"The Hokage isn't going to change anytime soon. You know this as well as I do," Shinki said, standing up and patting Uchiha Fugaku on the shoulder. With a sigh, he continued, "The only way forward is for Uchiha to give up the Police Department."
Fugaku's face tightened, and Shinki didn't wait for a response before adding, "In fact, your clan's luck isn't all bad. The biggest threat to Uchiha—Shimura Danzo—was removed because of his conflict with me. If Danzo were still in power, life for Uchiha would be far worse."
Shinki's words hung heavy in the air. While the Third Hokage had his own ways of suppressing Uchiha, his tactics were measured and slow, like a soft knife that inflicted wounds over time. Danzo, on the other hand, would have crushed the clan without hesitation.
"That's the difference," Shinki explained. "You can endure Hiruzen Sarutobi's slow bleed, but Danzo's methods would provoke rebellion."
Yet, even with Sarutobi's softer approach, Shinki couldn't help but find fault in Fugaku's leadership.
"You've endured a lot," Shinki acknowledged. "But at what cost? Sometimes, Uchiha's patience feels more like cowardice. Your clan teeters on the edge of ruin, and still, you hold back."
Fugaku hesitated before asking, "Sir, why does the village target Uchiha so persistently? Is it because of Uchiha Madara?"
Shinki raised an eyebrow. "Madara? Partly, yes. But it's more than that."
Leaning forward, Shinki didn't sugarcoat his response. "To put it simply, your clan's talent is both your greatest strength and your biggest curse. The Second Hokage worried another Uchiha Madara might rise. The Third Hokage? He's afraid of another Uchiha Kagami."
Fugaku froze. "Kagami? But... wasn't he loyal to the village?"
"In the eyes of the village, that's exactly the problem," Shinki explained. "If someone as talented as Uchiha Kagami hadn't been an Uchiha, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't be Hokage right now."
The bluntness of Shinki's statement left Fugaku speechless. Even Hyuga Hiashi, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, seemed unsettled.
"Here's the bottom line," Shinki continued. "The village doesn't just fear Uchiha rebellion. It fears Uchiha brilliance. Leaders like Madara inspire fear because of their power. But even loyalists like Kagami are seen as threats because they outshine everyone else."
Fugaku's shoulders slumped, his frustration evident. Shinki had said everything that needed to be said, and now it was up to Fugaku to act. The path forward was clear: give up the Police Department in exchange for better treatment and integration into the village.
But it wasn't that simple.
"Even if I agree, the clan might not," Fugaku admitted. The Police Department was deeply tied to Uchiha identity. Letting go of it would be seen as surrender by many in the clan.
Shinki nodded, unsurprised. "I've given you my advice. Whether you act on it is up to you. But don't come crying to me if nothing changes."
Turning his attention to Hyuga Hiashi, Shinki remarked, "You've got your own problems to deal with. At least Fugaku can negotiate. Your clan's internal conflicts are far worse."
Hiashi's face darkened. The Hyuga clan's issues ran deep, especially the tension between the main and branch families. Even if he improved conditions for the branch family, the core issue—the cursed seal—remained unresolved.
Shinki sighed. "Neither of your clans will find peace until you're willing to let go of your pride and make real sacrifices."
With that, he stood and gestured toward the door. "This conversation is over. Happy New Year."
As Fugaku and Hiashi left, their guards carried various gifts into Shinki's house. He waved them off, too tired to care.
"Didn't I tell them not to bring anything?" Shinki muttered, but he didn't push the issue. The gifts were small tokens of appreciation, not bribes. Besides, the Third Hokage had received far grander offerings during the holidays.
Tsunade watched from the side, chuckling. "You waste your breath. Those two won't change anything."
"Yeah, well, it's their problem now," Shinki replied. "At least I tried."
Meanwhile, Kushina was upstairs, grumbling under her breath. The noise from the earlier conversation had kept her from napping, and she pulled the blanket over her head in frustration.
With Jiraiya, Nawaki, and Minato gone, the house was unusually quiet this New Year. Yet the tension of war loomed over Konoha, and even the holiday couldn't lift the shadow completely.
Three days after the New Year, the Hokage's office resumed full activity. Despite the festive season, Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't taken a break. Whether it was dedication to the war effort or avoidance of his wife, he remained at his desk day and night.
"Hamura, are you sure the supplies will last?" Sarutobi asked, his tone grave.
Mitokadu Hamura nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama. The resources we've sent to Kawagoe should sustain the front lines for two months. If the war with the Sand ends within that time, we won't need to send more."
Hiruzen exhaled deeply, worry etched on his face. The war had strained Konoha's resources to the breaking point. The daimyo had even refused to send New Year's greetings this year—a glaring sign of tension between the village and its benefactor.
"Two months," Sarutobi murmured. "Let's hope that's enough."
>>>>>
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