1-5

*Chapter 1: Uchiha Clan's Retired Veteran*

*Konoha.*

April.

The season of blooming cherry blossoms. A gentle breeze carried scattered petals, embodying freedom and liveliness. The faint, sweet fragrance drifting in the air naturally soothed the body and mind, leaving a soft smile on people’s faces.

With the cherry blossoms adorning it, the village appeared especially vibrant and beautiful. The tranquil atmosphere relaxed every nerve, making it seem as though even the body’s smallest fibers were at ease.

Under a cherry blossom tree, Uchiha Itsuki swayed leisurely on a reclining chair, eyes half-closed and an air of idleness about him.

He held a steaming cup of tea, sipping from it occasionally.

Beside him, a birdcage rested on the ground. Inside, a vibrantly colored bird curiously observed its surroundings.

“This is the life!”

He sighed contentedly.

“Indeed,” someone responded. “It reminds me of something you once said, Itsuki.”

A figure appeared abruptly.

The man had strikingly handsome features paired with a rare… button nose. Dressed in dark clothing with a short sword strapped to his back, he approached with a quiet air.

“What did I say?” Itsuki lazily inquired, rocking his chair.

The newcomer plopped down on the grass beside him. “You said, ‘This is living; the rest of you are merely surviving.’”

Itsuki chuckled. “I can’t compare to you elites—especially you, the famous Shisui of the Body Flicker. Me? I’m just a washed-up ninja who abandoned his comrades to complete a mission.”

Uchiha Shisui fell silent, lowering his head into the shade of the tree. His labored breathing betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha produced three exceptional young shinobi.

The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze!

Shisui of the Body Flicker!

And the last, Uchiha Itsuki—the Crimson Flame Itsuki!

His mastery of Fire Release far surpassed the norm, with flames so intense they appeared blood-red, incinerating countless enemies.

Many believed these three would inherit the legacy of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—and become Konoha’s next great trio.

But shortly before the end of the war, a scandal rocked the village. It was said that Itsuki had abandoned his comrades to complete a mission.

The revelation brought widespread condemnation.

Upon his return to the village, Itsuki faced relentless public outcry. He ultimately retreated into obscurity, living the life of a "retired veteran."

Now, he spent his days lounging in the Uchiha compound, sipping tea, carrying a birdcage, and wandering aimlessly—effectively enjoying early retirement.

A once-top-tier prodigy had faded into obscurity.

“I don’t believe you’d do such a thing,” Shisui said firmly, clenching his fists tightly.

He trusted his friend. Itsuki wasn’t the kind of person who would abandon comrades for a mission.

Itsuki shrugged, his tone playful. “What’s got you so down? Did your goddess run off with someone else? Or did I accidentally hurt her during my recent… escapades?”

He stretched his back as if nursing a sore muscle. “Can’t blame me—these girls are just too irresistible!”

“Hurt her?” Shisui nearly choked, shooting him an annoyed glance. “Can’t you be serious for once? And about that… can you tone it down? Didn’t you spend time under Jiraiya-sama? Is this his influence?”

Itsuki scoffed. “Please! That old perv’s a voyeur. I go all in, no comparison!”

Shisui massaged his temples, looking exasperated.

The serious mood was gone.

He had come here with a heavy heart, only to be sidetracked by Itsuki’s antics.

Was this really something to be proud of?

“Anyway,” Shisui sighed. “You didn’t attend the Uchiha clan meeting yesterday, did you?”

“Hmm?” Itsuki raised an eyebrow. “You went? Sounds like something interesting happened.”

Shisui gave him a skeptical look. “You mean to tell me you don’t know?”

“How would I know if you don’t tell me? Be a man—say what you mean, no need for all this secrecy. It’s disgusting!”

Shisui rolled his eyes, clearly unconvinced.

Itsuki may seem carefree, but he held significant influence among the younger generation of the Uchiha clan. His reputation was arguably higher than Shisui’s.

Despite his tarnished past, many in the clan revered him. It baffled Shisui, who often wondered why Itsuki wasn’t ostracized like others in similar situations.

By contrast, Shisui felt caught between two worlds.

In the village, people looked at him differently the moment they heard "Uchiha."

And within the clan? He wasn’t exactly popular there, either.

Shisui sighed. “Tensions among the clan are growing. Even the moderate and neutral factions are leaning towards the hawks. And the clan leader…”

He rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Even the leader is showing signs of siding with the hawks. Their patience with the village is at its breaking point.”

“Oh,” Itsuki replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of tea. “A coup d'état? The Uchiha as Hokage? Not a bad idea.”

“Don’t joke about that!” Shisui snapped. “If the Uchiha revolt, the entire village will be engulfed in flames. Other villages won’t sit idly by, and Konoha might be destroyed. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about this.”

