No, to be more precise, it was not the entirety of the Uchiha who were like this.
It was worth noting that, under the leadership of Clan Head Fugaku, a considerable portion of the clan members also expressed clear dissatisfaction with these restless elements.
The friction and conflict between different factions within the clan seemed to be quietly escalating in the shadows.
But the problem lay in whether the ordinary villagers or ninjas—those provoked or offended by the Uchiha "troublemakers"—would take the time to carefully distinguish between the behavior of an "individual Uchiha" and the "entire Uchiha clan"?
By human nature, they would instinctively remember: the person who bullied them wore clothes with the Uchiha clan crest and was a member of the Uchiha clan.
Thus, from a single point to a whole surface, from individual to group, the negative impression of the entire Uchiha clan would rapidly spread and solidify invisibly.
Even if the initial incidents were just scattered, small-scale conflicts, under the propagation rule of "good news stays indoors while bad news travels a thousand miles," the Uchiha clan's reputation—which had taken several years to slightly improve—could very likely plunge back to rock bottom in an extremely short time, perhaps even worse than before.
Takuno's slender fingers tapped the smooth tabletop unconsciously and rhythmically, making a rhythmic thump-thump sound.
Although it was far from reaching that sword-drawn, bow-bent state of tension seen in the original work, the signs... had already begun to emerge.
What exactly was the root cause of this change? Why did that portion of the Uchiha clan suddenly change their previously relatively low-key attitude?
His finger traced over the spread-out information, finally coming to a stop on a single name: Shisui.
Takuno's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly; calculating the timeline, that genius youth hailed as "Shisui of the Body Flicker" might...
Already have awakened those legendary eyes that symbolize both immense power and a potential curse: the Mangekyō Sharingan.
A surge of extremely complex, indescribable emotion flickered through his heart, and he forcibly suppressed that subtle fluctuation.
He wasn't envious, really...
So, was it precisely because they witnessed the birth of the Mangekyō Sharingan that a portion of the Uchiha clan—already proud at heart—felt their confidence surge and their mindset tilt, to the point of becoming "arrogant" once again?
After all, there were certainly people who were dissatisfied with Fugaku's low-key policy over the years, but due to the Clan Head's suppression and the shadow of Minato's strength, they had no choice but to suppress these feelings in their hearts, not daring to show them.
But now that they saw hope in Shisui, they would only release years of accumulated dissatisfaction in one breath, becoming even more excessive than in the past.
Takuno could not be entirely certain of this speculation.
Ultimately, where the great ship of the Uchiha clan would sail remained with the steering wheel held firmly in the hands of Clan Head Fugaku.
However, this Clan Head's true attitude toward Konoha remained shrouded in an impenetrable mist.
From the perspective of the original work, in the eyes of the moderate "Doves" within the clan, some of his stances appeared too hardline, leaning toward the Hawks;
While in the eyes of the radical "Hawks," his measures often appeared conservative and weak, like a wavering Dove.
Takuno's fingertip rested beside Fugaku's name; his personal judgment leaned toward the latter—Fugaku's core stance leaned more toward the Hawks.
After all, the historical trajectory of the original work clearly manifested: it was the Uchiha clan led by him that eventually reached the point of plotting a coup d'état with the intent to overthrow the Konoha government.
Although it was bloodily erased before it could be implemented, this unfulfilled plot itself was the most powerful footnote to his true inner inclinations.
However, the current situation was significantly different from the original work, making it difficult even for Takuno to accurately grasp the true inner calculations of Clan Head Fugaku.
Currently, the Fourth Hokage, Minato, held the power of Konoha.
Looking back, Minato had shown no substantial malice toward the Uchiha clan.
His stance could be called neutral; he neither favored the Uchiha clan in seeking extra interests, nor did he ever deliberately marginalize or suppress them.
As for the advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, their attitude toward the Uchiha indeed could not be called friendly.
But the key point was that after losing the highly inflammatory and proactive "leader" Shimura Danzō, the hostility of these two advisors had significantly lessened—at least they would not openly initiate difficulties or provocations against the Uchiha clan on the surface.
These two possessed a rather "pragmatic" characteristic: even if they did not agree with the Hokage's decisions in their hearts, they limited themselves to stating their views bluntly during discussions.
