Chapter 151: The Road No One Expected

Hikaru's words could easily be interpreted as price-gouging—taking advantage of the situation.

And yet, Uchiha Shin had no real way to refute it. In truth, he had already anticipated something like this.

It was almost absurd—being threatened and shaken down by a boy barely thirteen or fourteen.

But after what happened last time, Shin understood something very clearly:

The child in front of him could not be judged by common sense.

So Shin forced himself to calm down and think seriously.

What exactly did this boy—Senju Hikaru—want?

An ANBU slot wasn't something you could casually promise. If Hikaru could offer it so easily, it meant he had already secured approval from the people behind him.

In other words—

The Hokage had sanctioned this.

That alone made Shin quietly ecstatic.

Because once this line was established, it meant he finally had a platform—an official channel—between Uchiha and the village.

Even if the platform was weak at first… he understood the truth of power: the first step is always small.

Given time, it would grow.

So he didn't resent Hikaru's "terms."

In this world, everything had a price.

"I'd like to ask…" Shin lowered his voice until it was barely above a whisper. "What does Captain Hikaru want? As long as it's within my means, I'll do my best."

"To begin with," Hikaru said, calmly shaking his head, "we're not discussing that yet."

He raised his teacup and took a slow sip—like he had come here purely to enjoy the tea.

Shin didn't believe that for a second, but he stayed still and waited.

When Hikaru set the cup down, he flicked his gaze toward the boy standing nearby—Shisui.

Shisui immediately refilled Hikaru's tea.

Hikaru's lips curved slightly.

Having the future owner of 'Kotoamatsukami' pouring my tea… this is a rare experience.

He tapped the table lightly.

"Before we talk about terms, there's something I need to ask you."

"Please," Shin said carefully. "If it's not something classified, I'll answer."

"It's less about answering me," Hikaru replied, smiling faintly, "and more about answering the Hokage."

Shin's expression stiffened.

"The Hokage trusts you—and will likely trust you more in the future," Hikaru continued. "But trust has a cost."

He paused, eyes calm.

"For example… what will you do in return?"

Shin opened his mouth to speak, but Hikaru lifted a finger and gently waved it.

"Don't answer yet."

His voice remained warm, even gentle.

"We've heard enough about your clan's internal situation. You have two factions fighting each other, don't you?"

"One faction is yours."

"The other believes force is the answer—pressuring Konoha into concessions."

"And when necessary…"

Hikaru's smile didn't change.

"They're even willing to consider a coup."

The air instantly became heavier.

Shin's body went rigid. His face shifted—just slightly—but that tiny movement told Hikaru everything.

So you understand.

Shin wasn't stupid.

If Hikaru could speak this plainly, it meant Konoha's hands had reached deeper than Shin wanted to admit.

But the worst part wasn't that Konoha knew.

The worst part was—

Shin could suddenly see Konoha's intent.

They weren't "giving him a chance."

They were handing him a blade and pushing him toward the other side of his clan.

They wanted Uchiha to tear itself apart.

And the bitter irony?

Shin had come seeking this "platform" with his own hands.

Hikaru watched his reaction and let out a soft laugh.

"It seems you've already guessed our purpose."

Shin's face flushed. He looked like he wanted to stand up and walk away.

But he couldn't.

He didn't dare.

If he refused now, he would be finished inside the clan. His supporters would be dragged down with him.

And if he reported this openly… emotions would explode, and the whole clan could end up facing Konoha directly.

Then Shin's eyes narrowed.

He abruptly steadied himself and stared straight at Hikaru.

"Captain Hikaru," he said hoarsely, "you're saying these things to me… have you considered Konoha's position? The village didn't send you to say this."

"Correct," Hikaru said without hesitation.

He took another sip and set the cup down gently.

"Konoha wants you to bite each other like dogs. The fiercer, the better. The Second Hokage always believed your clan was unstable."

He leaned forward slightly.

"And don't think you can use my words to stir suspicion among other clans. That fantasy is dangerous."

His tone remained polite—almost conversational.

But every word was a warning wrapped in silk.

"If this spreads, the village's unity takes a hit. Other villages gain opportunity."

"And more importantly…"

Hikaru's eyes were steady.

"This is the Fourth Hokage's era. If your actions force him into 'taking responsibility'—what do you think the chances are that he's pressured into stepping down?"