Itsuki yawned. “And what do you expect me to do? Besides enjoying the sun, drinking tea, and visiting my girlfriends, what else can I do?”

“Wait,” he added, smirking. “You’re older than me by a few months. Don’t tell me you’re still single?”

“...I don’t know what ‘single dog’ means, but I feel attacked.”

“Believe in yourself, Shisui,” Itsuki said with mock seriousness.

“Enough joking!” Shisui snapped. “We need your strength. You know the Uchiha are on the brink of eruption. For the sake of the village, you have to step up.”

“Oh?” Itsuki’s lips curled into a sly smile. “The village? The Uchiha? Or the Hokage? Who am I stepping up for?”

“Does it matter?” Shisui asked, his voice rising. “The Uchiha are part of the village. The Hokage is our leader. We’re bound to follow him.”

Itsuki said nothing, sipping his tea.

A cold voice interrupted them.

“The leader? So he can harm others at will?”

“Who’s there?”

Shisui turned sharply, startled.

A black-haired boy stood behind him, silent as a shadow.

Those dark, deep eyes stared straight into his.

“Itachi?”

Shisui gasped.

end.

*Chapter 2: Magekyo Sharingan*

"Itachi, what do you mean by that?"

Shisui’s expression was serious, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

The words just now had a strong offensive tone.

This made him feel fear.

Itachi’s words had directly pointed to that person!

Was this just Itachi's opinion, or was it the opinion of most of the Uchiha clan?

And the constant mention of "the clan"!

Originally, Shisui had considered Itachi his companion, his comrade.

He had believed that Itachi understood him, trusted him, and like him, was someone who had risen above the narrow concept of "the clan." He had thought they would work together to change the clan and help the Uchiha fully integrate into the village.

What had caused this change?

He unconsciously glanced at Itsuki.

Itsuki smiled and nodded at him.

Shisui’s mouth twitched.

…Why are you nodding like that? Do you even know what I’m thinking?

Itsuki, why can't you be serious for once?

Itachi’s expression remained indifferent as he said, “Brother Itsuki once told me something.”

So it was Itsuki, after all.

“He told me: when evaluating a person, don’t listen to what they say, look at what they do.”

"What do you mean?"

Shisui raised his voice instinctively. “Hasn’t the Hokage done a lot for the Uchiha?”

“Shisui, calm down!” Itsuki smiled and said, “Don’t be so nervous. We’re friends, and right now, this is just a conversation between friends.”

“I feel like you’re telling a joke!”

Their words were filled with hostility and directly targeted that person—you want me to stay calm? I’m breaking out in a cold sweat here.

Shisui was at a loss.

“Shisui!” Itsuki put on a sorrowful expression, saying, “Aren’t we friends? Oh, my heart, it hurts!”

Shisui irritably rubbed his hair. “Itsuki, I don’t mean it that way. Stop joking around and be serious.”

“Alright.” Itsuki shrugged. “Itachi once asked the same question as you. I just gave him an answer.”

“What question?”

Shisui looked at Itsuki nervously.

Itsuki shrugged again. “Can you give me an example?”

“Hmm?”

Itsuki looked at the stunned Shisui and chuckled. “You said that the Hokage did a lot for the Uchiha, right? Give me an example then.”

“I don’t need you to say a lot. Just one example will do. Don’t be like the Hokage, always running his mouth—what’s the point of talking endlessly? Just talking won’t change anything.”

Shisui opened his mouth to speak, but under the gaze of Itsuki and Itachi, he closed it again.

Had the Hokage done anything for the Uchiha?

He certainly must have done something!

But those things were too insignificant to make any impact, especially in the current context—they felt powerless and empty.

What he needed was a decisive event to refute Itsuki!

Was there such an event?

It seemed... there wasn’t!

Shisui might have a soft personality and be a bit naïve, but he did have one thing going for him—he listened to others!

Unlike Uchiha Itachi in the later years, who was ruthless and would strike anyone without hesitation!

With a clenched jaw and a stomp of his foot, the entire Uchiha clan would be wiped out!

Looking at the speechless Shisui, Itsuki shrugged.

“Actually, from an outsider’s perspective, you’ll realize that the Third Hokage was just cooperating with Danzo.”

“What?”

“Danzo Shimura.”

Itsuki said lightly, “Everything the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, did can be traced back to one thing—he was constantly trying to appease the Uchiha while letting Danzo deliver the heavy blows to the Uchiha. They were working well together.”

“You throw the first punch, I’ll calm things down, and when the Uchiha calms down, we’ll throw another punch, and then switch roles!”

“The Uchiha was slowly squeezed out, bit by bit, until now.”