Once a resolution was formed, they would at most choose to stand by and watch, but would never use shadow tactics to obstruct the execution of the Hokage's will.
It could be said that they were extremely old-fashioned, rigid people who followed existing rules.
This trait certainly had its drawbacks, but in certain contexts, it was not without its merits as a predictable factor of stability.
Therefore, although it was still far from reaching the ideal state of being "one family, harmonious and happy" with other clans or villagers in Konoha.
The Uchiha clan's current situation, compared to the dead-end of being pushed step-by-step to the edge of the cliff in the original work, was already worlds apart, gaining significant breathing room and maneuvering space.
If the Uchiha rebellion in the original work was indeed a desperate counterattack born of having no choice, then in the context of this life, multiple possible paths—none of which led to destruction—were undoubtedly laid out before Fugaku.
So, as the helmsman of the Uchiha clan, what kind of choice would Fugaku eventually make?
A trace of playful curiosity flickered through Takuno's mind.
As for whether the Uchiha clan survived or perished, he personally maintained a state of complete indifference.
After all, he had not only successfully fused the Sharingan bloodline limit but had also quietly obtained a precious blood sample from Sasuke.
Therefore, even if every Uchiha member in this life—including Sasuke—were to perish, it would be of no consequence to Takuno.
If a clan extermination tragedy truly occurred, his most likely action would simply be to take advantage of the chaos to go and conveniently collect some scattered Sharingan.
On the desk, the intelligence report regarding the Uchiha lay quietly, as if foreshadowing that beneath the calm water, a dangerous undercurrent was quietly gathering.
......
Inside the Hokage's office, the air was so stagnant it felt as if water could be wrung out of it.
Sunlight angled through the window, yet it could not dispel that heavy gloom.
Minato, the Fourth Hokage famous for his sun-like smile, currently had his brow locked tight, fingertips pressing against his temples, his gaze falling heavily on that hot-potato intelligence scroll on his desk.
"Sigh..." A nearly inaudible sigh escaped.
With great difficulty, through his painstaking mediation, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village—as frozen as permafrost—had finally cracked with a few gaps of warmth.
However, the intelligence before him was like a bucket of bone-chilling ice water, ruthlessly dousing the newly ignited flames of hope.
The trouble caused by those restless Uchiha radicals was rapidly pushing the relationship between the two sides back toward the freezing abyss.
Minato felt as if he could hear the "cracking" sound of freezing, his heart filled with a sense of powerlessness.
Fugaku... He rubbed his aching forehead, the serious and slightly weary face of the Uchiha Clan Head appearing in his mind.
Fugaku had promised more than once at high-level meetings that he would strictly restrain his clansmen.
But what of reality? Minato thought bitterly; the result was right here, as cold and piercing as this Anbu report before him—the effect was negligible!
Most of what the Uchiha Police Force exhausted themselves dealing with were troubles caused by "clansmen" internally; this failed to ease conflicts and instead, like a rolling snowball, caused the rift between the village and the Uchiha to deepen daily, with estrangement and suspicion growing wildly like poisonous vines.
If this continued long-term, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Minato felt as if he could see the efforts he had poured his heart into over these years turning into bubbles bit by bit.
The Uchiha clan and the village appeared to be returning once more to that sword-drawn, mutually incompatible frozen era.
One must realize that in an atmosphere where the high-ranking officials generally held vigilance or even hostility toward the Uchiha, how much pressure he endured behind the scenes to maintain the principle of "fair treatment"!
The power of the Hokage was indeed supreme, but this Konoha was, in the end, not a place of dictatorship where the Hokage alone had the final say.
"Hokage-sama."
A low voice broke the silence of the office, and the door opened in response.
Two ninjas wearing animal masks and standard Anbu attire entered silently: it was Anbu Commander-in-Chief Takuno, followed closely by the Deputy Commander, Kakashi.
"You've come." Seeing his capable subordinates, Minato's tense expression softened slightly.
Almost at the same moment they stood still, the office door was pushed open again.
The Advisor Elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura—those elder-level figures who held significant weight in Konoha's core of power—also walked in with unsmiling expressions.
