Uchiha Matters Should Be Settled by the Uchiha

Kagami Uchiha leaped lightly, making no sound, and vanished into the vast night in an instant.

When he got home, Kagami Uchiha headed straight for his father's room. His father was the current head of the Uchiha Clan.

Kagami's grandfather was the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan, making Kagami and Chirori's status exceptionally distinguished. Yet neither of them was arrogant about it; instead, they constantly pushed themselves to do better.

He knocked softly on the door twice. A steady, rich male voice came from inside. "Kagami, you're back. Come in."

Kagami answered and pushed open the door. Inside, a middle-aged man and an old man were playing shogi.

The old man was advanced in years, but had only a few gray hairs, and looked sturdy for his age. He was arguing incessantly with the middle-aged man in front of him because he wanted to take back a move.

When he saw Kagami enter, he took the opportunity to toss his pieces aside. "I'm done."

The middle-aged man could only shake his head at his father's behavior. What could he do when his old man was such a child at heart? While he was still in good health, it was best to humor him.

The middle-aged man was naturally Kagami's father, Teruaki Uchiha. The old man was Teruaki Uchiha's father, Shintaro Uchiha—Kagami's grandfather.

Shintaro smiled warmly. "Kagami, you came in such a hurry. Is something the matter?"

Without giving it much thought, Kagami reported to his father and grandfather what he had just overheard.

"Fourth Elder Kai Uchiha is plotting to rebel against Konoha. The plan is set for three days from now, and he has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

At first, Shintaro and Teruaki weren't especially surprised. Kagami had told them long ago that the Fourth Elder was secretly plotting something.

Today, he was simply preparing to make his move. Neither Shintaro nor Teruaki had taken Kai Uchiha seriously.

After all, Kai Uchiha had only become an elder because there was no one older in his family. He had made the position by age, not by ability.

But the old man had actually awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. They would have to deal with him cautiously now. Awakening the Mangekyō brought a qualitative change in strength, more than doubling a person's power!

Shintaro seemed worried. In a fearful tone, he said, "This is a bit of a problem. I didn't expect that fellow to awaken the Mangekyō."

Teruaki calmly asked Kagami to recount every detail he had heard that night so he could assess the situation.

After Kagami had repeated, word for word, the plot between Kai Uchiha and the other four elders, Teruaki furrowed his brow.

Five elders were launching a rebellion, and their first target was their own clan! If word got out, they'd become a laughingstock.

But Teruaki had noticed one detail: the Fifth Elder and Sixth Elder had been pressured into agreeing, only half willing.

That could be a way in. Those old fogies couldn't have that many high-minded convictions! What nonsense about following Madara Uchiha!

Especially the Fifth and Sixth Elders—two old men who valued their lives so much that they wouldn't even go to the battlefield!

People like that were the easiest to buy off.

"Kagami, I have a task for you."

"Please, Father."

Teruaki thought for a moment, then explained his plan. "The Fifth and Sixth Elders are most attached to the clan's power and its riches. Find a way to buy them off over the next few days. All they have to do is stay out of it."

Kagami seemed to have questions about the plan, but before he could speak, Teruaki added, "We'll settle accounts with them after this is over."

Only then did Kagami nod and accept the task.

"Father, Grandfather, should we tell my teacher and Lord Hokage about this?"

Teruaki immediately stopped Kagami, his expression stern.

"Don't tell anyone! I know you respect Tobirama and Lord Hokage."

"But until this affects outsiders, this is still a family matter for the Uchiha!"

Shintaro cut in, taking the words right out of Teruaki's mouth. "If the news gets out, it'll turn into a story about the Uchiha Clan trying to rebel. No one will care whether they're Hawks or moderates."

Shintaro Uchiha's eyes turned crimson. A six-pointed star slowly appeared in his pupils, surrounded by tomoe. It was unmistakably the Mangekyō Sharingan!

"Uchiha matters should be settled by the Uchiha."

An imposing aura radiated from Shintaro. His voice was cold, without a trace of warmth. He was nothing like the old man who had just been trying to take back a shogi move!

"These old fools have had a few peaceful days and forgotten how little they're worth. They waited until they were about to die to awaken the Mangekyō, and now they dare challenge me."

Under the immense pressure, Kagami and his father could barely breathe.

Kagami, who had joined Konoha with his clan when he was only a few years old, was seeing his grandfather's power for the first time. He had always thought the old man only had Three Tomoe. Had he been hiding his true strength all along?

"Father! Please, calm down!"

Only after hearing his son did Shintaro slowly settle down. His Mangekyō Sharingan closed as well.

"Honestly, there's always another war around the corner."

Shintaro was a veteran shinobi who had seen countless battles. During the Warring States Period, the great clans had occupied their own territories and fought each other for land. Now they had established a village, and yet they still had to fight.

What did war bring shinobi?

It seemed to bring only endless pain. Shintaro's wife, eldest son, and two younger brothers had all died in war.

He knew the pain of war all too well. That was why, after the Uchiha joined Konoha, he had urged his clan members to integrate into the village and enjoy the hard-won peace.

"All right, Kagami. Let your grandfather have some time to himself. Go get some rest."

"Okay, Father. Grandfather, I'll be going back now."

Kagami turned and left the room, letting out a breath of relief without meaning to.

He had always thought of his grandfather as an old child. He hadn't expected him to be so powerful.

Kagami badly wanted the Mangekyō Sharingan, but awakening it required enduring tremendous emotional pain.

Perhaps losing his father, grandfather, or Chirori would be enough to awaken it.

If that was what it took, he would rather go without the Mangekyō. Kagami believed that even with his own strength, he could still stand at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World.

Kagami's ambitions weren't very grand. He simply wanted to protect his younger sister and family, and to protect the people of the village as much as he could.

Perhaps Kagami was better suited to being a good older brother or husband than the Hokage.

"Brother, why are you home so late today?"

Chirori had waited by the door for a long time before finally seeing her brother return. He looked rather tired.

"I had to report a few things to Father and Grandfather, so I got back late."

Chirori took her brother by the hand and led him inside.

"You must be exhausted. Get some good rest."