"And when the one who returns to the chair takes over again…"

Hikaru smiled softly.

"Do you think your clan's days will get easier?"

Shin went silent.

His fingers tightened, then loosened.

Today's conversation had already crossed into territory he had never imagined.

He needed to regain control.

After a long pause, he finally asked:

"Then… what do you think we should do?"

Hikaru's gaze sharpened—only for a blink.

Fast learner.

"My advice?" Hikaru said lightly. "Take whatever they give you. Take more."

"And if necessary…"

His smile deepened.

"Use a swift blade and cut clean."

Shin's face twisted with anger.

He stood up hard enough that the chair scraped.

"You—! If that's your advice, I will… consider it."

"Consider it" meant he wouldn't.

Hikaru understood perfectly. Shin still wanted to proceed slowly, carefully, without spilling blood.

But that path hadn't saved the "doves" in the future.

And it wouldn't.

Hikaru didn't push further. In truth, he'd already said enough.

The so-called "doves" were traitors in practice, yes—but most of them weren't monsters who could butcher their own clan without blinking.

Not like Uchiha Itachi.

That boy… was beyond ruthless.

Hikaru's inner thought drifted coldly.

In my previous world, we'd call that a wolf among wolves.

"Don't be so quick to storm off," Hikaru said calmly, still seated. "Advice is only advice. I never said I had only one."

Shin froze.

Then slowly sat back down.

"…You have a better suggestion?"

"I can see you care about the clan's stability," Hikaru said, voice quiet, "and you also care about the village's harmony."

He swirled the tea in his cup.

"Someone like you… is worth respecting."

He paused deliberately.

"So I'll give you something personal. Not 'official.' Just my own view."

Shin nodded slowly.

He understood: this is the real message.

"Please," Shin said. "I'm listening."

"It's simple." Hikaru set the cup down. "Haven't you ever questioned this?"

"Your clan has two voices. They fight endlessly. You've never had true stability."

"Have you ever asked why?"

Shin's breathing quickened.

Hikaru continued evenly:

"Maybe you believed this was normal—that the clan head should remain neutral, weighing facts without bias."

"But that neutrality…"

Hikaru's gaze turned faintly sharp.

"Is not always a virtue."

He leaned back.

"Because the louder you fight, the more stable the clan head's rule becomes."

Shin's eyes widened—then narrowed.

Hikaru almost laughed.

You didn't expect me to point the blade at Fugaku, did you?

That was the goal.

Hikaru wasn't trying to "solve" the Uchiha problem for Shin.

He was planting a seed.

A seed that would push Shin toward a path he had never considered.

Because the strongest form of control wasn't threats.

It was giving someone a road they never imagined… then letting them believe they chose it.

Once they stepped onto it—

Their weaknesses became leverage.

When Shin's breathing steadied, Hikaru continued:

"In a stable environment, internal debate is healthy. Competition reveals what the leader should choose."

"But look at where you are now."

"If you keep arguing, you'll only fracture your own people. You'll end up as enemies inside your own walls."

"I don't know what your clan head truly thinks—whether he's genuinely fair, or simply indecisive."

Hikaru rose smoothly.

"That's your clan's matter. You must resolve it yourselves."

He tapped the table gently.

"My suggestion is this:

If it's possible…"

His voice lowered.

"Why not pursue the greatest benefit at the smallest cost?"

He drained the rest of his tea in one go.

Shisui moved to refill it, but Hikaru lifted a hand to stop him and knocked lightly on the table.

"That's enough."

He smiled at Shin.

"We'll end here today. If my words have value, test them. If they don't—treat them as idle talk."

And with that, Hikaru turned and walked out without hesitation.

The seed had been planted.

Now he would wait for it to sprout.

How far it would grow…

depended on Shin's capacity.

This was Hikaru's first true step against the Uchiha.

And he found himself almost looking forward to what came next.

He walked a while—then stopped, turning toward a shadowed alley.

As he entered the darkness, an ANBU operative appeared instantly, kneeling with a bow.

"Division Commander."

"You have something?" Hikaru asked.

"The Director has a task that can't be assigned down. It requires your handling."

"I understand." Hikaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "And the information I had you investigate?"

"It's confirmed, Commander…"

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