Malphegor
patreon
IUTT: Ch. 114
🕑 Added 2025-06-02 17:41:20 +0000 UTC"Do you think my demands are unreasonable?" Fukuyama's tone was already filled with anger. "I merely asked him to issue a public order on behalf of the Konoha office, something like a public security regulation for Konoha. And to further define the responsibilities within the Police Force, assigning people with different abilities and personalities to suitable positions so that everyone can perform their own duties accordingly. This way, as long as we in the Police Force strictly follow the rules, even those clansmen with bad tempers and poor problem-solving skills won't have to go out on patrols and make arrests. This would benefit both the Police Force and Konoha. There are no downsides. It wouldn't even require Konoha to allocate any funds. If he just gives his approval, I can handle everything else myself, including the money."
"But I've been proposing this for five whole years. Each time it's rejected. Each time I get reprimanded and labeled with all kinds of accusations. So there's only one truth: Hiruzen is intentionally trying to provoke conflict between the Uchiha clan and the rest of Konoha, to isolate us, to make everyone despise us."
"On top of that, he has people secretly spreading anti-Uchiha rhetoric, manipulating public opinion against us. And he's been doing it for a long time, relentlessly. He's succeeded. Now the Uchiha name is tarnished everywhere. And yet the elders of the clan insist on clinging to this mess of a Police Force, as if it's some sacred right of the Uchiha."
"You wouldn't believe it, when we go out on patrols now, the disdain from the villagers isn't even hidden anymore. But do you think Hiruzen is doing all this just to make the villagers hate and isolate us? No, he's just laying the groundwork! Maybe his scheme started as early as after Kagami died. I even suspect that Hiruzen was involved in Kagami's death, because he never had any intention of resolving the conflict between the Uchiha and the village through dialogue. Of course, that's another matter."
"When the villagers' hatred of us reaches a peak, when they're convinced that the Uchiha clan is truly evil and doesn't deserve to exist, that's when we'll be wiped out. When that day comes, even if we are annihilated, the villagers won't feel the slightest sympathy or regret. They'll think we had it coming. So I hope you can help us. I beg you!" Fukuyama bowed so low his head almost touched the tea tray, pleading with Shin.
"If you can help us resolve this crisis, the Uchiha clan will fully support Tsunade's rise to power. From then on, wherever you point, we'll follow. No hesitation."
Shin didn't respond right away. Instead, he picked up the tea on the table and sipped it slowly. He had to admit, he saw Fukuyama in a new light. Every part of his analysis was on point. Many people might think that the destruction of the Uchiha clan was orchestrated by Danzō. But in truth, that's not the full picture.
Sure, Danzō got the thing he desired most: the Sharingan.
But the Uchiha clan had more than just the Sharingan, they were also incredibly wealthy. That was common knowledge. So he took the Sharingan, could he also have swallowed the Uchiha clan's immense wealth all by himself?
Would Hiruzen or Koharu really allow that? Would they let Danzō take all the benefits for himself?
The Sharingan ended up in his hands, so where did all the Uchiha clan's wealth go?
The answer was obvious.
So what role did Hiruzen really play in all this? It couldn't be clearer. And as for why it was the Uchiha clan that was exterminated, and not any other clan... At its root, it was because of the open and unabashed suspicion that Tobirama held toward the Uchiha.
That suspicion gave ambitious people the excuse to act without guilt: We didn't want this either, but we had to follow our teacher's will.
"But how do I know this isn't just an act between you and Hiruzen?" After a long silence, Shin finally spoke. "If Hiruzen secretly agreed to your reform proposal and offered you tempting benefits, there's no guarantee you wouldn't become his accomplice."
Fukuyama suddenly looked up, stunned, staring at Shin. He truly hadn't expected Shin to think that way, but surprisingly, it made sense. Still, he hadn't done anything like that.
"Why would you say that?" he asked. "I admit what you said makes a lot of sense, but Hiruzen has never stopped trying to destroy us. Danzō, every time he mentions the Uchiha, practically grits his teeth with hatred. And you, you're an Uchiha. That's why I trust you more."
"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world moves, all for gain." Shin shook his head. "You're a smart man, you understand this truth, don't you? There's no foundation of mutual trust between us. I don't know why you trust me so much, but that in itself is suspicious, isn't it?"
"What would it take for you to believe us?" Knowing Shin wanted to see real sincerity, Fukuyama asked again.
"Simple," Shin said flatly. "Hand over all your clan's land deeds, property titles, estate records, and shop contracts to me for safekeeping. All your funds, except those needed to keep the clan functioning, should be entrusted to me as well. If it turns out you weren't lying to me, and once Tsunade takes power, I'll return everything to you untouched, down to the last coin. But if it turns out you deceived me, then all of it becomes mine. I'm a very open-minded person, I can accept being lied to. But never without consequences."
Fukuyama was once again stunned. He truly hadn't expected Shin to make such a demand. But after the initial shock, what welled up inside him was joy. Did that mean Shin had agreed? He had come with sincerity, ready to give everything for this plan.
Besides, if Shin could truly lead the Uchiha clan away from the path of destruction, then what harm was there in giving him these external things?
"No problem. I agree," Fukuyama nodded firmly and solemnly.
Shin's expression didn't change, showing no surprise at how quickly Fukuyama accepted. After receiving the first batch of wealth and documents from Fukuyama, The two then spent the next two hours in a completely candid conversation.
Though Shin didn't reveal his specific strategies, he gave a detailed analysis of what the Uchiha clan should do in the short, medium, and long term, including all the pros and cons.
By the time Shin left, Fukuyama felt completely enlightened.
This time, it was solid.
