Uchiha Yuan and Hyuga Asana didn't stay long in the Sound Village. After all, Konoha had just experienced the Nine-Tails Night, and every clan had taken some damage—Uchiha included.
As was customary, the Uchiha clan would hold a clan assembly during such times.
Yuan planned to use this opportunity to pressure Uchiha Fugaku to step down and make himself the new clan leader.
As expected, not long after returning, Fugaku's close confidant Uchiha Yakumi came to inform him that a clan meeting would be held at 8 PM that evening in the Naka Shrine.
Yuan first settled Asana in, then went to check on the Third Police Division. By the time he wrapped everything up, it was already 7:50 PM.
At 8 PM sharp, Uchiha Yuan arrived at the Naka Shrine. All the elite Uchiha shinobi were already present.
As soon as Yuan entered, all eyes turned toward him.
At the head seat sat Uchiha Fugaku, eyes closed, clearly awaiting his arrival.
"Apologies, Clan Leader, Elders. The Police Department had some matters, so I arrived a bit late," Yuan said, offering his apologies.
Fugaku opened his eyes and said, "Now that everyone's here, let the clan meeting begin. Yakumi, have the losses been tallied?"
"They have."
"Then go ahead and report."
"Yes, Clan Leader. Everyone, during the Nine-Tails Night, all our Uchiha shinobi took part in the rescue operations. We had 103 injured, 14 killed—all of whom had single or double tomoe Sharingan, none with triple tomoe. All bodies have been recovered.
There was no damage to the clan compound, but we did suffer some property losses elsewhere in the village. According to statistics…"
Yakumi then listed all the Uchiha property losses throughout Konoha—amounting to over ten million ryo.
"These things are external. The fact that our clan didn't suffer serious casualties is what matters. After all, we were facing the Nine-Tails." Elder Uchiha Yuu commented while glancing at Yuan.
"Indeed, and more concerning than those losses is Shimura Danzo. I heard that guy used our clan's forbidden technique—Izanagi, didn't he?" asked Second Elder Uchiha Icarus.
Fugaku nodded. "Yes. When he blocked us from joining the rescue, Danzo did indeed use Izanagi."
"Which raises the question: how did he obtain the method to use Izanagi, and where did he get the Sharingan?" Third Elder Uchiha Chizan asked.
Fugaku fell silent—he truly didn't know.
Yuan, who had been silent, finally spoke. "The Sharingan in Danzo's possession was probably collected during the Third Great Ninja War. When I raided Root, I found some things.
Back then, Konoha was fighting on many fronts. Forces were stretched thin. After battles ended, we Uchiha had no time or chance to retrieve our fallen.
Root agents would 'help'—they'd gouge out the eyes, burn the bodies, and return only the ashes.
That's likely what happened with my parents.
I found several Sharingan in Root's vault—no triple tomoe ones, only single and double. Danzo likely implanted the triple tomoe into his arm.
I've fought him twice and estimate he used Izanagi around a dozen times—each use consuming one triple tomoe eye."
The Uchiha gathered were furious. Danzo's actions were a desecration of their clan's fallen.
If Danzo hadn't already been killed by Yuan, they would've gone to war tonight.
Yuan scanned the angry crowd and continued, "During war, obtaining Sharingan wasn't difficult. But the real question is how Danzo learned Izanagi. Fugaku, any ideas?"
All eyes turned to Fugaku.
He again shook his head. He had no clue.
"Then it's an unsolved mystery. There were no records in Root. However, I did discover something else," Yuan said, changing the subject.
"What is it?" Fugaku asked.
"Clan Leader, the village leadership once tried to push us to relocate farther away, correct? They discussed this with you?"
Fugaku sighed. "Yes. Back then, tensions between us and the village were high. This was their proposed 'solution.'"
"Did you agree?"
"Of course not. Forcing us to relocate without cause? Even the Hokage has no right, let alone two advisors and Danzo."
"So you mean, had they given a proper excuse, you might've agreed?" Yuan asked.
Fugaku didn't answer.
"Let me put it this way: if I hadn't been present during the Nine-Tails Night… if Danzo blocked you and we didn't join the rescue efforts…
Then the clan would've been blamed because the Nine-Tails had Sharingan tomoe in its eyes.
That would've justified moving us to the outskirts, severing our connection to the power core of Konoha.
The village leadership already doesn't trust us. Over time, suspicion would only deepen.
With the casualties caused by the Nine-Tails, the villagers would've resented us too.
At that point, both leadership and villagers would isolate us completely.
In such a situation, Clan Leader, Elders—what would you have done?" Yuan looked around and asked.
The shrine fell into silence. Finally, Elder Uchiha Yuu said, "I probably would've prepared to launch a coup. Because continuing like that would've led only to death for the Uchiha."
(To Be Continued...)