The southeastern district of Konoha.
The Uchiha clan compound.
Compared to the rest of the village, the atmosphere here was noticeably heavier.
Members of the Military Police Force patrolled the streets.
The arrogance they once wore so naturally had been replaced by vigilance and guarded suspicion.
Shinzuki Yu walked slowly down the street, sensing the faint oppression hanging in the air.
The aftermath of the Nine-Tails Incident…
Had never truly ended.
Especially for the Uchiha.
His objective today was clear.
First—
Uchiha Fugaku.
As clan head, Fugaku’s stance would determine everything.
Two guards stopped him outside the Uchiha estate.
“Identify yourself.”
“Shinzuki Yu.”
The guards exchanged glances.
One hurried inside.
Moments later, he returned with noticeably greater respect.
“Lord Yu.”
“The Clan Head will receive you.”
Yu nodded slightly and stepped inside.
The estate’s inner courtyard was spacious…
Yet carried a faint aura of killing intent.
Fugaku was already waiting inside the reception hall.
Dressed in the Uchiha clan’s dark robes…
He looked more exhausted than Yu remembered.
Deep lines of worry were etched across his face.
“Advisor Yu.”
“My apologies for not welcoming you personally.”
Yu waved dismissively.
“No need for formalities.”
“I came today because there’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Without waiting for permission…
He casually sat down.
Fugaku resumed his seat and personally poured him a cup of tea.
“What guidance does Advisor Yu have for me today?”
The tea was gently pushed across the table.
Yu picked up the cup…
But didn’t drink.
“I’m not here to lecture you.”
“It’s just…”
“After the Nine-Tails Incident…”
“There are certain rumors circulating throughout the village.”
“I’m curious whether Clan Head Fugaku has heard them.”
Fugaku’s hand froze.
Ripples spread across the surface of his teacup.
“…Which rumors?”
“The ones concerning the Uchiha.”
Yu set the cup back down.
Looking directly into Fugaku’s eyes, he continued.
“Some people have noticed…”
“That the Nine-Tails’ eyes…”
“Bear a striking resemblance to the Sharingan.”
The room instantly fell silent.
Fugaku’s expression darkened.
“Absurd.”
“The Uchiha Clan has served Konoha faithfully for generations.”
“We would never betray the village.”
His voice remained controlled.
But suppressed anger simmered beneath it.
“I believe in the Uchiha’s loyalty.”
Yu answered evenly.
“But…”
“Not everyone does.”
He paused briefly.
“During the Nine-Tails Incident…”
“The Military Police were assigned to maintain order in the village’s outer districts.”
“They never participated in the central battlefield.”
“In certain people’s eyes…”
“That absence has become evidence against you.”
Fugaku suddenly looked up.
His gaze sharpened.
“Advisor Yu…”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Pressure.
He could feel it.
This young man…
Though merely carrying the title of “Honorary Advisor”…
Had displayed overwhelming strength during the Nine-Tails Incident.
Combined with Minato’s absolute trust…
Even Fugaku couldn’t treat him lightly.
“I’m saying…”
“Some misunderstandings must be addressed proactively.”
“And some pressure…”
“Must be relieved before it explodes.”
He leaned slightly forward.
“Simply enduring everything…”
“And offering explanations…”
“Won’t accomplish much.”
Fugaku fell silent.
He understood that better than anyone.
But…
How exactly was he supposed to resolve it?
The village leadership’s suspicion had become invisible chains.
Growing tighter every day.
Yu asked another question.
“Has the authority of the Military Police…”
“Been quietly reduced recently?”
Inside his sleeve…
Fugaku’s fist clenched.
“…Routine personnel adjustments.”
His stiff answer amounted to an admission.
Yu already knew.
Danzō.
Homura.
Koharu.
They had begun moving.
“Routine adjustments?”
“By transferring your experienced officers away from key positions…”
“And replacing them with inexperienced newcomers?”
Fugaku’s breathing grew heavier.
“Advisor Yu.”
“Did you come here simply to interrogate me?”
“No.”
Yu shook his head.
“I came to offer another path.”
Fugaku frowned.
Yu continued.
“The Uchiha’s strength shouldn’t remain confined to the Military Police.”
“Konoha has many places that need Uchiha talent.”
“For example?”
“ANBU.”
“The Hokage’s personal guard.”
“Even important research divisions.”
“Let outstanding Uchiha serve in positions closer to the heart of the village.”
Fugaku’s pupils contracted.
What an audacious proposal.
Disperse the clan?
That completely contradicted the Uchiha’s long-standing philosophy of unity.
And would the higher-ups ever approve?
“…That won’t be easy.”
“The elders’ suspicion toward us…”
“Suspicion comes from ignorance.”
“And fear.”
Yu interrupted him calmly.
“If they discover that Uchiha strength can be relied upon…”
“And integrated into the village itself…”
“That suspicion will naturally fade.”
He continued.
“More importantly…”
“It proves to everyone that the Uchiha are an indispensable part of Konoha.”
