Hey everyone, as you can probably tell, I'm rewriting and readjusting the initial chapters. I'll be keeping all of them within the same standard and style. If you have any comments or criticism, feel free to share. By the way, 50 Power Stones are worth one extra chapter. Thanks!
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Uchiha Itachi.
The moment that name echoed through the meeting hall, the atmosphere within the Uchiha compound shifted violently. Murmurs spread at once, low and rapid, eyes sharpening as years of suppressed resentment finally surfaced. There was no longer any doubt,nearly every clan member present had already heard the rumors.
Rumors claiming that Uchiha Itachi, the clan's most gifted prodigy, was a spy planted by Konoha's higher-ups inside the Uchiha clan itself. A double agent.
To the proud and isolated Uchiha, such an accusation was not merely an insult. It was an unforgivable betrayal. Hatred no longer bothered to hide; it rose openly across their faces.
Seated at the head of the gathering, Uchiha Fugaku slowly nodded, releasing a heavy sigh that carried exhaustion far beyond his years.
"…Indeed."
His voice was calm, but its weight silenced the room.
"Regarding the first matter,Shisui's death," Fugaku continued, "Itachi may very well be the only living witness."
The tension thickened instantly.
"And more than that," he added, his gaze darkening, "Shisui entrusted him with his remaining Mangekyō Sharingan. The one containing Kotoamatsukami."
A subtle stir passed through the hall. The name alone carried fear.
"Then there is the second matter," Fugaku said after a brief pause. "The rumors surrounding Itachi himself."
Uchiha Yashiro spoke up, his tone sharp with suspicion.
"That is precisely why questioning Itachi might clarify everything. But if he truly is a double agent, what reason do we have to believe he would tell us the truth?"
Silence followed, heavy and oppressive. After a moment, another clan member spoke, his voice edged with bitterness.
"If the rumors are true, then Itachi has held Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan this entire time. A genjutsu like Kotoamatsukami,one capable of rewriting a person's will without them ever realizing it,and yet he never informed the clan. Never sought our help. That alone proves his betrayal."
Yashiro felt the danger of the conversation and slowly turned toward Fugaku.
"Clan Head… in your heart, do you truly believe Itachi is capable of betraying his own blood?"
Fugaku remained silent for a long moment.
"…I don't know."
A ripple of unease spread through the room.
"I have spent my life reading people," he continued quietly, "yet I have never been able to fully understand that child. From a very young age, Itachi was always quiet,withdrawn, distant. His talent was exceptional, but so was the depth of his inner world."
His tone grew heavier.
"And there is one thing none of us can deny. He has always been extremely close to Hiruzen Sarutobi."
At the mention of the Sandaime Hokage, several Uchiha scoffed openly, their contempt unmistakable.
Suddenly, a fist slammed onto the table.
"Clan Head," Uchiha Tekka growled, "forgive my bluntness, but if Uchiha Itachi truly betrayed the clan… then even if he is your son, I will never forgive him!"
Several hot-blooded members immediately echoed his words. The room trembled with agreement.
Fugaku straightened, his presence turning resolute.
"If that is truly the case," he said firmly, "then I will be the first to judge him. I will not show mercy simply because he is my son."
Approval surged through the hall. Raising his hand, Fugaku silenced them.
"I will speak with Itachi personally. I swear upon my life that I will not act out of favoritism."
The clan members nodded, their trust in him unwavering.
Yashiro then spoke again, more cautiously.
"And what about the third rumor? The Uchiha no longer in the village,the one suspected of orchestrating the Kyuubi incident, and who has reportedly been seen near Konoha recently. Is his target the village… or our clan?"
Fugaku's expression darkened.
"During the Kyuubi incident, everyone witnessed it. The Kyuubi was controlled by the power of the Sharingan, and that alone caused the entire village to direct its hatred toward the Uchiha. But I can state this clearly,no one within the clan did it, and no one here possesses ocular power on that level."
He continued coldly.
"Even Kakashi Hatake, who transplanted a Sharingan, could never surpass us, let alone control the Kyuubi."
Yashiro frowned.
"That may be true, but in all these years, I have never heard of such a powerful Uchiha missing-nin. Even if one existed, none should possess power of that magnitude."
Tekka hesitated before speaking again.
"I've heard… the rumors suggest this man might be… Uchiha Madara."
Shock rippled through the hall.
"Impossible," Fugaku said immediately. "Uchiha Madara died long ago."
He paused briefly.
"However, it is possible this man is connected to him. After all, the ability to control the Kyuubi has only ever been associated with Madara."
Yashiro summarized slowly.
"So there exists a powerful Uchiha living in exile,someone tied to Uchiha Madara. He orchestrated the Kyuubi incident, staining our clan's name, and now lingers near Konoha with unknown intentions. Whether his target is Konoha's leadership or the Uchiha clan… judging from his actions, it is likely both."
He continued grimly.
"The Kyuubi incident killed the Yondaime Hokage and his wife, proving his hostility toward Konoha. But at the same time, he framed the Uchiha, proving he does not stand with us either."
Fugaku exhaled slowly.
"When Madara left Konoha, the Uchiha chose to abandon him and follow the Shodai Hokage instead. If this man is truly connected to Madara, then his hatred toward our clan is not difficult to understand."
The hall erupted into heated discussion until Uchiha Inabi spoke bitterly.
"So let me summarize. Shisui was killed by Konoha's higher-ups. Itachi knew the truth and stayed silent. He possessed Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan yet never revealed it. He became a double agent for Konoha. And outside the village, a monstrously powerful Uchiha plots against us."
He laughed hollowly.
"This is truly enemies within… and enemies without."
Even Fugaku was left momentarily speechless. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"…Enough."
"I will speak with Itachi. If the rumors are true, I will give the clan an answer."
"I swear it."