“Otherwise, how do you explain the current situation of the Uchiha?”

Shisui’s breathing quickened.

Itsuki continued, “Shisui, when you see things for what they are, they’re really not that complicated.”

“The sharpest conflict between the Uchiha and the village was that night—the night the Fourth Hokage died fighting the Nine-Tails.”

That night, Uzumaki Kushina, the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki, was giving birth.

The mysterious Sharingan controlled the Nine-Tails, bringing endless bloodshed to Konoha.

“That night permanently severed the connection between the village and the Uchiha,” Itsuki said calmly. “The Uchiha was suspected and slandered, eventually forced to leave their original clan grounds and relocate to the outskirts of the village.”

“At our current positions, we should be able to find out that the Uchiha had no involvement that night. But here’s the problem: why didn’t the higher-ups of the village—the person you trust—ever step forward to speak on behalf of the Uchiha? Why did they continue to apply pressure to the Uchiha?”

“Especially when the rumors in the village kept claiming that the Uchiha controlled the Nine-Tails, blaming them for the losses, causing the village to harbor hatred and resentment toward the Uchiha.”

“Even when someone tried to argue, they’d say: the Uchiha didn’t support the Fourth Hokage, which led to Minato’s death.”

“I just laugh. Wasn’t that the Third Hokage’s order? He didn’t allow the Uchiha to leave the clan grounds, and Danzo’s ROOT kept a close watch on us!”

“The Uchiha and ROOT just stood there watching like bystanders—it was almost like they were trying to get Minato killed!”

“Wait... did someone really want Minato dead?”

Itsuki stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Shisui hadn’t considered this possibility before.

The Third Hokage didn’t want to relinquish power, and the Fourth Hokage was gradually gaining influence—this was the root of the conflict!

Shisui said weakly, “But that wasn’t the Hokage’s order, it was Danzo’s order.”

Itsuki shot him a glance and chuckled. “Am I wrong about him? Should I apologize? I can assure you, I’m sincere.”

“...No need!”

“Even if it was Danzo’s order, the Third Hokage still never said a word in defense of the Uchiha. This simple thing, he wouldn’t do. You tell me—he did a lot for the Uchiha?”

Itsuki shook his head.

To be fair, as the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen really wanted to believe in the Uchiha, and he wanted to acknowledge them as part of the village.

But!

What he felt more was fear and wariness toward the Uchiha.

In his view, the Uchiha were like a volcano, always ready to erupt.

And their power was just too great!

As Hokage, the aging Sarutobi Hiruzen preferred stability.

Weakening the Uchiha was the best option—for example, isolating them.

Letting the Uchiha be alone, with everyone hating them—that was the best way to weaken them.

But Itsuki was an Uchiha. In his eyes: Why the hell are you poking at me all the time? Did I provoke you?  

So, it was inevitable that there would be a clash.

Shisui fell silent.

After a long time, he murmured, “Is there really no way for the village and the Uchiha to coexist?”

Itsuki smirked. “When a rabbit gets desperate, it bites—Uchiha’s eyes turning red is a lot scarier than a rabbit.”

Shisui looked lost.

Itsuki’s words struck him deeply.

He subconsciously reached up to touch his eyes.

There must be a way!

Maybe it was in these eyes...

Noticing Shisui’s movement, Itsuki casually said, “Actually, there’s a way for the village and the Uchiha to coexist.”

“What?”

Shisui’s eyes widened, as if a drowning person had grabbed onto the last hope.

He grabbed Itsuki’s arm urgently. “What did you just say?”

“Calm down, Shisui!”

Itsuki smiled as he pushed Shisui away.

Get this smelly guy away from me.

“I don’t want Konoha to be destroyed, and I don’t want the Uchiha to suffer either. It would be best if we could have both.”

Shisui quickly nodded.

“So...”

“So, for the next little while, you just listen to me. I’m going to make my move. Watch me—I’ll change everything!”

Itsuki’s expression was full of confidence!

“This…”

Shisui hesitated slightly.

Leaving the mountain?

Did this mean taking power?

He trusted Fūnan deeply but also feared him somewhat.

He understood too well just how decisive his friend was.

Once Fūnan made up his mind, he would cut off all retreat and see things through to the end.

During the Third Great Ninja War, the countless heads of their enemies had already proven this point.

The golden flash of the Flying Raijin technique couldn't even compare to Fūnan in terms of kill count.

The Bloodflame, Fūnan.

Would those blood-red flames ignite in Konoha?

With Fūnan’s temperament, he would absolutely not hesitate to light the fires of war.

Equipped with Uchiha Fūnan, the Uchiha clan’s combat power would undoubtedly skyrocket—far beyond the days when Fugaku Uchiha led the clan.

