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"I'll go first."
Seeing that the matter had been dealt with, Senju Takuya prepared to leave Naka Shrine. However, before he could take a step, Uchiha Shisui spoke up softly.
"Takuya-sama, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course. What's on your mind?" Takuya asked, turning back with curiosity.
"Now that the Uchiha clan is under your leadership, their reputation has greatly improved. However, as time passes, conflicts between the Uchiha and the villagers are becoming more frequent. Although it hasn't reached the levels of the past, if we ignore it, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village will undoubtedly deteriorate. Eventually, it could spiral out of control. So... I wanted to ask, how can we prevent this from happening?" Shisui's voice was tinged with concern, his brow furrowed.
"Do you understand what led the Uchiha clan to this situation in the first place?" Takuya asked, his tone calm but probing.
"Yes, I believe so. The Uchiha clan has long been responsible for Konoha's security, which naturally leads to conflicts with the villagers," Shisui replied seriously. "But... I don't understand why, despite our best efforts to protect the village, we are still misunderstood."
Since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, established the Konoha Police Force, the Uchiha clan's reputation within the village had gradually declined. Under the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, this situation worsened to a critical point. The entire village grew increasingly distrustful of the Uchiha, pushing them toward the brink of rebellion.
Fortunately, Takuya had used the media to reshape public perception of the Uchiha, improving their standing in the village. But as time passed, tensions began to resurface. Shisui couldn't comprehend why, despite resolving previous misunderstandings, conflicts continued to arise.
"This is human nature," Takuya said, his voice steady. "Even if people understand at first, over time, they tend to forget and revert to their old ways of thinking."
Though the villagers of Konoha knew that the Uchiha acted impartially and that village security had improved, they still complained when their own interests were affected. Understanding could be achieved temporarily, but as time went on, dissatisfaction would inevitably grow. This is what is meant by the saying, 'where you stand depends on where you sit.'
"Then what should we do?" Shisui asked, hoping for a solution.
"The answer is simple. The Uchiha clan should relinquish some of its authority over the Konoha Police Force," Takuya replied.
"But... many Uchiha take great pride in serving in the police force. It has been our clan's responsibility since the time of the Second Hokage. If we give up these rights, won't it cause dissatisfaction within the clan?" Shisui asked thoughtfully.
"I'm not suggesting that the Uchiha completely abandon their role in the Konoha Police Force," Takuya clarified. "Rather, we should delegate some of the lower-level responsibilities. Start by openly recruiting villagers to handle minor issues. This way, the conflicts will occur among the villagers themselves, rather than between the villagers and the Uchiha. Over time, this will alleviate tension, and those villagers who are selected to join the police force will be grateful to the Uchiha. Eventually, the clan won't need to worry about these conflicts."
The friction between the Uchiha and the villagers stemmed from their frequent interactions when dealing with disputes. By assigning these tasks to ordinary villagers or other ninjas, the Uchiha would be removed from the direct line of fire.
"So that's the solution... Takuya-sama, I've learned a lot," Shisui said, his eyes brightening with newfound understanding. The issue that had troubled him for so long was resolved in just a few words. As expected of Takuya-sama, Shisui thought, admiring him even more.
"You're still young, Shisui. If you ever find yourself unsure, don't hesitate to consult with Mikoto," Takuya advised.
"Understood," Shisui nodded. Suddenly, something came to his mind. "Takuya-sama, may I recommend someone to you?"
"Oh?" Takuya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Please come in," Shisui called out toward the entrance. A young woman with long black hair entered, wearing a purple coat. A distinct tear mole marked the corner of her right eye.
"Takuya-sama, this is Uchiha Izumi. She's an exceptional kunoichi from our younger generation. She expressed a desire to join Anbu," Shisui introduced her.
"Izumi?" Takuya smiled at the young woman before him. He remembered her. In the original timeline, Uchiha Izumi was one of Uchiha Itachi's few close friends. She had a sweet tooth, a gentle demeanor, and was an incredibly talented kunoichi. At just thirteen, she had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan, but tragically, she was killed by Uchiha Obito during the Uchiha clan's massacre—a truly sorrowful fate.
"Takuya-sama," Izumi bowed respectfully, her voice soft yet clear.
"You wish to join Anbu?" Takuya asked with a slight smile.
"Yes," Izumi nodded firmly.
"May I ask why?" Takuya inquired, studying her closely.
"A ninja from the Uchiha clan usually takes pride in serving in the Konoha Police Force. It's rare for one to choose Anbu," he noted.
"I want to contribute to the village in a different capacity," Izumi replied, her tone serious.
"Takuya-sama, it's becoming increasingly common for Uchiha to see joining Anbu as a point of pride," Shisui added with a chuckle.
