After seeing Uchiha Ryūjin and the other person enter, Homura Mitokado finally set aside the document in his hand. He did not speak immediately. Instead, he quietly observed Ryūjin, his gaze deliberate yet casual, as if trying to determine whether anything about him had changed.
"Lord Hokage, I have brought Uchiha Ryūjin," Uchiha Shisui reported in a serious tone.
Only then did Homura Mitokado respond indifferently, "Shisui, how did the task I assigned you go?"
He kept his words vague. Since he was still uncertain about Ryūjin's condition, caution guided his approach.
"The mission is complete," Shisui replied without hesitation. "I have altered Uchiha Ryūjin's will. He now acts according to your command, Lord Hokage."
"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?" Ryūjin followed up at the right moment, his tone steady.
A faint flicker of satisfaction passed through Homura Mitokado's eyes. From the looks of it, Shisui had succeeded completely.
"Alright, Shisui. You may leave," Homura Mitokado said, waving him off.
After Shisui's figure disappeared, Homura Mitokado leaned back into his seat and fixed his gaze on Ryūjin.
"I will ask you a few questions. You will answer truthfully."
"First question. On the day Uzumaki Kushina gave birth, were you the other Uchiha present at the site outside the village?"
"Yes," Ryūjin answered without hesitation.
"So it really was you."
Even someone as composed as Homura Mitokado could not hide his shock. The revelation hit hard.
The mysterious Uchiha who had overwhelmed Konoha, humiliating the entire village, had been living among them this whole time.
Yet that same person had now been controlled by Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan. At that moment, Homura Mitokado felt a deeper fear toward Shisui than toward Ryūjin.
Uchiha Shisui could not be allowed to remain.
A cold glint appeared in his eyes as the thought settled in his mind. Compared to Ryūjin, whose power was overwhelming but visible, Shisui was far more dangerous. He could control someone without them ever realizing it.
"Second question," Homura Mitokado continued after regaining his composure. "Did you kill the Hokage?"
"Yes."
Homura Mitokado swallowed quietly.
Even though he had already suspected it, hearing the confirmation directly made his heart tighten.
The weight of that truth was overwhelming. Combined with Ryūjin's identity, it sent a chill down his spine.
He felt fortunate he had listened to Nara Shikaku earlier and refrained from acting rashly. Otherwise, the consequences might have been disastrous.
"Third question. With such power, why have you hidden yourself within the village? Do you or the Uchiha Clan have some ulterior motive?"
"I have no schemes," Ryūjin replied calmly. "As for the clan, I'm not sure. If needed, I can investigate them secretly for you."
Homura Mitokado frowned slightly. "If you have no schemes, why conceal your strength?"
"My strength is excessive. I've mastered too many ninjutsu. I didn't want the village to grow suspicious."
That answer was acceptable. Homura Mitokado nodded.
"What is Uchiha Obito's relationship with the Uchiha Clan? Is he a hidden force cultivated by them?"
"No."
"On the day Kushina gave birth, what was your objective?"
"To stop Uchiha Obito from taking the Nine-Tails."
"Then why did you remain after he left?"
"He didn't leave. He stayed hidden the entire time. None of you noticed except me."
Homura Mitokado continued asking questions, and Ryūjin answers satisfied him.
"Very well. Return for now," Homura Mitokado said at last. "Continue your duties in the Konoha Military Police Force and await further orders. If Uchiha Fugaku or the clan makes any move, report it immediately."
Ryūjin nodded and left.
However, the moment he stepped out of the Hokage Building, a cold smirk formed on his lips.
"Homura Mitokado… let's see what you're really planning," he muttered.
Shisui had never controlled him.
Knowing Shisui would use Kotoamatsukami, Ryūjin had already prepared. The one affected earlier that day had only been a Shadow Clone.
"Damn it, that old man wasted my time. I'm going to be late."
Turning a corner, Ryūjin suddenly checked the time and clicked his tongue.
In the next moment, he vanished.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he moved across rooftops in rapid succession, his figure nothing more than a blur.
Less than a minute later, he arrived beside Yuhi Kurenai, completely composed.
"You really came rushing like that?" Kurenai said, looking at him with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Aren't you worried about drawing attention?"
"If I kept you waiting, that'd be worse," Ryūjin replied, casually wrapping an arm around her.
Their relationship had long passed the awkward stage, so the gesture felt natural.
"You could've taken your time," Kurenai said softly.
"Yeah right," Ryūjin smirked. "Not happening."
After walking together for a while, Ryūjin spoke again.
"Do your parents know about us?"
"I haven't told them directly," Kurenai admitted. "But they've probably heard something."
"Then I should visit them properly," Ryūjin said.
Kurenai blinked, caught off guard. A faint blush appeared on her face.
"Why the sudden rush? We're still young."
"The ninja world isn't exactly stable," Ryūjin said. "Anything can happen. I'd rather settle things sooner."
He did not mention his real concern.
With Homura Mitokado's actions, conflict with the village seemed inevitable. If Kurenai's father stood against him later, things would get complicated.
Better to deal with it now.
"…Alright," Kurenai said after a moment. "I'll talk to them tonight."
"Good. Send my regards to my future in-laws."
Kurenai's face reddened instantly. "You're unbelievable."
That evening, after parting ways with her, Ryūjin returned home.
He took out a crystal ball and began observing.
As expected, Homura Mitokado soon gathered the village's top officials.
"Our plan succeeded," Homura Mitokado announced. "Shisui has altered Uchiha Ryūjin's will. He now follows my commands."
The room grew tense.
"I've obtained critical information from him."
Everyone felt it. Whatever he had learned was not trivial.
"Uchiha Ryūjin is that mysterious Uchiha."
Silence filled the room.
"And he personally killed the Hokage."
Shock spread through the gathered leaders. Even those who suspected it struggled to process the confirmation.
To remove any doubt, Ryūjin was summoned again and questioned in front of everyone.
By the time he left, the atmosphere had grown heavy.
The implications were severe. Suspicion toward the Uchiha Clan did not lessen. It deepened.
The discussion that followed was intense. Opinions shifted, though many did not realize it consciously.
Fear had taken root.
"Everyone," Homura Mitokado said slowly, "the Uchiha issue has existed since the village's founding. It has only worsened over time."
He paused.
"So why not let things take their course? Let the clan determine its own fate."
Some frowned, confused.
Others, like Nara Shikaku, understood immediately.
"You mean allowing them to grow unchecked?" Yamanaka Inoichi asked. "Wouldn't that create a greater threat?"
"Perhaps," Homura Mitokado replied. "Or perhaps internal conflict will resolve it."
The meaning became clear.
He intended for Uchiha Ryūjin to destroy the Uchiha Clan.
If it appeared as internal strife, Konoha would bear no responsibility.
It was a clean solution. Efficient. Detached.
And with Ryūjin's power, it was entirely possible.
A perfect plan.
___
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