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Kazuki kindly reached out to lift Shizune's dropped jaw and said with a grin.
"Snap out of it; your jaw's practically hitting the floor. This is normal for the Uchiha. Otherwise, how could we dare to call ourselves the strongest clan in the ninja world?"
"...Sure, tell that to someone gullible."
Tsunade remained unimpressed.
The title of the "strongest clan in the ninja world" was something many clans, including the Uchiha, Senju, and Hyuga, had vied for. But none had ever managed to claim it definitively.
As for this so-called "normal," Tsunade wasn't buying it.
One Uchiha Shisui was already an extraordinary anomaly, and now Kazuki implied there might be more of his caliber?
What Tsunade didn't know was that there truly were.
Aside from Shisui, there was Kazuki himself and Fugaku, making it three Mangekyo Sharingan users within the Uchiha clan.
Beyond that, Kazuki had his eye on two others. Itachi and Izumi.
Sasuke, however, was an entirely different matter.
In the original timeline, Sasuke only awakened his Sharingan during the Uchiha Massacre, and it took him years of missions and emotional turmoil to advance to the second tomoe.
While he undeniably had great talent, his growth often seemed inconsistent, like a spring coiled too tightly—explosive under pressure but prone to moments of slackness.
Compared to Itachi and Izumi, Sasuke felt far less reliable.
"Your house is cleaned, right?"
"...Huh?"
Kazuki blinked. "Are you planning to rest at my place?"
Tsunade smirked.
"Since we're already here in Uchiha territory, of course, we'll crash at your place. But I'll sleep in the guest room—with Shizune. And just so you know, if anything like last time happens again, I'll personally beat you into next week!"
The memory of *that incident* still made Tsunade flush with embarrassment.
Given the age gap between them and Kazuki's insistence that she had been the one to climb into his bed, it was impossible for her to defend herself without sounding even more ridiculous.
Kazuki chuckled, his expression playful.
"Don't flatter yourself. If anything, it's you trying to take advantage of me. I'm heading to Kurenai's place; you and Shizune can rest at mine. No way I'm giving you the chance."
"Cough, cough!"
Shizune quickly covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.
Tsunade's face darkened instantly, her fists clenching. She seriously considered punching Kazuki right there and then.
"Who's taking advantage of who? I'm the one who got the short end of the stick!"
Joking aside, Kazuki ultimately escorted the two women back to his home to rest.
The remaining guests were left in Fugaku's hands. Kazuki trusted his clan leader to handle them, even if Fugaku's ever-serious demeanor wasn't exactly the warmest.
"Your sleepwear's still in the closet," Kazuki said, pointing to a drawer. "Izumi bought them for you earlier. You'll also find spare blankets and pillows in there."
With Shizune around, Kazuki didn't have to lift a finger to help prepare the guest room.
As for Tsunade? She wasn't one to bother with such trivialities—she'd rather sleep on the floor than deal with bedding.
Meanwhile, at the Sarutobi Compound
The Third Hokage's mood was dark and heavy.
Even though Danzo's remains had been dealt with and burial was planned for the next day, Hiruzen couldn't shake his frustration.
The knowledge that nearly every major ninja clan had attended the Uchiha celebration felt like a sharp blow to his pride.
Hiruzen knew full well how many enemies Danzo had made over the years—himself included. But he hadn't expected that Danzo's actions had alienated practically all of Konoha's clans.
The very fact that nearly every clan invited to the Uchiha event had shown up painted a damning picture.
"What about the Ino–Shika–Cho?"
Turning to Utatane, Hiruzen's question was weary.
Unlike smaller clans that might follow trends, the Ino–Shika–Cho trio had long been allied with the Hokage.
Utatane hesitated before answering, her voice bitter.
"They went too."
The words hung heavily in the room.
For decades, Hiruzen had ensured the Ino–Shika–Cho alliance received ample rewards and responsibilities. Yet even they had chosen to attend.
"What could have gone wrong?"
Hiruzen fell silent, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.
Danzo's ambition had been vast, but his approach had sown resentment across Konoha.
He had demanded talented individuals from nearly every clan—not through diplomacy or negotiation but by direct orders.
Those who couldn't refuse handed over their people reluctantly.
It wasn't recruitment; it was robbing them of their future.
The resentment festered, but Danzo's authority shielded him from backlash—until now.
Now, Danzo was gone.
And while the clans might not openly celebrate, their quiet attendance at the Uchiha event spoke volumes.
To many, it felt like justice.
Had they been braver, they might have joined the Uchiha in setting off fireworks, drinking sake, and declaring.
*"Finally, the heavens have done right by us."*
The Third Hokage sighed heavily.
"Danzo even tried to forcefully recruit from the Ino–Shika–Cho, but Akimichi Chōza flat-out refused. What did Danzo do? He bypassed Chōza and went to others in the clan to secure what he wanted. Ultimately, even the Ino–Shika–Cho trio couldn't avoid being used."
Utatane, thoroughly fed up, stood abruptly.
"Hiruzen, if you're so heartbroken over Danzo, you can mourn him yourself. Don't drag us down with you!"
With that, she stormed off, leaving Hiruzen and Homura in silence.
Hiruzen, weighed down by regret, could only mutter to himself.
"Perhaps I should have reined him in sooner..."