I, Uchiha, will not be whitewashed!

Uchiha clan head hall, night.

The candlelight flickered, casting the family crest on the wall in an alternating light and shadow.

Fugaku sat in the main seat, with a guard duty roster spread out in front of him.

The war was over, and the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage was over, but the guard's tasks were heavier than before—the ruins were full of people taking advantage of the chaos, requiring patrols, arrests, and dispute resolution. He rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat exhausted.

Shuoge pushed open the door and sat down opposite him. His sword leaned against the chair, and his mask was tucked into his waistband. His three-tomoe Sharingan wasn't activated; he only had ordinary black eyes.

"What is it?" Fugaku asked without looking up.

"The security force is disbanded." Shuoge's voice was calm.

Fugaku paused. He looked up at Sakugo, his eyes showing no surprise, only weariness. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Know."

Shuoge briefly explained Minato's plan—disband the guard force and incorporate the Uchiha elites into the "Kage," directly under the Hokage.

Assassination, intelligence gathering, infiltration, and protection. The Hokage issues direct orders, independent of the elders. Sakugo himself acts as the liaison, responsible for communication between the two sides.

Fugaku remained silent for a long time.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window are the streets of the Uchiha compound. Some people are cleaning up the ruins, some are moving supplies, and some are comforting neighbors who have lost loved ones.

The guard patrol walked through the street, wearing blue uniforms and armbands with round fans.

"The security force was personally handed over to the Uchiha by the Second Hokage," Fugaku said in a low voice. "If it's disbanded, what will be left of the Uchiha in Konoha?"

"The security force is not power, it's a shackle."

Sakugo's voice was flat. "What the Second Hokage gave the Uchiha wasn't trust, it was surveillance. You've guarded them for so many years, has Konoha's view of the Uchiha changed? No. They still fear you, are wary of you, and even despise you."

Fugaku did not turn around.

"Continuing to defend will only lead to destruction," Sakugo said. "Although Danzo is dead, the suspicion among the higher-ups will not disappear. If the situation gets out of control one day, the Uchiha clan will be wiped out."

Fugaku turned around and looked at Sakugo. "What makes you so sure?"

Shuoge looked at him without explaining. He couldn't say, "I'm a time traveler; I've read the original story." He simply said, "Outsiders see things more clearly; you're just blinded by the power before you."

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then walked back to the table and sat down. "Did the Fourth Hokage agree?"

"Agreed."

"Why should he trust the Uchiha clan?"

"He believes me," Shuoge said calmly.

Fugaku stared at him for a long time.

Then he looked down at the guard duty roster on the table.

Looked for a long time.

Ultimately, it all came down to a single word.

"it is good."

-

Three days later, the Uchiha clan's main hall was filled with people.

The candlelight illuminated the entire hall, and the shadow of the family crest on the wall was cast on the ceiling like an eagle with outstretched wings.

Fugaku stood in the main seat, and Sakugo stood to his left.

The tribespeople whispered among themselves, unaware that a new announcement was about to be made.

"Disband the security force." Fugaku's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it.

The hall was silent for a moment. Then it erupted into chaos.

"What? Disband the security force?"

"That was personally handed to the Uchiha by the Second Hokage!"

"Chieftain, have you gone mad?"

An elder stood up, his beard trembling. "Fugaku, do you know what you're saying? The security force is the foundation of the Uchiha clan in Konoha! If it's disbanded, what will the Uchiha clan have left?"

"Exactly!" another elder chimed in. "We cannot bow down to the Hokage!"

Fugaku didn't speak. He glanced at Sakugo.

Shuoge took a step forward.

His knife was behind his back, his hands hung at his sides, and his face was expressionless.

The noise in the hall gradually subsided, and everyone's eyes fell on the young man. He was Kagami's nephew, the blade of the Anbu, and Konoha's youngest Jonin.

No one dared to ignore what he said.

"The security force is not the foundation, it is a shackle."

Sakugo's voice was flat. "What the Second Hokage gave the Uchiha wasn't trust, it was surveillance. You've been guarding them for decades, has Konoha's view of the Uchiha changed?"

No one speaks.

"Continuing to hold on will only lead to further marginalization."

Shuoge's voice was soft, but every word was clear.

"The Hokage has approved a new plan. The Uchiha clan will relinquish its security force, and its elite members will be incorporated into the 'Kage,' directly under the Hokage. They will be tasked with carrying out top-secret missions. The Hokage will issue orders directly, without being subject to the constraints of the elders."

The hall fell silent again.

"This is not bowing down to the Hokage."

Sakugo looked at the elder. "It's about surviving in a different way. Konoha needs light, and it needs shadow. The Hokage is the light, and the Uchiha are the shadow. Where there is light, there is shadow."

The elder's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

He sat down.

Shuo Ge's line, "Where there is light, there is shadow," was undoubtedly the key to moving everyone.

Fugaku glanced around the hall. "Anyone else objecting?"

No one speaks.

"Then it's settled."

Fugaku's voice was very flat.

