Fugaku thought for a moment and said, "So the team that Shisui and Itachi led out of the village can support the Uchiha at any time, preventing the Third from daring to move against us?"
"Exactly," Kawasaki replied with a clap of his hands.
Kawasaki had sent Shisui and Itachi away with their men for two reasons. First, orchestrating such a sudden and large-scale shift in allegiance would have been too abrupt and conspicuous. Second, he was borrowing a page from the original timeline's Uchiha Itachi.
In the original story, setting aside the matter of Itachi slaughtering his clan, his defection created an intangible threat that hung over the village, preventing Konoha's leadership from moving against Sasuke. But back then, it was only Itachi, and he was suffering from a terminal illness, ultimately arranging everything to die at Sasuke's hands.
The situation was different now. The entire Uchiha clan still resided within Konoha. To ensure their safety, the force led by Shisui and Itachi acted as a sword of Damocles suspended over the village. If anything happened to the clan, a hundred elite Uchiha, including two with Mangekyo Sharingan, could retaliate at any moment or even defect to an enemy nation.
Fortunately, the Third Hokage's spirit had weakened with age. He had never anticipated the Uchiha would develop so rapidly, leaving him with neither the opportunity nor the time to strike. In just a few years, the Uchiha clan had firmly established its new position.
Kawasaki continued, "Faced with the Uchiha's growing power, the Third Hokage is powerless to suppress us. Because we Uchiha have relinquished our pursuit of political power and have even reduced the number of missions we accept, our dependence on Konoha has decreased. The Third had no choice but to bring Danzo back into the fold, allowing him to continue his dirty work against us."
Fugaku interjected, "Thankfully, your plan prevented Danzo from succeeding."
The Uchiha's tight defense had not only thwarted Danzo's schemes but also allowed them to completely break free from Konoha's control, completing their plan for independence and catching the Third Hokage completely off guard.
Kawasaki didn't look pleased; he knew Danzo's nature all too well. "Now that the Uchiha are powerful, Danzo has become useless to the Third. But if the Uchiha wish to return to Konoha and reclaim our power, Danzo is an obstacle we cannot bypass. Although the Third initially inherited Tobirama's policies and did everything he could to suppress the Uchiha, things have changed. If the Uchiha were to launch an offensive now, Konoha itself would be in jeopardy. Therefore, the village dares not act rashly."
"I've long wanted to invite Tsunade to the clan as a medical consultant, but that was originally to balance the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha."
"And now?" Fugaku asked.
"When I went to Otogakure to see Orochimaru, I learned that the Third has already sent Jiraiya to contact him, even intending to allow Orochimaru to return. The Third isn't doing this out of nostalgia, but to strengthen his own position against the Uchiha."
"So we're still going to invite Tsunade back?" Fugaku asked, a puzzled look on his face.
Kawasaki spoke calmly, "To the Third, anyone can be Hokage except an Uchiha. He can't touch the Uchiha as we are now, so his only option is to bolster his own strength. Besides Jiraiya, who is always traveling, Orochimaru and Tsunade are the most suitable candidates. The Third has always believed that my goal was to use the Uchiha's economic growth as an indirect path to increase our influence in the village, ultimately aiming to become the Fifth Hokage."
Fugaku smiled. After all these years, his perspective was no longer confined to the Hokage's seat. To Kawasaki, a direct conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha would be a pointless drain on their own strength, especially with another Great Ninja War looming in a few years.
The blame Kawasaki had inadvertently pinned on Danzo had led the Third to believe Danzo was the mastermind and Orochimaru the executor of certain past events. This gave the Third the idea to recall Orochimaru. Even if Orochimaru had been the main culprit, the Third would still want him back now. To him, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru—any of them could be Hokage, just not an Uchiha. Therefore, the Third needed to rally all available forces.
"The deaths of Nawaki and Dan were orchestrated by the Third and Danzo together. Even if the Third wasn't the mastermind, he tacitly approved Danzo's actions," Kawasaki explained. "Because the most powerful clan in Konoha was the Senju. As long as the Senju clan existed, the Third's policy of 'de-clan-ification' would never succeed. Even if he remained Hokage for decades, the strongest force in Konoha would still belong to the Senju."
