The main character's name has been changed from Sabino Hoshino!
Since the Nine-Tails Attack, this ninja clan, which had stood at the top of the Shinobi World for hundreds of years, has been gradually pushed to the edge of the village.
The clan's territory was forcibly relocated to the most remote corner, surrounded by spies from the Anbu. Clan members had to report when they went out, and even ordinary purchases would attract surveillance.
The Konoha Military Police Force, which was originally responsible for the Konoha, now only has symbolic patrol rights, while the real decision-making power is firmly controlled by the Anbu and Root.
The tribespeople live in an invisible cage, where any unusual behavior will attract investigation.
Even with the tacit approval of those in power, the villagers harbored deep hostility towards the Uchiha Clan, openly hurling insults at them as the source of all misfortune.
Internal conflicts within the clan are also becoming increasingly acute.
The radical faction, led by the Yashiro and Inabi, advocated armed resistance, believing that the Konoha High Command had never trusted the Uchiha and that only a coup could restore their dignity.
Clan Chief Fugaku and some elders still hoped to fight for their rights through negotiations, but the perfunctory attitude of the higher-ups gradually made them lose patience.
What made them even more desperate was Shisui Uchiha's suicide.
As the undisputed number one powerhouse and the undisputed number one genius, he died under mysterious circumstances, his body never found, leaving behind only a dubious suicide note.
Undercurrents were stirring within the clan, and various speculations were spreading in private.
Some say he defected, some suspect it was a dirty trick by clan leader Fugaku to consolidate his power, but most suspect that Shisui died at the hands of Konoha High Command.
Naka Shrine.
The new clan meeting was held, and those who could attend were all Mitsudomoe or Jonin. This time, the attendance was the highest ever, with nearly fifty people participating.
The clan leader Madara Uchiha Fugaku, and elders such as the Yashiro and Kyudai Hokage were all present, except for Uchiha Itachi.
From the very beginning, the air was thick with the Yakumi, making even breathing feel hot.
" Fugaku! How much longer are you going to make us wait?!"
The Uchiha Yashiro struck first, his fist slamming into the floor, and spiderweb-like cracks quickly spread across the tatami mat.
" Sarutobi, you old dog, always says you need more time, but what's the result? If we wait any longer, the Uchiha Clan will be wiped out! What are you hesitating about?!"
Fugaku slowly opened his eyes and said calmly, " Yashiro, watch your words. Acting rashly will only put the clan in danger."
"Danger?" Uchiha Inabi suddenly stood up. "We're living in danger right now! Three more clansmen 'died unexpectedly' last month, and their bodies were kept by the Anbu and can't be retrieved. Do you really think that was an accident?"
"I'm going to show you something."
Inabi took out a scroll from his bosom, and after breaking the seal, dozens of photos scattered on the ground.
The photos clearly show the Uchiha clan members being monitored.
Children are followed by Anbu when they go to school, women are searched without cause when they go grocery shopping, and even the clan cemetery is guarded 24 hours a day.
The most shocking thing was a hospital record that showed a pregnant Uchiha woman was refused delivery and ultimately miscarried.
"This is how Konoha treats us!" Inabi's voice trembled slightly with anger. "They pinned the blame for the Nine-Tails Attack on us just to find an excuse to eliminate the Uchiha!"
The temperature inside the shrine seemed to rise suddenly.
Several young ninjas could no longer contain themselves. They suddenly opened their Mitsudomoe and stared at Fugaku with murderous intent, as if he would do anything if he uttered a single word of objection.
Even if Fugaku were the clan head, they would still dare to attack him.
"It can't be suppressed anymore..."
The thought flashed through Fugaku's mind, heavy as the last straw that broke the camel's back.
He once thought that as long as he was patient enough and showed enough sincerity, the Konoha High Command would accept the Uchiha again.
But every negotiation only resulted in perfunctory responses, and every concession only brought deeper oppression.
" Third... Danzo... are you really going to drive the Uchiha to their doom?"
Fugaku's fingers tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white.
But if war breaks out, the Uchiha have absolutely no chance of winning; they have no chance of defeating Konoha!
"Chieftain!" The Yashiro knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with emotion, "Please lead us in rebellion! Rather than be raised and slaughtered like livestock, we'd rather fight to the death!"
The surrounding tribesmen echoed their sentiments, their roars rising and falling.
"That's right, a desperate gamble!"
"The glory of battle flows in the blood of the Uchiha!"
"Resist!"
"We've had enough!"
"..."
Fugaku saw that even the usually mild-mannered elders were clenching their fists, and his Sharingan unconsciously activated.
The emotions of the tribesmen were like a volcano about to erupt; further suppression would only trigger an even greater outburst.
That's enough.
Fugaku's voice was deep and calm, yet it instantly froze the clamor within the shrine.
All eyes were on him, awaiting his decision.
Fugaku took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Since Konoha has no longer given the Uchiha way out..."
His voice was soft, yet it was like a sharp blade, cutting through the last vestiges of hesitation.
"Then let's fight our way out... Let's prepare for battle!"
After a moment of silence, cheers erupted, nearly lifting the roof off the shrine.
Fugaku raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. " Yashiro, you're in charge of contacting the Ninja Cat Clan and procuring Explosive Tag and Kunai —enough to arm at least two hundred people."
" Inabi, compile a list of all the clan's ninjas who have awakened the Mitsudomoe and form a special operations team."
" The Yakumi; prepare medical supplies and antidotes."
"..."
As orders were issued, the crowd grew increasingly agitated.
Just then, the shrine's doors were suddenly pushed open, and a cold wind carrying fallen leaves swept into the room.
All eyes turned to the doorway.
Uchiha Itachi stood there quietly, his dark eyes sweeping over the indignant clansmen inside the room.
"What are you doing?" Uchiha Itachi's voice was eerily calm.
After a brief silence, a storm of angry curses erupted.
"Traitor!"
"Get out!"
"You lackey of the Anbu!"
Uchiha Inabi was the first to rush forward, "Who allowed you to come in? Are you here to report to the Third?"
Yashiro grabbed Inabi's shoulder, but the hostility in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"The eldest son of the Fugaku clan chief, what a show of power! He's always absent from clan meetings, but he's arrived just in time."
Ignoring the angry shouts from the crowd, Uchiha Itachi continued to ask questions.
"I'm asking..." Uchiha Itachi's voice rose a few decibels, drowning out the cacophony of curses, "What are you plotting?"
"What are you plotting?" Uchiha Inabi laughter, filled with hysterical rage.
"How come your plot wasn't wiped out! How come you didn't die an inexplicable death like your 'suicide' friend, Shisui!"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Itachi's pupils contracted sharply, and the fingers hanging at his sides twitched slightly.
"Enough!"
Fugaku interrupted, then said to Uchiha Itachi, "Itachi, since you're here, sit down. I have a mission for you."