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"It’s all within the family. Ryoichi was beaten, which also made me lose face, so let’s not bring this up again. By the way, Ryoichi’s injury should be mostly healed by now, right?"

"He has recovered very well, and he’ll be back to work soon."

"That’s good."

Taking the napkin from the table to wipe his mouth, Kazuki proactively spoke the words Shimeki had been hesitating to say:

"Are you wondering why I hinted to the clan leader to choose you, making you the captain of the third squad in the police force?"

"....."

’Was it that obvious?’ Shimeki scratched his head awkwardly and nodded.

He felt so weak, unable to hide his thoughts, as Kazuki had easily seen through him.

Kazuki casually tossed the napkin into the trash in the corner, then looked straight into Shimeki’s eyes with confidence and said:

"It’s simple. The hardliners will only bring trouble to the clan, but you won’t. Although you’re part of the hardliners, I believe you’ll stand by my side, for the sake of the clan and the village, and not just as a tool for the elders in their pursuit of power and interests."

"Uh....."

’So blunt? Kazuki really dares to say anything.’ Shimeki was startled by Kazuki’s straightforward words.

Kazuki rolled his eyes and was pushed from behind by Endo:

"Do you have to be so blunt? What about me? You’re talking as if I would stand by your side."

"Wouldn’t you?"

Kazuki asked with a smile.

"I....." Endo originally intended to say firmly, "I wouldn’t."

But when the words reached his lips, he found he couldn’t say them.

With a smile, Kazuki pointed to himself:

"You’ve seen everything I do, whether official or personal, it’s all for the family. That’s why I’m confident you’ll stand by my side to help me. The things the elders and the clan leader can do, I, Kazuki, can also do. And the things they can’t do, I still can."

Shimeki’s eyes flickered. He had seen what Kazuki had done and knew the reasoning behind it.

If Kazuki were only using the family as a cover to seek benefits for himself, even though Kazuki had helped Ryoichi and recommended him, Shimeki wouldn’t be sitting here eating ramen with him.

Uchiha needs change. Many people have this idea, but few actually step up to do something about it.

Even fewer can bring benefits and improvements to the family, and Kazuki was the most representative of that.

Even though it hasn’t been long since he stepped forward.

"Damn you, I almost believed you. I’m leaving, going home to sleep, can’t be bothered with you."

Endo pouted, adjusted his clothes, and stood up to leave.

Endo left decisively, leaving Shimeki stunned: "Endo, he..."

Kazuki’s smile didn’t falter: "He’s just saving face. Don’t worry about him, he’s just a tsundere who cares too much about appearances."

"How should I put it, you could say that Uchiha Endo has already become ’shaped’ by me."

"..."

What the hell!!!

Shimeki was dumbfounded. Is this how you describe relationships?

If I didn’t know you both didn’t have that kind of inclination, I’d really start to suspect... something was going on.

Does that mean I will also be ’shaped’ by you in the future?

Thinking of some inappropriate things, Shimeki’s expression changed. He instinctively shrank back, patting his forehead and reminding himself not to think nonsense.

’What am I even thinking?’

Kazuki can make random remarks, but I can’t just take them literally.

If Kazuki couldn’t figure out what Shimeki was thinking at this point, he might as well find a place to hide.

Leaning against the wooden wall, Kazuki squinted, and his smile faded.

"If your mind is clouded, and you like to think of nonsense, I don’t mind using Genjutsu to clear your head."

It was just a metaphor, do you understand?

I wasn’t trying to hit on you!

Cough, cough

"Sorry, that’s my fault."

Shimeki quickly corrected his attitude and apologized. He didn’t want to compete with Kazuki in Genjutsu strength.

To be precise, apart from Shisui, no one in the Uchiha clan was willing to challenge Kazuki in Genjutsu.

"As for your invitation, I’ll think about it seriously."

"Alright, as long as you’re considering it."

Kazuki didn’t expect Shimeki to immediately take his side. It wouldn’t be easy to get Shimeki to follow him wholeheartedly.

"Well, I’ll take my leave."

After sending Shimeki off, Kazuki could only hope that his mental endurance would hold up. The hardliners’ elders wouldn’t be as easy to deal with as Kazuki.

Pulling in a capable ally with just a bowl of ramen and a few words?

That’s hardly reliable.

Kazuki’s goals went beyond that. The specifics would depend on whether the hardliner elders were competent. He hoped they wouldn’t disappoint him.

As Kazuki hesitated about whether to help wash the dishes after the meal, the last person he had been waiting for arrived.

"Is there none for me?"

Pulling the curtain aside, Tsunade glanced at the empty table, rubbed her stomach, and sat down dejectedly.

"Doesn’t the Hokage office provide dinner?"

Kazuki asked with a smile.

"Don’t get me started."

Tsunade grumbled in irritation.

"The old man keeps making me read this and look over that, always asking me to help with official duties. When would I have time to eat?"

"Yeah, the village leadership is usually so busy they don’t even have time to eat, yet they always seem to find time to focus on the Uchiha, monitoring us."

Kazuki said, feigning understanding. After all, the leadership is very busy.

Busy enough to have no time to eat, yet plenty of time to deal with the Uchiha.

"..."

’This kid’s words are just as sharp as ever.’ Tsunade wanted to punch him but restrained herself, waving her clenched fist before finally letting it go.

"Stop with the sarcasm. Today is the Uchiha clan meeting, and no one from the village can enter the Uchiha district. The hardliners in the Uchiha clan are still a problem, and you know what I mean."

No matter how strict the surveillance, it couldn’t extend into the Uchiha clan’s territory itself.

If things got to that point, it would mean both sides had reached a life-and-death conflict.

Thus, the village’s monitoring of the Uchiha was limited to outside the clan grounds and through long-distance observation.

"The hardliners are indeed a problem, but the clan leader and I are already working on addressing it. This faction must be dismantled. The Uchiha is, after all, a part of the village. Neither the clan leader nor I will allow certain individuals to do things that will implicate the clan and harm the village’s unity."

When it’s time to make a statement, you have to do so, even if it seems insincere. At least showing that you’re trying to change things makes people think you’re serious.

Remaining silent or stubborn is the dumbest approach.