"Where is the Senju clan now?" Kawasaki asked Fugaku.
Fugaku fell silent. When Hashirama and Tobirama were in power, the Senju were the most prosperous clan in Konoha. Later, Tsunade and Nawaki were the hopes of the clan. Even Tsunade's lover, Dan Kato, was an outstanding shinobi. But then, the Second Hokage died unexpectedly. Shortly after, Nawaki and Dan Kato also died one after another, leaving Tsunade so devastated she nearly broke down completely. Tsunade left the village not only because she couldn't bear the loss of her loved ones, but also because she had vaguely sensed that something was wrong.
"Now, I want to bring Tsunade over to the Uchiha's side, both to strengthen our clan and to counter Danzo."
Fugaku was quiet for a moment. "Kawasaki, do you have evidence that can convince Tsunade?"
Kawasaki grinned. "I don't. But Orochimaru does."
Fugaku had long known that Orochimaru was on their side, but he had no idea he still possessed evidence from that time. Kawasaki briefly explained the Reanimation Jutsu to him. It was only then that Fugaku learned of such a technique to summon the dead.
Once Kawasaki revealed the evidence of how Nawaki and Dan Kato truly died, the Third would face a choice: sacrifice Danzo to gain Tsunade's forgiveness or watch her side completely with the Uchiha. Sacrificing Danzo could also ease tensions with the Uchiha clan, buying the Third precious time to consolidate his power. As for protecting Danzo? That wasn't even a consideration.
Therefore, Kawasaki's high-profile return and succession ceremony were designed to heighten the Third's sense of crisis, making Danzo, Koharu, and Homura believe the Uchiha were planning something. By taking down Danzo, Kawasaki could also accumulate political capital for himself, such as regaining his honorary elder status and paving the way for Orochimaru to rise.
As long as the Third believed the Uchiha's ultimate goal was the Hokage's seat, every decision he made would fall right into the track Kawasaki had laid.
After listening to Fugaku's clear and logical summary of his own plan, Kawasaki remarked, "That's more or less it. It seems you have some brains after all, Fugaku. Even when I become clan head, I'll still need your assistance."
Fugaku gave a wry smile. "I'm not that clever. I was just summarizing everything you told me." He had never imagined the situation was so convoluted. What surprised him even more was how the young Kawasaki knew so much about past events. Fugaku could only attribute it to Kawasaki's eyes, which seemed capable of predicting the future.
"It's a good thing our clan has you. Otherwise, how could we ever stand against the Third?" Fugaku said with emotion.
Kawasaki scoffed internally. *Forget the Third, you couldn't even handle Danzo.*
*If I hadn't saved Shisui, your precious son and the entire clan would have been wiped out within two years.*
...
Within the Uchiha compound, Kawasaki explained the future plans for the clan in detail, ensuring Fugaku was fully informed. In the past, Kawasaki had relied on his foreknowledge to save the Uchiha, but from now on, he would need the collective wisdom of his people.
The two talked late into the night.
Suddenly...
"Knock, knock, knock..."
A knock on the door at this hour could only mean something urgent.
Kawasaki opened it to find Akira. "Captain, the Third Hokage has summoned the clan head."
He turned back to see Fugaku waving a hand. "You go."
"Alright. Get some rest."
...
As Kawasaki left the compound, he found ANBU members waiting outside. When they saw it was Kawasaki, their expressions flickered behind their masks.
"Deputy Head Kawasaki, why is it you?" one of them asked, his voice laced with a hint of humility. After all, Kawasaki was not someone to be trifled with; even Danzo had fallen at his hands.
Kawasaki didn't make things difficult for them. "I just returned and was about to report to Lord Third anyway. Fugaku is injured, so as the deputy head, I will go in his stead." A report upon returning from a long trip was standard procedure, but Kawasaki had other reasons for wanting to see the Third Hokage.
