Another rumor began spreading through Konoha.
"You know, the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan and the Senju Clan's Wood Release can unleash unimaginable power when combined."
"The experiments showing how effectively the Sharingan counters Wood Release were horrifying."
"I heard the Uchiha Clan stole Hashirama Cells to conduct experiments."
"The Uchiha Clan captured quite a few civilian ninja from the village for human experimentation."
And so on—there were countless rumors, and the winds were beginning to shift.
After hearing the news, the Uchiha members of the Metropolitan Police Department who were on regular patrol hurriedly sent someone to notify their clan head. The others began arresting the people spreading the rumors.
They planned to bring them to the Police Force Prison and give them a proper welcome.
At that moment, Masaki Uchiha was training with Itachi Uchiha at the training ground.
"Half of a teacher's strength comes from this body, so you need to train yours too if you want to inherit my legacy."
Itachi Uchiha held a horse stance as he listened to his teacher explain the key points of the posture.
Sweat dripped from his forehead into the dust beneath his feet. His thighs ached, throbbed, and burned.
Ever since hearing words like "genius" and "take away" yesterday, he had wanted to ask his teacher what was wrong with the village.
The questions Itachi Uchiha had been holding in finally came out when he mustered up the courage. "Teacher, is there someone in the village who specifically targets geniuses?"
Masaki Uchiha was taken aback by the question, then smiled slightly. "There is someone like that, indeed. I remember Deputy Clan Head Fugaku took you to experience war last year, didn't he?"
Uchiha Fugaku had been appointed deputy clan head by Masaki Uchiha just yesterday, in recognition of his work—or perhaps as compensation.
At the mention of war, Itachi Uchiha lowered his head, his voice heavy. "Yes. Father took me to the battlefield so I could experience the atmosphere there in advance. After everything that happened, I wanted to know where the meaning of life lay."
"You want to know the meaning of life?"
Masaki Uchiha froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "As it happens, I have a genjutsu called Infinite Terror. It can help you understand the meaning of life. Would you like to try it?"
"Huh? If I can, I'd like to try." Itachi Uchiha was surprised. How could there be a genjutsu so perfectly suited to his question?
But his desire to understand the meaning of life prompted him to accept.
[Infinite Terror]
With just a glance, Masaki Uchiha plunged Itachi Uchiha into the world of the genjutsu.
Well, I wonder how long you'll last in that genjutsu world.
Masaki Uchiha propped his chin on one hand and wondered how best to train Itachi next. After all, he was only five; some plans couldn't be rushed.
Hmm?
Someone was coming.
Masaki Uchiha sensed someone approaching and turned to look toward the front left.
A man wearing a Metropolitan Police Department combat uniform appeared.
"Clan Head, the Metropolitan Police Department just learned that rumors about Sharingan and Wood Release experiments are suddenly spreading wildly throughout the village. The department head sent me to ask how you want us to handle them."
"Hahaha! Looks like that old Shimura Danzō is behind this. Spread the word: the Police Force won't just ignore these rumors—we'll actively help spread them." Masaki Uchiha was so eager he could have picked up Shimura Danzō and kissed him on the spot. What a perfect opportunity.
You want to pin this on the Uchiha Clan, but we want to pin it on you, too.
We'll see who ends up with the blame on their back.
Too bad for you, Shimura Danzō—I've predicted every move you've made.
This scene perfectly illustrated the saying, "The person who knows you best isn't your friend, but your enemy."
"Yes, sir." Hearing his clan head's order, the Metropolitan Police Department member didn't ask why.
After all, the clan head's decisions had never had the slightest flaw.
Every clan member believed Masaki Uchiha could lead the Uchiha Clan to revival.
"Ah!" Itachi Uchiha cried out and woke up.
He was drenched in cold sweat, his chest heaving. He looked as if he'd been badly frightened.
The shock had even triggered his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
As expected, Itachi Uchiha's talent was beyond question.
"Well? Did you find the meaning of life?"
"I think I've found it," Itachi Uchiha answered mechanically.
"Then that's enough training for today. Go home and see your family."
"Right, my family. Sasuke..." Itachi Uchiha murmured. Then he got up and headed home. His Two-Tomoe Sharingan seemed to have lost its light, and he even forgot to say goodbye to Masaki Uchiha.
He was completely distracted.
Did I put a little too much extra into that genjutsu? Masaki Uchiha wondered, rubbing his chin.
As Masaki Uchiha was thinking, the news about Sharingan and Wood Release experiments swept through Konoha like a hurricane. Almost everyone had heard about it.
People were all talking about it.
Even Minato Namikaze urgently summoned Sarutobi Hiruzen to discuss a response.
"Lord Third, didn't we settle this last time? Why are rumors spreading everywhere again?" Minato Namikaze said, clearly displeased.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly defended himself. "This really wasn't Danzo's doing. After what happened last time, I told him to stay home and rest. Someone else must be behind this."
In truth, Danzo wasn't behind this. Koharu and Homura were.
Danzo, Danzo—do you see? Now whenever anything happens, you're the first person people think of.
That's the difference between having a good reputation and a bad one.
How could someone like you ever have a chance of becoming Hokage?
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help feeling a little sympathy for Shimura Danzō.
"We can't let the rumors keep spreading. We have to stop them."
"Kakashi, go to the Police Force and get them to work with Anbu to put an end to the rumors."
Minato Namikaze didn't want to wait another moment. If the rumors kept spreading, the Uchiha Clan might go berserk.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered, but he didn't speak up to stop him. Rumors weren't so easy to suppress.
Minato was still too young.
Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to Mie, Masaki Uchiha set off with his bodyguards and met up with the other clan members.
"Let's go. It's time for me to be elected Jonin Squad Leader."
Masaki Uchiha spoke confidently, then led the Uchiha Clan's active-duty jonin out of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The clan had issued a notice the day before: today, everyone was to go vote with the clan head.
The ninja following Masaki Uchiha were all fired up, each looking certain their clan head would win. Their expressions made you want to punch them.