Dividing - Naruto: The Uchiha Manifesto

The so-called scroll from Uchiha Setsuna that Uchiha Ye had handed to Tsunade — was nothing but part of his plan.

There was about a seventy percent chance Tsunade wouldn't go meet that elder at all. After all, she understood better than anyone what kind of consequences that could bring.

And even if she did meet him — whether the old man admitted it or denied it — so what?

No matter how it ended, the blame would still fall squarely on the Uchiha clan.

Because the "evil Uchiha" label wasn't given without reason.

As long as the intelligence written in that scroll actually happened — then something would stink.

No one would ever suspect a boy who had only graduated from the ninja academy a little over a year ago. It was simply beyond his means to manipulate such a thing.

"Brat."

Inside the tent, Tsunade's expression softened slightly, as if she felt a bit guilty for losing her temper earlier.

That was just how Tsunade was — quick to anger, and just as quick to calm.

Uchiha Ye, meanwhile, wore a firm and loyal look.

"Captain Tsunade, believe in the village! That old fox must still be scheming!"

For him to speak of his own clan's elder with such venom — it was clear he was nothing more than a child thoroughly brainwashed by the Will of Fire.

Tsunade snorted lightly.

"You don't need to tell me that, brat. In two days, Hatake is coming to take over this front. You'll return to the village with my team and rest for half a month."

The battle in the Land of Rain hadn't fully erupted yet, so Konoha's forces were still abundant.

When Uchiha Ye opened his mouth as if to respond, Tsunade's voice turned sharp again.

"Don't forget my warning — the information in that scroll is top secret!"

"Yes, Captain Tsunade!"

The young Uchiha Ye took a deep breath, his expression full of conviction.

At Tsunade's wave, he respectfully returned the scroll, bowed, and stepped out of the tent.

Once alone, Tsunade furrowed her brows, staring at the scroll in her hands.

"Is that old ghost just trying to stir trouble again? Or… is it real?"

The scroll contained only a short message — but its contents were enough to chill any Konoha shinobi to the bone.

"The grandson of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama — Senju Nawaki — has been assigned by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to his student Orochimaru's team. A mission is scheduled for the day after Nawaki's birthday…"

The first half of the message didn't surprise Tsunade. Anyone with a bit of curiosity could have found that out.

But the second half — that was what made her blood run cold.

It clearly stated that there would be an ambush during the mission — and the target would be Nawaki himself.

Though the text didn't explicitly name who set the trap, the implication was obvious — the Sarutobi faction.

That was the true bombshell.

"That damn old man…" Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

This message was basically telling her that not only was the Hokage's inner circle wary of the Uchiha, but they also feared the Senju — and that dark schemes were already in motion.

Outside, Uchiha Ye pulled his cloak tighter as he stepped into the drizzle. The relentless rain of the Land of Rain soaked everything in its gray gloom.

But at that moment, a faint smile curved his lips.

The Uchiha clan was weak and isolated. If he wanted the Hokage's seat someday, he would need allies.

And this particular piece of "intel" — wasn't fake at all. Nawaki had indeed been his classmate, with a birthday on August 9th.

Based on the timeline from the original story, Nawaki's birthday was around this very time — and Tsunade's upcoming return to the village matched perfectly.

Even more importantly—

In the original timeline, Nawaki had just turned twelve. Tsunade had gifted him the First Hokage's necklace as a birthday present.

And the very next day — he died on a mission.

Tragic, abrupt, and far too coincidental.

A mission so close to the village that a jonin like Orochimaru was personally supervising it — and yet Nawaki was still killed.

Without this intel, the blame naturally fell on Orochimaru's shoulders.

But what if Tsunade knew beforehand that such an ambush was coming?

"Whether there's a conspiracy or not doesn't matter," Uchiha Ye thought, his eyes gleaming. "What matters is that Tsunade knows now. Once she does, no one will ever believe that his death was just a coincidence."

He sneered inwardly. He didn't believe for a second that such a perfect ambush could just "happen," right outside the village gates — during wartime no less — and just so happened to kill the Senju heir?

Yeah right.

"Ye-kun."

A familiar voice came from behind him. Uchiha Ye turned around — and smiled.

"Captain Fugaku."

The man approaching was a few years older, already a special jonin — Uchiha Fugaku. His normally stoic face softened with a rare smile.

"Ye-kun, I've told you before, no need to be so formal between us."

The two were clearly on good terms. Fugaku was calm and mature by nature — and throughout his life, he'd always been loyal to Konoha.

So naturally, he got along well with someone like Uchiha Ye, who outwardly embodied the Will of Fire.

As they chatted, they walked together to a small waterfall near the Konoha encampment.

It seemed to be an Uchiha habit — discussing serious matters near running water.

Uchiha Ye couldn't help but shake his head inwardly at that thought.

The steady roar of the falls filled the air. Fugaku, perhaps comforted by the sound, lowered his guard. His mature face showed a hint of weariness.

"Ye-kun… tell me. How can our clan ever earn the village's trust?"

Good grief.

Uchiha Ye almost laughed. No wonder Tobirama had said the Uchiha were extreme.

Here they were, in the middle of the war-torn Land of Rain — surrounded by enemy shinobi — and what was Fugaku worrying about?

Not the battle, not his men, not his own safety… but how to make the village like them.

The Uchiha really are hopelessly devoted.

Uchiha Ye sighed, wearing a troubled expression.

"Captain Fugaku… It's not about how our clan can earn the village's trust — it's about how the village can trust us at all."

Fugaku blinked in confusion. He didn't quite understand — but Uchiha Ye could tell there was hope.

Fugaku's whole life was proof: loyal to both clan and village — yet unable to reconcile the two.

Loyalty is split between two masters, and no will is strong enough to choose.

If only, back then, Fugaku had chosen one side — if he had chosen the village and cut down the rebel faction within his own clan, things might have gone differently.

Konoha might still have destroyed the Uchiha — but not so swiftly, not so brutally.

"Captain Fugaku," Uchiha Ye said solemnly.

He had to act now — before Fugaku walked into that same dead end again.

This man was valuable — not just in strength, but in influence.

The clan leader's son — a power Uchiha Ye had to win over.

Otherwise, just like in the original timeline, the Uchiha would once again end up the village's scapegoat and victim.

Not this time. Under his lead, the Uchiha would fight back — the right way.

"To earn the village's trust," Uchiha Ye said earnestly, "just look at how many of our clan's elites have been sent to the front lines. Even you, the clan leader's own son, are here! And this is the Land of Rain — terrain that doesn't suit us at all!"

He looked resolute, as if speaking from the heart.

"The clan has poured everything into this war — even its future — all for the village's trust."

Fugaku smiled faintly, nodding. "You're right. This time, the clan truly gave its all."

People said the Uchiha were evil — but from the First to the Third Great Ninja War, where were they sent? The hardest fronts. The Land of Rain. The Land of Water.

They had bled more than anyone.

And only after the Nine-Tails incident would they finally be treated like prisoners, watched like criminals. That's when resentment had begun to fester.

But before Fugaku could say more, Uchiha Ye's next question made his face darken instantly.

"By the way, Captain Fugaku… why has the village been spreading rumors about the 'Fourth Hokage candidate' being White Fang? Isn't the Third still in his prime?"

That one sentence made Fugaku's expression freeze — and a deep, grave look settled on his face.

Chapter 2 - Dividing