In that case... it might be better to...

Fūnan smiled at him and said, “Shisui, unless you’re as powerful as Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha, no individual can change the current state of affairs. The only one you can rely on is me. But remember, you’re your own person, not a puppet. If you believe what I ask of you will harm the village, you have the right to refuse. The decision is yours.”

“Of course, you could also choose to use those eyes of yours!”

Fūnan fixed his gaze on Shisui’s eyes and said, “Use them on the clan leader or on me!”

“But do you think that will solve the problem? I guarantee the outcome will only be worse.”

Shisui instinctively glanced at Itachi.

The matter of the Mangekyō Sharingan—he had only told Fūnan.

Yet Itachi’s expression was calm as he said, “Brother Shisui, I know everything about you. But how much do you know about me? How much do you know about Brother Fūnan?”

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the three tomoe of his Sharingan spun rapidly, finally forming a shuriken-like pattern.

The Mangekyō!

Shisui’s hands trembled, and his expression was one of shock.

“Itachi, you…”

The Uchiha clan now had two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan!

As a Mangekyō user himself, he knew all too well the power these eyes held.

If the clan found out there were two pairs of Mangekyō… Shisui didn’t dare continue the thought.

Wait!

Fūnan!

Shisui suddenly turned his head, his gaze locking onto Fūnan's eyes.

He had a strong intuition!

Itachi trusted Fūnan so completely.

Fūnan dared to claim he could change both the village and the clan!

How far could Fūnan’s eyes see?

Fūnan chuckled and said, “Shisui, your stare is terrifying!”

Shisui’s expression remained serious, unmoving.

“Alright then!”

Seeing Shisui’s insistence, Fūnan spread his hands, and three tomoe appeared in his eyes.

That wasn’t surprising.

During the Third Great Ninja War, both he and Fūnan had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.

What Shisui wanted to see was the deeper, more profound power in those pupils.

Fūnan didn’t disappoint him.

The three tomoe slowly merged into a bizarre triangular pattern.

A cold and despairing power filled the air, making it hard for Shisui to breathe.

The third pair—Mangekyō Sharingan!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 3: I Have a Divine Tree  

Looking at Itsuki's Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui was suddenly struck by a thought:  

*What kind of expression would the Third Hokage make if he found out that the Uchiha clan now has three Mangekyō Sharingan users?*  

He recalled something Itsuki had once said: *"Your smile is uglier than a cry."*  

After a moment of silence, Shisui turned to Itachi, his eyes filled with shock and sorrow.  

"Itachi, when did you awaken your Mangekyō?"  

As a Mangekyō Sharingan user himself, Shisui understood all too well the excruciating pain that came with awakening those eyes.  

Although Itsuki also had the Mangekyō, Shisui leaned toward believing he awakened it during the Third Shinobi World War. On a battlefield of blood and fire, nothing was surprising. The deaths of comrades, the loss of loved ones—any of these could serve as a trigger.  

But what about Itachi, who lived in a time of peace?  

Why had Itachi been pushed to such a desperate point?  

Itachi's face displayed a rare trace of awkwardness as he scratched his head. "Shisui, I understand what you're implying, but I didn’t experience that pain."  

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"  

Lowering his head, Itachi remained silent.  

Shisui quickly regained his composure and apologized. "Sorry, Itachi. I was just too surprised."  

For a ninja, intelligence was paramount—it was a matter of life and death. Probing into another's secrets was extremely impolite, even if the other person was a close friend.  

"It’s not that. It’s just..."  

Itachi opened his mouth but didn’t know how to explain.  

“It’s because of me!”  

At that moment, Itsuki suddenly interjected, shocking Shisui once again.  

*Itsuki?*  

*Itachi awakened the Mangekyō because of him?*  

*Is it even possible to artificially create a Mangekyō Sharingan?*  

"Heh, don’t give me that look, Shisui. Don’t we all have some special abilities?" Itsuki said meaningfully.  

Shisui immediately thought of his own dōjutsu, Kotoamatsukami—a power so overwhelming that even he found it astonishing. That Itsuki possessed unique abilities didn’t seem so strange in comparison.  

Seeing Shisui’s dawning realization, Itsuki smiled and shifted his consciousness.  

In his mindscape stood a towering tree, seemingly encompassing the entire world.  

The massive trunk exuded vitality, with cracks in its bark resembling tiny dragons, radiating an ancient aura. At the base of the tree was an aged face, complete with closed eyes and a long beard, as though in eternal slumber.  

At the top of the tree grew two shimmering silver fruits, glittering like gemstones.  

Itsuki’s consciousness brushed past the fruits.  

