**Chapter 20: The Uchiha Clan Isn't That Devious**

As soon as Reijin returned home, Elder Setsuna was already waiting at the door.

Reijin couldn't figure out this old man; he never seemed to care about the big affairs of the Uchiha clan.

So why was he always hanging around him?

After inviting him in, the empty house felt even more desolate.

It was Elder Setsuna himself who ended up boiling water and serving tea.

Elder Setsuna seemed a bit displeased!

After all, Reijin's status within the Uchiha clan was now on par with Fugaku's.

Yet, in this house, there wasn't even a single servant to attend to them.

That just seemed inappropriate.

"Reijin, with the recent expansion of our Uchiha clan's power, I fear that Konoha won't take it lying down."

Elder Setsuna poured two cups of steaming tea, holding one as he spoke.

He had received information as soon as Reijin made his move.

Originally, he had planned to go and support him, but by the time he arrived, Reijin had already been taken away.

He had also managed to learn some of what was discussed among Konoha's higher-ups.

"Of course! Konoha won't just accept this defeat; the Uchiha clan probably won't have long to enjoy their happiness."

"What awaits them is likely to be severe repression by Konoha. It won't be that easy."

Reijin chuckled. Konoha's methods...

It would be hard for Fugaku to withstand the pressure.

When it came to matching wits with Konoha's top brass, Fugaku simply wasn't up to the task.

He'd likely end up getting outplayed to death.

Fugaku's political skills were nowhere near Danzo's level.

If Fugaku were more capable, the Uchiha clan wouldn't be in this situation now.

Elder Setsuna nodded thoughtfully, not saying anything more.

They were already preparing to flee; Fugaku's fate wasn't really their concern.

In his view, it would be better if Fugaku died, so he wouldn't continue to bring misfortune to the Uchiha clan.

"By the way, for those captured by Konoha's Anbu, you should rescue them while disguised as Mist shinobi."

"The Anbu probably won't release them easily, so it's best to get them out."

"If anyone asks, just say that Fugaku has compromised with Konoha and that they were abandoned."

Reijin remembered those who had shielded him from attacks earlier. They were promising members of the Uchiha clan.

To join the police force, one had to unlock the three-tomoe Sharingan to truly qualify.

Secondly, they only recruited those with strong abilities, such as those who performed well during wartime.

So, the members of the Konoha Police Force were essentially the elite of the Uchiha clan.

Since Fugaku wouldn't be able to save those Uchiha who fell into the hands of the Anbu, Reijin decided to handle it himself.

"You really are a cunning kid!"

Elder Setsuna's face lit up with a smile.

He greatly approved of Reijin's methods.

After all, wasn't this just a way to stir up hatred against Fugaku?

This kind of thing wasn't the Uchiha's strong suit.

After all, the Uchiha clan didn't have many devious minds like Tobirama Senju.

They simply weren't inclined to such underhanded schemes.

In the following days, a storm was brewing in Konoha.

The day after Reijin's attack on the civilians, the Anbu base was directly assaulted.

It was breached by several Mist shinobi using fire-style jutsu, and the Uchiha clan members who were still being interrogated were taken away.

Now, the entire Konoha was in turmoil. Fugaku went to the Hokage's office to demand an explanation.

But the Hokage's response was that the Uchiha clan hadn't done enough to protect Konoha.

As a result, a deputy minister was appointed to the Police Force, along with ten new members.

Fugaku's power was suddenly cut in half!

Just days after his initial joy, Fugaku now looked like a wilted eggplant.

He was completely deflated!

He knew exactly who had orchestrated this.

It had to be that fearless troublemaker, Reijin.

Only this guy would dare to take on Konoha's Anbu.

No one else would have the guts!

Fugaku's heart was set on the Uchiha clan's well-being. He believed that as long as he could rescue those few individuals, paying a price would be worth it. However, he never expected that the cost would be so heavy for the Uchiha clan.

Just as he was planning to revive the Uchiha clan, the higher-ups in Konoha snatched power from his grasp. Now, with a deputy minister in the police force, everything had to go through that person. He couldn't even mobilize people privately without going through an approval process each time. This rigid system was grinding down Fugaku's patience, making it difficult for him to take any bold action.

"Itachi!" 

A girl stood at the door of a house, calling out. But after a long wait, it was a young woman who stepped out.

"Oh, it's Izumi! Itachi has gone out to train with Fugaku," Mikoto said gently, stroking her face with an apologetic smile.

"Ah, out again?" Uchiha Izumi's face showed a trace of disappointment. Every time she came to find Itachi, she was met with the same response—he was out. It had been nearly six months since she last saw him.

"I'm really sorry. I'll make sure to tell him to come see you when he returns," Mikoto said softly. She was very fond of Izumi, but Itachi, unfortunately, seemed a bit oblivious when it came to these matters. He was always doting on Sasuke or training with Shisui. Now, even at home, he couldn't sit still and had gone off with Fugaku to test his abilities.

Izumi's frequent visits made Mikoto feel a bit embarrassed. 

"It's okay, Aunt Mikoto. We can meet whenever Itachi has time," Izumi replied cheerfully. "I don't have any tasks today, so I'll just go and have some fun."

With that, Uchiha Izumi waved to Mikoto and ran off into the distance. Her lively personality reassured Mikoto about Itachi's future. With someone like Izumi, Itachi wouldn't be so easily given up on. It was for the best, considering how cold Itachi's personality could be.

"That girl just now..." 

A young boy emerged from behind Mikoto.

"You should call her Sister Izumi!" Mikoto said sternly.

"Where should I go today? Maybe the dango shop? If Itachi finishes his training and comes to find me, we can still have his favorite dango," Izumi mused as she walked down the road. She knew that Itachi had a sweet tooth, and dango was just the thing to please him.

"Thud!"

Uchiha Izumi was so lost in thoughts about Itachi that she didn't notice someone in her path.

"Sorry! I'm so—" Izumi quickly bowed her head to apologize, but when she looked up, she froze. The person in front of her was young and handsome, with a confident and somewhat arrogant smile—a look common among the Uchiha. But Izumi recognized who this person was.

"Lord Reijin, I apologize!" Uchiha Izumi said timidly, standing still in place. She hadn't expected to run into Uchiha Reijin, the most respected member of the Uchiha clan.

If anyone in the Uchiha clan commanded more respect than Fugaku, it was Reijin Uchiha. He had surpassed the clan leader in prestige.

"You're Uchiha Izumi, right?" Reijin asked as he strolled leisurely through the Uchiha compound, noticing someone familiar. He gazed thoughtfully at Izumi; if he wasn't mistaken, that tear-shaped mole marked her as Itachi Uchiha's future love interest.

(End of Chapter)