The Traitors

Inside the Uchiha Military Police Force's office, the air seemed to have frozen, and the atmosphere was unbearably oppressive.

Clan head Uchiha Fugaku sat around a long table with several elders. Behind them stood members of the Military Police Force, their faces dark as a coming storm.

At the other end of the table, two figures stood with their heads bowed. They were the recently captured clan traitors, Uchiha Kirigakure and Uchiha Tsukikage.

Ever since Koki had told Fugaku that there were traitors at the clan meeting, Fugaku had abandoned his plan to hold another meeting the next day. He had called on his trusted men in the Military Police Force, including Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Inabi, to lead a group of Jonin in watching and investigating the people around the clan elders day and night.

At first, nothing seemed amiss, and Fugaku even suspected he was being overly cautious. But a few days ago, their days of surveillance had finally borne fruit!

They discovered that Third Elder Uchiha Takuto's two guards, Uchiha Kirigakure and Uchiha Tsukikage, were acting strangely, so they continued to watch them. Just last night, they saw the pair secretly meeting with a member of Shimura Danzō's Root. They talked for a long time and even seemed to give the person something.

The matter was serious, and they immediately reported it to Fugaku. That very night, Fugaku ordered the two arrested. Early the next morning, he summoned several clan elders and his trusted senior officers from the Military Police Force.

"Do you know what you did wrong?" Fugaku's voice was heavy, each word striking everyone's heart like a hammer.

Uchiha Kirigakure and Uchiha Tsukikage exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of resolve in the other's eyes.

They said nothing, merely keeping their heads bowed in silence, as though awaiting fate's judgment.

"Speak!" Third Elder Uchiha Takuto could not help shouting. "Who put you up to this? Don't you know the price of betraying the clan? I've always treated you well. Is this how you repay me!?"

Uchiha Kirigakure's fingers trembled slightly. He clenched them into fists, trying to conceal the fear and unease in his heart. Uchiha Tsukikage, meanwhile, closed their eyes, as though recalling something.

"It... it was Lord Danzo." In the end, Uchiha Kirigakure spoke, his voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. "He said this was the only way to protect the village and the Uchiha..."

At those words, the entire hall fell deathly silent. Uchiha Fugaku and the elders went pale in an instant, their eyes full of shock and disappointment.

"What did you say?" Elder Takuto asked in a trembling voice. "Say it again!"

Uchiha Kirigakure took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound steadier. "It was Lord Danzo... He said this was the only way to protect Konoha and the Uchiha. Only this way would the Uchiha not..."

"Enough!" Uchiha Fugaku slammed his hand on the table and stood. "Kirigakure, Tsukikage, you grew up in the clan and were raised by it, yet now you've betrayed it for an empty excuse. You... you've utterly disappointed us!"

Uchiha Kirigakure and Uchiha Tsukikage both shuddered violently. They had never expected their betrayal to lead to this. When they had studied at the Ninja Academy, they had been deeply influenced by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's "Will of Fire" and had resolved to give everything for the village.

They had excelled at the Ninja Academy and eventually risen to become Jonin. It was then that Lord Danzo had sought them out, explaining the grievances between the village and the Uchiha in detail and promising to resolve the conflict peacefully. All they needed to do was watch Uchiha Fugaku and the elders and promptly report any unusual activity.

Kirigakure and Tsukikage had believed him completely. After becoming Elder Takuto's personal guards, they had gradually entered the clan's inner circle and gained access to secret affairs.

They had learned that Elder Takuto and the First Elder were exceptionally radical and had even begun preparing a coup. Although Elder Takuto had cared for them deeply, the village's interests had always come before the clan's in their hearts.

So, prompted by the false information Fugaku had spread, the two had contacted the Root member Lord Danzo had arranged to meet them. Last night, they had gone to see that person and told them about the coup.

Who could have known it was all false, merely a trap Fugaku had set to lure them in? They had been arrested when they returned.

"I'm sorry..." Tsukikage's voice trembled slightly. "We... we really didn't know what to do anymore..."

"Hmph!" Uchiha Fugaku snorted coldly. "You didn't know what to do? Then go repent in prison! Stay there until you truly understand what you did wrong!"

"Yes... Elder Takuto, Lord Clan Head, we're sorry, but we don't regret it." Kirigakure and Tsukikage's voices were almost too faint to hear. They bowed to Takuto, then slowly turned and walked toward the Uchiha prison.

Their retreating figures looked exceptionally lonely and desolate in the sunlight.

Uchiha Fugaku and Third Elder Takuto silently watched them disappear into the sunlight, saying nothing more.

For a time, the Uchiha Military Police Force's office was utterly silent.

Elder Takuto's heart was filled with mixed emotions and heavy worries. Kirigakure and Tsukikage were outstanding members of the younger generation in his branch of the family, talented youths he had personally trained. He had promoted them to be his personal guards and brought them into the small clan meetings. He had trusted them completely, believing they could be a source of support for his branch, but reality had dealt him a resounding slap.

Fugaku was no calmer. He had great faith in his clansmen, especially the four elders and their guards, as well as some senior members of the Military Police Force. He had never expected that, despite all precautions, that old fox Danzo would still find an opening. It seemed he really had been a little too kind in the past!

From this day forward, he would never again forgive anyone who harmed the Uchiha Clan's interests, no matter who they were!

Still, this time he truly had Koki's warning to thank. At the thought of Koki, Fugaku could not help getting a headache.

That boy did nothing but cause him trouble every day. What was infuriating was that Mikoto was on Koki's side too, not to mention Itachi, who supported his older brother unconditionally. Fugaku could only compromise helplessly.

This was outrageous. He really had no standing in the family at all!

Still, he would not go so far as to make an issue of it with a child. Besides, he had never expected that this good friend Koki had made had also awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

In any case, Koki would inherit the position of clan head someday. It was good for him to make a few powerful friends to serve as his right-hand men now, and Fugaku was happy to see it happen!