Land of Fire. Konoha.
Uchiha Compound.
"Exactly! The story about Elder Kagami is full of holes. Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation is weak. There has to be something wrong here, and we need to find out the truth."
"Not just find the truth, but get justice for Elder Kagami!"
"Right! The village has always been harsh on the Uchiha. It wasn't just Kagami back then; look at this war! The Uchiha are being sacrificed again!"
"They send us to the most dangerous places, give us the deadliest missions, and we take the highest casualties. But what do we get in return? The least recognition!"
"It's unfair!"
These clan members weren't just riled up on Kagami's behalf.
Deep down, they felt that they were being mistreated. They felt targeted by the village. They wanted to fight for Kagami, yes, but more importantly, they wanted to fight for themselves—for their own benefits and rights.
"So what do we do?"
The question hung heavy in the air, silencing the room.
The Uchiha of today were not the Uchiha of the past.
Ever since Madara Uchiha defected, the clan had been subjected to severe suppression. This pressure had continued to the present day, leaving the clan's strength significantly diminished compared to its peak.
And even in this state, the clan was fractured into multiple factions.
"This is a major issue. We should let the Clan Head decide."
"And what if the Clan Head does nothing? You know how he is. When facing the village leadership, he always just tells us to back down."
"If he does that again, he's not fit to be our leader!"
Soon, the news reached the ears of the current head of the Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Sangaku.
(Father of Fugaku Uchiha).
Hearing the report about the rumors, Sangaku's expression didn't change. He simply summoned Fugaku to his study and had him brew a pot of tea.
"Father, the tea is ready."
Sangaku picked up his cup and took a shallow sip.
"Fugaku, you've heard the rumors circulating within the clan recently, haven't you?"
"I have."
"What are your thoughts?"
Fugaku replied, "There are indeed suspicious points regarding Elder Kagami's death."
"Foolishness!"
Sangaku looked at his son with disappointment.
"Elder Kagami's death was years ago. No one mentioned it until now. Suddenly, these rumors are spreading like wildfire through the clan. Someone is clearly fanning the flames from the shadows."
"Their goal is undoubtedly to drive a wedge between the Uchiha and Konoha."
"In my opinion, the Hidden Stone is the most likely culprit."
"Their war with Konoha is the most intense right now. If the Uchiha and the village turn on each other, the Stone will easily gain the upper hand on the battlefield."
Having said his piece, Sangaku's tone softened slightly.
"If you were the Clan Head, Fugaku, how would you handle this?"
"Father, you are the Clan Head."
Sangaku waved his hand.
"It's only a matter of time. No need for us to be formal about it. Consider this a test."
Fugaku recalled his father's previous attitude toward village politics.
"Father, I think... we need to bring the situation under control?"
Sangaku nodded.
"I leave this matter to you. Consider it an internship task before you formally succeed me."
"Yes, Father."
However, Sangaku and Fugaku's actions disappointed the clan members.
They had expected that, given the glaring inconsistencies in Kagami's death, the Clan Head would at least demand clarification from the Hokage.
They hoped he would seek the truth and fight for the rights the Uchiha deserved.
Instead, Sangaku did nothing but order the suppression of the rumors.
An Uchiha member spoke out in anger.
"So weak!"
"It's because we have a leader like this that the Uchiha are constantly bullied by Konoha! He doesn't stand with us; he just wants to wag his tail and beg for scraps from the village."
"He only cares about keeping his own seat warm."
"A man like that has no right to lead the Uchiha!"
"We can't count on him. We can only rely on ourselves. We have to fight with our own strength!"
"Starting today, I refuse to go to the battlefield. I refuse to accept missions."
Another Uchiha stood up.
"Exactly. If Konoha won't give us an explanation, we won't work for Konoha."
"Strike!"
---
Letter after letter landed on the Hokage's desk.
Some were from the front lines, others from the Mission Assignment Desk.
Hiruzen Sarutobi read through them one by one, his face growing darker with each page.
"What is going on?"
On the battlefield, six or seven Uchiha members had withdrawn from the front lines at almost the exact same time, citing "illness."
One or two might be a coincidence.
But this many at once? Hiruzen felt in his gut that something was very wrong.
And it wasn't just the front lines.
Feedback from the village's Mission Desk painted a similar picture.
Tasks assigned to Uchiha ninja were being rejected repeatedly.
Sickness, injuries, or "urgent personal matters" that made it "impossible to attend."
It was blatantly abnormal.
"What are these Uchiha up to? Have they gone mad? Causing trouble at such a critical time?"
Hiruzen's expression turned ugly.
This was clearly a collective action—a malicious, organized strike.
"Enter."
At his command, an ANBU operative appeared.
"Investigate this immediately."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
A short while later, the ANBU returned with a report. The rumors weren't exactly a secret; besides the Uchiha, many villagers were already gossiping about them.
Hiruzen's face went black instantly.
"Nonsense!"
"These Uchiha went on strike because of this rumor? They want me to explain this to them?"
"Where are their brains?"
Hiruzen was furious.
Partly because this was a critical moment for Konoha. The war with the Hidden Stone was reaching its climax—victory or defeat hung in the balance.
Problems within the village now would directly impact the war effort.
If they lost on the battlefield because the enemy was stronger, Hiruzen could grudgingly accept that.
But if they lost because of internal sabotage? That was unacceptable.
"Can't these Uchiha ever just stay quiet?"
A memory surfaced in Hiruzen's mind.
It was Tobirama Senju, looking at the Uchiha clan with a gaze of bone-deep disgust, speaking in a voice dripping with loathing:
The Uchiha are a clan possessed by evil.