Chapter Eighty-Six: A Method of Fusion

When he returned to the village, Shisui was still dazed.

At the thought that one day in the future, someone might learn that he was Bakal, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear.

He had built his name on honor, a figure regarded well both in the village and within his clan.

But once such a thing came to light, that image would collapse entirely.

At that thought, Shisui fixed Uchiha Li with a narrow stare, his thoughts in turmoil.

“What’s wrong, Shisui? You don’t look very happy.”

Uchiha Li cast him a sidelong glance and spoke with feigned innocence.

Seeing that expression on Li’s face, Shisui grew indignant and said bitterly, “What do you think? Should I be happy?”

“It’s only a pen name. What’s the big deal? This is a fine chance for you to become famous.”

After speaking, Uchiha Li patted Shisui on the shoulder and said earnestly, “Besides, this was the chief’s order. He told you to work with me to finish the task.”

In truth, the job of publishing a book this time was not difficult; he could have completed it alone.

Yet he had still called Shisui along, naturally because he needed someone else to take the blame.

Terra was only just beginning, and there were only the two of them.

As for him, being Caroso and the organization’s hidden leader, his image absolutely could not be allowed to suffer.

That left no real choice at all. The only one who could stand in for him as Bakal was Shisui.

“Cooperating is one thing, but why can’t you use your own name?”

Shisui was still somewhat resentful, clearly unable to accept this matter.

But by now it was too late. The deed was done, and with no way to turn back, he could only swallow his bitterness in silence.

“All right.” Seeing Shisui looking as though he might cry, Uchiha Li changed the subject. “Let’s talk about the clan instead. I’m planning to do something at the next clan meeting, and I may need your help then.”

At this, Shisui’s thoughts were immediately led elsewhere.

To him, nothing was more important than the clan and the village.

Since Uchiha Li had said it that way, whatever was to be done at the clan meeting was likely something of great consequence.

Thinking of this, Shisui’s expression steadied once more, and he said with a serious face, “What exactly do you want to do? How can I help?”

Uchiha Li did not answer directly, but guided him instead. “Now that the village’s upper ranks have been replaced by Minato-senpai, who bears no prejudice toward us, the next focus is how to integrate the clan into the village.”

Shisui nodded in agreement, his face full of conviction.

Uchiha Li went on, “But there is one very serious issue on the clan’s side. If it is not resolved, the clan will never truly be able to blend into the village.”

“You mean... the Security Department?”

Shisui had a suspicion and blurted it out unconsciously.

After this period of subtle influence, his outlook had expanded a great deal under Uchiha Li’s guidance.

At the very least, he no longer blamed the conflict between the clan and the village solely on the clansmen being too radical.

Of course, some more radical clansmen still existed, and they made up a considerable portion of the clan, especially those serving in the Security Department.

Seeing that Shisui had grasped it so quickly, Uchiha Li nodded. “Exactly. The Security Department.”

After a pause, he said slowly, “As a department exclusive to us Uchiha within the village, and given its inherently offending nature, the Security Department is the main reason the clan and the village have never been able to truly merge...”

Listening to Uchiha Li’s analysis, Shisui’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

But then he hesitated and said, “That may be true, but the clansmen are already used to the Security Department being ours.”

“Even if the two of us want to change their thinking and hand over the Security Department, it would probably be very difficult.”

“Unless we choose forceful methods, which isn’t impossible, though I don’t think we’ve reached that point yet.”

He admitted that Uchiha Li made a great deal of sense. The Security Department was a hot potato.

But the problem was that this potato was already tied to the interests of so many people within the clan.

If those people were not dealt with, then even if they used their Mangekyo, everyone would only obey in words while resisting in their hearts.

In the end, they would still have to resort to forceful methods. Wouldn’t that just bring them back to where they started?

Uchiha Li smiled at that and then said, “No, your thinking is still too narrow. Handing over the Security Department does not mean our Uchiha lose it completely.”

As a nearly independent department, the Hokage may have the right to lead it, but not to truly govern it.

As for the other clans in the village, there was no need to even mention them; they did not even have the right to participate.

A department like that was, in essence, a path to self-destruction. If the Uchiha wanted to fully integrate into the village, they absolutely could not continue to hold it tightly in their hands.

“What exactly do you mean? Just say it straight!”

Shisui grew anxious at that, looking at Uchiha Li with teeth that seemed to itch for him.

His cousin was good in every way, except that sometimes he liked to tease him and keep him in suspense.

That feeling of wanting something and not being able to have it was truly unbearable.

Seeing Shisui like that, Uchiha Li finally stopped dragging things out and said:

“Eating the cake alone only makes people jealous. But what if more people are invited to eat it?”

“If our Uchiha want to have no more barriers with the other clans, then why not simply divide the Security Department’s cake among the various clans?”

“In that case, there will still be some clansmen who feel dissatisfied, but the rest should be able to accept it with some effort.”

“And we can also bring this up with the Fourth. If we choose to open up the Security Department, then the village’s other departments should also have a share for us Uchiha.”

By then, Shisui understood completely.

A flicker of excitement appeared on his face, and he knew very well what the result would be if Uchiha Li’s vision could be realized.

All this time, the clan’s radicals had been radical because they felt they had been treated unjustly.

Apart from the Security Department, the Uchiha were almost never allowed to hold any position in the village’s other departments.

Important places in the village, such as the hospital, the mission hall, or the village leadership, had virtually no Uchiha at all.

The Anbu had only him, and even that had been granted by the Third only so he could use him to obtain clan intelligence.

The facts also proved that the Third was never going to help him bring peace between the clan and the village, so it had all been a sham.

Taking a deep breath, Shisui forced himself to calm down and said, “If that’s the case, then no matter what, we must push this forward. But will Lord Fourth agree?”

Uchiha Li replied, “Shisui, the Fourth will definitely agree, because he is completely different from the Third and the others. He has no prejudice against us Uchiha.”

After a pause, he continued, “And if we take the initiative to give up some of the Security Department’s authority, the Fourth’s impression of our Uchiha will only improve.”

“You’re right.” Shisui came to himself. “No Hokage would want a department within the village that he cannot control...”