Kiyoshi explained the reasons to Mikoto.
Village certainly had hidden moles within the Uchiha. If word got out, the Hokage would simply switch to someone else for the investigation. When that happened, who knew what the situation would be—they might investigate Fugaku through even more secretive means.
"I understand," Mikoto said seriously.
This matter was of great importance, and she was not the type to gossip recklessly.
"Kiyoshi, then how do you plan to respond?"
Hearing this, Kiyoshi put on a troubled expression.
"I'm afraid I don't have much of a choice. I believe Lord Fugaku isn't the kind of petty person who would hide his strength, but if the investigation results really show that, I..."
Kiyoshi's expression was full of inner conflict. Mikoto's heart skipped a beat.
Kiyoshi wasn't a native-born Uchiha. He spent his early years in the Land of Lightning and later received the baptism of the "Will of Fire" at the Academy. He might very well turn out to be a good man like Kagami Uchiha. That was a good thing, but it also meant he might prioritize the facts over personal ties.
If he actually discovered something, he would likely report it truthfully. Given Kiyoshi's special status, no one in the clan would dare touch him. He was clearly a middleman sent by Leaf to keep watch.
Thinking of the potential consequences, Mikoto knit her elegant brows. Fugaku was the Clan Leader, yes, but the Uchiha were not composed of only Fugaku's faction.
Take Setsuna Uchiha, for example—someone like him had no need to follow Fugaku's lead and had his own base of supporters. Those clansmen who disagreed with Fugaku would likely jump at the chance to denounce him.
Fugaku would then face dual pressure from both the village and the clan. At that point, the truth wouldn't even matter anymore. Mikoto imagined many dire possibilities, her face turning pale.
"Kiyoshi, Fugaku is doing it for the clan. I believe he has his own difficulties." Mikoto chose her words carefully.
The Clan Leader hides his strength while the clansmen fight to the death. Even if Kiyoshi reported the truth, it wouldn't technically be a betrayal of the Uchiha; on the contrary, he might even get a response from a portion of the clan—those who craved stability. Madara, who wanted to start wars back then, was abandoned by the clan for that very reason.
Fugaku... was very likely to be the next one.
"I wouldn't know about that," Kiyoshi shook his head.
Mikoto tried to persuade him further, but seeing that Kiyoshi had no intention of relenting, she had no choice but to leave first. Kiyoshi sat calmly in his seat, watching Mikoto's shapely figure depart.
If he predicted correctly, Mikoto would be back for a second round very soon! The reason was simple: that fellow Danzo Shimura would certainly not trust Fugaku Uchiha. He would continue to fuel the fires of public opinion for a while.
The Uchiha's poor reputation was inseparable from Danzo. Just as Naruto's identity as the demon fox would be leaked in the future, causing him to be despised by the villagers, Danzo was behind that too. That old dog was a master at manufacturing public opinion and rumors.
If Danzo discovered it was the Mangekyo Sharingan, he would find a way to seize it. Even if it were just a secret technique, he would take it regardless. Otherwise, how would Danzo know [Izanagi], a technique even Sasuke didn't know?
That was a specialized secret technique of the Uchiha clan. Because such an exaggerated technique had once become widespread, it led to endless internal strife. Later, Naori Uchiha developed the corresponding [Izanami], which finally ended the chaos. By now, both of these jutsu were closely guarded secrets of the Uchiha. Even among the clan's own ninjas, very few knew them.
'Fugaku, your weakness is exactly the key to my further advancement.'
Kiyoshi watched the sun gradually setting as he played with the white snake. Fugaku, who feared failure and was indecisive, would only choose to escape. Just as when the signs of something being wrong with Itachi Uchiha appeared early on, Fugaku chose to bow his head and apologize humbly in the face of accusations from other clansmen.
Facing the current slander, Fugaku would likely choose to endure it stubbornly. He was a very contradictory person. He wanted to use this power to become Hokage, yet he was terrified of failing. The Uchiha's long-standing talk of a coup had remained just that—talk, without any actual action.
'I will take good care of Mikoto.'
A wind picked up in the courtyard. The sound of the wind carried away the traces, hiding Kiyoshi's playful words within it.
"Hiss?" The white snake looked confused. It then narrowed its eyes, enjoying its master's massage.
...
Fugaku's House.
"Fugaku?"
Fugaku stood before her with a dark expression, lost in thought. This caught Mikoto's attention. The words to tell him he was being investigated had not yet left her mouth.
"Mikoto, has Kiyoshi agreed to join the Anbu?" Fugaku's face only softened slightly when he saw it was Mikoto.
He had just returned from the Hokage Building. The Konoha high-ups had pressured him, asking if he was hiding anything. Fugaku had to play dumb, claiming he had broken through his physical limits in a fit of rage to instantly kill the enemies. The higher-ups hadn't pressed further, but Fugaku knew they would definitely investigate privately.
After all, the Uchiha clan had records of the [Mangekyo Sharingan]. That person was very famous—Madara Uchiha, who co-founded The Village with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Even the name "Leaf Village" was Madara's idea.
"Kiyoshi said he would join the Anbu."
"Good." Fugaku nodded.
He could mention this at the secret meeting beneath Naka Shrine tonight. Having an Uchiha in the Anbu meant they would have eyes on Leaf's side. They wouldn't be completely in the dark when something happened.
"What about the girl he likes?" Fugaku asked.
Kiyoshi was handsome and had extraordinary talent; there should be many girls in the clan who would take an interest in him.
"He still says there are none." Mikoto hesitated, unsure if she should reveal Kiyoshi's actual response. She had told Fugaku last time that Kiyoshi had "chosen" her. And yet, the boy still said it was her.
"Never mind." Fugaku waved his hand, dropping the subject.
Mikoto, however, looked at Fugaku with a face full of sorrow. What exactly was Fugaku hiding? The village's opinion of the Uchiha hadn't been good lately. Especially Fugaku—he was being constantly slandered. It felt very much like the atmosphere surrounding the Sakumo Hatake incident.
"Fugaku, you're being investigated."
Mikoto told Fugaku what Kiyoshi had told her. Fugaku's square face stiffened. It wasn't because of Kiyoshi, but rather because he was wondering if there were others in the clan like him. With the precedent of Kagami Uchiha, a pro-Konoha faction was not non-existent.
"I need to trouble you to make another trip, Mikoto." Fugaku spoke as he looked at Mikoto, who was clearly worried for him.
He was a stern and old-fashioned man, not suited for meeting Kiyoshi. That would give Kiyoshi the pressure of a Clan Leader's command, which might backfire. Fortunately, Kiyoshi had a good impression of a gentle woman like Mikoto; a boy of that age was most easily persuaded.
"I know." Mikoto nodded, but she still wanted to know what Fugaku was hiding.
Having no other choice, Fugaku selectively revealed some information to Mikoto, repeatedly warning her not to let it out. If it weren't for the fact that Mikoto had always been dedicated to him, Fugaku would never have disclosed it.