"The security force is disbanded, and its functions are transferred to the Hokage's direct security forces. Those who wish to join the 'Kage' should register with Kaze. Those who do not wish to join should be reassigned to other positions."

The clan meeting ended.

The clansmen walked out of the hall in twos and threes, some whispering among themselves, others remaining silent.

Shuoge stood in the center of the hall, his knife behind his back and his hands hanging at his sides.

Fugaku walked up to him and paused for a moment.

"You're right. The security force is a shackle."

He left. Shuoge stood there, watching his figure disappear through the doorway.

……

……

……

Hokage Building, temporary office.

Minato sat behind the table, a document spread out in front of him.

Sakugo stood opposite him, his mask tucked into his waistband, his sword resting against the table. The sounds of construction could be heard outside the window; the reconstruction of Konoha Village was in full swing.

Minato picked up a pen and signed his name on the document. Then he stamped it with the Hokage's seal and handed the document to Sakugo.

"From today onwards, the 'Kage' is officially established. Directly under the Hokage, they will carry out top-secret missions. You will be responsible for liaison."

Shuoge took the document, glanced at it, folded it, and stuffed it into his pocket. "Yes."

"Where is the first batch of members?"

"Twelve people. Uchiha Fu, Uchiha Yan, and ten Uchiha Jonin who have awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan." Sakugo's voice was calm.

"They all joined voluntarily."

They were all Uchiha Jonin who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.

This force, placed anywhere, even in a war between the five great powers, is enough to sway the course of the battle!

Minato nodded. "Their treatment is the same as the Anbu. Mission allowances, pensions, and retirement benefits are all in accordance with Anbu standards."

Konoha possesses the most fertile land and occupies a central position in the world.

The one thing they have no shortage of is money.

In terms of benefits, Minato was much more generous than the third generation.

Minato leaned back in his chair, looking at Sakugo. "Your first task is to keep an eye on the members of 'Kage.' Make sure they don't abuse the power of the Sharingan."

Shuoge looked at him. "You don't trust them?"

"I trust you," Minato's voice was soft. "You said you were the bridge. If the bridge is crooked, it can't connect the two banks of the river."

Shuoge didn't speak. He tucked the mask back into his waistband, picked up the knife, and walked towards the door.

He stopped at the door without turning around.

"The film will not disappoint you."

He left. Shuimen sat behind his desk, watching the door close. Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on his desk and the document he had just signed.

The first line of the document reads: "Shadow Establishment Order".

……

……

……

A few months later, the reconstruction of Konoha Village was nearing completion.

The four statues on the Hokage Rock have been restored, with Minato's statue on the far right, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.

The gateposts at the village entrance have been replaced, Ichiraku Ramen has reopened, and there are more people on the street now.

The war is over, the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage is over, and peace is real.

Shuoge's life returned to normal.

He carries out missions in the shadows during the day and teaches Shisui shuriken at night.

Shisui's Sharingan has evolved to the double tomoe stage, and his shuriken throwing accuracy is far superior to that of his peers. He learns things very quickly; he can learn something after being taught by Sakugo once, and then practice alone until dark.

Kai would occasionally come over to eat ramen with him.

Ichiro's, with egg and char siu.

Kai always eats three bowls, while Shuoge eats one bowl.

Hong also came a few times, sitting on the side, twirling a kunai in her hand, listening to Kai brag.

Lin works in the medical department. Occasionally, when we bump into each other on the street, we smile and nod.

Kakashi was in the Anbu, and the two occasionally teamed up for missions, working together seamlessly without needing to speak.

Naruto grew up healthy under Minato's care.

Shuoge had seen him a few times at the Hokage Building—yellow hair, blue eyes, and three beard-like lines on his face.

He ran down the corridor, calling out "Dad," and Minato came out of his office, knelt down, and caught him.

Naruto saw Sakugo, stopped, and tilted his head to look at him.

"Who is Uncle?"

"He's Dad's friend." Minato smiled and patted Naruto's head.

Naruto looked at Sakugo, his eyes shining. "Hello, Uncle!"

Shuoge looked at him and nodded. He didn't smile, nor did he say "hello." He just nodded.

Naruto didn't care and turned to run away.

Minato stood up and looked at Sakugo. "How's things going with 'Shadow'?"

"smoothly."

Minato nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Sakugo turned and walked towards the Dark Side's hideout. His sword was behind him, his hands hanging at his sides. Behind him, Minato stood in the corridor, watching him disappear around the corner.

Over the past few months, "Shadow" has carried out seven missions.

Assassination, intelligence gathering, infiltration—each operation is carried out cleanly and efficiently, leaving no trace.

Things have stabilized in Fugaku as well. The radical faction within the clan has been suppressed, and the growing pains following the disbandment of the security force are slowly subsiding.

Shuoge entered the Dark Guard's stronghold, sat down at the end of the corridor, his mask tucked into his waistband, and his knife resting beside him.

He closed his eyes.

Chakra slowly settled within the body, flowing into the depths of the meridians.

Refining chakra is a unique way of resting for Shogo.

A quiet and relaxed state allows him to clear his mind and think calmly.

……