- **LV·3 (Fire Release)**  
- **LV·4 (Dōjutsu)**  

This was Itsuki’s cheat since his reincarnation into the Naruto world—what he called the **World Tree**.  

The World Tree absorbed life energy to grow. Once the energy reached a certain level, it would bear fruit. The more energy, the higher the fruit’s level.  

Currently, the two fruits contained **Fire Release** power (LV·3) and **dōjutsu** power (LV·4).  

As for how to gather life energy? Whether it was from animals or humans, he could absorb their life force—so long as they could no longer resist.  

During the Third Shinobi World War, Itsuki absorbed life energy from ninjas. After the war, he turned to animals.  

The two fruits represented years of accumulation, and they could be transformed into Itsuki’s strength at any time.  

"Just a little more, and the Fire Release fruit will reach LV·4. I’ll wait until it grows to LV·6 before consuming it. Also, the third fruit is about to appear!"  

Itsuki stared deeply at the space between the two fruits, where a unique energy was gathering.  

When he first arrived in this world, he had been lost and terrified. Without his cheat, he would have died long ago.  

After killing his first enemy and absorbing their life force, the first fruit awakened, and he designated it as the Fire Release fruit.  

Even at its initial LV·1, his fire techniques became significantly stronger. After consuming several LV·1 and LV·2 fruits, he became known as **Bloodflame Itsuki**.  

For the second fruit, he chose the Uchiha clan’s Kekkei Genkai—the Sharingan.  

Thus, he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!  

He had already planned the purpose of the third fruit long ago.  

Shisui might not follow him completely, but at the very least, he wouldn’t obstruct him.  

Now, everything was ready. It was time to take action.  

The **Night of the Uchiha Massacre** from the original story seemed imminent. Did that mean Shisui’s death was near?  

No way he could let that happen.  

Furthermore, if Danzo got hold of Kotoamatsukami, it would cause endless trouble.  

---  

After dealing with Shisui and Itachi, Itsuki casually strolled into a quiet courtyard, carrying a birdcage and a teacup.  

The courtyard’s exterior was ancient, with a weathered gate bearing the marks of time. The large space within felt desolate due to its lack of occupants.  

Itsuki navigated the area with familiarity, heading straight to the backyard. Along the way, servants and guards greeted him respectfully.  

By the pond, under a cherry blossom tree, sat an old man with a thin face and piercing eyes, exuding a chilling aura that seemed to freeze the air.  

"Hey, old man. What are you thinking about? Your killing intent is leaking."  

Itsuki swaggered over, teasing, "Don’t tell me you’re reminiscing about how Sarutobi Hiruzen beat you down during your rebellion."  

The old man’s face darkened as he glared at Itsuki. "You little brat, itching for a beating?"  

Itsuki plopped down, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank leisurely.  

The old man’s scowl deepened as he noticed his empty cup. "What about mine?"  

Feigning surprise, Itsuki said, "My words didn’t anger you enough to fill your stomach? Old man, your tolerance has improved!"  

"Bang!"  

Without hesitation, the old man hurled his cup at Itsuki’s head.  

Yet, in the blink of an eye, the cup returned to the table, now filled with steaming tea.  

The old man, Uchiha Setsuna, narrowed his eyes at Itsuki. *Genjutsu?*  

As an elite jonin, he couldn’t pinpoint when he’d been ensnared.  

"You’ve gotten stronger," he muttered, his tone thoughtful.  

"So, what brings you here today?"  

Itsuki grinned mischievously. "Can’t a grandson visit his grandpa?"  

"Cut the nonsense. What do you want?"  

"Well," Itsuki’s tone turned serious, "I’m planning something big. You’ll need to cooperate."  

Uchiha Setsuna’s brows furrowed. "In these turbulent times?"  

"Exactly," Itsuki replied casually. "When there’s chaos, there’s opportunity. Besides, I have a bad feeling that the Uchiha clan might get wiped out soon."  

Uchiha Setsuna’s expression grew dark, his killing intent resurfacing. "How do you plan to proceed?"  

Itsuki’s sly smile widened. *Got him.*  

Chapter 4: Clan Assembly

Delicate cherry blossoms drifted down.

The tea had already cooled.

Itsuki had long since left.

Uchiha Setsuna remained seated, staring absentmindedly at the petal resting in his palm.

"Elder!"

A soft call interrupted his thoughts. A middle-aged man in his forties appeared before Uchiha Setsuna.

"Shōta, what do you think..."

Setsuna paused, sighed helplessly, and the weariness on his aged face became apparent. "I'm getting old. Overthinking everything, not like before. Sigh, I think I understand Hiruzen Sarutobi a little now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha, was renowned in the shinobi world as a hero and master of ninjutsu.

