Hatake Tatsuya in Naruto

"Konoha's reconstruction project will be entrusted to the Uchiha clan under the leadership of Anbu's Crow this time. His Wood Style will rebuild the areas destroyed by the Nine-Tails. This approach will save money and expedite the process, providing much-needed money aid to the victims."

In the Hokage office, Tsunade stood with one hand on her hip, her expression composed and authoritative, concealing the jealousy of a woman who had once felt sidelined by her own students. Instead, she projected the commanding presence of a leader.

Crow was the codename for Uchiha Shisui in the Anbu, inspired by his summoning beast— Crows.

"Hokage-sama, according to our reports, a total of 26 shinobi from various clans were killed by Wood Style jutsu during the Nine Tail's breakout," reported the current patriarch of the Gekko Clan, his gaze narrowing as he looked at Shisui, who stood in his Anbu uniform, mask obscuring his face. "I don't believe he and the Uchiha are worthy of our trust."

The killing incidents had occurred near the Gekko Clan's territory. Though it wasn't officially designated as their clan's land, many of their clan shinobi and civilians lived there.

"Is the curse of hatred starting so soon?" Tsunade thought, frowning inwardly.

"From yesterday evening until the end of the Nine-Tails Incident, Crow was acting under my command," Hatake Sakumo interjected, arms crossed over his chest, his tone firm. "Does the Gekko Clan or anyone else doubt my judgment?"

"…"

Faced with a Kage-level powerhouse in the village who was likely second only to Hatake Tatsuya, how could the Gekko patriarch, a Jōnin, dare openly oppose him? Yet, with nearly a third of the deceased being members of his clan, he could not simply remain silent without seeking an explanation.

Finally, he spoke, his voice slightly strained. "Hatake-dono, it is not your judgment I doubt… But I have a responsibility to my clan. These deaths demand an explanation, and I cannot ignore that duty."

Murmurs spread across the room. Several of the clan leaders exchanged concerned glances, sensing the undercurrent of distrust. The old tensions regarding the Uchiha were resurfacing, like an itch that refused to heal.

She cast a stern glance around the room, her eyes sharp and unyielding. "I understand your concerns, but baseless accusations serve no one. We are here to rebuild Konoha, not look at each other apart with suspicion. If there is no evidence, then let's hear no more about it!"

It was Tsunade, the Hokage, who finally intervened, putting an end to the fruitless argument. Her words carried an implicit message to the high-ranking officials present: without proof, do not cast suspicion on the Uchiha. Of course, what was left unsaid or whispered in private was another matter entirely.

After all, the sight of the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes last night had been witnessed by all of Konoha.

Although a part of the village was destroyed by the Nine-Tails, it was far from the level of devastation that would require relocation. Reconstruction could be managed with Shisui's Wood Style. Unlike Danzo, Tsunade had no intention of targeting the Uchiha without cause.

Tsunade took a deep breath, her face stern. "One more thing," she continued, her voice steady but commanding. "The news of this attack must be controlled. We cannot afford to appear weak or divided, especially now."

She looked around the room, ensuring each clan leader understood the gravity of her words. "No rumors, no speculation. Keep a tight lid on the details even from your lovers. This village cannot be seen as vulnerable, not when the eyes of every shinobi village are likely on us, waiting for any sign of weakness."

Tsunade's gaze shifted to Shikaku Nara, who nodded, already planning how to handle the flow of information.

"And make sure our intelligence network is fully alert," Tsunade added, her tone sharp. "I want ears to the ground in every shinobi village—Kumo, Iwa, Suna, Kiri. No matter how small the piece of information, I want it reported immediately. We can't afford to be caught off guard again."

There was a murmur of agreement around the room. The clan leaders recognized the danger; if word of their internal discord spread, it could be the perfect opportunity for another village to strike.

The room began to settle as Tsunade's directives took hold. The Gekko patriarch nodded, his face tense but compliant. Others followed suit, their apprehension giving way to reluctant acceptance.