In an instant, the several decision-makers at the peak of Konoha's power were gathered here.
As the Anbu Deputy Commander, Kakashi's status was slightly inferior to the two advisors and the Commander-in-Chief, but his outstanding abilities, his teacher-student bond with the Hokage, and his status as the indisputable future Anbu Commander-in-Chief meant that no one here dared to underestimate him.
Anbu identity was supposed to be top-secret, but in the circle of the highest level, over time, this veil became purely symbolic.
Takuno, with his low-key nature and common physical features, could still maintain a bit of mystery, while Kakashi's iconic silver hair and the three-tomoe Sharingan—occasionally glimpsed without concealment during missions—had long since made his identity an open secret among the high-ranking officials.
"Let's cut straight to the chase." Minato's clear voice carried a trace of nearly imperceptible fatigue, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"I've called you all here to jointly discuss the Uchiha clan... how we should respond to and handle the recent disturbances."
"Hmph! Does it even need discussion?" Utatane Koharu's reaction was the most intense; she let out a cold snort, her tone filled with undisguised disgust and impatience.
"In these few years, hasn't the village given the Uchiha clan enough opportunities? They simply cannot change their bad habits! In my view, no matter how many opportunities we give them, it's all in vain!"
Mitokado Homura pushed his glasses, his voice appearing more calm and rational, yet also containing a cold decisiveness: "While Advisor Koharu's words are blunt, they are not without reason.
According to the research results of the Second Hokage, the process of the Uchiha clan awakening the Sharingan itself produces significant interference with their mental stability.
Therefore, the occurrence of various 'extreme behaviors' among their clansmen is, in my view, not accidental—it can even be said to be a risk inherent to their bloodline traits."
Minato gave a helpless, bitter smile in his heart; he had long known of the deep-rooted prejudice and wariness these two advisors held toward the Uchiha.
"But," a cool and firm voice sounded—it was Kakashi.
His single exposed eye looked calmly at the two advisors, "We also cannot deny that within the Uchiha clan, there also exist many ninjas and clansmen whose hearts lean toward the village and who love Konoha.
They even do not hesitate to come into conflict with the radicals of their own clan to maintain the peace and order of the village.
To generalize these clansmen who support the village and desire integration with the radicals, and to exclude them all—is such an approach not too one-sided and arbitrary?"
"Deputy Commander," Mitokado Homura countered immediately, his gaze sharp behind his lenses, "We do not deny that there are some individuals within the Uchiha whose 'hearts lean toward the village.'
But the most critical issue lies in risk control!
Who can guarantee that on some day in the future, the Uchiha clan won't give birth to a leader full of hostility toward the village, or even one harboring intentions of overthrow?
At that time, with the power of the Uchiha's Sharingan, the harm caused will be immeasurable!"
He paused, his tone becoming even more indisputable.
"Therefore, I personally believe that for the long-term peace and stability of the village, our best strategy toward the Uchiha clan is to return to the past state of 'limited contact and strict monitoring.'
Maintain the necessary distance and vigilance, and beware of any variables that might be lurking within their clan.
Excessive closeness and trust will only leave us caught off guard when danger arrives."
The Anbu Commander-in-Chief Takuno, who had been listening silently, nodded almost imperceptibly after Homura finished speaking.
From the perspective of pure rationality and risk management, those words had indeed struck a chord of agreement within him.
The Uchiha clan... this group entwined with a cursed bloodline limit indeed had a much higher probability of experiencing mental and emotional loss of control or moving toward extremism than other families.
They were like a double-edged sword: immensely powerful yet difficult to control.
When in a good state, they were a powerful aid to the village; but once problems arose internally—especially when problems appeared in the strong—if one neglected precautions due to being too close, the resulting disaster would be devastating in an instant.
What was even more of a headache was that those clansmen prone to mental issues were often those with higher levels of eye awakening and greater strength... it was practically an unsolvable paradox.
Takuno even understood the Second Hokage's extreme lack of trust in the Uchiha; putting himself in that position, without strength sufficient to suppress everything, who could trust such a group of walking, unstable "power bombs" without reservation?
However, even though he agreed in his heart, Takuno knew very well that at this moment, he absolutely could not publicly echo Advisor Homura's viewpoint.