Become My Partner and Break the Village's Darkness

Still by the small river near the Hatake Clan Land, several fish were skewered and roasting by the campfire.

On the nearby grass, Uchiha Yuan and Hatake Harukaze sat cross-legged, facing each other.

The two were discussing their recent Taijutsu training. Uchiha Yuan did most of the talking, pointing out the flaws and shortcomings in Hatake Harukaze's movements.

Hatake Harukaze occasionally asked Uchiha Yuan questions, his face showing expressions of both joy and distress.

A moment later.

Hatake Harukaze finished a roasted fish and casually tossed the bones aside. His eyes flickered as he looked at Uchiha Yuan, a hesitant expression on his face.

"Harukaze, do you have any questions?"

Noticing Hatake Harukaze's expression, Uchiha Yuan asked, putting down his roasted fish.

After a moment of hesitation, Hatake Harukaze slowly spoke, "Yuan, it's actually about my uncle."

"About White Fang?"

Uchiha Yuan hadn't expected Hatake Harukaze to still be dwelling on the White Fang incident. He sighed softly and said, "Didn't I already tell you? If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore. White Fang's matter is in the past."

"Yuan, I've figured it out!"

Suddenly, Hatake Harukaze exclaimed excitedly.

Then, his expression slowly calmed, and he said, "Yuan, I've been thinking about it these past few days, and I've also asked the elders in my clan about my uncle's past.

And then I finally understood what happened to my uncle back then, but I just didn't dare to believe it."

"The most likely reason my uncle met his end was that he was framed by the village!"

He said the last sentence word by word, a hint of ferocity appearing on his face.

Through the questions Uchiha Yuan had previously raised about the White Fang incident, Hatake Harukaze's thoughts had found a direction. The more he thought about it, the more he felt there was a conspiracy behind the White Fang incident.

"But there's one thing I don't understand: why would the village frame my uncle?

My uncle was a hero to the village, always fighting to protect it."

Uchiha Yuan looked at Hatake Harukaze, seeing the anger and confusion in his eyes.

He was angry at the village for framing his uncle, and confused because this village was different from what he had heard and seen. For the first time, he felt the darkness of the village.

Uchiha Yuan let out a chuckle, but stopped when he saw Hatake Harukaze's expression change.

Then, his expression became extremely serious as he said, "Harukaze, can I trust you?"

Hearing this, Hatake Harukaze was stunned for a moment, then immediately replied, "Yuan, you can trust me with complete peace of mind."

Meeting Hatake Harukaze's gaze, Uchiha Yuan slowly said, "Harukaze, what we discuss next, you must keep in your heart and absolutely cannot reveal to a third person."

"I understand."

After Hatake Harukaze nodded with a resolute expression, Uchiha Yuan said, "You can't understand why the village would frame White Fang. The reason is actually very simple."

Pausing, Uchiha Yuan stood up and pointed at the Hokage Rock in the distance, saying, "See what that is?"

"It's the Hokage Rock."

"This is the reason why the village's higher-ups framed White Fang."

Seeing Hatake Harukaze still looking confused, Uchiha Yuan continued, "Back then, after the Second Shinobi World War ended, dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage grew louder in the village."

"The Sannin at that time had only recently become famous, and their prestige wasn't at its peak."

"Guess who was the most frequently mentioned name when discussing the successor to the Third Hokage back then."

Hatake Harukaze said hesitantly, "Uncle?"

"That's right."

Uchiha Yuan reached out and patted Hatake Harukaze's shoulder, saying, "Harukaze, if nothing unexpected had happened, White Fang would have been the Fourth Hokage of the village. It's a pity..."

"Hokage... Uncle..."

After Hatake Harukaze's shock, his face instantly turned red, a mix of excitement and pride. He truly hadn't expected his uncle, Hatake Sakumo, to be linked to becoming Hokage.

After a moment of silence, Hatake Harukaze asked, "This is why the village framed Uncle? Why? Wasn't Uncle qualified to succeed the Hokage?"

Uchiha Yuan said, "You might not know how much the title 'Konoha White Fang' intimidated the entire shinobi world. White Fang was a strong person who dominated an era."

"His succession to Hokage would have been the will of the people, and even the Sannin would have been convinced, with no objections."

Then, Uchiha Yuan's tone shifted, "But someone didn't want White Fang to succeed to the position of Hokage."

"Who!" Hatake Harukaze exclaimed excitedly.

Uchiha Yuan's lips curled into a mocking smile, "Naturally, it was those few high-ranking officials of the village."

"Yuan, are you saying... the Third Hokage-sama?"

Hatake Harukaze hesitated, finding it hard to believe.

Uchiha Yuan sneered, "Of course, it was those few high-ranking officials of the village."

Seeing Hatake Harukaze's expression of disbelief, he couldn't help but smile, "What, you don't believe me?"

Hatake Harukaze wore a bitter expression, saying, "Yuan, I believe what you're saying. I just... can't accept for a moment that the Third Hokage-sama would do something like this. His true face is actually so terrifying."

"The Third Hokage's true face?"

Hearing Hatake Harukaze's words, Uchiha Yuan laughed heartily, "Do you think the Third Hokage's usual kindness and amiability are a disguise?"

"Aren't they?"

"That shows your understanding is too shallow."

Uchiha Yuan said, "Human nature is complex, everyone has two sides. The Third Hokage might truly love the village.

When you don't threaten his position as Hokage, he's a loving old grandpa who cares about you.

But once you have the potential to threaten his Hokage position, he can become a mastermind plotting conspiracies."

Hatake Harukaze asked, "Yuan, why did the Third Hokage and the others treat my uncle like that?"

"Because in their eyes, White Fang wasn't qualified."

"What! How could he not be qualified? Just as you said, my uncle's prestige and ability were fully convincing, so why wasn't he qualified to succeed the Hokage?"

Uchiha Yuan showed a smile full of mockery, "The qualification I'm talking about is that White Fang isn't part of their Hokage Lineage."

"The village's higher-ups, from the Hokage to the consultant elders, are all disciples of Second Senju Tobirama."

"You need to know that the Third Hokage was designated by the Second Hokage to become Hokage, not chosen by the village."

"The First Hokage was the Second Hokage's elder brother, the Second Hokage was the Third Hokage's teacher. It's obvious that the Fourth Hokage will also be a disciple and junior of the Third Hokage; others simply don't have the qualifications to succeed the Hokage."

"In our eyes, the village belongs to everyone. But it's clear that in the eyes of the Second and Third Hokage, the village belongs to them."

"They want to hold onto the village's power forever, and all we need to do is obediently follow their commands."

"And to maintain their positions, darkness is bound to breed. White Fang is one of its victims.

Just like us Uchiha, why have we always been suppressed by the village? Look at the Hyuga, another prominent clan, have they been targeted by the village?

The only reason is that the Uchiha have the ability to challenge the authority of the Hokage Lineage."

After listening to Uchiha Yuan's words, Hatake Harukaze fell into a long silence, his mind deeply shaken.

This was the first time he had encountered the village's power struggles. He wanted to deny Uchiha Yuan's words, but his inner reason told him that Uchiha Yuan's words were very likely the truth.

At this moment, Hatake Harukaze heard Uchiha Yuan say, "Harukaze, are you willing to become my partner and break the darkness of the village together?"

Hatake Harukaze and Uchiha Yuan's gazes met. After a moment of silence, he showed a resolute expression, extended his hand, and firmly grasped Uchiha Yuan's.

"Yuan, we have already been partners."

With that, the two looked at each other and smiled.