"Captain, the people we detained today were taken away again by men sent from the Hokage."
A squad leader from the Uchiha Police Force reported to Uchiha Fugaku, his face filled with anger. This wasn't the first time. Today, they had arrested someone with solid evidence of insulting the Uchiha clan, yet within hours, the Hokage's men had taken them away.
This was nothing short of humiliation. As the village's official police force, they couldn't even punish those who openly mocked them.
Fugaku frowned slightly. "Can you confirm their identity?"
The squad leader, still seething, replied, "They were wearing ANBU uniforms—who else could it be? Captain, at this rate, our police force is completely powerless. Many villagers openly despise the Uchiha now."
"I understand. I'll bring this matter up with the Third Hokage," Fugaku said with a sigh, attempting to calm his clan members.
For years, Konoha had been suppressing the Uchiha, slowly eroding their position like a relentless grindstone. Not only had they been pushed to the outskirts of the village, but their influence had also been systematically diminished. Ever since the Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha's standing had worsened year by year.
At every clan meeting, resentment boiled over, with members venting their frustration. This wasn't just the discontent of a few individuals—anyone eligible to attend these meetings had at least awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan, meaning they were among the clan's key combat forces. Of them, nearly seventy percent harbored deep grievances against Konoha.
Some radicals had already proposed a coup, aiming to seize control of the village and install Fugaku as Hokage.
Fugaku, however, preferred a more measured approach. He sought a peaceful resolution, but each time he approached the Third Hokage, he received nothing but vague, dismissive responses.
As clan leader, he was bound to the will of his people. Even though he knew the chances of a successful coup were slim, the overwhelming sentiment among the Uchiha made it clear—if he didn't lead them in the direction they demanded, he risked losing his position. And without his leadership, the clan's situation in the village would only deteriorate further.
After yet another tense clan meeting, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi left together. They had sat in the back the entire time and were now among the last to leave.
Despite his young age, Itachi was extraordinarily gifted. As the son of the clan leader, he had already been promoted to Chunin the previous month. His presence at the clan meetings was not opposed by the other members.
"Itachi, the divide between the clan and the village is growing deeper. More and more voices are calling for armed rebellion. If this continues, even the clan leader won't be able to keep it under control for much longer," Shisui said as they walked into a quiet forest.
Since the Uchiha had been relocated to the outskirts of the village, many secluded wooded areas like this had become their training grounds.
Itachi and Shisui often came here to exchange thoughts on training or discuss their concerns.
Shisui understood why so many of their clansmen were turning radical—they had endured years of unfair treatment. But he wished they could look beyond their own grievances and seek diplomatic solutions instead. A peaceful approach could ease tensions and prevent the clan from becoming further ostracized.
Unfortunately, few were willing to listen. After suffering repeated injustices, many saw violence as the only way to reclaim their dignity.
Among the Uchiha, only Itachi could truly understand Shisui's thoughts.
"If anyone can handle this, it's you, Shisui."
Itachi's words were sincere. To him, Shisui was the most reliable person he knew—more so than even his own father.
Shisui chuckled. "Thanks, Itachi. That means a lot."
But after a moment, his expression turned hesitant, something Itachi immediately noticed.
"Shisui, is there something you need my help with?"
Shisui sighed before admitting, "To be honest, Itachi… I'm under orders from the Third Hokage to monitor the Uchiha. Everything discussed at these clan meetings has already reached the village elders. The Hokage and Konoha's leadership want me to keep them informed about our clan's movements… just in case."
"You've done nothing wrong, Shisui." Itachi reassured him. "The way the clan is thinking right now is dangerous. The village's peace was hard-earned—we can't afford to reignite the flames of war."
Itachi despised conflict. Listening to the clan's calls for a coup had deeply unsettled him.
The peace Konoha had fought for must not be shattered. The Uchiha needed to find a peaceful way to resolve their predicament—not through force.
But Itachi was still young, and despite being the clan leader's son, he had little influence at the meetings.
If the village could understand the Uchiha's struggles, they might be able to act preemptively—whether through negotiations or other means. Itachi believed that informing the Hokage was ultimately for the greater good.
"I understand," Shisui said. "But I've noticed something unusual within the clan. Every so often, certain members disappear from Konoha, only to reappear later. I've been trying to investigate, and it seems to be connected to the clan leader."
Shisui scratched his head. "I asked the clan leader about it, but he completely denied it. However, the only one capable of arranging for Uchiha members to leave the village is him. Can I ask you to look into this, Itachi?"
