Having founded this village with the Senju Clan, the ninjas of the Uchiha Clan took deep pride in it.
But the conservative faction within the clan had completely become lackeys of the Will of Fire.
Though they still held onto the clan's honor, they were already corroded by this feeble love.
Since the Warring States Era, they marched onto the battlefield, following Uchiha Madara through blood and storm, then founded Konoha with the Senju Clan.
Later, Uchiha Madara left Konoha, and fought Senju Hashirama to the death at the Valley of the End.
As the loser, Uchiha Madara vanished from then on, Senju Hashirama claimed victory, returned to Konoha, but passed away after only a few years.
After that, the First Ninja War broke out, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama fell in battle, and his student Hiruzen Sarutobi succeeded as the Third Hokage.
All these events were personally experienced by Elder Shikora.
He was an old man who witnessed the transition from the Warring States Era to the one country, one village system.
He watched the unfolding of all these events as a bystander.
Thus, he kept pondering how he might save the clan.
"So, you were setting things up since early on, weren't you?"
Rika didn't know the entire plan, but could guess some of it.
If Elder Shikora started plotting when Ruri was ambushed by Root… no, perhaps even earlier—then Root's actions might have been within his expectations too.
Including all those reactions and countermeasures by the higher-ups, even Ruri's growing hatred of them, were being subtly led from back then.
Disappointed by the clan's 'ignorant and unclear' leaders, that rebellious mindset pushed her to seek like-minded companions within the clan.
Little did she know, those so-called 'companions' had all been prepared in advance by Elder Shikora, forming the base for a rebuilt branch of the Uchiha Clan.
Truly a cunning old fox, Rika sighed inwardly.
"But in all these plans, the biggest issue is whether Ruri would harm those around her for power. This worries me most. Her obsession with power, just like Madara-sama, makes me afraid she'll follow his path. Thankfully, she didn't let me down with her choices."
Everything can be arranged, but there was one thing Elder Shikora was most worried and uncertain about.
Ruri's obsession with power—would her true nature change in the face of power?
Uchiha Madara once failed to resist temptation and slaughtered his own friends.
Someone willing to abandon their own kin and friends will never feel the warmth of the world, nor experience all that can be felt with a heart full of love.
Nor will they cherish their clan members.
All they see is darkness and extremity, driven by their radical emotions, and call that the truth and reality of the world.
They calmly accept the clan's 'curse' as the unchangeable fate of the clan.
The arrogance they see as only natural.
He himself once was a fool who mixed arrogance with ignorance, so he knows it well.
Precisely for this reason, he entrusts that portion of the clan's members to Ruri to lead.
A leader's charisma—power is only part of it. Compassion and tolerance toward those around them are equally essential qualities.
"But, there's one thing you haven't mentioned yet."
Rika suddenly said.
"What hasn't been mentioned?"
Elder Shikora frowned. He didn't think he'd missed anything.
"You never told me that that medical ninja Chiba Hakushi would be such a formidable guy."
At this, Rika shot Elder Shikora a look of mock resentment.
Honestly, when he tried to ambush Hakushi, he really was shocked.
He'd intended to beat Hakushi half dead, and keep him occupied with nonsense to delay until Ruri returned.
But… he ended up getting a harsh lesson from Hakushi, his assassination target, and then was tormented by Ruri's Illusion Technique for quite a while. Even recalling it now gives him the chills.
"If I'd told you in advance, how could the act be convincing?"
Elder Shikora smiled and sipped his tea. So that's what this is about.
"You knew all along?"
Rika's eyes were even more resentful.
"Who knows. By the way, have all the threads with Sosuke and Miyoko been cut?"
Uchiha Sosuke and Uchiha Miyoko are Ruri's parents.
This time, he learned in advance about Hidden Sand's attack on Konoha and devised this scheme. Those two contributed greatly.
Which is why every thread had to be severed, all traces wiped clean.
No matter how slim the possibility, it must be eliminated.
"Not yet. I was thinking, if this branch of the Uchiha faces any issues in the future…"
"Since you're already separated from Konoha, that branch of the Uchiha has nothing to do with this side. Danzo's little brat has a dog's nose. When you cut the grass, remove the roots. Whether in combat or in intelligence work, it has to be done."
Elder Shikora's tone was extremely resolute.
The rain grew lighter, water streams gathered and dripped from the eaves.
"Alright, I'll deal with it later. From now on, they are no longer the Uchiha of Konoha. Both sides' resources won't be shared anymore. Come to think of it, over the years, they've amassed quite a bit of wealth, plus the old Uchiha connections. That should be enough for them to rise in the Land of Demons."
Rika sighed in disappointment.
"With that, I can finally retire in peace."
Elder Shikora let out a long breath.
"Retire?"
Rika looked at Elder Shikora in surprise.
"What are you surprised about? I'm already old enough, should have retired and stayed out of these petty affairs long ago."