Uchiha Clan Grounds. Naka Shrine.
Nearly half of the clan's members had gathered here—these were the core members of the Uchiha. Standing on the steps, Fugaku surveyed the crowd, noting the absence of both Itachi and Shisui.
"Everyone," Fugaku raised his voice, quieting the murmurs of the crowd.
"By now, you're all well aware of what has happened," he began.
All eyes were on Fugaku as they listened intently to his words.
"The village was suddenly attacked by Kirigakure, which resulted in the devastation we now see before us."
"The blame for this falls squarely on the shoulders of the Hokage and his administration—their incompetence and failure to secure our borders have allowed this to happen."
This statement was met with a chorus of agreement from the gathered clan members.
"I'm sure you've all noticed how the villagers' attitude toward us has changed in these last two days. They now see the Uchiha as saviors. During the battle against the Kirigakure shinobi, we were undeniably the greatest contributors to the defense of the village."
"Yesterday, the Hokage called a meeting with the heads of all the village's major clans. During this meeting, he specifically mentioned that when the village is rebuilt, they are willing to reallocate new land for our clan."
"He is yielding to us—offering this as a gesture of goodwill. He fears our power, afraid that we might use this moment to overthrow him."
The crowd erupted in laughter, clearly enjoying the idea that the Hokage feared them. It seemed to lift their spirits.
However, Fugaku's tone suddenly shifted, becoming more measured and calm: "The news of Konoha's attack will soon spread throughout the entire shinobi world. Once that happens, spies from other nations will come flooding in to assess our village's condition."
"Konoha is vulnerable right now, and it's highly likely that other nations will covet our weakened state. If a war were to break out, it would be a fatal blow to the village."
"The village is one thing, but the Hokage is another. Konoha is still our home. I know that none of us want to see it destroyed by enemies or watch our loved ones killed."
Fugaku spoke with frustration and helplessness, voicing the emotions that mirrored the sentiments of the clan. The expressions of those present grew heavy with thought.
"For this reason, I propose that we put any plans for an uprising on hold. We should wait until Konoha has recovered its strength and is able to defend itself from external threats. Only then should we revisit this matter."
"If we start a civil war now, it will undoubtedly reach the ears of other nations. And if that happens, war will be inevitable."
A silence fell over the shrine. The clan members exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions conflicted, but none of them spoke.
"Captain Fugaku, you are our clan leader. We'll follow your decision," a voice suddenly called out from the crowd. Fugaku, hearing this, remained composed.
"The captain is right, we can't let the village be destroyed."
"Yes, war must be avoided at all costs."
"Captain, we'll follow your lead."
After reflecting on Fugaku's words, the clan members slowly began voicing their agreement, and soon the voices of support echoed throughout the shrine.
Fugaku saw the response, and his gaze flickered as he raised his hand to quiet the shouts.
"Everyone, rest assured. If we ever want to regain our power, it will be an easy feat. You can see for yourselves how the villagers now treat us."
"Let the Hokage sit on his throne for a little longer. What rightfully belongs to us will not escape our grasp."
The next day, the relief supplies sent by the Daimyo arrived, easing the situation in Konoha.
Construction teams were ready to begin the village's reconstruction, with many shinobi participating in the effort. In fact, nearly all of Konoha's ninja had work to do, whether helping with the rebuilding or being dispatched on missions. The village needed to maintain its reputation externally, so mission assignments hadn't ceased; instead, more ninja were being sent out to fulfill them.
Under the Hokage's efforts to reassure the villagers, the general mood stabilized.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha's reputation among the civilian population improved significantly. As if someone were deliberately pushing the narrative, it was almost as if the story being spread was that the Uchiha single-handedly saved the village that night.
The Hokage himself took no action to curb these rumors, allowing them to continue gaining momentum.
Some within the other clans started to sense something fishy. The once-hostile relationship between the Uchiha and the Hokage had suddenly thawed, entering a strange, ambiguous phase. Heads of Konoha's prominent clans were even beginning to wonder if there was something hidden behind the attack itself—something unsavory that no one was talking about.
But no one dared to confront it directly. At this delicate stage, they chose to stay out of it, content to be passive observers.
Not everyone was as cautious, however.
Since the incident with Shisui, Danzo had realized that things were slipping far beyond his control. The Hokage's tone toward him had shifted; they no longer discussed matters as equals but rather as orders being passed down.
For example, the latest document Danzo received—delivered by the Hokage's Anbu—was a transfer order for Ren, removing him from the Foundation and reinstating him into the standard shinobi ranks.
Danzo stared at the document for a long time, his expression dark and unreadable. Finally, unable to contain himself, he headed straight for the Hokage's office.
Upon arriving, he found Ren already there.
"Danzo, what brings you here?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked calmly, showing no sign of surprise at Danzo's sudden entrance.
Danzo glanced at Ren, then back to Hiruzen.
"I see how it is," Danzo's eyes darkened.
"Hiruzen, if you wanted to plant a spy within my ranks, you didn't need to go to such lengths."
"What are you talking about?" Sarutobi responded calmly.
"Hmph!"
Danzo's gaze turned icy as he stared at Ren.
"It was you, wasn't it, that day?"
"What is Lord Danzo referring to?" Ren replied, his tone respectful but unwavering.
Danzo let out a cold laugh. "I was foolish enough to worry that your bond with Shisui might interfere with my plans, so I sent you away. It turns out you were someone else's pawn from the beginning. Your recommendation into the Foundation by Shisui—what a clever ruse."
"Hiruzen, your methods are becoming more and more sophisticated."
Danzo sneered, but neither Sarutobi nor Ren offered an explanation.
"You're overthinking this, Danzo," Sarutobi replied calmly. "With the village short on manpower, Ren's reassignment is simply a routine transfer."
Danzo's face grew even colder. "This attack by the Mist—it was orchestrated by you, wasn't it?"
Sarutobi's expression didn't change. "What are you talking about?"
Danzo didn't press further, casting one last icy glance at the Hokage before turning and leaving.
"You've really become ruthless, Hiruzen. If our teacher could see what you've become, I wonder if he would be proud."
The office door opened and closed with a heavy thud.
As Danzo left, Ren glanced at Sarutobi.
"Regarding the Uchiha, proceed gradually. We can't strip the police force from them too abruptly. Even if Fugaku agrees, the rest of the Uchiha will push back hard."
Sarutobi nodded. "I understand."
"And one more thing," Ren paused for a moment. "If Shisui comes to you… be sure to handle him carefully."
Sarutobi met Ren's gaze, his expression serious. "I will."
Ren also took his leave.
Left alone in the office, Sarutobi stared at the stack of documents on his desk, then turned to look out the large window at the village below—the village that lay in ruins.
After a long time, he let out a heavy sigh.
Konoha was now riddled with scars.
Not just on the surface, but deep within its core.
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