Uchiha Fugaku rested his hand on the table as he finished explaining his theory to Itachi.
"So Souji is deliberately spreading rumors—rumors everyone knows are fake—to dirty his own image," Fugaku said confidently.
"At first people will gossip, laugh, and point fingers. But slowly, once they calm down, they'll realize none of it is true."
"It's all just nonsense. All just rumors."
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi's eyes widened in sudden understanding. He looked at his father, nodding slowly, then continued Fugaku's thought.
"And then… because they misunderstood us at first, people will feel a little guilty toward the Uchiha clan?"
Fugaku nodded proudly.
"Exactly! And once that happens—"
He placed the Will of Fire newspaper aside, patting it lightly.
"—not only will the reputation of the Uchiha clan improve, but Souji's reputation will also bounce back higher than before. That is why I always tell you to learn more from him!"
Itachi finally nodded, though the expression on his face said he wasn't completely convinced.
---
Meanwhile, in the House of Genius Sabotage…
Uchiha Souji had woken up early, humming happily to himself.
Because today was going to be a beautiful day.
His "navy plan" — Operation Destroy-My-Reputation — was progressing smoothly.
If everything went as he planned, then today Konoha's people would fully believe that Uchiha Souji was:
an immoral menace
a troublemaker
a disgrace
a suspicious, untrustworthy kid
In other words—a walking disaster.
And that was perfect!
Because once everyone thought he was horrible, then:
no one would call him a hero
no one would place expectations on him
no one would give him responsibility
and if he defected one day… nobody would care!
Some people might even clap and dance on his empty grave.
Just imagining this future made Souji's heart warm.
From there, life would be perfect:
defect → survive → become a rich businessman → marry beautiful women → live like a king.
Uchiha Souji smiled.
"We all have a bright and beautiful future," he whispered enthusiastically.
Filled with excitement, he headed toward the busy streets of Konoha.
---
Chaos on Main Street
By the time Souji arrived on Konoha's main road, everyone was already holding the new newspaper in their hands.
And the reactions were wild.
People were:
gasping
shouting
slapping their thighs
shaking their heads in disbelief
cursing loudly
whispering rumors to each other
Some residents muttered:
"I misjudged that little brat Souji…"
"How could someone like that be a Hero of Konoha?!"
"Evil Uchiha… evil Uchiha… I knew it!"
The scene was completely out of control.
Even the Konoha Guard—who notoriously had a tense relationship with the villagers—were being glared at and whispered about again, as if they had returned to the worst days of discrimination.
A few villagers looked like they were ready to throw rotten eggs.
Souji winced sympathetically.
He was truly sorry for the guards.
But he needed this negativity.
He needed chaos.
He needed destruction of his heroic image.
Only then could he slip out of Konoha someday without dragging down the clan.
Still, he whispered inside his mind:
Forgive me, brothers… I do this for my own freedom.
---
The Guard Panics
A group of Uchiha Guards spotted him from afar and immediately ran over, their faces pale from stress.
One of them thrust the newspaper into Souji's face.
"Master Souji! This Will of Fire issue is full of horrible rumors about you!"
"Just give the order—and we will shut down their headquarters immediately!"
"We can collect every copy in the village before noon!"
Behind the panic, their eyes shone with loyalty, desperation, and admiration for Konoha's "young hero."
Souji's mouth twitched violently.
STOP. PLEASE STOP.
This is literally my plan.
He wanted to cry.
This entire scheme took enormous effort—a level of scheming no modern student should ever attempt in a ninja world.
He suffered mentally for days forming this plan...
And now these well-meaning guards wanted to destroy it in a single morning.
You don't know how hard it is to be a transmigrator! Souji screamed internally.
Outwardly, he straightened his back and wore a heroic, righteous expression.
"It's fine," Souji said nobly.
"This does not need to be handled with violence."
"B-but Lord Souji—!" the guard tried to protest.
Souji cut him off immediately.
He would not allow anyone to sabotage months of suffering.
---
Souji's Great Speech Begins
"Listen," Souji said, raising one finger like a teacher.
"Lord Hashirama created Konoha so that everyone could live comfortably. And part of a comfortable life—" he paused for effect "—is freedom of speech."
The guard blinked.
Freedom of what?
Souji continued confidently.
"And remember the saying: Rumors stop at wise people."
"If you read what's written there, it's so ridiculous that no one would actually believe it!"
He almost laughed at his own lie.
Uchiha NOBODY would believe it? Bro, half the village is already gossiping!
But the guards looked deeply moved.
"Even if I show this to my classmates in the Ninja Academy," Souji continued, "they would laugh, shake their heads, and ignore it."
Of course the Uchiha clan wouldn't fall for it.
But Konoha citizens?
Souji would bet all his savings that the villagers had already decided he was guilty.
And why?
Because Konoha's residents had the same flaw seen everywhere in the world:
People love a simple villain more than a complicated truth.
They didn't care about facts.
They cared about entertainment.
Just like how the villagers always whispered about Naruto being a demon fox.
Did they understand what a Jinchūriki was?
Did they even know what a tailed beast was?
No.
But they still gossiped because gossip was fun.
Because it made them feel safer, stronger, more righteous.
Souji sighed in his heart.
Konoha's people… this is your true nature.
---
The Guard is Deeply Moved
"Master Souji," one guard said, eyes full of admiration, "you truly have a broad and open heart!"
Souji felt physically stabbed.
I'm not broad-hearted—I'm trying to ruin my reputation! Stop complimenting me!
But he forced a noble smile.
"Yes… I am trying to be patient."
Then he said:
"I heard Jiraiya-sama visits the red-light district often.
Tsunade-sama gambles constantly.
And even Hokage-sama enjoys peeking around."
"People always love spreading unrealistic rumors about strong individuals."
The guard nodded, deeply ashamed.
"I believed those rumors before… Lord Souji, I feel terrible now."
Souji almost collapsed laughing.
Brother… those rumors are TRUE.
Can you PLEASE check your intelligence information before apologizing?
Unable to stay silent, Souji gently reached up to pat the man's shoulder.
But the guard was too tall.
Souji's hand landed on the man's thigh instead.
He nodded solemnly.
"Promise me—be more confident in the future!"
--------------------------
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