Chapter 47: Naka Shrine
As the group entered the Uchiha Clan Grounds, the air gradually changed.
Even though they were still in Konoha Village, the village's festive bustle and the chill here felt like two different worlds.
The Uchiha Clan Members on both sides of the street watched Haruko and his large group of "outsiders" with undisguised scrutiny and wariness.
If Itachi and Izumi hadn't been leading the way, they likely would have been stopped long ago.
Teuchi and Ayame's smiles became a bit strained, Tayuya's body tensed up, and Kin instinctively leaned closer to Haruko's side.
On the contrary, Kaede followed behind with a serious expression, but her hand, staying near her Ninja tool pouch, showed she was actually the most nervous one.
'It's like entering some kind of military restricted zone..."
Haruko complained silently in his heart; he just wanted to finish the process quickly and go home to lie down.
Naka Shrine wasn't large, but it exuded a sense of ancient solemnity.
Several Uchiha Clan Members stood under the torii gate in front of the shrine, their vigilant gazes piercing like needles.
Ayame couldn't help but whisper, "The atmosphere here... is so oppressive."
Kin crossed her arms slightly and responded in a barely audible voice, "Everyone has such a stern look on their face."
Guided by Itachi, everyone entered to pay their respects.
Haruko was purely going through the motions; he clapped his hands and left without even making a wish—he knew exactly what kind of people those who called themselves gods in this world were, so he wouldn't rely on them.
He found a corner to kill time, planning to head home as soon as Teuchi and the others came out.
Itachi clearly didn't intend to let him off that easily and sat down directly beside him.
"Go ahead and speak, since you went through the trouble of tricking me into coming here." Haruko didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, maintaining the lazy posture of a salted fish that said "spit it out."
Itachi didn't waste words either, getting straight to the point: "Last time... you mentioned 'other options." But all the answers are the same—dead ends."
"I've talked to my father and tried to communicate with other Clan Members." Itachi lowered his head, his eyes dimming. "But... they won't listen."
Haruko finally opened his eyes and glanced at him. "I'll ask you a few questions, but you don't need to answer me."
"First, the Third Hokage, Danzo, and your father Uchiha Fugaku—have you really figured out what they say versus what they truly want? Where are their respective trump cards and bottom lines?"
"Second, I told you to find someone to help. Have you found anyone? How many people are willing to help you now? Or are you convinced that you're the savior and want to go it alone?"
"Third, do you think those clamoring for a coup represent all the Uchiha Clan Members? In sociology, the loudest voices are often the minority. Have you ever looked into the thoughts of the silent majority?"
Haruko pointed across from them—Tayuya was selling senbei to an old woman.
"In my view, that old lady doesn't care about the issues between Konoha and the Uchiha."
He then pointed to a little girl in a kimono, bouncing a ball under a tree.
"That child probably doesn't even know there's a problem between Konoha and the Uchiha."
"You say they won't listen, so let me ask you: did you only ask the few people with the loudest voices?"
Itachi's breathing became hurried, and he was eager to explain: "I—"
"You don't need to explain to me." Haruko waved his hand to interrupt him. "I'm not your superior, and you're not reporting your work to me. Nothing you do is for my sake."
"I can only teach you the methods, but you have to choose how to actually do it."
Just then, Izumi returned with Ayame and the others.
"Brother Haruko, it's time for us to go back."
"Yeah, let's go."
Haruko stood up, brushed the dust off his rear, and prepared to leave.
Seeing Haruko about to leave, Itachi couldn't sit still and stood up hastily. "Haruko... I..."
He wanted to ask something but hesitated, his outstretched hand stopping mid-air.
"Ha... then I'll give you one last piece of advice."
"Go flip through some history books. Ask around among the elders to see if people in the past encountered similar situations. There's nothing new under the sun. This Uchiha situation of yours surely has parallels in history. See how others handled it and what the outcomes were."
"Learn more from their successful experiences, and even more from their failures. Don't just brood over it alone and back yourself into a dead end."
After saying that, he led the group away without looking back, leaving Itachi standing alone in front of Naka Shrine, staring at their receding backs for a long time, lost in deeper thought.
...
Just as the group returned to Haruko's detached small courtyard, two figures blocked their way at the entrance.
Grey standard-issue armor, animal-shaped masks—at first glance, one might mistake them for Anbu—
"Kaguya Kaede, Haruko, come with us."
—But with this arrogant attitude and the musty smell emanating from them, there was no one else it could be besides "Root," the subordinates of that rat in the gutter, Danzo.
The other party was somewhat surprised to see the two unmoved and spoke with more emphasis: "This is an order from Hokage-sama."
Hearing the word "Hokage," the expression on Teuchi's face relaxed slightly. He was about to step forward to speak but was quietly held back by Haruko's outstretched hand.
"Hokage-sama just finished eating at my house a few days ago. Is he looking for me to have tea already?"
"We are also just following orders. Come with us."
"Oh, that's fine then. But there's no need for you to lead the way; I can go to the Hokage Building myself. You can follow if you're worried."
The leader didn't bother to waste any more words and reached out to grab Haruko, while the other went straight for Kaede.
'Attacking? In front of Teuchi and Ayame?"
Seeing that the two meant trouble, Haruko had already pulled out a shuriken and begun refining Chakra. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kaede was also ready for battle.
'Must end this quickly..."
Just as the tension between the two sides reached a breaking point and it looked like blood would be shed on the streets of Konoha—
"Stop, all of you!"
An Anbu Ninja wearing a cat-faced mask appeared between them with a Body Flicker.
"You've crossed the line."
The Root Ninja paused, withdrew his hand, and said gloomily, "This is..."
"This is Hokage-sama's wish." The Anbu interrupted him directly, his hand already on the standard-issue long sword on his back. "Or is " Root " no longer following Hokage-sama's commands?"
The two Root members glanced at each other, then snorted coldly and leaped backward, disappearing into the shadows.
Haruko let out a long breath, and the murderous aura instantly vanished, turning him back into that lazy Ramen Shop worker.
'It seems this guy's mission isn't just surveillance and eavesdropping..."
"Thanks, 'Uncle'." Regardless, the person had helped, so Haruko thanked him sincerely.
"It's been restless lately; try to go out as little as possible. I will report this matter to Hokage-sama."
The cat-faced Anbu gave a word of advice, then flashed and vanished from the spot.
Looking in the direction the Anbu had disappeared, Haruko rubbed his chin.
"Next time he comes for noodles, I'll bury two extra pieces of meat at the bottom of his bowl..."
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