In his youth, he had both the power and the decisiveness.

During the Shinobi World Wars, Konoha faced off against four major nations simultaneously without hesitation.

But now, even someone like Uchiha, who was not adept at interpersonal relationships, could sense the growing dissatisfaction of various ninja clans within the village.

Years ago, he had stepped down, letting Minato Namikaze take over as the Fourth Hokage. Besides his age, it carried a hint of resignation, a way of taking responsibility.

Even though Konoha emerged victorious in the Shinobi World Wars, the treaties signed by the Third Hokage seemed more like those of a defeated party—gaining nothing and giving away much.

This immediately caused unrest among the clans who had made significant sacrifices, turning their frustrations towards the Third Hokage.

Thus, the Fourth Hokage was born.

Shōta Uchiha smiled faintly. "He's no match for you, Elder. The young master is extraordinarily talented."

"Haha!"

At these words, the notoriously ruthless Uchiha laughed heartily, his face brimming with pride.

"That boy is a bit unreliable, though!"

The gloom on his face dissipated.

Indeed!

Look at Hiruzen Sarutobi's sons and grandsons—they're decent, but how can they compare to Itsuki?

During the Third Shinobi World War, there were only two Konoha shinobi who struck fear into their enemies.

The Yellow Flash and the Crimson Flame.

These two caused their foes to tremble in terror.

If not for that incident, Shisui would have never risen to fame.

As for what exactly happened, everyone knew it had something to do with Danzo Shimura, the shadow of Konoha's Root division and the darkness of the shinobi world.

Of course, it probably had something to do with Setsuna himself as well.

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes turned icy.

Shisui Uchiha was the son of Kagami Uchiha. To the Hokage faction, he was barely acceptable as one of their own.

As for himself?

He was the hawkish representative of the Uchiha, once a rebel leader and an absolute enemy of the Hokage faction.

They pushed Itsuki aside to elevate Shisui Uchiha instead.

It served to suppress the Uchiha hawks, weaken their influence, and pacify the rest of the clan.

Perhaps they even sought to deepen the rift between the hawks and doves of the Uchiha.

Of course, Uchiha Fugaku had played a significant role in all this.

That damn man! He should never have been made clan leader in the first place!

Uchiha Setsuna raised his head. "Shōta, what's the matter?"

"Uchiha Tetsuka and Uchiha Inoka have requested a clan assembly!"

Setsuna froze, muttering to himself, "So urgent?"

Tetsuka and Inoka were renowned elite jonin of the Uchiha clan.

They were once loyal to the clan leader and members of the Konoha Police Force.

But for reasons unknown, they had become Itsuki's eyes and ears, to the point where people suspected they were under a genjutsu.

Now, their request for an assembly clearly indicated whose intentions lay behind it.

Shōta chuckled softly. "Direct and decisive—just like you were in your prime!"

"Haha!"

Once again, Setsuna laughed heartily.

"Let's go see what that boy is capable of!"

...

Core of the Uchiha Clan Territory

At the clan leader's residence, Uchiha Fugaku sat composedly, listening to his subordinate's report.

"This is outrageous!" Uchiha Kuroko fumed. "Tetsuka and Inoka—what right do they have to call a clan assembly? And the other elders actually agreed?!"

The rules for convening a clan assembly were stringent.

Only three individuals had the authority to call one:

- The clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku,

- The hawkish leader, Uchiha Setsuna,

- The dovish leader, Uchiha Sōgi.

This time, however, the proposal by Tetsuka and Inoka was approved, unmistakably reflecting someone's influence.

"Uchiha... Itsuki!"

Fugaku murmured to himself.

As the clan leader, he understood more than most.

He wasn’t surprised that the hawks supported Itsuki. But Sōgi's unequivocal approval caught him off guard.

Sōgi should dislike Itsuki, just as he himself did.

After all, Itsuki inherited Setsuna's ruthless and bloody methods, which contradicted the doves' ideals.

What had happened that he didn’t know about?

Reports indicated that Itsuki had recently visited Sōgi.

Fugaku pondered silently.

Meanwhile, Kuroko continued ranting about Tetsuka and Inoka, unable to accept their perceived betrayal.

"Clan leader, those two have completely turned their backs on us. You must..."

But he fell silent under Fugaku’s calm yet commanding gaze.

"They’ve betrayed no one. They were part of the Police Force, and they remain loyal to the Uchiha and to Konoha."

Fugaku rose, his tone indifferent. "Let’s go. I want to see what that one is planning."

...

Naka Shrine

When Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the secret meeting place, he encountered Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Sōgi.

The three exchanged brief greetings before turning their gazes to the relaxed figure already seated, sipping tea—Uchiha Itsuki.

