"Yuan, I'm glad you understand. No matter what punishment the village decides on, I hope you'll accept it calmly."
Uchiha Fugaku paused, then continued in a measured tone, "The clan stands firmly behind you. But because we previously supported Orochimaru for Hokage—and because of your clash with Danzō today—the tension between the clan and the village is already at a breaking point. If another conflict erupts, I fear it could spiral into something far worse. That is not what I want to see."
Facing Fugaku's deep, searching gaze, Yuan smiled faintly. "Clan Head, rest assured. I will accept whatever decision the village makes."
Fugaku's expression softened slightly. "Good. Yuan, you are one of the pillars of the clan's future. We will negotiate with the village regarding your punishment. It will be a result both sides can accept."
Yuan bowed lightly. "You have my gratitude. I've caused trouble for the clan."
Fugaku suddenly chuckled. "Although today's conflict was triggered by your recklessness, you have greatly enhanced the prestige of the Uchiha. I doubt the village will dare pressure us as brazenly as before."
Earlier that day, Fugaku had been summoned to the Hokage's office by ANBU and informed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, about Yuan's clash with Danzō.
To his surprise, even the usually cold and hardline elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, had spoken to him in noticeably softer tones.
The message had been clear—
The higher-ups had been shaken.
"Hahaha! The village should finally learn to fear the Uchiha now!" one clan elder laughed loudly.
"What pleases me most is that Yuan properly taught that old viper Danzō a lesson," another added.
"Indeed! That man inherited Tobirama Senju's ideology wholesale. He's always despised the Uchiha."
"Yuan, well done! Our clan's Fierce Tiger! I heard you even cut off one of Danzō's arms!"
Yuan smiled calmly. "I intended to kill him. Unfortunately, he managed to slip away."
Fugaku sighed softly. "Danzō is the one in the village leadership who harbors the greatest malice toward us. We would gladly remove him. But had you truly killed him, you would have been declared a missing-nin without question. The village would never compromise."
Yuan let out a cold snort. "If they refuse to compromise, then my fists will make them."
"Hahaha! Well said!" several elders roared with laughter.
"The fact that you eliminated most of Danzō's Root operatives is already a heavy blow," said the First Division Captain of the Police Force.
Fugaku nodded. "Fortunately, you killed only Root members and did not harm a single ANBU. That is precisely why the village is willing to treat today's events as a 'personal conflict' between you and Danzō."
Yuan's lips curved faintly. "To me, those Root rats are nothing but vermin in a gutter. I've long wanted to deal with them. I still remember the night the Nine-Tails rampaged—those same scum blocked our clan from going to assist."
Outside the meeting room lay a quiet courtyard. Night had deepened. Lanterns hung along the corridor, their dim yellow light drawing moths that fluttered endlessly around them.
On a wooden bridge crossing the courtyard, a lone figure stood in silence.
The lantern near him flickered.
Then suddenly went out.
Several moths dropped lifeless to the floor.
Moments later, the meeting room doors opened. The clan elders departed one by one.
Yuan exited last. He closed the door behind him and took a few steps—
Then paused.
His gaze shifted toward the bridge.
The moon hung high in the sky, silver light spilling across the wood.
A figure stood there.
Uchiha Itachi.
His face was concealed in shadow. Two crimson-eyed crows perched upon his shoulders.
Their eyes met across the courtyard.
Without a word—
The crows suddenly took flight.
And in the next instant, Itachi's body dissolved into a scattering of black feathers, vanishing into the night.
Yuan withdrew his gaze. A smile remained on his face, but his eyes were cold.
Though Itachi had said nothing—
Yuan clearly felt the disapproval in that silent stare.
The next afternoon.
Yuan sat on the engawa, watching Izumi practice taijutsu in the courtyard. From time to time, he called out corrections to her form.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the village's final decision.
After some time, Izumi stopped, sweat glistening across her skin. She sat down beside him.
"You've improved a lot," Yuan said, ruffling her hair. "Much better than last time."
Izumi beamed. "It's thanks to Yuki! When we spar, she gives me lots of pointers."
Yuan smiled faintly. "You meet Senju Yuki often?"
"Yes! Brother, did you know? The dojo in the Senju compound is incredibly sturdy. When Yuki and I spar, even if our strikes hit the walls or floor by accident, they don't leave a single mark."
Yuan's brows lifted slightly. "Could it have been constructed with the First Hokage's Wood Release?"
Izumi nodded.
Then her expression turned worried.
"Brother… I heard ANBU arrested you. Are you really okay? Mother and I have been so worried these past few days."
Yuan gently patted her head. "Don't worry. I'm fine. The village only needed to ask me about Orochimaru-sensei. And the clan stands firmly behind me."
Only then did the anxiety leave her face.
At that moment, Yuan glanced toward the courtyard wall.
A knock sounded at the gate.
Izumi hurried over and opened it.
"Yuki! You're here!"
Senju Yuki and her younger brother Senju Gen entered.
The moment they saw Yuan, Gen blurted out in disbelief, "Yuan, you're insane! I still can't believe the rumors."
Yuki narrowed her eyes, studying Yuan from head to toe. Then she let out a cold snort.
"I'm not surprised at all. Gen, you should have realized what kind of reckless lunatic he was the moment he dared attack his own squad leader, Jōnin Yoshihara Yūto. But even I didn't expect him to grow this arrogant—actually laying hands on one of the village elders."
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