"Protect your Senju clan?"
Byakuya leaned back, arms crossed lazily. "That sounds like a hassle. Why don't all the remaining Senju just move into the Uchiha compound?"
Senju Tsunami's eyes widened in disbelief. "What!? Relocate the entire Senju clan to Uchiha territory? Absolutely not!"
"What, are you afraid we can't take care of you?" Byakuya scoffed. "Don't worry—we've got plenty of room. We can house your people without issue. As for your clan's remaining assets, we can manage those on your behalf."
Tsunami frowned deeply. It was true—the once-mighty Senju were now reduced to only a few elderly and infirm, with barely a handful of able-bodied shinobi. The Uchiha certainly had the capacity. That wasn't the issue.
"No. It's not about space or assets…" he said firmly. "If we do that, the entire village will turn against the Uchiha. You'll make yourselves a target."
Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly. "So you are worried about losing your assets?"
"No. If that were all, we'd hand them over willingly. But if the Senju clan openly aligns with the Uchiha, the other clans—especially the Sarutobi—will perceive it as a threat. They'll retaliate. The Uchiha will become the enemy of Konoha itself."
"Hah! Let them come!" Byakuya smirked. "I've been itching for a fight. Besides, conflict only fuels growth."
Tsunami shook his head. "Your clan's Sharingan is powerful, but even the Uchiha can't stand alone against the village. You'd be facing not just the Sarutobi, but the Shimura, the Homura advisors, and whatever remains of the Root faction. Not even Madara could crush Konoha alone."
"Mangekyō Sharingan…" Byakuya whispered with a smirk.
Tsunami blinked. "What?"
As he watched, Byakuya's eyes shifted—the three tomoe of the Sharingan merged and twisted, revealing a unique Mangekyō pattern.
Tsunami took a step back in shock. "Mangekyō!? That's… impossible…"
Images of Madara and Izuna surged in Tsunami's mind—monsters of the Warring States era, both wielders of this cursed power. The Senju clan had lost too many to that gaze.
"To think the Mangekyō Sharingan would appear again…" Tsunami muttered bitterly. "Meanwhile, not a single Senju has awakened Wood Release since Hashirama-sama…"
"Return to your compound," Byakuya said coldly. "Tomorrow, the Uchiha will begin your relocation."
Tsunami clenched his fists, but he said nothing. He turned and walked away.
"How ironic…" Byakuya muttered, watching him go. "The once-mighty Senju turning to the Uchiha for protection. Let's see what Hiruzen has to say about that..."
He smiled cruelly. He didn't just want the Senju's resources—he wanted to spark a reaction from the village elders. The angrier they got, the more power he seemed to gain.
The next morning — Uchiha Compound
Under Byakuya's orders, the entire Uchiha Police Force had assembled.
"Lord Byakuya," Uchiha En stepped forward. "What's the mission today?"
"Mobilize all teams," Byakuya commanded. "We're heading to the Senju district. Begin the asset transfer. Every scroll, record, and relic—secure them all."
En's eyes widened. "You're serious!? The Senju agreed to this?"
Byakuya's eyes gleamed red. "They don't have a choice anymore."
Uchiha En was momentarily stunned by Byakuya's proposal.
"Now that the Senju clan has fallen into decline," Byakuya said calmly, "instead of letting their remaining assets decay with them, wouldn't it be wiser to transfer them under Uchiha stewardship?"
He spoke with absolute certainty, as if the matter was already settled.
"As for the Senju… they no longer have the strength to oppose us."
"Understood, Lord Byakuya," Uchiha En responded solemnly. "Guards, with me. We will proceed to secure the Senju compound and its associated holdings."
Following the command, members of the Uchiha Police Force—now operating with increased authority in the village—moved swiftly to seize control of the Senju estate and its residual properties scattered throughout Konoha.
Their sudden mobilization didn't go unnoticed.
"Hokage-sama! Urgent news!" an Anbu knelt in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen in the Hokage's office. "The entire Uchiha police force has been deployed!"
"What!?" Hiruzen's face tightened with concern. "Why are they mobilizing in full force?"
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL for more chapters.