Naka Shrine
In the dim stone chamber, the Uchiha clan leader and Elder Setsuna sat side by side.
"Shirou, the sacrifices you've made for the clan will never be forgotten!"
Uchiha Shirou feigned an expression of intense emotion. He solemnly nodded and shouted:
"For the Uchiha!"
They were feeding him empty platitudes, but Shirou wouldn't fall behind in playing along. As always: When you don't have the power to change things, learn to blend in.
"Shirou, you should know that the clan won't let your efforts go to waste after this mission on the front lines."
Elder Setsuna's face lit up with a gratified smile, as if to say, Rest assured, you're now a key figure in our development plans. See? You've even been chosen for this prestigious mission. Just do your best.
While placating him, the elder subtly offered an open invitation for any requests Shirou might have.
However, in response to the expectant gazes of the clan leader and elder, Shirou hesitated briefly. Then, as if making a difficult decision, he gritted his teeth and said in a serious tone:
"Clan Leader, Elder, this mission is of utmost importance!"
At these words, his face took on a grave expression. The two elders exchanged worried frowns, lowering their voices as they assured him:
"Don't worry. There's a barrier here."
Taking a deep breath, Shirou prepared to launch into his performance.
The Senju clan had leveraged his Uchiha ties, using him as a pawn, but Shirou knew the only reliable force he could truly count on was the Uchiha clan. If he could prove that they couldn't do without him, his value would become undeniable.
After all, in the original timeline, Dan Katō's death was barely a footnote. By contrast, the Uchiha name carried far more influence.
"This mission is tied to critical intelligence. Based on what I've learned from Captain Tsunade, the death of Hashirama's bloodline—Nawaki—was so meticulously orchestrated that no trace of foul play could be detected. This has led the Senju clan to grow suspicious.
Furthermore, during the previous jōnin meeting, Katō Dan was implicated, but this could very well have been a premeditated act."
As Shirou spun his tale, the expressions on the clan leader and Elder Setsuna grew darker and darker.
"Are you saying someone in the village is secretly targeting the Senju clan?"
Elder Setsuna, once a rebel leader, quickly caught on, while the clan leader looked equally shocked.
Observing their reactions, Shirou lowered his gaze slightly and said in a somber voice:
"From the information I gleaned from Captain Tsunade, it seems someone leaked certain details to the Senju, fueling their suspicions!"
Both elders' eyes widened in shock—this was an explosive revelation.
Shirou's gaze lingered momentarily on Elder Setsuna before lowering again. He thought to himself, You don't have long to live, old man. Once you're gone, so are the loose ends. Besides, everything I'm doing is for the clan's sake.
"Hah! I knew it!"
Elder Setsuna's initial shock turned into maniacal laughter. Slapping his knee, he began to rant passionately:
"I knew it! Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura—they're nothing but conniving rats! They hide behind the banner of 'for the village,' but look at their clans! Take Sarutobi, for instance—just count how many of his family have become ninjas since he became Hokage!"
This tirade seemed cathartic for the elder, who relished railing against the injustices he perceived. The clan leader, meanwhile, looked somewhat embarrassed, though the revelation left him uneasy.
As the two elders calmed down, their gazes returned to Shirou, now filled with a mixture of admiration and pity.
"Shirou, you've gone above and beyond for the clan."
If they had previously thought he was merely being used as a pawn by the Senju, his current revelations painted a different picture. Uchiha Shirou had made a heavy sacrifice to earn Tsunade's trust and extract such critical intelligence.
The elders exchanged glances before the clan leader solemnly declared:
"The clan has decided to provide you with elite resources with a three-tomoe Sharingan ninja."
This declaration carried weight. For the Uchiha clan, strength was paramount, and three-tomoe Sharingan elites were treated as high-ranking individuals, second only to the clan leader and elders.
Shirou, concealing his inner elation, outwardly displayed fervent gratitude, shouting with resolve:
"For the glory of the Uchiha!"
With these resources, he would gain access to most of the clan's ninjutsu and the elite training resources allocated to high-ranking jōnin.
As Shirou left, his goals achieved, the elders returned to their discussion, their expressions turning solemn once more.
"Someone dared to strike at Hashirama's bloodline—Sarutobi Hiruzen may be opaque, but Danzō Shimura has the gall for such underhanded schemes!"
Elder Setsuna's face twisted with fury, while the clan head looked concerned.
"If someone dares target the Senju, what's stopping them from targeting Shirou?"
They shared a heavy silence before coming to a decision.
"This time, I'll instruct Fugaku to prioritize Shirou's safety above all else."
"Agreed!"
Elder Setsuna's expression softened. With little time left in his life, he held onto the hope of seeing the Uchiha reclaim their rightful place in Konoha's political core before his death.
After all, if this opportunity to align with White Fang was missed, who knew how long they'd have to wait for another chance?