In his office, Fukuyama stared out the window. The Uchiha clan had maintained its reputation for strength since the village's founding, but since Kagami's death, they lacked the kind of exceptional ninjas who could truly command respect through power alone.
This placed them in a precarious position. Within the village's political structure, they couldn't act openly against someone like Shin without severe repercussions. And with his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, even covert action was effectively impossible.
More importantly, any confrontation would only damage the clan further. Danzō had been monitoring the Uchiha with growing suspicion for years. Any misstep would give him precisely the leverage he sought.
Then there was Shin's relationship with Tsunade to consider. Antagonizing someone with such powerful connections would be unwise under any circumstances.
And most pressingly, eight promising young clan members remained hospitalized without proper treatment.
He rubbed his temples.
"Hanma's impulsiveness has placed us in an impossible position," he muttered to himself.
The situation made no sense. Shin had saved Rika's life, a feat that deserved gratitude. What could have possessed Hanma to respond with such hostility? What had he hoped to gain?
Mobilizing police officers without authorization, intimidating civilians, attacking a medical professional... the actions were as inexplicable as they were damaging.
He could see the larger pattern at work. Shin had orchestrated this confrontation carefully, likely to establish boundaries. It was a calculated demonstration meant not just for the Uchiha clan, but for the village leadership as well.
The Uchiha had inadvertently become pieces in someone else's game.
"Fukuyama-sama!" An agitated voice broke through his thoughts as a clan member burst through the door. "The families of the injured officers visited the hospital. When they learned their children still aren't receiving treatment, they became distraught. They're on their way here now, demanding answers."
Fukuyama took a deep breath, his decision already made. "Prepare a formal gift arrangement. And bring 30 million ryō from the clan treasury."
"?" The messenger looked surprised.
"I'm going to speak with Shin personally," Fukuyama explained. "As for the families, have someone meet them and assure them I'm addressing the situation directly. Tell them I'll provide a full explanation shortly."
The clan member bowed and departed quickly.
Fukuyama was not one to hesitate once he'd decided on a course of action. The situation with Shin required pragmatism, not pride. If they couldn't confront him directly, and if Shin clearly wanted recognition of his position, then the wisest course was to establish diplomatic relations.
In his experience, absolute divisions rarely served anyone's interests. Not everyone shared his perspective, some saw the world in stark terms of allies and enemies. But he had always believed that potential enemies could become valuable allies with the right approach.
Despite the blow to his pride and the implied threat to his authority, he recognized that Shin still carried the Uchiha blood. And more importantly, he represented a potential asset rather than just a threat.
By evening, he and his son arrived at the Namikaze house, carrying carefully selected gifts. When Yasuto opened the door, he was surprised to see them.
"Is Shin home?" Fukuyama asked, his manner respectful and his smile genuine.
"Yes, please come in," Yasuto replied, quickly recovering from his shock and opening the door wider.
Earlier that day, Shin had explained the day's events to him and his wife. He had been deeply concerned, especially upon learning that Shin had essentially escaped custody rather than being properly released.
Shin had tried to reassure him, even suggesting that the clan leader would likely come to reconcile the situation personally. Yasuto had dismissed the prediction as Shin's attempt to ease his worry.
When the knock came at the door, he had half-expected police officers coming to re-arrest Shin. Finding the Uchiha clan leader on his doorstep instead left him momentarily speechless.
As he led the visitors inside, he made a mental note to focus on what he understood, running his shop and caring for his family. The political maneuverings of ninjas clearly operated by rules he couldn't begin to comprehend.
Shin was resting on the sofa when the visitors entered.
"Shin," Fukuyama greeted with appropriate deference. "I appreciate you receiving us."
"I wasn't expecting visitors," Shin replied with a neutral tone. "Especially not the clan leader himself. I assume this isn't about returning me to custody?"
"Nothing of the sort," Fukuyama assured him quickly. "We've investigated the incident thoroughly. It's clear that you were the wronged party throughout. Hanma's actions were unauthorized and inappropriate."
Shin studied Fukuyama's expression carefully before responding. "Then I suppose I can rest easier knowing the Uchiha clan doesn't make a habit of attacking those who help its members."
Noticing that his visitors remained standing, showing no intention of leaving, he added, "Did you need something else?"
"I came to express my personal gratitude," Fukuyama said, putting down his packages on the table. "For saving Rika. She's my niece, and I've always been fond of her. What you did for her deserves recognition."
Shin raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're welcome. It's what any medical professional would have done."
"I understand you and Rika knew each other as children," Fukuyama ventured, attempting to establish a more personal connection. "She used to speak of you often."
"I don't recall," Shin replied plainly.
The response wasn't entirely truthful, his memory was excellent, but it served to make his position clear. Surface-level reminiscence wouldn't bridge the gulf between them.
"Of course," Fukuyama nodded, accepting the response without offense. "It was many years ago."
After a brief pause, his expression grew more serious. "The clan finds itself in an unfortunate position. I genuinely had no knowledge of Hanma's actions until after the confrontation occurred. When I first heard what happened, I misunderstood the situation entirely. Upon learning the full story, I was outraged. To attack someone who had just saved a clan member's life, it's unconscionable."
"What's done is done," Shin replied, his expression softening slightly at Fukuyama's apparent sincerity.
"There is one matter that concerns me greatly," Fukuyama said. "I understand Hanma deserved what happened to him. But the others who accompanied him, they were simply following orders without understanding the situation. They acted when they saw their superior engaged in conflict. While their actions were wrong, their intentions weren't malicious."
"What exactly are you asking?" Shin inquired, though his expression suggested he already knew.
"Their families are deeply worried," Fukuyama explained. "They're just children, really, the youngest is only twelve. I'm asking if you would consider treating their injuries."
"I understand their parents' concern," Shin acknowledged. "No parent should have to watch their child suffer."
Before he could continue, Fukuyama placed a sleek attaché case on the table. "The clan would, of course, compensate you appropriately for your expertise. There's 30 million ryō here. If that's insufficient, I can arrange for more."
From their position near the door, Yasuto and his wife exchanged looks of astonishment. The sum was exorbitant, far beyond what anyone would consider standard medical fees.
Shin was equally surprised, though he concealed it better. He found himself reassessing Fukuyama. The man was clearly more politically astute than he had initially given him credit for.
It was curious, then, that Fugaku had developed such a different personality from his father. Where Fukuyama showed flexibility and pragmatism, his son displayed rigidity and formality. It explained much about Fugaku's later difficulties in leadership.
No wonder, even after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan and becoming more powerful, Fugaku had always failed to command respect. In the end, he even led the Uchiha clan to destruction.
After all, who likes staring at a scowling face every day?
Perhaps if Fukuyama had lived longer, the tragic fate of the Uchiha clan might have been averted. A leader with his diplomatic skills and strategic thinking could have navigated the village's suspicions more effectively than his perpetually frowning son had managed to do.
As Shin considered Fukuyama's request and generous offer, he recognized the underlying message: the Uchiha clan was extending an olive branch, acknowledging his position, and seeking a mutually beneficial arrangement rather than continued hostility.
It was, in essence, exactly what he had intended to achieve with his demonstration of power.
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