Where do most philosophers in the shinobi world come from?
Undoubtedly, the Uchiha clan stands out. Every Uchiha possesses the potential to become a philosopher—take, for example, Uchiha Madara of the dialectical materialism school, Uchiha Itachi pondering the meaning of life at five or six years old, and the staunch idealist Uchiha Obito.
Now, Uchiha Tekka is also showing signs of awakening to dialectical materialism, influenced by Hyuga Mirai.
The questions Uchiha Tekka raised were ones Hyuga Mirai strictly forbade No. 18 from contemplating. Though she was gradually detaching from the mechanical network, delving into such topics too early could easily lead her astray.
The Uchiha clan was once again being suppressed by Konoha, and the clan leader was powerless to stop it. The clan's emotions were running high, and he was beginning to see through the higher-ups' tactics—their goal was to isolate the Uchiha.
In their scroll exchanges, Uchiha Tekka also confided some of his doubts to Keikou Sanki. Where was the Uchiha clan's future? He felt the clan leader's approach wasn't the best for them, and staking everything on a single gamble wasn't the mark of a true leader.
Uchiha Fugaku never failed to disappoint in this regard. Even Hyuga Mirai held no favorable opinion of him.
If your clansmen follow you into rebellion, either commit wholeheartedly or step down. Leading them toward rebellion while fearing failure, only to backtrack when tensions rise—such indecisiveness deserved no mercy.
Now that his plans had failed, he was again considering rebellion. That such a flip-flopping leader still lived was a testament to the Uchiha clan's patience.
Yet, Uchiha Tekka's readiness to share sensitive information with Keikou Sanki made Hyuga Mirai sigh at the Uchiha's naivety.
All he could do was control Keikou Sanki to offer reassurance and explanations, framing the Uchiha-Konoha conflict within the broader shinobi world while subtly planting new ideas in Tekka's mind.
The Iwa and Konoha shinobi forces had already mobilized. With White Zetsu gathering intelligence, no matter how tight their secrecy, the Akatsuki knew their every move.
Learning of the two villages' plans to target the Land of Rain, Pain ordered White Zetsu to deploy numerous clones to monitor their movements. Their exact positions were now fully known.
"The rest is up to you. I've instructed the others to follow your plans."
Two days later, Konan suddenly bid farewell to Keikou Sanki, heading to the front lines.
Though Pain would ultimately intervene to deter the two great villages, they wouldn't lead with their strongest move. Konan had already deployed Rain shinobi to the border to protect civilians.
"So soon? Shinobi affairs are truly troublesome... Be careful, Konan. I hear Dust Release isn't something to take lightly."
Keikou Sanki spoke casually, knowing Pain's Six Paths would handle the fight. Even if all the bodies were destroyed, Nagato himself would remain unharmed.
"If the battle turns against you, I can request support from the Sand Federation. Given our current cooperation, deeper ties wouldn't be an issue."
Konoha's intelligence-gathering was formidable. The Nara clan would undoubtedly be on the front lines, and once they analyzed the Six Paths' abilities, they'd devise countermeasures.
If Nagato slipped up, the Six Paths could be overwhelmed or destroyed, forcing his true body into the open—their divided abilities left glaring weaknesses.
"The Land of Rain will not fall. Pain will not lose."
Konan's voice brimmed with confidence. Having witnessed Nagato's power and his restored health, she believed him unmatched in the shinobi world.
Even Dust Release couldn't withstand the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. This time, the Land of Rain would teach Konoha and Iwa a lesson they wouldn't forget for decades.
"Very well. I'll await your good news."
Keikou Sanki smiled, though he remained skeptical. Even with Nagato's injuries healed, the original timeline's destruction of Konoha relied on perfect conditions—including Nagato's indiscriminate Shinra Tensei catching the village off-guard.
On an open battlefield, once the Six Paths' abilities were exposed, they'd be relentlessly countered.
But that wasn't Keikou Sanki's concern. Even as allies, the Sand Federation wouldn't rush to intervene. Not scheming against Nagato was kindness enough—helping with domestic reforms was more than most capitalists would do.
After Konan's departure, Keikou Sanki continued his reply to Uchiha Tekka. From various sources, he learned the Uchiha clan's recent unfair treatment had pushed tensions to a boiling point—any spark could ignite them.
Under Keikou Sanki's influence, Tekka shifted his focus from the radicals to the ordinary Uchiha.
These non-shinobi clansmen ran small businesses in the compound, serving mostly their own. If war broke out, they'd be the first casualties. The radicals would commit all forces to seize power, leaving these civilians to fend for themselves.
Tekka, now aware of their plight, saw them as no different from other Konoha villagers—just bearing the Uchiha name. Yet both Fugaku and the radicals ignored them.
"Perhaps there's a way, but it'd require Pakura's approval..."
Hyuga Mirai saw a chance to win over the Uchiha, though it meant exploiting this body one last time. Getting some final use before discarding it was still a win.
Soon, Keikou Sanki drafted two scrolls—one for Tekka, the other for the Sand Federation.
Upon receiving his reply, Tekka burned it immediately. Only he and the ninja cats knew of these exchanges, and the cats were bribed into silence.
Had the clan leader not disappointed him, Tekka wouldn't have sought outside counsel.
Konoha's latest suppression followed the usual pattern—tarnishing the Uchiha name while blocking their achievements and isolating them socially. While other clans fought on the front lines, the Uchiha were sidelined.
This wasn't their choice, but the result was the same: fewer allies and a worsening reputation.
With Hiruzen leading the first wave of troops, the Uchiha held another meeting.
The agenda? Seize power while the Third Hokage was away.
Over 70% of attendees were now radicals, and even Fugaku endorsed the plan. With Shisui's speed and their many three-tomoe wielders, they believed the ANBU and Root stood no chance. Kill them, and Fugaku would become Hokage.
Tekka, however, remained silent. Observing his clansmen, he noted the lack of planning, conflicting opinions, and Shisui's troubled expression.
Post-meeting, Tekka couldn't shake the thought: Were these supposed elites?
He approached Uchiha Yashiro and Inabi.
"Yashiro, Inabi, tonight's meeting didn't address the civilians' safety. What happens to them if we rebel?"
"They'll stay in the compound. Some will remain to guard them."
Tekka shook his head. "If Konoha targets non-shinobi, a few guards won't be enough. We need a proper plan."
Yashiro considered this. "Do you have one?"
Tekka didn't. He'd only raised the concern.
"I'll ask around. If the leader summons me, cover for me."
"Go. Just avoid the ANBU."
After the meeting, Shisui took Itachi to their training woods.
"Itachi, I must act now. I need your help."
"Create an opening for you?"
Itachi understood—this was for the best. Changing Fugaku's mind would avert civil war.
"Yes. Bring your father here. I'll use Kotoamatsukami to alter his will."
Shisui's expression was grave. "If we wait any longer, the clan's rage will erupt."
"I understand, Shisui."
Itachi nodded.
"I'll bring him. My crows will signal you."
(End of Chapter)
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