Hearing Setsuna's response, Kazuku recalled…
In Naruto, the Uchiha compound was relocated to the village's outskirts after the Nine-Tails' attack, giving Konoha's leadership an excuse.
But in this era, the Uchihas, co-founders of Konoha with the Senju, held significant territory for their compound.
If not for Hashirama's dream of erasing clan divides, the Senju would have a similar setup.
What Kazuku didn't expect…
As Setsuna turned, a dozen shadows burst from the forest's darkness, surrounding him.
"Hm?"
Kazuku blinked, scanning around. These figures made no effort to hide their identities.
No masks, no stealth gear.
Each bore a fan emblem.
The Uchiha clan crest!
They were all Uchihas!
Ages ranging from teens to middle-aged.
Kazuku wasn't naive enough to ask Setsuna, "What do you want?"
The answer was obvious.
"If I recall, Tobirama's creation of the Konoha Police Force sparked dissent, leading some who inherited Madara's will to plot rebellion."
Kazuku thought.
Setsuna was one of those carrying Madara's will.
But per the original timeline…
These Uchiha hawks rebelled after the Police Force's establishment.
Tobirama hadn't even considered it yet.
Meaning…
Their rebellion was premature!
"Is it because of me?"
Kazuku frowned.
A possibility struck him.
His Chunin Exam performance and promotion to Special Jonin…
Caught the Uchiha clan head's eye.
They saw his talent and assumed…
Konoha's next Hokage would be him.
First Hokage: Hashirama Senju.
Second: Tobirama Senju.
Third: Kazuku Senju.
Three generations of Senju.
If Kazuku were in their shoes, he'd lose it too.
This likely prompted the Uchihas to rebel early.
Of course, this was Kazuku's speculation.
The truth? He couldn't say.
But he never imagined…
The Uchihas would be so brazen…
Inviting him from home to their compound…
To attack?
"You don't seem surprised, Kazuku."
Setsuna's smile vanished, replaced by a menacing glare.
He'd long wanted Kazuku gone.
Kazuku cost him his Chunin promotion!
"Surprised? Why would I be?" Kazuku retorted, feigning confusion.
Internally, he debated.
Should he take them all out?
Or use Flying Thunder God to escape and let Tobirama handle them?
The Uchihas were part of Konoha's strength.
Kazuku didn't want to repeat history, leading to their extinction.
But these Uchihas carried Madara's will.
Sparing them would let their ideology spread to the next generation.
Bad for Konoha's future.
If he recalled…
Tobirama only arrested these Uchihas.
He didn't eliminate them to prevent future issues.
This planted seeds of conflict.
By Hiruzen's era, Uchiha and village interests became opposing factions.
"You don't think I just want to teach you a lesson, do you, Kazuku?"
Seeing Kazuku's silence, Setsuna spoke plainly.
"Konoha was built by the Senju and Uchiha, but what happened?"
"The Hokage is always a Senju."
"Tobirama even pushed us out of leadership, out of the political core."
"He doesn't take us seriously."
"You probably think the same, right?"
Setsuna didn't care if Kazuku understood.
He just wanted to vent his frustration with Tobirama's policies.
In his view, Kazuku was a seven-year-old kid.
What could he grasp?
For this plan, the Uchiha hawks had schemed long.
Even if Kazuku was stronger than Setsuna, they had over a dozen Uchihas here.
And…
Each had activated their Sharingan.
A seven-year-old Kazuku? Easy prey.
"Letting a seven-year-old become a Special Jonin so casually."
"What a joke."
Setsuna seethed. "The First Hokage is ill, unable to refine chakra, basically useless."
"The only threat to our plan is Tobirama."
"But…"
Setsuna smirked, eyeing Kazuku.
He knew.
He knew Tobirama cared most about Kazuku.
Controlling Kazuku…
Would weaken Tobirama's resolve.
Dealing with a chakra-less Hashirama…
Would be effortless.
Once Hashirama died…
Setsuna couldn't imagine anyone stopping them.
Hiruzen, Shimura, Hyuga?
They joined Konoha early but couldn't compare to the Uchihas.
Not in power or clan size.
"You probably don't get any of this."
Setsuna shook his head, chuckling, activating his Sharingan to control Kazuku with genjutsu.
But for some reason, he asked, "Got anything to say?"
"You called Hashirama what?" Kazuku's eyes sharpened, staring at Setsuna.
He didn't care about the rest.
But calling Hashirama useless?
He couldn't ignore that.
"Huh?" Setsuna froze, unsettled by seven-year-old Kazuku's aura.
What was with this kid?
That gaze…
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Setsuna's eyes widened. Kazuku's eyes… turned into Sharingan!
(End of Chapter)