His demeanor was as lazy as ever.

But the seat he chose was directly opposite the clan leader's. Facing the three, he didn’t even bother to look up.

Behind him stood Tetsuka and Inoka, as rigid as two spears, refusing to sit.

Apart from Setsuna, the other two leaders exchanged thoughtful glances before silently taking their seats.

In the Uchiha clan, strength commanded respect. Those with the Three Tomoe Sharingan automatically earned the right to participate in clan assemblies.

Before long, the gathering totaled 25 people.

This was the strength of the Uchiha.

And this count excluded those on missions or patrol duties.

In total, the number of jonin within the clan exceeded thirty, nearly one-tenth of Konoha's jonin.

Furthermore, Uchiha jonin were far superior in combat prowess compared to ordinary jonin.

This was one reason why the higher-ups feared the Uchiha.

Every time Itsuki thought about it, he felt a pang of regret.

With such strength, the clan still ended up annihilated—with the enemy suffering zero casualties. It could only mean the collaboration was flawless.

Once everyone was seated, Fugaku looked at Itsuki.

"What is the purpose of this clan assembly?"

He disliked beating around the bush. Knowing Itsuki orchestrated this, he asked him directly.

As an Uchiha, what was the point of excessive scheming?

"Slurp..."

Itsuki continued sipping his tea, head still down.

Fugaku's brow furrowed, his eyes beginning to gleam dangerously.

As the clan leader, he wielded absolute authority and strength. Itsuki’s status was far below his, yet he dared to disregard him?

"Ahem, perhaps I should explain," a voice interjected, breaking the tension.

The representatives of the three factions turned to the speaker, their expressions collectively shifting to astonishment.

Uchiha Hachidai!

Why was it him?

Even Fugaku froze, staring blankly at the man seated beside him.

Hachidai Uchiha was highly analytical, a natural leader, and a rare talent. He also served as a sub-captain in the Konoha Police Force.

Even Fugaku respected him deeply, often weighing his opinions carefully.

He’s aligned with Itsuki?

The astonished gazes darted between Hachidai and Itsuki.

How many more allies did this seemingly idle and flamboyant Uchiha have?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 5: The Power Struggle

“Why, Yatsushiro?”

Uchiha Fugaku’s expression was filled with confusion, even bordering on disbelief.

First it was Tetsuka and Inabi, and now Yatsushiro too...

These were people he had always regarded as trusted allies, his right-hand men.

Had he truly failed so utterly?

One by one, they were abandoning him.

Uchiha Yatsushiro chuckled bitterly to himself.

He had no choice but to step forward.

He knew all too well about Itsuki's dissatisfaction with Fugaku.

If he didn’t interject now, the clan leader would be pushed into an untenable position.

Without answering Fugaku, Yatsushiro stood up and declared, “As Uchiha Yatsushiro, a jōnin of the Uchiha clan and one of the four captains of the Konoha Police Force, I’ve held this position for over a decade. During this time, I’ve observed significant flaws within the police force.”

The assembled Uchiha remained silent, their eyes fixed on Yatsushiro, waiting for him to continue.

“The smaller issues can be put aside for now,” Yatsushiro continued. “The main point is this: as Konoha has grown, the police force’s manpower has become insufficient. Many areas are undermanned, and management has become chaotic. Thus, I propose we expand the four divisions of the police force to eight!”

The expressions of Uchiha Setsuna, Uchiha Sōgi, and Uchiha Fugaku all darkened immediately.

The atmosphere froze.

Expanding the Uchiha clan’s influence? And by doubling their force? At such a critical time?

Are you insane?

At the very least, the upper echelons of the village, like Hiruzen Sarutobi, would certainly think so.

Fugaku’s face twisted in anger as he turned a cold gaze toward Itsuki. “Uchiha Itsuki, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Itsuki looked taken aback. “What do you mean, what am I trying to do? What did I do?”

“Stop spouting nonsense!” Fugaku barked. “Are you really so blind to the current plight of the Uchiha? And yet you still want to expand our armed forces?”

The Uchiha were already under heavy scrutiny from the village. And now they wanted to increase their military presence? Was this a blatant attempt to ignite a war between the Uchiha and the rest of the village?

“Clan leader Fugaku,” Itsuki said, feigning hurt, “as a loyal member of Konoha, my only intention is the well-being of the village!”

Itsuki’s expression was one of pure innocence.

Internally, a chorus of curses rang out among several Uchiha, led by Fugaku, Setsuna, and Sōgi.

Even Setsuna, after silently cursing, realized he’d directed it at the wrong person and grew visibly annoyed.

