The Uchiha massacre might have looked like a cold, calculated move by the village, with Itachi painted as the dutiful son and Fugaku the forgiving father. But in Takuya's eyes, it was inevitable—it had to happen. The Uchiha brought it on themselves.
The clan leader was too passive, and the different factions within the Uchiha were a mess. Some wanted to stage a coup, others were content with the status quo, and a few even sought to cozy up to the higher-ups. It was chaos.
Years went by without any resolution to these internal conflicts, and coupled with the village's targeted scrutiny, it was a miracle they lasted as long as they did. The sun would have to rise in the west for them to escape their fate.
"No need to go over all that again, Fugaku," Takuya said as he stood up to leave. "I've dealt with enough trouble because of the Uchiha. We're not exactly a good match for one another. I'll be going now."
Just as he reached the door, Takuya paused and gave Fugaku a parting piece of advice. "A clan should have only one voice. If the Uchiha can't unite, their future won't be bright. And keep an eye on Danzo... he's got his sights set on the Sharingan."
"Ugh..." Tsunade was drunk, but at least she was still conscious enough to lean on Takuya as they walked. However, the weight of her chest was a considerable pressure on him.
"What did Fugaku want to talk about?" Tsunade asked, her words slightly slurred.
Takuya didn't hold back and told her everything.
Hearing this, Tsunade laughed, hiccuping as she teased, "So, even the Uchiha clan has its own internal drama, huh?"
"Stay away from me, you stink!" Takuya grumbled, pushing her away slightly.
No matter how beautiful a woman was, a drunken burp was just as unpleasant from anyone. Forget the myth that goddesses were perfect—Takuya wasn't buying it for a second.
"Oh, come on, breathe it all in!" Tsunade joked, blowing her alcohol-laden breath in his direction on purpose, though her face had flushed so red it resembled a monkey's backside.
"Danzo's after the Sharingan? How do you know?" she asked, suddenly growing more serious.
"It's just a feeling," Takuya replied. "He's always wanted to become Hokage, but Orochimaru once said something that stuck with me—no one would accept a Hokage with a crippled body. So he's going to find a way to heal himself. And as for him targeting the Sharingan... Didn't he have a teammate named Uchiha Kagami?"
Tsunade frowned, trying to recall. "Yeah, there was someone by that name. Strong guy—way stronger than the old man."
Of all Tobirama Senju's students, Uchiha Kagami had been on a whole different level. And not just in terms of skill—his good looks had also drawn attention. Even a younger Koharu Utatane had once had her eye on him, though Kagami didn't return her interest.
"So, tell me," Takuya continued, "if they all had similar backgrounds, why do you think Kagami was just that much stronger than everyone else?"
"Obviously because of his Sharing..." Tsunade trailed off, suddenly sobering up a little.
She had been about to say "Sharingan," but the implications hit her. Uchiha jonin were known to be stronger than the average jonin, a fact acknowledged across the ninja world. But could the Third Hokage and the others really be considered average jonin?
They were more than capable of negating the advantages of the Sharingan. And yet, Kagami had still managed to outshine them.
This could only mean one thing—Kagami might have unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Danzo had been eyeing the Sharingan for a long time. That much was clear now. And it likely started with Kagami.
Danzo targeting the Sharingan meant he would stop at nothing to obtain it.
Tsunade's expression grew more serious. "I'll keep a close watch on him. I won't give him the chance to act."
She paused for a moment, recalling something. "Recently, Root requested some medical equipment. I don't know what for—it was approved by the old man, and I didn't question it. Maybe I should've."
"It looks like we'll need to be more cautious from now on," Takuya agreed. "Orochimaru and Danzo are getting way too close for comfort. Who knows what Orochimaru's really after?"
The answer was simple—he was after the secrets of immortality and Senju Hashirama's cells.
Takuya didn't voice that thought aloud, but if Tsunade knew what Danzo and Orochimaru were really up to, she'd definitely lose it.
Technically, Hashirama's cells were supposed to be sealed and off-limits. No one was allowed to access them without the Third Hokage's permission. But that was just theory.
In reality, whether those cells were sealed or not didn't matter to Danzo. He could get his hands on them regardless, and he probably had done so a long time ago.
Never underestimate the power of "Lord Scapegoat" Danzo. He had his ways.
Thud!
Right in the middle of their conversation, Tsunade's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.
"..."
Takuya glanced around at the empty streets. For a moment, he seriously considered leaving her in an alley and going home.
Meanwhile, back at the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage had not yet gone to bed after leaving the Uchiha estate. An ANBU member was delivering a report.
"Are you certain that Yagami Takuya went upstairs to Uchiha Fugaku's home alone?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. He was upstairs for around three minutes. There was no sign of Fugaku returning, and shortly after, Takuya left with Tsunade-sama."
"I see. You're dismissed. Get some rest—you've done well," the Third Hokage said, waving the ANBU off.
What was Fugaku trying to do by talking to Takuya? Was he still trying to sway him over to the Uchiha?
Even though Tsunade had been at the estate too, it seemed the Uchiha still hadn't given up on the idea.
The Third Hokage decided to wait and watch. If Takuya had any intentions of siding with the Uchiha, he would undoubtedly meet with Fugaku again.
But based on past experience, that seemed unlikely.
Even if Takuya had considered aligning with the Uchiha, he wouldn't do it so openly, especially not in front of Tsunade. That would mean she knew everything, and there was no way she would let Takuya get involved with something that could harm the village.
The next morning, the squad set out on their mission.
"Takuya, did you stay over at Kushina's place last night?" asked Nawaki.
"Yeah, why?" Takuya responded casually.
After dumping the drunk Tsunade at Kushina's, Takuya had ended up crashing there as well. Purely innocent, of course.
"You guys have a really... complicated relationship," Nawaki said, though the look in his eyes betrayed his jealousy.
He envied Takuya. On one side, he had Kushina, and on the other, Uchiha Mikoto. The most baffling part? Neither of them had ever fought over him.
Nawaki wanted to ask, "How do you manage that?"
Hell, he'd even take a class from him. "Please, sensei, teach me your ways!"
But he was afraid that Takuya might sell him out. The last thing he wanted was to end up on the wrong side of Kushina's fists.
Kushina wasn't the meek little girl she used to be. She'd turned into a red-haired powerhouse, a miniature version of Tsunade, with terrifying strength and, of course, the Nine-Tails inside her.
Over time, Kushina had started connecting with the Nine-Tails. Although the tailed beast hadn't fully accepted her yet, their relationship was getting better. She could now borrow its chakra more freely, which had once been a rare occurrence.
Even Tsunade was wary of Kushina now.
After all, when Kushina had first let the Nine-Tails out for a bit of fresh air, the beast had accidentally blown up a mountain with a Tailed Beast Bomb. The Third Hokage had immediately rescinded the ANBU detail that had been assigned to watch her.
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