"Yan is extremely important to the clan. He holds a significant role in our family. I hope you can carry out this responsibility with the utmost dedication. Can you do it?"
"I..."
After hesitating for a while, Izumi could only nod.
Being entrusted by the patriarch personally with such a critical task made her heart feel heavy yet determined. As Uchiha Izumi, she vowed to dedicate herself entirely to caring for the captain and live up to the expectations placed upon her.
Once everything was explained, Fugaku turned and departed with his entourage.
Izumi watched him leave, reluctant.
She had finally been able to see Itachi again after such a long time, yet she didn't even get the chance to say a single word to him. He hadn't even spared her a glance. The silence between them left her disappointed, her heart feeling hollow and dejected.
Upon arriving at the Police Force Headquarters, Fugaku had one of the subordinates guide Itachi through the operations of the department. Afterwards, he immediately issued a public notice.
And the moment the announcement was released, the whole department was in turmoil.
"Captain Uchihahiko is seriously ill? Is it that bad?"
"Apparently so. They say his face was drenched in blood, and he terrified the rookies who had just joined."
"Could it be a bloodline sickness?"
Despite the glory of possessing a powerful kekkei genkai, such inheritances often came with their own curse. Even a clan as strong as the Uchiha was not immune to the threat of bloodline-related diseases.
The Hyuga Clan also faced similar afflictions. In extreme cases, their Byakugan would deteriorate.
Rumors spread like wildfire. The moment it was announced that Yan was on sick leave, whispers started weaving tales of a mysterious illness. Some even claimed he was bedridden with a terminal bloodline disorder and was nearing death.
"Captain, get some rest. Let me take care of this place first."
Even if Yan usually kept the house clean, it was still a home lived in by a single man. Naturally, Izumi felt the responsibility to clean up.
Rolling up her sleeves, she started tidying everything with quiet determination.
"..."
From his bed, Yan watched her petite frame moving busily around. He wanted to say that there was no need, that he was fine, and the house didn't require cleaning.
But seeing her so focused and full of energy, the words caught in his throat.
He sighed internally and decided to let her do as she pleased. Sometimes, it was better not to resist kindness.
Just as they were settling down, the members of the Third Division arrived at Yan's house.
The loud voice of the hot-tempered Uchiha Shiyan could be heard from the courtyard.
"That bastard Kaze! I knew something was off about him. The captain's sick and he had the nerve to ask for leave?!"
The group stormed into Yan's room, expecting to see a man on his deathbed. Instead, they found their captain sitting up and reading, perfectly fine.
They froze, jaws slack.
This didn't match the rumors at all.
Yan raised his head, his sharp eyes locking onto Shiyan. The younger Uchiha immediately stiffened, his bravado evaporating as he instinctively took a step back.
Forced Leave and Idle Time
"Close the door behind you," Yan ordered calmly.
"Y-Yes!"
Shiyan quickly obeyed. The others followed inside, quietly snickering to themselves.
They all knew what was coming.
"You were pretty vocal just now. Why stop now? Go on, keep shouting," Yan said with a sly tone.
"Captain, I swear I was just worried about you! I didn't mean anything by it!"
Yan waved his hand irritably. "Forget it. Kaze's leave was approved by me. Don't go pointing fingers over nothing. Also, you'd best keep up appearances. I'm supposed to be critically ill, remember?"
Their eyes widened.
So it was fake?
They exchanged looks but quickly nodded in understanding.
"Alright. Go eat something and rest up. Starting tomorrow, keep your heads down. But if anyone tries anything with you, don't be afraid to hit back—just don't overdo it. We want to look wounded, not suspicious."
After all, if you're spreading false information, you need actors to back it up.
Since Fugaku ordered the ruse, Yan had no choice but to play along.
How convincing the lie was didn't really matter to him. What mattered was that it created enough noise to draw attention away from the clan's internal affairs.
And while others worried about him, he had already set things in motion to distract Hiruzen and Danzo.
Soon enough, they'd have their hands full, and wouldn't have the time or bandwidth to meddle in Uchiha business anymore.
Meanwhile, the rumors of Uchihahiko's "illness" spread fast.
When the report reached Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, they immediately convened.
"Bloodline sickness?" Sarutobi muttered after hearing from the Anbu agent.
He recalled that most Uchiha who had succumbed to bloodline diseases didn't live long. Hyuga members suffered degeneration of their Byakugan, but Uchiha conditions often proved fatal.
"Are the reports accurate?" he asked.
"There's no way to confirm. We can't breach the Uchiha compound directly. Surveillance from outside is all we can manage for now," the Anbu replied.
Danzo scowled but said nothing.
Not even he would dare storm into the Uchiha territory.
The Anbu continued, "According to the Police Department's statement, Uchihahiko is currently recovering at home. Most of the Third Division visited him after patrol. They left visibly emotional and angry."
Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. "So there's some truth to it. But whether it's truly bloodline sickness or not remains unclear. Very well. Good work. You're dismissed."
As the Anbu ninja vanished, Hiruzen turned toward the window, his gaze landing on the Uchiha sector.
He pondered.
Uchihahiko had made waves in the clan recently and even crossed paths with Danzo. Perhaps this was the clan's way of shielding him.
Of course, it could also be real.
Without direct access, he couldn't confirm it. But it felt like a smoke screen.
Unnecessary, he thought.
Uchiha's insecurity was exaggerated. No one in the village was planning to strike them. Why couldn't they understand that?
Hiruzen didn't consider why the Uchiha might feel endangered in the first place. He simply blamed them for being paranoid.
Regardless, a false narrative or not, the damage had been done.
Yan now had a forced vacation.
And for a man used to action, inactivity was a punishment worse than illness.
Worse still, Izumi had taken over every chore in his house. He had no dishes to wash, no laundry to fold. Even when he tried to find something to do, she had already beaten him to it.
If he hadn't insisted, she'd probably have washed his underwear too.
"Captain, rumors are getting out of hand. People are starting to believe you've contracted a rare bloodline disease."
Bored and restless, Izumi had returned to Yan's house, feeling it lacked warmth. She thought of adding some plants to brighten up the place.
Watching her pace around thoughtfully, Yan decided enough was enough.
"Quan, if there's anything you don't understand about training or your Sharingan, now's the time to ask."
The message was clear: Give me something to do. Let me teach, explain, anything but just sitting here.
"Training?"
Izumi paused, then gave a gentle smile. "I think I'm doing fine for now. I've been following my mom's and academy's routines. As for my Sharingan, I want to awaken it naturally in time."
Yan's smile twitched.
The universe really wanted him to die of boredom, huh?
"Sit. Now."
He pointed to a nearby chair, his tone stern.
"Y-Yes, sir..."
Izumi blinked in confusion. What did she do wrong?
Yan's face had darkened. Izumi, intimidated, sat without protest.