In the Uchiha Clan compound, within the residence of the Elder Uchiha Hiro, a gathering of hawkish clan members was underway.
They had already received word that members of the Anbu were en route to raid them. With no other choice, they assembled to discuss their response.
Hiro spoke quickly. "The Anbu are on their way. Have you made arrangements for your families?"
The others all nodded and replied, "Thanks to the doves, we got word early. We didn't know exactly when the Anbu would strike, but the women and children have already been moved to safety!
Under the protection of the doves, the higher-ups likely won't go so far as to slaughter them all."
Hiro nodded. "They may seem soft and useless most of the time, but their intel was timely."
He looked down at the impassioned faces before him, his voice full of pride.
"For the future of our clan, what's a little sacrifice? The Uchiha have never feared death!
Pain and bloodshed only make us stronger. Let those doves hide behind us and care for the weak. We'll carve a path to the future with our blood and tears!"
The others erupted into cheers, gazing at Hiro with fervent eyes.
None of them regretted the coup they had plotted. For the honor of the Uchiha, they were willing to shed blood, even their own, to awaken the fighting spirit of their kin.
In the eyes of the hawks, ever since the Uchiha had been absorbed into the fabric of the Hidden Leaf, their status in the village had steadily declined.
They were becoming invisible. Even when the Konoha Military Police Force was formed and brought the clan back into public view, that visibility came laced with suspicion and disdain.
Moreover, as fewer and fewer Uchihas awakened their Sharingan due to the lack of external pressure, and with intermarriage diluting the bloodline, the situation looked increasingly grim.
To Hiro and the hawks, these were existential threats.
So they were willing to stake their lives and futures on a coup, hoping to seize real power in the village and win a brighter tomorrow for the clan.
Even if the coup failed, their spilled blood would serve as a warning for the future generations.
Never forget the Uchiha massacre.
But to the doves within the clan, the hawks' views were dangerously extreme.
Yes, the Uchiha's strength had been weakened, but there were other ways to change their fate.
And while the bloodline may have thinned, that mostly affected the branch families.
From the doves' perspective, the Third Hokage's policies were the opposite of the Second's, more progressive, more accepting.
Many dove-aligned Uchiha now held key positions across the village's major departments. Their influence was slowly but surely growing.
In truth, the hawks and doves had always been at odds, mutual disdain ran deep.
Yet in the face of life and death, even that rift had been set aside. After all, the same blood flowed through their veins.
The doves stepped forward to shield the families of the hawks, removing that final burden from their minds.
To the Uchiha, the Third Hokage may have borne the Senju name, but many believed he carried Uchiha blood in his veins. His ability to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan was proof enough.
While the hawks shouted with fervor, the Anbu had already surrounded them.
Uchiha Hiro stood in the courtyard and called out loudly, "Who's leading this operation?"
Hiruzen stepped forward, calm and composed. "I'm sorry, everyone. Our positions differ. I am here under orders… to see you off."
Hiro didn't grow angry. He simply smiled and said, "Sarutobi. Not bad. You're a fine man. Without the Third, you might've made a great Hokage."
Hiruzen shook his head. "Arima and I each serve our roles, for the village's future."
Hiro dismissed the sentiment. "Whether it's an individual or an entire clan, we must fight for a better future. A tree without roots cannot grow. A man without ambition cannot stand tall!"
Hiruzen clenched his fists, holding back his anger.
"Though you've betrayed the village, I still call you 'Elder Hiro' out of respect. But I cannot agree with your so-called 'fight'!
You stand upon the righteous banner of 'struggle,' yet your actions are anything but righteous.
Do you realize the catastrophe a coup would bring, not just to the village, but to the entire alliance with the Hidden Cloud?
You're using the name of the Uchiha to mask your own selfishness!"
Hiro's expression remained calm. "Those who walk different paths cannot plan together. We fight for our beliefs, and beliefs are not about right or wrong, only perspective."
To that, Hiruzen had no rebuttal. Though enraged by Hiro's actions, he knew deep down, it came down to perspective. There was no clear line between right and wrong.
Danzo stepped forward with a snort. "Hmph! Uchiha Hiro, you're just a power-hungry wolf, willing to sacrifice your clan for a taste of authority!"
Hiro turned to Danzo, shaking his head. "Danzo, your vision is far too narrow. Power was never my goal."
He activated his Sharingan, locking eyes with Danzo.
"As the Elder, I know well the addictive taste of power. But today, I'm wagering it all, for a future worth fighting for."
Danzo sneered. "Empty words, hiding the bottomless pit of your ambition."
Hiro gave him a deep, meaningful look but said no more.
He turned to Hiruzen one last time. "Hiruzen, this place is too cramped. Let's take this to the banks of the Naka River. Let that be our burial ground."
Hiruzen nodded solemnly and led the way. He wasn't worried that the Uchiha would flee, they had the look of men who had already accepted death.
And that, strangely, brought Hiruzen a sense of relief. The guilt weighing on his heart felt a little lighter.
Soon, they arrived at a wide stretch by the Naka River.
Hiro looked out over the water and said with quiet pride, "Born here… and buried here. My life has come full circle, no regrets."
With a wave of his hand, the Uchiha behind him formed up, ready for battle.
Hiruzen's side was no less prepared. The elite Anbu members organized into squads, eyes fixed on their targets.
Both sides were set. The final battle was about to begin.
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