Every man is innocent, but he is guilty!
The main reason why the Uzumaki clan was wiped out in the beginning was because of their sealing techniques, which could perfectly seal tailed beasts, making them coveted by outsiders.
"I do have a good relationship with Kushina, but she is still young and already has someone she likes," Uchiha Mikoto said to Kisaragi.
Indeed, Uzumaki Kushina is still quite young, and Uchiha Mikoto has just turned 21. Although their relationship is good, there is still quite an age difference between them. Uzumaki Kushina is about four to five years younger than Uchiha Mikoto, making her no more than seventeen now.
"She has someone she likes? It's okay, I don't mind," Kisaragi replied.
Of course, Kisaragi knew that Uzumaki Kushina had a crush, specifically the future Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. Uzumaki Kushina didn't like Namikaze Minato when they first met; she thought he was a sissy. But after she was kidnapped by the Cloud Shinobi and later rescued by Namikaze Minato, her opinion of him changed.
It's a pity that Kisaragi had been focused on becoming stronger and didn't pay much attention to Uzumaki Kushina at the time. Otherwise, he might have been able to swoop in and become her savior instead.
Uchiha Mikoto wasn't sure what to say. "You don't care, but have you ever thought about whether others care?" But Kisaragi was not someone who cared about what others thought.
"Could... could you stop pursuing Kushina? I am... willing to agree to any of your requests," Mikoto said, her voice hesitant. She had a strong bond with Kushina and was even willing to sacrifice herself to protect her.
"Do you really think I would agree to that? Even if I did promise, do you believe what I say?"
Kisaragi's words left Uchiha Mikoto silent.
Even if he promised her, could she really trust him? Kisaragi had no reputation for keeping his word. If he had, Uchiha Fugaku wouldn't have ended up disgraced and expelled from the Uchiha clan.
"It's late. Time to rest," Kisaragi said, dismissing her concerns. He didn't care what Mikoto was thinking; he took her into the room. Tonight was yet another good night for him.
…
The next day, Kisaragi didn't go to the Konoha Police. Having just become the head of the Uchiha clan, there were still many matters waiting for him to address.
"Yes, Mikoto, you are indeed a good wife," Kisaragi said with satisfaction after eating the breakfast Mikoto had prepared.
Waking up to a prepared meal made life comfortable; at least he didn't have to eat bread. For some reason, Mikoto felt a little happy hearing Kisaragi's praise.
"Grandfather, you're here," Mikoto said, surprise flashing in her eyes when she saw her grandfather enter.
"Yes, Mikoto. Go outside for a moment. I have something important to discuss with Kisaragi," the elder nodded toward Mikoto as he spoke.
Mikoto glanced at Kisaragi, and after receiving his nod, she quickly cleared the dishes and left the room.
"I wonder what the elder wishes to discuss?" Kisaragi asked.
In the past, the elder had looked as though he wanted to tear Kisaragi apart for what he had done to his granddaughter, but now, his attitude had changed completely.
"I'll be blunt, Kisaragi—I don't like you," the elder stated plainly. "I supported you in becoming the clan leader yesterday only because of Mikoto."
Kisaragi didn't take offense. He didn't care whether some old man liked him or not.
"My time is nearly up. The only person I care about now is Mikoto. Now that she is with you, I don't want to see her let down," the elder continued. "Also, I didn't come here just to tell you that. I know you probably don't want me holding onto power. Don't worry—I won't cling to it."
If not for Mikoto's sake, the elder would have stepped down from his position long ago.
"That's for the best. It's better for you to step down voluntarily than for me to have to remove you," Kisaragi said.
The elder's choice to step down was a wise one. Even if he hadn't, Kisaragi would have eventually removed him from power. From now on, there would be no so-called 'elders' in the Uchiha clan.
The elders were a hindrance—old, weak, and constantly trying to meddle in clan politics. Their existence only limited the power of the patriarch.
"I hope you treat Mikoto well, and she won't disappoint you," the elder said before turning to leave.
Kisaragi frowned as he watched the elder depart. He couldn't shake the feeling that the elder was plotting something.
"Whatever. As long as he doesn't interfere with me, it shouldn't be a problem. The elder is a smart man," Kisaragi thought to himself.
If the elder did do something foolish, Kisaragi wouldn't hesitate to get rid of him. Uchiha Mikoto's grandfather or not, if the elder stood in his way, Kisaragi would eliminate him.
"Don't you want to know what your grandfather said to me?" Kisaragi asked Mikoto when she came back into the room.
Uchiha Mikoto shook her head. She wouldn't ask. If Kisaragi wanted to tell her, she would listen, but she would not pry.
"Your grandfather asked me to be kind to you, and he's agreed to step down as the elder," Kisaragi said.
Hearing this, Mikoto felt a surge of emotion. Her grandfather had always taken care of her since she was little, and he always had her best interests at heart.
"Don't worry," Kisaragi continued, "as long as your grandfather doesn't get in my way, I won't harm him. I'm not a good person, but I can promise you that."
There were indeed people in the Uchiha clan that needed to be dealt with, but the elder was not one of them.
What Kisaragi intended to do was clean up the disloyal elements, those who still supported Uchiha Fugaku. They weren't worthy of continuing to live.
To deal with them, Kisaragi would have to be strategic. He couldn't simply kill them outright, as that would give Sarutobi Hiruzen an excuse to intervene.
Kisaragi didn't want to completely sever ties with Konoha just yet. The Uchiha clan still needed time to develop within the village.