"Newspapers! Fresh newspapers! The latest Will of Fire special edition!"
"Come get your newspapers! The story behind Uchiha's genius will make you laugh and cry!"
---
Morning in Konoha
Early the next morning, Konoha was still wrapped in sleep and silence.
But gradually, the shouts of energetic children echoing through the streets forced the entire village awake.
Ninjas, civilians, shopkeepers, and even sleepy genin rubbed their eyes, poked their heads outside, and saw little boys running through the streets with bags full of newspapers.
Many ninjas scratched their heads, too tired to think, and simply walked over to buy a copy.
In a world without television or a proper internet, newspapers were the main source of entertainment and information. No matter which newspaper you bought, the content was usually similar—rumors, daily happenings, a few war reports, and the occasional political gossip.
But this time the Will of Fire newspaper was:
cheaper
shinier
and most importantly, being shouted loudly by children everywhere
Naturally, more and more people bought it.
---
Uchiha Itachi's Reaction
Uchiha Itachi had been waking up at 4 a.m. every day ever since his strict father reprimanded him.
Today was no different. While the rest of Konoha snored, Itachi calmly walked through the streets and bought a newspaper from a young boy.
He opened it casually.
Read a few lines.
Then closed it again, the corner of his mouth twitching.
He blinked.
Maybe he was imagining things?
He reopened it.
Nope. Not imagination.
"WHAT is this story about Uchiha Souji and a sow?" Itachi muttered.
"And WHAT widow is he supposedly spying on in the middle of the night?!"
"This is nonsense!!"
Itachi firmly believed Uchiha Souji was one of his closest friends.
A true friend.
A trustworthy friend.
And real friends didn't let each other be slandered in public like this.
He immediately clenched the newspaper, turned around, and rushed toward his home.
"Father! You need to read this!"
---
Fugaku's Confusing Calmness
Uchiha Fugaku, meanwhile, was already reading a different newspaper he had subscribed to. Without looking up, he heard Itachi's panicked voice and raised his head.
"Oh? The Will of Fire issue is out already?" Fugaku said calmly.
He took the paper from Itachi's hands.
Itachi stared in confusion.
"You know this newspaper, Father?"
"Of course," Fugaku replied. "It is our Uchiha clan's newspaper."
Itachi froze.
His head filled with question marks.
Our what? OUR newspaper is the one insulting Uchiha Souji? How does that make ANY sense?!
Meanwhile, Fugaku opened the paper casually, shaking his head at Itachi, who looked ready to faint.
Ever since Souji appeared in their clan, Fugaku felt his eldest son's brightness dimmed a bit.
Sometimes he even wondered:
Did I accidentally leave Souji somewhere as an infant? Is he secretly my lost child? Why is he so talented?!
After a sigh of disappointment in Itachi's clueless face, Fugaku began to explain.
---
Fugaku Explains the Strategy
"I've always taught you," Fugaku said, "that the high ground of public opinion must be seized. If we don't take it, our enemies will."
"The reason the Uchiha clan suffers now is because we never fought for control over public opinion."
"If we want to change how Konoha views us, we must reshape our own image."
"Once we do that, it will help both you and Souji if either of you ever wants to become Hokage."
Itachi was stunned.
Become Hokage?
Souji?
THIS newspaper?
THIS article?
Did his father lose his mind?
"The propaganda you're talking about…" Itachi stuttered, "is THIS?! The article accusing Souji of spying on widows and causing pigs to scream?!"
Fugaku lifted his tea cup.
Before he could drink, Itachi's words hit him like a kunai.
"PFFFFFT!"
He spat tea everywhere.
Instantly, Fugaku grabbed the paper and began to read in panic.
It was even worse than Itachi described.
"These are LIES!" Fugaku roared.
"Souji is only seven! How can he be stealing academy children's lollipops? The academy kids are older than him!"
"And spying on widows?! Impossible!"
Then Fugaku paused.
A leader needed to stay calm.
He forced himself to breathe deeply.
If Souji approved the printing, he must have had a reason.
It made no sense for Souji to write such things otherwise.
"Could it be the editor?" Itachi suggested softly.
"The editor betrayed us?"
Fugaku shook his head.
"No. Souji personally selected the editor. He's just a Chunin—nothing he writes gets published without Souji's approval."
Fugaku stroked his chin.
Then suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"Ahh… so that's it. SO THAT'S IT!"
He looked at Itachi proudly.
"Itachi, you should learn from Souji!"
---
Itachi Loses Hope
Itachi stared blankly at his father.
Learn what, exactly?
How to slander yourself publicly?
How to destroy your own reputation?
How to confuse your entire clan?
Do he and his father not speak the same language?!
Should he call a medical-nin?
Did Fugaku need a mental check-up?
He looked deeply concerned.
Fugaku waved a hand.
"Itachi, this is a very clever plan!"
He sat down again and began explaining slowly.
---
Fugaku Breaks Down Souji's Genius Strategy
"A while ago," Fugaku said, "in order to restore the Uchiha clan's image, I tied Souji's achievements together with the clan."
"We started calling Souji a 'Hero of Konoha'."
"It improved our image at first, but Souji must have sensed something dangerous."
Fugaku held up the newspaper.
"This newspaper is Souji's countermeasure!"
He explained:
"Konoha already has a deeply rooted opinion about the Uchiha clan. Even if I forcefully push positive ideas about us, the villagers will resist."
"People with empty heads do not like to be force-fed opinions."
"At first, they may listen politely, but the more aggressively we push, the more annoyed they become."
"And if they become annoyed, the Uchiha clan's standing in Konoha will fall further."
---
Understanding Souji's Intent
Fugaku tapped the newspaper.
"By writing outrageous slander about himself, Souji is doing something brilliant—he pulls attention away from the clan."
"Instead of judging the Uchiha clan, the villagers will focus on Souji's ridiculous stories."
"And because the articles are so exaggerated and obviously fake, villagers will laugh at them, not resent them."
"Humor weakens hostility."
Itachi stared at his father.
He wasn't sure if Souji was brilliant…
Or if both Souji AND his father had gone insane.
But Fugaku happily continued reading the newspaper.
"These titles are impressive. The writing is dramatic. Even I almost believed it."
He nodded with satisfaction.
"That Mizuki fellow—the editor Souji picked—is actually quite talented. He writes lies with such confidence that even I was amazed."
---
Conclusion: Souji's Gamble
Fugaku placed the newspaper down gently.
"Itachi, remember this. Sometimes the best way to protect your clan is not through honor or pride—but through misdirection."
"This is camouflage."
"A wolf pretending to be a clown."
"A hero hiding behind nonsense."
"This is why Souji is extraordinary."
--------------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
----------------------------------------------------- .