi's mother married out, didn't she? But once Izumi awakened the Sharingan, she returned to the clan. As long as the bloodline exists, the Uchiha won't disappear. What is there to worry about?"
Shisui shook his head. "The estrangement between our clan and the village has lasted too long and runs too deep. They won't believe it. And they're unwilling to wait indefinitely without hope."
Makoto understood. "Truly foolish and dangerous thinking. It seems what they want isn't Konoha's Uchiha—but an Uchiha Konoha."
Itachi suddenly spoke, "So, what's wrong with my idea? Wouldn't it be simpler if they just disappeared?"
Shisui said, "Itachi… why do you always come up with such dangerous ideas?"
"Then what should we do? Shisui-nii, do you have a better solution? And you, Makoto-senpai—do you?"
Makoto said, "There's no need for any special method. Just keep following the current course. Time is on our side—those stubborn members of the older generation will eventually be taken away by it."
"Besides, unless it's absolutely necessary, I have no intention of raising my blade against Konoha's comrades—even if they're dissenters within your Uchiha clan."
"Just like I said before, conflict itself isn't something to fear. Which ninja village or nation doesn't have internal conflict? If there's conflict, then resolve the conflict."
"What's truly frightening is resolving the people who create the conflict. That method is the dangerous one—and unfortunately, it's exactly what shinobi are best at."
Shisui said, "That's what I think as well. So from now on, I'll do my best to persuade them."
Itachi said, "What if they launch a rebellion?"
Makoto said, "Then they're no longer my comrades. Itachi… you don't actually think I'm so naïve that I won't kill, do you?"
Itachi said, "Makoto-senpai, thank you for your understanding and tolerance toward the Uchiha. But I still believe it's too uncontrollable. Eliminating the problem in advance is the best solution."
"You're right—Shisui is right. You are a bit extreme. Let Shisui handle this for now, and give both sides a bit more time."
Shisui said, "Itachi, Makoto is right. No matter what, with him here, those people in the clan wouldn't dare act recklessly."
Itachi: "…"
He was willing to trust Makoto and Shisui, but he would still retain his own judgment.
Makoto said, "Shisui, while you're trying to bring more of the younger generation in the clan over to your side, keep an eye on the hawks as well. If it's just them alone, they probably wouldn't have the courage to rebel. But if an external force gets involved, that's a different story."
Shisui smiled. "Makoto, are you planning to use me as a spy?"
"Don't put it so harshly. We can be tolerant, but we also have to prepare for the worst. You're not doing this for me—you're working for the future of your clan."
"Then the external forces you're referring to are…?"
"For example—Danzō."
Itachi was somewhat surprised, and Shisui even more so. "How is that possible? Danzō-sama is the one who excludes our clan the most."
Makoto shook his finger. "In this world, there are no eternal enemies—only eternal interests. That old man Danzō's greatest ambition has always been to become Hokage. For that, he would use anyone—including the Uchiha he despises the most."
Shisui said, "I see… Aside from him, who else might intervene?"
"Of course, the one who caused the Nine-Tails incident—the mastermind who led to your clan being marginalized. He's a genuine Uchiha, after all. Your clansmen might not be willing to cooperate with Danzō, but they definitely wouldn't reject cooperating with him."
Shisui muttered, "The legendary… Uchiha Madara?"
"Oh? You know about him? Did Fugaku tell you?"
Itachi said, "No. Father has never spoken of this to outsiders. I was the one who told Shisui-nii."
Shisui said, "I still find it hard to believe that the former clan head could still be alive."
Makoto said, "Whether that 'Uchiha Madara' is alive or dead doesn't matter. Whether it's true or false doesn't matter either. What matters is that he's dangerous—and he harbors hostility toward Konoha."
"The fact that there are people within the Uchiha dissatisfied with Konoha isn't some secret. That man won't let an opportunity like this slip by."
Shisui said, "Understood. I'll keep an eye on the hawks within the clan. I just hope they're not foolish enough to go that far."
Makoto said, "Hard to say. I wouldn't even be surprised if all three sides got entangled together. In the face of overwhelming interests, anything can happen."
"As for me, I always treat Konoha's comrades with the greatest tolerance—but I also won't give up viewing potential enemies with the greatest suspicion."
Shisui said, "Makoto… as expected of you. Even though you're strong enough to eliminate these risks on your own with ease, you're still willing to take the more troublesome path and give them a chance."
Makoto fell silent for a few seconds before speaking. "How should I put it… killing is indeed simple. But I don't want to use that method to solve problems."
"I don't know how strong I'll become in the future. If I grow accustomed to suppressing everything through killing, then I'll probably become someone people fear."
"Those people would include you, Itachi—and even my parents."
"I want to live happily in this world. I don't want to become some great demon king that everyone fears. That's not a good thing."
Shisui said, "It's a good thing you think that way."
At that moment, Itachi suddenly said, "Makoto-senpai… have you ever realized that you don't resemble a shinobi at all?"
Makoto laughed. "Maybe. That's why I'm not a shinobi anymore—I'm basically half-retired now. You and Shisui, on the other hand, still have to continue living as shinobi."
"As for you, Itachi, you'll probably keep operating with your team for now. What about you, Shisui—any plans for the future?"
"The Hokage intends to recruit me into the Anbu. I've already agreed."
Makoto said, "That's a good thing. Work hard—aim for the position of Anbu Commander. Who knows, maybe one day you'll become the first Hokage with the Uchiha name."
If that were to happen, the future would surely be bright.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged a smile.
In their minds, they made a firm decision—they would never allow those fools within the clan to disrupt everything as it stood now.
But Itachi thought even further.
He believed that both Shisui-nii and Makoto-senpai were people with long-term vision and a tolerant heart—the bridge between the Uchiha clan and the village.
Their hands must not be stained.
If things were to reach the worst possible outcome…
He would not hesitate.
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