Everyone has a talent for spreading rumors, and ninjas were no exception.
No one knew when it began, but a rumor quickly circulated through Konoha: Tsunade-sama had accumulated a massive gambling debt and was supposedly pre-mortgaging land to cover it.
For a time, Konoha's economy wavered, and real estate prices soared. In this uncertain atmosphere, a weapon shop named Italian Cannon quietly opened next to Ichiraku Ramen.
True to his quiet, methodical style, Hayashi had disappeared for several days after establishing the shop, which made Tsunade extremely frustrated. Time passed steadily, and finally, the fifteenth arrived.
This was an important day. The Uchiha clan, Konoha's preeminent family, held a memorial service at Nanga Shrine for all members who had awakened the Sharingan.
As dusk fell, Hayashi and Mikoto set out toward the shrine. The sun slanted like an old man, casting long shadows. The October evening carried a hint of coolness. Clouds drifted swiftly across the sky, and golden light spilled through them. The wind stirred the river below, creating a soft rustling sound.
"Hayashi, look, how beautiful the river is," Mikoto said, pointing to the sparkling surface.
"Yes, it's truly beautiful," Hayashi replied, gazing at the Nanga River.
As the only river flowing through Konoha, most villagers recognized it, though few knew it was the birthplace of the Hidden Leaf Village itself.
Long ago, Hashirama and Madara first met here, both carrying grand ambitions. They skipped stones, met in secret, shared dreams, and made lifelong promises along these banks. Later, their paths diverged entirely.
This river had witnessed not only dreams but also bloodshed. During the Warring States Period, the Uchiha and Senju clashed here for generations, leaving countless corpses beneath its waters.
It was also here that Shisui entrusted his left eye to Itachi before ending his life, vanishing into the river and marking the last chance to alter the Uchiha clan's fate.
For centuries, the Naka River had observed the joys and sorrows of the ninja world, a place steeped in both hope and tragedy.
Lost in thought, Hayashi wondered whether he could truly change the future of the Uchiha clan. Could he lead them to a better path?
Mikoto's voice broke his reverie.
"Hayashi, Naka Shrine is just ahead."
He looked up to see a massive vermilion torii engraved with the Uchiha fan and blood-colored commas. A fifteen-year-old boy stood beneath it, seemingly waiting. Upon spotting Hayashi and Mikoto, he quickly approached.
This was none other than the young Uchiha patriarch, Fugaku.
"Hayashi, Mikoto, long time no see," Fugaku greeted warmly.
"Yes, long time no see, Young patriarch," Hayashi responded with a faint smile, neutral yet polite. Mikoto nodded in acknowledgment.
"Didn't we agree you wouldn't call me Young Patriarch? Just Fugaku-nii," he said, placing a hand on Hayashi's shoulder with an enthusiasm that suggested familiarity.
In truth, they weren't truly close. Since Uchiha Yama encouraged them to interact in the second grade, Fugaku had sought out Hayashi several times. They had sparred often, with Hayashi consistently besting him, yet Fugaku had persisted.
It was Uchiha Yama's method of nurturing ties and loyalty: even the most talented prodigy would remain devoted to the clan's leadership.
"All right, let's go in quickly," Fugaku said, his eyes bright as he firmly took Hayashi's hand and led the way to the shrine, not mentioning that he had been waiting.
Following him, they purified their hands at the pool in front of the shrine before entering. The shrine's interior was tall and spacious, with ancestral tablets of the Uchiha clan displayed prominently on a central platform.
Hayashi noticed something unusual: the final tablet bore the name Uchiha Shimada.
That didn't make sense. After Madara left the village, there should have been another clan leader before Shimada. Madara's name was understandably omitted, as he had betrayed the clan—but why skip his successor? Hayashi made a mental note to ask Orochimaru later; he would know the recent history.
"Quiet."
Uchiha Yama appeared in the main hall, wearing the special ceremonial robes of the clan leader and holding the Uchiha fan. Hayashi almost laughed—this fan was clearly a replica, since Madara had taken the original.
After silence settled, Uchiha Yama led the clansmen in honoring their ancestors:
"Please bless the ancestors to maintain the family bloodline."
"Please bless the ancestors to make the family prosperous."
"Heaven bless the Uchiha!"
Following the ceremonial rites, the secret meeting began.
Beneath the seventh tatami mat from the right in the main hall lay the entrance to the Uchiha clan's hidden meeting chamber.
"Let's go in," Fugaku said, leading the way. Hayashi followed closely, Mikoto trailing behind.
One by one, the clansmen descended, the exit sealing automatically behind them, replaced by a standard tatami mat.
After over ten minutes of walking, they entered a massive secret room. Flickering torchlight illuminated two Uchiha fan symbols on the wall, and in front stood an ancient stone tablet.
The stone tablet of the Sage of Six Paths—the repository of the clan's deepest secrets.
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