The meeting concluded shortly thereafter. However, as the attendees filed out of the Hokage building, it was clear that many clan leaders, as well as key decision-makers of civilian Jonins, were deliberately distancing themselves from Uchiha Fugaku.

Standing on the top floor, Shisui observed all of this in silence, feeling an ever-growing sense of uncertainty in his heart.

...

...

"That's the situation," Tatsuya began, a feigned look of desperation crossing his face. "These two girls were given a potent aphrodisiac. And since I lack the skill for those… let's say, conventional methods like using medical chakra to purge the poison, I had no choice but to use the, uh, most direct approach to help them." He paused, adding with a dramatic sigh, "All I did was sacrifice myself to save the precious lives of your students!"

Yet, upon closer inspection, it was clear that not a single tear had fallen from his eyes. He leaned back, his body language a mix of exaggerated exhaustion and mock sincerity. "So, if I had to make a little sacrifice for the greater good, so be it."

Tsunade glared at him, her expression filled with contempt as if seeing through all his shameless excuses. Both Rin Nohara and Terumi Mei looked ready to punch him. Tatsuya's words made it sound as if he had made a great sacrifice, but in reality, he was playing the victim. He was the wolf in sheep's clothing, manipulating the situation for his advantage, leaving the girls as helpless lambs.

Tatsuya, observing Tsunade, noticed that her initial fury had somewhat diminished. It was the perfect moment for him to push his luck a little further. And this was precisely his plan.

Tsunade took several deep breaths in a row to calm herself, resisting the urge to be infuriated by this shameless idiot.

"Who would be so bold as to come here and drug them?!" she finally demanded.

Just as Tsunade asked the question, her eyebrows raised slightly as she recalled the masked man named "Uchiha Madara" that Namikaze Minato had reported to her. She frowned and asked, "It's not that 'Uchiha Madara,' is it?"

Uchiha Madara?

Tatsuya looked momentarily surprised but laughed inwardly. Obito is still calling himself 'Uchiha Madara'?

"No, I don't think so," Tatsuya replied, shaking his head. Although Madara could be a bit of a troublemaker, he wasn't the type to hide his face behind a mask like a coward. Tatsuya was 100% certain that it was Uchiha Obito, that old schemer, who had manipulated Obito into turning to the dark side.

"Do you know who it was?" Tsunade asked, her tone sharp.

Tatsuya hesitated. Should he tell the truth? Would they even believe him?

After a few seconds of deliberation, he said, "The masked man from last night… Based on my perception, it's most likely Obito."

Obito?

Tsunade, Rin, and Yuhi all reacted with shock. Was it Uchiha Obito, who was supposed to have died in the Battle of Kannabi Bridge three years ago?!

"Tatsuya-sama, how can that be possible? Kakashi himself said he watched Obito die," Rin protested, her voice filled with disbelief.

Tatsuya rubbed his temples, clearly irritated. "I don't know the details. I'm just going off what my perception tells me."

Tatsuya didn't want to get into the details of why Uchiha Madara, that old schemer, waited for a series of specific and complicated reasons to launch the fourth shinobi war. In his mind, it was simple: the masked man was Obito. Believe it or not.

"…Are you sure your perception wasn't off because you were…distracted at the time?" Tsunade asked, skeptical. If she was right, the fool had probably been fooling around with two Kunoichi when the attack happened. Could his perception be trusted under those circumstances?

Tatsuya slumped into the chair with a lazy posture, clearly unconcerned. Forget it. I'm too lazy to explain. Believe it or not.

"Tatsuya-sama, how could someone like Obito do something like this? I mean, I think it's impossible," Kurenai said, leaning forward to massage his shoulders.

The masked man had nearly killed Kushina the night before. If that person was truly Obito, did that mean he wanted to kill his Sensei's family? She thought of Obito's goofy smile and couldn't reconcile it with the idea that he had changed so drastically.

Rin remained silent, looking conflicted. To be honest, she felt a little lost. She could vaguely sense Obito's feelings for her, and if he had seen the scene last night… it might be possible.

---

Read 40 chapters ahead on P*treon.c*m/Marioni. For commission requests and early access Ko-fi.c*m/Marioni37