The news that the Uchiha clan had thrown their entire weight behind White Fang spread quickly through Konoha.
People began whispering that the normally arrogant Uchiha had shown an unexpected side.
At first, many thought the clan was foolish. After all, even the Hatake family themselves weren't making such a scene, yet here were the Uchiha running around on White Fang's behalf. Anyone with eyes could see the decision to bring down Sakumo came from the village's high council. At a time like this, wouldn't most choose silence and self-preservation? Why did the Uchiha insist on standing in the line of fire?
But as days passed, opinions began to shift. What once looked like arrogance now felt strangely admirable. People began to see the Uchiha as blunt to a fault, perhaps even naive, yet in that naivety there was an endearing, stubborn kind of honor.
This was exactly the image Renji Uchiha wanted. He needed to change the narrative. If the Hokage faction could not control the public's perception, then the Uchiha's "arrogance" would be replaced in people's minds with "honesty."
When someone is called straightforward, they may seem rigid, but never malicious. And when such a reputation extends to an entire clan, the meaning is clear: proud, yes, but principled. And undeniably strong. After all, who could forget the Sword Tournament? This was the shift Renji had calculated from the beginning.
By softening the hatred of the village, by changing their image, the Uchiha could no longer be so easily vilified. For if the people viewed them as rigid but righteous, then every rumor, every accusation, would ring hollow.
So the Uchiha decided to "play the fool" to the very end. To let the world see: the clan had pride, but it also had principle.
While Nobunaga led the clan in its public stance, Renji was already moving in the shadows.
"Have all the men been gathered?" Renji asked.
"They're ready," Retsu said with a grin. "I even disguised it as a Hatake mission request."
Renji laughed. "At a time like this, we should probably stop teasing our allies."
Yan smirked. "Too late. The bait's already set."
Renji's expression hardened. "Good. Then we move. Unless something changes, we stay out of sight. Guard the perimeter. Do not let anyone interrupt."
He turned to another figure. "Uncle Kirito, if Root shinobi show up, I leave it to you."
Kirito gave a sharp grin. "You don't need to hold back on my account. I can deal with them. I've wanted to kill that four-eyed bastard for a long time." His teeth clenched with anger.
Renji broke into a cold sweat. "Uncle, we agreed. No reckless moves. When the time comes, you'll have Danzo himself to unleash that fury on."
Kirito chuckled. "Relax. I'll stay in control. Just like you don't say it, and I don't say it, but we both know… you've already avenged Lilith." His smile was wry, knowing.
Renji gave a short laugh, though inwardly unsettled. So it wasn't such a well-kept secret after all. More people must have guessed than I thought.
The signal came. Explosions shook the night.
Boom. Boom boom boom. Boom boom boom.
A chain of detonations split the quiet, jolting Konoha awake. Shinobi from all directions rushed toward the flames. Renji and his comrades slipped into position, moving along the escape route prepared for the Xuan Yuan operatives.
From afar, a few figures approached at a sprint. When they saw Retsu in the guise of a Hatake shinobi, they called out, "Mission complete. The Iwa-nin explosion user struck down one of Konoha's elders."
Retsu threw them a scroll, silent, then ran off with the others as though he too were just another Konoha shinobi rushing toward the chaos.
The other squad accepted the scroll and, satisfied, departed in another direction. Renji and his team regrouped with Retsu and hurried toward the blast site with the rest.
By morning, the village was in shock. The announcement came swiftly:
Fire Shadow Advisor, Mitokado Homura, assassinated by an Iwagakure explosion-user. Killed instantly. The Anbu and Root operatives guarding him were obliterated in the blast.
Nobunaga heard the news and could only marvel at his nephew's work. What a flawless scapegoat. The Iwa-nin will carry this burden for years.
Meanwhile, Renji walked the path toward the Hatake residence, his thoughts razor-sharp. This will break Hiruzen's back. White Fang… today I come to see you off.
The difference was stark. Once bustling with visitors, the Hatake compound was now abandoned, silent as a tomb. The contrast cut deep. A man once hailed as a hero now stood shunned, reviled by villagers, condemned by comrades, abandoned by friends, ignored by leaders.
Renji's chest tightened. A blade as pure as yours, White Fang, cannot survive such poison. For the sake of Konoha, for the sake of your pride, only death remains.
He knocked. The door creaked open. Kakashi stood there, eyes heavy with exhaustion. For a moment he hesitated, then stepped aside. "Please come in."
Though Kakashi had never liked the Uchiha much, this incident had changed his heart. He had seen how fiercely the clan had stood by his father. Even his feelings toward Obito had softened, their bond closer than in the original timeline.
And this man before him Renji Uchiha was known across all of Konoha. A prodigy. A rival. A genius who had once trained with his father and even gifted him a jutsu. Chidori. To Kakashi, it was as though the technique had always belonged to him.
Renji followed Kakashi into the dim room. There, before him, was Hatake Sakumo. The White Fang.
A lump rose in Renji's throat. He had prepared countless words, yet now, none would come.
"White Fang… I came to see you."
Sakumo smiled faintly. "You've grown. I can sense a blade's aura in you now. You're close to breaking through. You've become strong. That makes me happy. Please… look after Kakashi for me."
"Predecessor, you don't have to…" Renji started, but Sakumo cut him off with a weary wave.
"No. Your uncle already told me everything. I am tired, Renji. I just want to rest."
He turned his back, and the conversation ended.
Renji bowed deeply and left. At the doorway, he paused to face Kakashi. "Stay with your father. He isn't well."
He pressed a scroll into the boy's hands. "This is the next evolution of Chidori. You may not master it yet, but in time… it will be yours."
And then he left.
As the sun sank, Renji sat upon the great Hokage Monument. He drank a few cups of sake, then rose to his feet. With one sweep, he poured the last of the liquor into the wind, letting it scatter across the sky.
"Predecessor… I've sent Homura to accompany you on your journey."
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