Fugaku’s eyes gleamed dangerously. The infamous Menacing Gaze Fugaku, a battlefield legend known for his ruthless ferocity, was now directing his full wrath at Itsuki. For all his bravado, Itsuki involuntarily shrank back, putting on a pitiful, scared expression.

“Ahem!”

The moderate Uchiha Sōgi cleared his throat awkwardly. “Itsuki, this is a clan meeting. Try to act serious for once!”

Look at all the chaos you’ve caused. Do you really think anyone believes that line? Do you think we don’t know how many times you’ve secretly clashed with Danzo?

Itsuki blinked innocently. “Wait a second—why’s everyone looking at me? It wasn’t even my idea! This is all Yatsushiro’s proposal. Go talk to him!”

Yatsushiro internally cursed Itsuki as well but faced the crowd’s sharp stares with a calm demeanor. “Everyone, my suggestion comes from a place of consideration for the bigger picture. The Uchiha have a great responsibility in maintaining the village’s security. As it stands, we can no longer adequately fulfill that duty, and it is a disgrace to the Uchiha name.”

“Enough!” Fugaku snapped coldly. “I will report this matter to the Hokage and request an appropriate increase in manpower.”

Uchiha Setsuna’s eyes flashed with anger.

Again with reporting to the Hokage! When did you, Fugaku, become the Hokage’s lapdog? Constantly reporting matters concerning the clan’s power? Do you even remember that you’re the Uchiha clan leader?

Immediately, Setsuna, known for his short temper whenever the Hokage was mentioned, spoke icily. “I believe Yatsushiro makes a valid point. As Konoha grows and its population increases, how can the police force remain as it was decades ago? I agree that we need to add both manpower and leadership positions.”

Sōgi sighed bitterly.

Here we go. Trouble’s brewing.

Once Setsuna, the hawkish faction’s representative and a senior elder, spoke up, the situation changed entirely.

Sure enough, Fugaku’s rage dissipated, replaced by an eerie calm. “Elder Setsuna, you agree with this proposal?”

His tone was calm, but it carried a chilling undertone, as if the very air had frozen.

A wave of pressure bore down on Setsuna.

Setsuna’s expression tightened. While he held many grievances against Fugaku, he still respected Fugaku’s strength, acknowledging him as one of Konoha’s top warriors.

“Heh.”

A chuckle broke the tension as an even more oppressive aura countered Fugaku’s, forcing it back.

Uchiha Itsuki.

His gaze was sharp as he stared down Fugaku.

Who do you think you are? You dare intimidate my old man?

“Ahem!”

Yatsushiro interjected awkwardly. “Clan leader, my proposal isn’t just about adding four new divisions. I also recommend appointing new division leaders and a deputy chief. This deputy chief would also serve as the Uchiha deputy clan leader, assisting you in managing clan affairs to prevent further administrative chaos.”

Silence.

An eerie stillness enveloped the room.

Many stared at Yatsushiro, then shifted their gaze to Itsuki.

What the... Are you serious?

A deputy chief, doubling as deputy clan leader?

Are you openly plotting a coup?

Most were so stunned that they couldn’t even form words.

“Hah!” Fugaku broke the silence with a cold laugh. “Uchiha Itsuki, is this your goal?”

Just as Fugaku expected Itsuki to deflect responsibility back onto Yatsushiro, Itsuki lazily admitted, “More or less.”

“You—”

“But this is a major decision,” Itsuki interrupted. “Surely, we can’t rely on just one person’s opinion. Why not put it to a vote? Let the Uchiha jōnin here decide. If the majority supports Yatsushiro’s proposal and believes I’m qualified to be deputy clan leader, then I’ll accept. Otherwise, treat it as a joke.”

At that moment, Itsuki exuded a sharp, commanding presence, like an unsheathed blade.

“Whoosh!”

Before Fugaku could reject the idea, Tetsuka and Inabi raised their hands.

Then Yatsushiro followed suit.

Fugaku sneered and opened his mouth to speak, but—whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—more hands went up.

In an instant, eleven people had raised their hands.

Eleven out of twenty-five.

Uchiha Fugaku was stunned.

Uchiha Setsuna was stunned.

Uchiha Sōgi was stunned.

How could this be?

Excluding Fugaku, Setsuna, Sōgi, and Itsuki, who wouldn’t vote, more than half of the remaining jōnin supported Itsuki’s appointment.

Setsuna, about to rally his hawkish supporters, froze.

Sōgi, who planned to have a few people vote to save Itsuki some face, also hesitated. With the majority already in favor, there was no need to undermine Fugaku further.

But this brat, Itsuki—how had he garnered so much support?

Sōgi stared at Itsuki in astonishment.

Itsuki grinned mischievously, winking at him.

Sōgi sighed inwardly.

What an infuriating kid!