"Is that so?" Takuya nodded thoughtfully. Then, his expression turned serious. "I'll give you one more chance to tell me your true reason."
---
The air grew heavy, almost suffocating.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Izumi immediately dropped to their knees, their bodies drenched in sweat.
From Senju Takuya, they felt a chill that pierced their very souls. Even Shisui, a wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan and renowned for his prowess in battle, couldn't stop trembling.
Years of surviving life-and-death situations had honed Shisui's instincts, and they screamed at him now: if his next answer failed to satisfy Takuya, he would likely die on the spot.
"Takuya-sama, please forgive me. It was all my doing," Shisui confessed, his voice quivering, cold sweat dripping from his brow.
"Oh? And what exactly was your plan? Speak," Takuya's tone was neutral, yet the weight behind it was undeniable.
"Under Mikoto-sama's leadership, the Uchiha clan has become one of the most powerful in the ninja world. Now that she has stepped down as clan head, I thought that if the Uchiha could offer you a kunoichi who meets your standards, we could maintain our clan's prestige. Izumi fits your criteria for a wife, so I wanted to arrange something... for your benefit," Shisui explained, his voice shaky under Takuya's immense pressure.
"How clever of you," Takuya snorted. "Shisui, I've taught you much, but not for you to use against me. Stop with the petty schemes. I won't tolerate this happening again," Takuya spoke calmly, though his aura still weighed heavily.
"Yes, Takuya-sama! I swear, I will never hide anything from you again!" Shisui exhaled deeply as the oppressive pressure lifted. Despite his long-standing loyalty to Takuya since childhood, this was the first time he had faced his wrath so directly. The power Takuya displayed was beyond anything Shisui had imagined. Even with all his strength, he knew that if Takuya wished to kill him, it would be as effortless as crushing an insect.
"Shisui, remember this: whether your intentions are to please me or something else, always be honest. Deception is what I despise the most," Takuya said, his voice calm but firm.
"I understand, Takuya-sama. Please forgive my mistake," Shisui replied, still kneeling, his forehead pressed against the ground in humility.
Seeing Shisui's genuine remorse, Takuya waved his hand dismissively. "Stand up," he said before turning toward the door. He knew Shisui's true intention was to secure a stable future for the Uchiha clan, and while it wasn't inherently malicious, it warranted a warning. Loyalty was one thing; deceit was another.
"Come with me, Izumi," Takuya said as he reached the doorway.
"Ah...yes, Takuya-sama!" Uchiha Izumi hurriedly followed, still dazed by the events that had just transpired. Together, they disappeared around the corner.
Only after they left did Shisui finally allow himself to relax, shivering as a cool breeze brushed against his sweat-soaked skin. He realized how close he had come to death. "Takuya-sama is truly terrifying. I must never attempt something like this again," Shisui vowed to himself. He then activated the Body Flicker Technique and swiftly departed from Naka Shrine.
As they walked through the streets of Konoha, Uchiha Izumi followed Takuya, gathering the courage to speak.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask you a question?" she finally asked, her voice tentative.
"What is it?" Takuya replied without turning around.
"Why did you bring me with you?" Izumi asked, her expression filled with confusion. "I mean... since you saw through Shisui-sama's plan, shouldn't I, as the pawn, be... dealt with?"
She knew that in the ninja world, deception often led to swift and brutal retribution, especially when it came to safeguarding one's reputation. She had been offered as a gift to Takuya, and now that her true purpose had been exposed, she expected to be executed.
"Haha... You're still young, so it's understandable that you're a bit naïve. Killing someone over this? I'm not that kind of person," Takuya chuckled.
Hearing his response, Izumi couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and embarrassment. She had heard stories of Takuya's ruthless efficiency during the Great Ninja War, where countless enemies had fallen by his hand. Secretly, she blushed slightly, finding his smile surprisingly warm despite his formidable reputation.
"You've been staring at my face for a while now. Is there something on it?" Takuya asked suddenly.
"Ah? No...no! I'm so sorry, Takuya-sama!" Izumi stammered, startled. How did he know she was watching him?
"Are you complaining about me in your mind again?"
"No... no, I..." Izumi hesitated, wanting to deny it but remembering Takuya's earlier words about hating deceit. She bit her lip and decided to speak honestly. "Please forgive me, Takuya-sama. My thoughts tend to wander. I didn't mean to complain about the 'eyes in the back of your head'..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Izumi felt like crying. She had revealed everything to Takuya-sama. Seeing her flustered state, Takuya's mood lightened. Should he admit it? Izumi's youthful innocence and slight silliness were oddly endearing, and it seemed that, despite everything, he still had a soft spot for young, energetic kunoichi.
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