“Not an isolated power existing outside the system.”
Fugaku remained silent for a very long time.
Yu’s words…
Had pried open a crack in a door long shut.
All this time…
He’d focused only on preserving the Uchiha’s independence…
And protecting the Military Police.
Never once…
Had he considered integrating the clan instead.
“…The clan members won’t accept it easily.”
His voice sounded bitter.
No one understood the younger generation’s growing radicalism better than he did.
They desired greater influence.
Greater authority.
Not dilution.
“That’s why they need your vision.”
“And your resolve.”
Yu finally took a sip of tea.
“It’s better to guide pressure than block it.”
“Show them a future they can actually see.”
“A stage worthy of their talents.”
“Instead of trapping them forever inside the Military Police…”
“Watching resentment grow day after day.”
He paused.
Then added quietly.
“Otherwise…”
“When that resentment finally reaches its limit…”
“You already know what happens.”
Fugaku trembled slightly.
Extermination.
That word…
Never stopped haunting him.
He could not allow the Uchiha to meet such an end.
“…I’ll seriously consider your proposal.”
His voice had become hoarse.
Yu stood.
“I trust your judgment.”
“Oh.”
“One more thing.”
“You should be particularly careful around Elder Danzō.”
“Many of these rumors…”
“Originated with him.”
A flash of cold fury crossed Fugaku’s eyes.
Danzō.
He had suspected as much.
“…Thank you for the warning.”
“I’m leaving.”
Yu turned and departed without another word.
Fugaku simply watched his back disappear.
His thoughts in complete turmoil.
Leaving the estate…
Yu glanced back once.
Fugaku was a capable clan leader.
But his vision…
And his courage…
Still had limits.
If the Uchiha’s fate were truly to change…
Fugaku alone wouldn’t be enough.
Yu shifted his gaze toward another part of the compound.
That was where…
Uchiha Itachi…
And Uchiha Shisui lived.
Those two prodigies…
Were the true keys to changing the clan’s destiny.
Especially…
Itachi.
The boy destined to shoulder unbearable burdens.
Perhaps…
His script deserved a few…
Minor revisions.
Just then…
An almost imperceptible trace of chakra flickered from a nearby street corner.
Yu smiled faintly.
Root’s little insects…
They’ve got a sharp nose.
So…
Danzō wasn’t merely spreading rumors.
He was also carefully monitoring every movement within the Uchiha district.
Including…
The Chief Honorary Advisor himself.
Interesting.
Yu ignored the watcher.
With several flashes…
He vanished.
Since he’d already come to the Uchiha district…
There was no reason to skip the check-ins.
Ding!
Check-in successful at: [Uchiha Clan District]!
Reward obtained: Uchiha Swordsmanship Mastery!
Ding!
Check-in successful at: [Main Uchiha Household]!
Reward obtained: Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!
Ding!
Unique chakra residue detected.
Perform special check-in at: [Uchiha Shisui’s Training Ground]?
Yu stopped walking.
Shisui’s training ground?
That was an unexpected bonus.
“Yes.”
Ding!
Special check-in successful!
Reward obtained: Kotoamatsukami (One-Time Experience Card)!
A one-use Kotoamatsukami…
Even as a consumable…
It was an extraordinary reward.
Used at the right moment…
It could completely overturn a situation.
Looks like…
Meeting those two prodigies sooner rather than later…
Would be worthwhile.
Yu disappeared once more into the shadows of the Uchiha district.
He didn’t rush to approach Itachi or Shisui.
One bite at a time.
One step at a time.
Instead…
He wandered casually through the district…
Quietly observing its atmosphere.
The deeper he went…
The stronger the resentment became.
Groups of young Uchiha gathered together…
Speaking in hushed voices.
Whenever ordinary villagers happened to pass…
Their eyes showed open arrogance…
And unmistakable alienation.
Occasionally…
Complaints reached Yu’s ears.
“Why didn’t the Uchiha receive any credit for the Nine-Tails Incident?”
“Exactly.”
“They isolate us now.”
“As if we’re criminals.”
“Clan Head Fugaku is too soft.”
“He should take a harder stance.”
Every word entered Yu’s ears clearly.
The situation…
Was even worse than he’d expected.
Trying to suppress these increasingly radical voices…
Was likely already beyond Fugaku’s ability.
Eventually…
Yu arrived at a quieter training ground.
Several boys were practicing shuriken throwing.
One black-haired child stood out immediately.
His posture was flawless.
His focus unwavering.
Every shuriken struck dead center.
Uchiha Itachi.
Even from behind…
Yu recognized him instantly.
That maturity…
Far beyond his years…
Was unmistakable.
Standing nearby…
An older black-haired youth smiled warmly while correcting his technique.
Uchiha Shisui.
As expected.
Both of them were here.
Yu made no move to interrupt.
He simply watched from afar for a moment…
Before quietly turning away.
No rush.
There was still something more important to confirm first.
Just how much patience…
Did Danzō really have?