The ANBU had no choice but to lead him away.
...
In the Hokage's Tower, the office was brightly lit despite the late hour. Kakashi, who had been in bed just a short while ago, had also been brought here. Upon hearing that the Third wanted to see someone from the Uchiha, Kakashi had insisted on coming.
His mental trauma far outweighed his physical injuries. To put it simply, his head was spinning. He had to be here to confirm if the person who attacked him was the same one who attacked the Uchiha. Who was this person? He couldn't believe what he had seen, and his mind desperately tried to deny it.
Soon, the ANBU brought Kawasaki in. The guard had just stepped inside to make his report when Kawasaki followed close behind.
"Yo, Lord Hokage. Keeping well?" Kawasaki said with a casual wave.
The Third waved his hand, dismissing the ANBU. "Kawasaki, when did you get back? Where is Fugaku?"
Kawasaki shook his head. "Just arrived. Fugaku is injured. As deputy head, I'm here in his place."
The Third lit his pipe. "I summoned Fugaku to ask about the attack on your clan a few days ago. You weren't back yet. Do you know anything about it?"
Kawasaki yawned. "Oh, that? I know all about it. You can ask me."
"Kakashi was attacked four days ago," the Third said. "According to him, the man wore a mask and was the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Incident..."
Before the Third could finish, Kakashi interrupted. "The one who attacked the Uchiha—was it him, too?"
The Third didn't mind the interruption. He stared intently at Kawasaki, waiting for an answer.
Kawasaki nodded. "He was wearing a mask. It's highly likely he's the one responsible for the Nine-Tails Incident."
The Third's brow furrowed. "You also believe he's the culprit behind the Nine-Tails Incident?"
"I'm certain of it," Kawasaki stated confidently. "And I know who he is!"
The Third was stunned. The Nine-Tails Incident years ago had far-reaching consequences, disrupting all of his plans. His prized successor, Minato, and Kushina had lost their lives that day. Countless elite shinobi had perished, and even his own wife had passed away. Because the Nine-Tails had clearly been controlled by a Sharingan, the entire Uchiha clan had fallen under suspicion and been ostracized. And now, Kawasaki was claiming to know the man's identity.
The Third slammed his hand on the desk, his voice shaking with emotion. "Kawasaki, you know who he is!?"
A smirk played on Kawasaki's lips. "Of course, I do." He then turned to Kakashi, his gaze incredibly complex.
A chill ran down Kakashi's spine. He prayed silently, *Don't let it be him. Please, don't let it be him.*
"That man is Obito Uchiha!"
The moment the words left Kawasaki's mouth, Kakashi let out a furious roar.
"Impossible!"
"That's absolutely impossible!"
"Kawasaki, you're lying!" Kakashi's usually lazy voice was now sharp and piercing.
*Thud!*
Kawasaki sent Kakashi flying into a wall with a single kick. Already injured, Kakashi now saw stars.
The Third couldn't believe Kawasaki would dare to attack someone right in front of him. Hearing the commotion, the ANBU outside burst into the room, only to see Kakashi slumped on the floor, unable to get up.
"Kawasaki! What do you think you're doing!?" the Third Hokage roared, his beard trembling with rage and his eyes wide.
Kawasaki spread his hands innocently. "Lord Third Hokage, you saw it yourself. Kakashi was getting too emotional. I was just helping him cool down."
The Third's finger trembled as he pointed at Kawasaki. "You... Hmph!" Realizing he still needed the Uchiha clan, he forced himself to swallow his anger. He waved his hand, signaling the ANBU to help Kakashi up.
"Kakashi, you need to calm down as well. Let's hear what Kawasaki has to say." The Third was inwardly baffled. Why was Kawasaki so certain the man was Obito Uchiha? After all, Obito had been dead for years. And even if he were alive, he would have only been a teenager during the Nine-Tails Rampage. How could that be possible?
Kakashi's reaction was understandable. Obito was his dear friend, the one who had saved his life and given him his Sharingan.
