In the backyard of his home, Uchiha Fugaku, recently returned to Konoha, was immersed in Taijutsu practice. Weighted bands strapped to his wrists and ankles and a weighted vest added to his training's intensity.
Under the load, every movement demanded double the effort. Soon, sweat beaded on his forehead.
He paused in his practice, and a maid handed him a towel. Taking it, he wiped his forehead.
"Chief, I just received news—the Shizuru clan has been wiped out!"
A female Uchiha entered and reported the news.
"The Shizuru clan… wiped out? When did this happen?"
Fugaku's expression turned from surprise to puzzlement.
The Shizuru clan was a small ninja family in the village, targeted by Aburame Shiwei and his allies but not eliminated.
"How could the entire clan be gone so suddenly?"
"It happened last night. Not just the Shizuru clan—the entire Shizuru Village was annihilated," the woman replied.
"Do we know who's responsible?"
Fugaku's brow creased as he asked.
"Word is, it was the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja. The head of the Aburame family and two Aburame jonin were also killed when they happened to cross paths with him," she reported.
As Fugaku reflected on her words, realization dawned. He'd impersonated Uchiha Obito and killed Aburame Shiwei along with two jonin but hadn't touched Shizuru Village. So who had carried out the village massacre?
It could only be Root. To cover up their forced conscription from Shizuru Village, Shimura Danzo must have sent Root operatives to erase the village.
"How ruthless…"
Fugaku took a deep breath, unsettled by the sheer brutality of Danzo's actions. Although he had known of Danzo's dark dealings, witnessing it unfold still left him shocked.
"Konoha's Darkness… fitting indeed."
A sneer crossed Fugaku's face. Danzo, commanding Root, fit his title perfectly—reigning over Konoha's dark side with acts of cruelty like the village massacre.
With such a brutal event, the village council convened again.
This time, the council discussed Shizuru Village's massacre and the elusive Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja. The council framed the massacre as a retaliatory act against Konoha's attempts to capture him.
The debate reignited: should Konoha form an elite ninja team to hunt down the Wood Release ninja, or suspend their pursuit?
As before, both sides defended their stance fiercely, failing to reach a consensus. Even among Konoha's top officials, the Third Hokage and his advisors remained divided.
In the end, the meeting adjourned without a decision.
Fugaku stayed silent throughout the meeting, keeping a low profile. The presence of an external threat was beneficial for the Uchiha clan, distracting Konoha's leadership, at least temporarily. Yet he knew that once the external danger passed, they would inevitably turn against the Uchiha again.
...
Putting the meeting behind him, Fugaku strolled with his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, and their son, Sasuke, along the bustling commercial street.
The street stretched ahead, filled with lively people entering and leaving shops. Noodle stands, snack stalls, and barbecue restaurants added to the mix of smells, filling the air with delicious scents.
Mikoto held Sasuke's hand, walking beside Fugaku with a happy smile.
She was delighted to have a day out with her family. Her only regret was that Itachi, away on a mission, couldn't join them.
Ahead was a sushi restaurant, its faint aroma filling the air.
Smelling it, Sasuke's large eyes lit up, and he looked up at Mikoto with an expectant gaze.
"Mom, I want to eat dried fish rice balls!" Mikoto gently patted Sasuke's head and glanced at Fugaku with a smile.
"Fugaku, let's take a break here."
"Good."
Fugaku nodded in agreement.
The three entered the sushi restaurant, found a table, and ordered Sasuke's favorite bonito rice balls along with today's chef recommendations.
After enjoying their meal, they resumed their stroll.
"Come on, place your bets! Place your bets…"
"Single, I'm in!"
"Double, I'll take it!"
Ahead was a casino, its noisy shouts mixed with a woman's irritated voice spilling onto the street.
As they passed, the curtain lifted, and two women stepped outside.
One had long blonde hair and an impressive figure barely contained in her loose green robe. A diamond mark adorned her brow.
Beside her was a woman with short black hair, about twenty, dressed in black and holding a small pig-like pet in her arms.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Uchiha Mikoto's surprise and respect showed as she recognized the blonde woman.
Mikoto had once studied medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital, where she spent time with Tsunade. She held great admiration for Tsunade's medical skills.
"Oh, it's Mikoto!"
The blonde woman's eyes brightened as she recognized Mikoto, nodding with a faint smile.
"Tsunade-sama."
Beside her, Fugaku paused before greeting her.
The two women were, of course, none other than Tsunade and her loyal companion, Shizune.
Compared to the Third Hokage's manipulative nature, Tsunade seemed refreshingly straightforward. As head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku had little reason for open hostility toward her.
"Chief Fugaku."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, her tone cold.
The Senju and Uchiha clans shared a long, bitter history. While she could be cordial with Mikoto, an ordinary Uchiha, she instinctively distrusted Fugaku, the Uchiha clan's leader.
"Lady Tsunade, we have things to attend to, so we'll take our leave now!"
Noticing the tense air between Tsunade and her husband, Mikoto bowed politely to Tsunade.
Though she admired Tsunade, Mikoto valued Fugaku's feelings more.
"Mm."
Tsunade nodded, and the two parties parted ways down the busy street.
"Why has she returned?" Fugaku wondered aloud as they walked.
For years, Tsunade had been away from Konoha, rarely returning. Her sudden appearance was strange.
"Could it be because of the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja?"
Fugaku considered. Wood Release had originated from Tsunade's grandfather, Hashirama Senju, so of course, she would be concerned.
"Or perhaps it's because of Uchiha Shisui's blindness."
Shisui, the Third Hokage's confidant, had lost sight in one eye, and his condition was deteriorating. Naturally, the Third Hokage would summon Tsunade back to Konoha to treat him.
"Whether she can heal him remains to be seen…"
Logically, after using the forbidden Izanagi technique, blindness should be permanent. But Tsunade was the ninja world's most skilled medical expert; perhaps she had a way.
(End of this chapter)
🖤John_smith| Patreon🖤
Let's celebrate November by reading one chapter each day instead of taking two days for each chapter, special offer!! available only this month! Don't forget to check out the additional chapters on Patreon! :)
Visit our Patreon for more:
https://www.patreon.com/john_smith_