Chapter 475: Since You Suggested It, You Can Handle Fugaku Uchiha

When the time came to make a decision, Takuya believed Fugaku Uchiha would do the right thing.

Even if it meant raising his blade against his own clansmen.

As long as he could purge the troublemakers from the family, the Uchiha clan could secure a path for long-term growth. Fugaku wouldn't hesitate to act.

"I understand. I'll pass your message to the clan leader," Mikoto Uchiha said solemnly before leaving.

The atmosphere for their meal was utterly ruined. Looking at Minato and Pakura, who had also lost their appetite, Takuya sighed in exasperation.

"Why is it so hard to enjoy a simple meal?"

"Forget it."

Takuya tossed his chopsticks aside and stood up.

"Minato, head to the market and get plenty of ingredients. When I get back from the Hokage's office, let's have a barbecue this afternoon."

"Pakura, go find Kushina and gather the necessary seasonings. I won't take long."

"Got it," Pakura nodded.

Minato didn't waste any time, vanishing from the small restaurant in a blur to head to the market.

Takuya paid the bill and left for the Hokage's office.

"You're back already?"

Tsunade looked at Takuya in surprise. He had only left a little while ago. Why did he look so serious? Had something major happened in the village?

Takuya pulled up a chair and sat across from her desk, meeting her gaze directly.

"Obito Uchiha has gone missing, along with his grandmother's body. The Uchiha clan has been searching for days but hasn't found any leads."

"What?!"

Tsunade shot to her feet in shock.

"That doesn't make sense. Who could have entered the Uchiha clan's territory and abducted someone?"

Before the Nine-Tails attack, the Uchiha clan's district was located in the village's central area, heavily guarded. Even a regular civilian would be immediately noticed upon entering.

Tsunade couldn't fathom who could infiltrate the Uchiha's stronghold, abduct someone, and even take an elderly woman's body. Did they think the dozens of Uchiha jonin were just for show?

And it didn't end there.

The ANBU, tasked with monitoring the Uchiha's activities, had reported nothing unusual. Given their recent restructuring, they hadn't paid much attention to the clan's odd behavior while searching for Obito.

Tsunade wasn't the Third Hokage. She had no intention of micromanaging the Uchiha.

With the Hokage unconcerned, the ANBU wouldn't fixate on the Uchiha either.

"I don't know," Takuya replied, spreading his hands.

"They've already been missing for days. Whether Obito is alive or dead is unclear. Mikoto came to me personally, but there's nothing I can do. I'm reporting it to prevent certain people from using this as an excuse to cause trouble for the Uchiha."

"How strange. Why would someone target Obito specifically?"

Tsunade was deeply puzzled.

As she gradually took on more authority, Tsunade had started paying attention to the ninja academy. She was familiar with Obito, one of the academy's well-known students.

Her assessment of him? A smaller version of Jiraiya.

In plain terms: decent talent but not particularly bright.

After some thought, Tsunade called out toward the door.

"Has there been any suspicious activity in the village over the past few days, especially near the Uchiha district?"

One of the ANBU guarding the Hokage's office entered, bowing respectfully before replying:

"None, Hokage-sama. No suspicious individuals have been seen near the Uchiha district. As for the rest of the village, it's difficult to monitor everything comprehensively."

The ANBU were in the midst of a significant overhaul. The ANBU Commander, Sakumo Hatake, was determined to implement sweeping reforms. Until the restructuring was complete, their ability to monitor the village's movements was limited.

"I see. Thank you for your efforts," Tsunade said, dismissing the ANBU member without further questions.

She turned back to Takuya, her expression apologetic.

You heard them.

Takuya wasn't surprised by the response. If Black Zetsu's actions were that easy to detect, the Fourth Great Ninja War wouldn't have unfolded the way it did.

Black Zetsu had fooled everyone, time and time again.

It was clear what Black Zetsu wanted. Takuya didn't bother worrying about it.

He had no interest in clashing with Madara Uchiha or preventing Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's resurrection.

Whether Kaguya could successfully revive was uncertain, and even if she did, so what?

As long as Takuya could protect the people close to him, that was enough.

He didn't believe the Sage of Six Paths and his brother would remain passive if their mother truly returned.

After all, the Sage had demonstrated his ability to intervene remotely during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

Unlike other transmigrators who feared Kaguya would kill them, Takuya felt no such concern. He knew the Sage and his brother wouldn't sit idly by.

When you think about it, isn't it terrifying?

The Sage of Six Paths, with all his strength, had been watching the ninja world from the afterlife.

And where was this afterlife? The Pure Land—a place where the souls of the dead gathered.

Could it be that the Sage had been collecting souls to strengthen himself?

If the Sage could exist posthumously, couldn't his brother as well?

Given these considerations, why worry? Living a good life was the most logical choice.

Strong enemies would naturally be handled by those equally strong.

"Alright."

Takuya saw no need for Tsunade to drop everything to search for Obito. Reporting the incident was sufficient.

"What do you think about the Uchiha situation?"

The Uchiha clan had always been a thorny issue, standing as an obstacle since Tsunade had taken on leadership responsibilities.

Personally, she bore no prejudice against the Uchiha, provided they didn't cause trouble.

"We'll handle it as necessary," Takuya said with a shrug.

"Just remember one thing: Fugaku Uchiha is someone worth aligning with. When the time comes to make a choice, he'll be more anxious than you—and far more ruthless.

"It's possible there will be significant sacrifices within the Uchiha.

"But for now, it's too early to act. Once you become the Fourth Hokage, you can address it slowly."

The Uchiha wouldn't stir up trouble in the short term. Addressing their issues now would be premature, especially since Tsunade hadn't yet assumed the mantle of Fourth Hokage.

Once she was in full control, dealing with the Uchiha would be far easier.

Otherwise, the Third Hokage and his old guard would inevitably interfere, creating unnecessary complications.

"You're right. Since you're the one suggesting this, you can handle stabilizing and communicating with Fugaku Uchiha," Tsunade said, promptly tossing the responsibility to Takuya.

"You—"

Takuya was left speechless.

This is your problem, and now you're dumping it on me? Woman, you've gotten cocky.

Suddenly, Takuya reached out and pinched Tsunade's cheeks, pulling them outward into a square shape.

"???"

Tsunade, who had just picked up a document, froze in disbelief. The ANBU observing from the shadows were equally dumbfounded.

These two… Could they be serious? This is the Hokage's office!

"You little brat!"

Tsunade erupted, ready to hit him, but Takuya quickly dodged, laughing as he left.

"Barbecue this afternoon—come early if you want some. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Barbecue, my foot! You're dead meat, just wait!"

Rubbing her reddened cheeks, Tsunade muttered a few curses under her breath.

After parting ways with Takuya, Mikoto returned to the Uchiha compound and relayed his exact words to Fugaku.

Though the message was brief, it sent shivers down Fugaku's spine.

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