Deep within the Uchiha Clan Compound, in a secret basement, a dozen members wearing Uchiha Clan clothing sat in a circle, their eyes fervently fixed on a map of Konoha in the center, the air thick with a restless atmosphere.
“The Clan Head might not say it out loud, but in his heart, he has supported us long ago!” Uchiha Inabi was the first to speak, his tone full of excitement.
When he mentioned Itachi, he instantly gritted his teeth, “The Second Young Master is the sensible one!
Unlike that fellow Itachi, who ran off to be the Sandaime’s dog and forgot long ago that he’s an Uchiha!” “Yakumi, has the Clan Head given you any hints?” Uchiha Tekka looked at Yakumi opposite him, his eyes filled with urgency.
Yakumi was one of the Guard Team Members.
Although not a radical, he was fiercely loyal to the clan and took orders directly from the Clan Head; perhaps he knew the Clan Head’s true thoughts.
Yakumi shook his head, his brow furrowed deeply.
He was also puzzled; while serving in the Guard Squad, he had never received any instructions or hints from the Clan Head.
Yet, everyone before him was certain that “the Clan Head has already given his tacit consent.” Was the clan really going to make a big move?
“The Clan Head surely wants as few people to know as possible so the operation remains covert.” Uchiha Yashiro spoke from the side, his gaze sweeping over the excited clansmen as he quietly clenched his fist.
He had initiated this gathering.
Those present were all Uchiha Jonin, each having awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and possessing unwavering loyalty to the clan.
Currently, he had only recruited these people, but by using the pretext of the Clan Head’s ‘action,’ he could soon absorb more of the wavering clansmen.
Yashiro harbored a massive ambition in his heart.
Well-versed in Uchiha history, he looked down on everyone else in Konoha from the bottom of his heart, even the unfathomably powerful Third Hokage.
Since records began, the Uchiha Clan’s status in the Ninja World had always been top-tier.
Even the Senju Clan, who opposed them back then, had to rely on uniting with other ninja clans to contend with them.
Even the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, had to rely on a marriage alliance to bind the Uzumaki Clan to stabilize the situation against the Uchiha.
(While there was indeed a marriage alliance, it wasn’t formed specifically to deal with the Uchiha, though Yashiro didn’t know that.) In Yashiro’s eyes, the powerful Uchiha were so noble, yet the clan had co-founded Konoha with the Senju Clan only to receive unfair treatment later.
They were only given a small police Squad and nothing else.
They had no share of the Hokage position, and not even a single seat among the high-ranking officials.
What angered him even more was that during the Nine-Tails Attack, the Uchiha clearly wanted to help but were blocked outside by that old dog Danzo.
This blatant suspicion left many angry and disappointed.
Afterward, the clan compound was even moved from the Village center to the outskirts.
In recent years, there were always ‘rats’ monitoring them from the shadows.
*Bang!* Yashiro slammed the table and stood up.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated quietly, the red and black patterns spinning in his eyes.
“Everyone, please listen to me!” His voice carried a fervor, like a fire igniting the emotions of everyone present: “The Village’s surveillance of us is getting stricter; they are testing our bottom line!
If we keep backing down, the Uchiha will eventually be completely erased!” “The Clan Head must have seen this clearly too, which is why he hasn’t openly supported us.
But now, he has sent the Second Young Master to get close to the Jinchuriki—everyone knows what that means!” “The preparations for a counterattack have already begun!
We cannot hold the Clan Head back; we must follow him with all our might!” Yashiro grew more excited as he spoke, a crazed light flashing in his eyes: “I have a dream!
That one day, on the rock wall carved with the heads of the successive Hokage, there will be a place for a member of our clan.” “When all the power is reclaimed by us, those who once harbored hostility toward us will all go to hell!” “Our Uchiha Clan’s bloodline is noble and powerful, a presence stronger than anyone else!
We don’t need to prove whether our clan is right or wrong, nor do we need to lower ourselves to deal with those ignorant masses.” “Let us speak to them with our strength!
If they have any grievances, let them come!” “Well said!” Uchiha Kaku stood up abruptly, his eyes full of fanaticism.
“Why should we accommodate those ignorant masses!” One by one, the Jonin stood up, echoing Yashiro’s words.
Their Sharingan activated one after another, filling the basement with a red glow, like a pack of beasts about to lose control.
Yakumi watched this scene and sighed helplessly.
Developments had spiraled out of control, but what on earth was the Clan Head thinking?
…
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Uchiha Clan Head’s residence, Fugaku stood by the pond, watching the fish swimming in the water, his back appearing somewhat lonely.
“Sigh, you’ve arrived.” Fugaku didn’t turn around; he just looked at the pond as if he hadn’t said anything just now.
“Father.” “Clan Head.” Itachi and Shisui appeared behind him.
Looking at Fugaku’s back, their expressions were very complex.
“What do you think of the ideas of those radicals in the clan?” Fugaku finally turned around, his gaze falling on the two of them, carrying a trace of imperceptible expectation.
Shisui shook his head at Itachi and walked slowly to Fugaku’s side, looking at the fish in the pond with him.
“Clan Head Fugaku, I believe the ideas of the radicals in the clan are unfeasible.
No matter how powerful a ninja clan is, it cannot compare to a ninja Village.” “The Hidden Mist has already provided an answer to the world on this point.
I think in the face of bloody reality, we should sit down and have a proper talk with the Village instead of moving toward opposition.” Fugaku looked at Shisui, a flash of disappointment in his eyes as he slowly closed them.
“Shisui, do you really think so?” “Yes.” Shisui’s tone was firm.
“Konoha has been established for so many years; must we really reach the point of taking up arms?
Sitting down to talk is better for both the Village and the clan.” Fugaku sighed inwardly—the clan’s education was still too one-sided; they only taught the clansmen how to become stronger, but not how to see things clearly.
He turned to look at Itachi, his voice carrying a final trace of expectation: “Itachi, do you think so too?” Itachi met the gaze of his father and Shisui.
After a moment of silence, he spoke cautiously, “Father, I don’t know how to choose, but I agree with Shisui’s view—the Uchiha cannot win against the Village.” In truth, he was also very confused, not knowing how to view the Village and the clan, nor how to prevent both sides from moving toward opposition.
He could only place his hopes on the always-reliable Shisui.