Inside the Hokage's Office, the so-called Konoha F4 had gathered once again.
"Hiruzen, are we just going to let this slide?" Danzo growled, his face dark with fury. "That boy is far too arrogant, he shows no respect for his elders or his superiors!"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu chimed in with their own condemnations. Today's meeting had been humiliating; Uchiha Gen's bold defiance set a precedent they feared would only repeat itself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated in the Hokage's chair, pipe in hand, rubbed at his temples with a weary sigh. His tone was calm, almost helpless.
"If we don't let it go, then what would you suggest? Use underhanded tactics?" His sharp eyes slid over Danzo. "If you've devised the perfect scheme, then by all means, try it."
The three advisers stiffened. They had underhanded means, certainly, but nothing that could be called perfect.
"Enough," Hiruzen continued. "This can be handled with a cold approach. If you fan the flames, you'll only draw more attention. Then it will become truly troublesome. If you feel slighted, wait. The right time will come, you'll have plenty of chances to reclaim your pride. There's no need to rush."
His stance was clear. Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had no choice but to suppress their anger and leave it be for now.
The meeting's contents were kept under wraps. The clan leaders and elders had all retreated before Gen's arguments, publicizing that would only raise his prestige further.
But regardless of what was said, one truth was clear; Uchiha Gen's debut in Konoha's political arena had been a complete success.
From this day forward, the Hokage's council, the departmental heads, and the clan leaders would no longer treat him with dismissive contempt.
No one had doubted his battlefield record but until now, they had doubted his ability to maneuver in the web of Konoha politics.
That illusion was shattered.
That evening, Gen invited Shisui to his home.
After dinner, the two sat together in the living room while Mikoto brought them tea. Itachi settled nearby with Sasuke in his lap; the younger boy had wanted to play outside, but curiosity about the adult conversation had won him over.
Gen accepted the tea, gestured for Mikoto to sit and rest, then crossed his legs and began.
"Today, I was summoned to the Hokage Building over the Ninjutsu Point Exchange System. They called it a meeting, but it was really nothing more than a criticism session."
"As soon as I entered, every clan head and elder glared as though I had personally offended them. And when the session began, Danzo and Homura were the first to attack. Do you know why?"
Shisui thought carefully before answering. "Because full implementation of the system threatens their power."
Gen nodded with satisfaction. "Correct. Yet the system benefits the clan as a whole. If extended village-wide, it would benefit everyone even more."
He leaned forward slightly. "Do you want to hear how the meeting truly played out?"
Shisui's eyes lit with eagerness. Itachi nodded as well.
So Gen recounted the exchanges in detail, their words, their tactics, and the hidden meanings layered beneath. He dissected each maneuver for his young listeners, pulling back the curtain on the world of politics.
Inwardly, he sighed. He didn't particularly enjoy scheming; he preferred action. But until his strength reached the point where he could openly break the rules, intrigue was unavoidable.
The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan still lay beyond reach. By his estimation, he would need the equivalent of ten thousand genin-level souls to cross that threshold.
A staggering number, even considering the higher weight of stronger souls.
Sage Mode was another path, and he had already set it on his agenda. But the true peak, Eternal Mangekyō coupled with Sage Mode, was where his ambition pointed.
With that, even Madara or Hashirama at their prime could no longer frighten him.
For now, patience. For now, intrigue. But step by step, he would earn the right to act without restraint.
When his account ended, Shisui, Itachi, and Mikoto were looking at him with admiration. Even young Sasuke, though he understood nothing, felt awe.
"Shisui," Gen asked, eyes expectant. "What do you see in all this?"
Shisui hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. After a long pause, a thought clicked, and he spoke carefully,
"This proves what you once told me. The interests of the high-level do not always align with the interests of the whole. The Hokage and the elders reacted so strongly because their own power was threatened. They put themselves first."
Gen's hands clapped together sharply, his expression bright with approval. "Well said! Shisui, you've grown. You see with clarity now."
The younger man scratched his head, embarrassed but quietly thrilled by the praise.
Gen's tone turned serious again. "Remember...don't view the Hokage or the elders as flawless pillars of righteousness. They are human. They have selfish motives. Don't believe everything they say. Judge them not by their words, but by their deeds. Take Homura, for example. He cloaked himself in lofty rhetoric about Konoha's stability, but in truth he was only defending his own interests. False righteousness. Hypocrisy. You must learn to see through it."
"I understand," Shisui said gravely.
"I understand too," Itachi echoed, meeting Gen's gaze.
Gen chuckled inwardly. Yes. At last, the halo of the Hokage and the high council had been shattered in their eyes. It would not be so easy for Sarutobi and the others to sway them again.
"I also understand!"
Everyone turned. Sasuke had clapped his tiny hands together, mimicking his brother. He didn't comprehend, but he knew it sounded impressive.
Gen blinked, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha… Sasuke is very smart!"
Mikoto laughed softly, Itachi and Shisui followed, and soon even Sasuke was giggling along.
For a moment, the house was filled not with politics, but with warmth and laughter.