"My father arranged it?"
Itachi pondered for a moment, but he couldn't recall anything suspicious about his father's behavior. Still, he nodded.
"I'll keep an eye on it."
"This should be fine, Itachi. Once you gain more mission experience, I'll recommend you to the Hokage for ANBU. With your talent and strength, there's no doubt you'll be accepted."
Uchiha Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder with a smile. In the entire Uchiha clan, Itachi was the only one he could confide in. Otherwise, caught between the clan and Konoha, he would eventually crumble under the pressure.
"Clan Leader, this is a mission request from our client. The payment appears to be equivalent to two S-rank missions."
Uchiha Fugaku was slightly surprised as he took the scroll from Uchiha Tekka.
"Two S-rank missions? This might be the first time we've received such a high-level commission since working with them… Escort to Amegakure and ensure safety? That's all?"
Lowering his voice, Tekka added, "Clan Leader, according to intel from the Ninja Cat Clan, the rogue ninja group responsible for assassinating the Fourth Kazekage might be hiding in Amegakure."
"I see… In that case, their request seems reasonable."
Before Fugaku could finish his thoughts, Uchiha Mikoto's voice came from outside.
"Itachi, you're back?"
Hearing her, Fugaku immediately stopped his conversation with Tekka. He stood up, walked to the door, and slid it open.
Seeing his son standing there, Fugaku's expression darkened slightly. "Itachi, when did you return?"
"I just got back, Father. I wanted to report my mission experience to you, but I heard you speaking with Elder Tekka, so I didn't want to interrupt," Itachi replied calmly.
At that moment, Mikoto entered the house carrying groceries, with Sasuke trailing behind her.
Fugaku said in a deep voice, "We'll discuss the mission after dinner. For now, go help your mother with the chores."
"Understood, Father." Itachi took the basket from Mikoto and followed her into the kitchen.
Fugaku glanced at Sasuke before stepping back inside and closing the door.
"Proceed as they requested, Tekka. Also, pass along this message: The Uchiha clan formally invites him to our home as a guest. We will guarantee his safety."
Tekka immediately responded, "Understood, Clan Leader."
He wasn't sure how much Itachi had overheard from their conversation, but as the clan leader's son, Itachi wasn't someone Tekka could interfere with. However, this was not the time for further discussion.
This mission would require nearly eighty percent of the Uchiha's hidden strength. With a payment equivalent to two S-rank missions, they would need to dispatch at least four elite Jonin with fully matured Sharingan.
The Uchiha were not short on funds, but the real reward would be the message Fugaku intended to send after the mission's completion.
As evening approached, households across Konoha began preparing dinner.
Naruto Uzumaki trudged home with his head down. Though the delicious aroma from inside twitched his nose, his disappointment dulled his appetite.
"You're back, Naruto. Wash your hands and come eat," Kushina Uzumaki called out, not even turning her head as she set the last dish on the table.
But when she looked up, she saw Naruto sitting there, having washed his hands, his face visibly downcast.
"You idiot, Naruto! Did you try to make friends again? I already told you—once you master the jutsu I taught you and enter the Academy, you'll make plenty of friends," Kushina scolded.
"It's not that, Mom… You're always training and never spend time with me," Naruto muttered, lowering his head. Then, hesitating, he asked, "Why do they call me the Nine-Tails demon fox? Aren't I the Fourth Hokage's son?"
"Ignore those fools, Naruto. Once you graduate from the Academy, I'll tell you everything. But right now, you can't even perform a proper Shadow Clone! It's embarrassing!"
She smacked Naruto on the head with a ladle before grinning at him. "Now eat up! After dinner, I'll train with you."
"No need, Mom! Your training is more important," Naruto said, his usual smile returning. "I've seen you practicing late at night so many times. Starting tomorrow, I'll train just as hard!"
"Naruto…"
A warmth spread in Kushina's heart—
Thunk!
Naruto got another smack on the head.
"If you want to train, then we start right after dinner! No postponing until tomorrow, you lazy brat!" Kushina bellowed.
She had to master Sage Mode. If she didn't, she wouldn't be able to stay by Naruto's side to watch him grow.
But after years of training, she still hadn't managed to convert her chakra into the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest. Instead, she had wasted much of her remaining Sage Chakra reserves.
At this rate, she wouldn't have much time left.
(End of Chapter)