Kawasaki let out a soft chuckle and walked over to Kakashi, looking down at him. "I don't believe for a second that you didn't notice any clues when he attacked you. More likely, you refuse to believe it, even though he's already shown his hand."
Kakashi's pupils contracted violently, and he collapsed back onto the floor in agony. He wished so desperately that it had been a genjutsu, but his rational mind told him that the face he saw was no illusion.
Kawasaki understood Kakashi's turmoil. This Kakashi had yet to experience the true hardships of life, the brushes with death, or the late-night conversation with his father that would change him. The knot in his heart had never been untied. Kakashi's values were largely shaped by Sakumo Hatake, but his father's death had upended all those positive teachings. The father who had cherished his comrades was ultimately vilified, even condemned by the very people he had saved.
Sakumo's death pushed Kakashi down a path completely opposite to his father's. "The mission comes first," this Kakashi would say, ready to abandon Rin to her fate even after she was captured. The person who pulled Kakashi out of this mire was Obito. Obito, unlike those who had condemned Sakumo, saw him as a hero. Obito's words would influence Kakashi for the rest of his life, becoming his motto: cherish your comrades, value teamwork. Obito was, in a sense, the second great teacher in Kakashi's life.
And now, he was being told that Obito was the one who had become an enemy of Konoha, who had unleashed the Nine-Tails and killed the Fourth Hokage and his wife. The same Obito who had once loved Konoha, who was always ready to help others, who valued his friends above all else. How could Kakashi accept it? He would rather deceive himself into thinking it was all a genjutsu than face this reality.
...
Looking at Kakashi's broken state, Kawasaki knew he must have noticed something during their fight but had simply refused to acknowledge it.
He raised a single finger. "First, let me tell you all about a major flaw in the story of the Nine-Tails Rampage. Everyone thinks that our Uchiha Sharingan can control the Tailed Beasts, even the Nine-Tails. But what outsiders don't know is that only the Mangekyo Sharingan can truly control the Nine-Tails!"
The Third looked astonished. "Is that true?"
Kawasaki chuckled. "Lord Third Hokage, have you ever heard of anyone besides Madara Uchiha who could control the Nine-Tails?"
The Third thought about it. The legend of the Uchiha's Sharingan controlling Tailed Beasts was widespread, but the only one ever known to have controlled the Nine-Tails was, indeed, Madara. The Third wondered why the Uchiha had never presented this evidence before.
"Words alone are not proof. To avoid having people dismiss the Uchiha's claims, I found another way to get evidence." The real reason the Uchiha hadn't presented this evidence earlier was simple—they didn't have any. Madara wasn't the type to leave proof of his abilities lying around for the clan. Besides, in the political climate at the time, even if they had claimed only the Mangekyo could control the Nine-Tails, no one would have believed them. It would have been seen as the Uchiha trying to shirk responsibility. Once suspicion takes root, it will eventually sprout.
But things were different now. The Uchiha were independent. Whether the village believed them or not made no difference to the clan.
Kawasaki pulled a scroll from his robes and tossed it to the Third. Upon seeing the seal on it, the Hokage was instantly shocked.
It was Tsunade's!
"I went to great lengths to get this letter personally written by Lady Tsunade. I don't need to elaborate on her standing. She can attest that no one besides Madara has ever been able to control the Nine-Tails."
The Third broke the seal and unrolled the scroll. It was indeed Tsunade's handwriting. The letter confirmed that Kawasaki had specifically sought her out to verify this matter. According to the Senju clan's records, Madara Uchiha, who had fought Hashirama Senju his entire life, could indeed control the Nine-Tails. However, there were no records of any other Uchiha member possessing such an ability.
The Third looked up in surprise. "Kawasaki, you left the village to find Tsunade?"
Kawasaki shrugged helplessly, spinning a tale. "Of course. Why else would I be so busy if not to clear the Uchiha's name?"
"Hmm..." The Third fell silent, half-believing. Kawasaki was a slippery one, after all. He couldn't trust his words completely.