After the Proof
Silence stretched between father and son.
The only sound was the soft flutter of the paper lanterns and the faint hum of chakra in the air — Fugaku's, barely restrained.
> "No. This is proof," Shina had said.
Now, Fugaku's gaze lingered on the scroll again, on the black ink spelling out the words that condemned Danzo — and by extension, the entire council — for crimes against Konoha's own children.
> "If I bring this to the Hokage," Fugaku said slowly, "he'll bury it. Danzo will call it a forgery. The elders will claim we fabricated everything."
Shina crossed his arms.
> "Then don't bring it to him."
> "You're suggesting rebellion?"
> "I'm suggesting leverage," Shina replied evenly. "We don't need to attack. We just need to make them realize they're not untouchable."
Fugaku looked up sharply.
> "That's a dangerous line, Shina."
> "So is extinction," Shina shot back.
The room went still again — the words hanging between them like a drawn blade.
Itachi, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
> "Father… if we expose this carefully, if we make it public before Danzo can silence us, the people will turn on him."
> "And what of the clan's image?" Fugaku asked. "The village already distrusts us."
Shina's eyes glowed faintly crimson.
> "Then we remind them why they should fear us first."
---
Ripples in the Dark
Later that night, in the dim light of the Uchiha training grounds, Itachi found Shina sparring alone.
The ground was scarred with scorch marks and kunai holes — silent witnesses to frustration.
> "You're pushing too hard," Itachi said quietly. "Father's losing sleep. The clan is divided. You're dividing it further."
Shina didn't look up.
> "You think I don't know that?"
He sheathed his sword and turned.
> "But if we keep waiting for peace, Danzo will strike first. Those children we found? He'll turn them into soldiers — and send them against us."
Itachi's jaw clenched.
> "Then what's the plan?"
> "Expose him," Shina said simply. "But not to Sarutobi — to everyone. We leak Root's crimes to the jonin council, to the civilian leaders, even to Jiraiya if we must."
> "That could destroy the Leaf," Itachi warned.
> "Maybe," Shina said. "But at least it'll destroy the rot with it."
---
The Hokage's Dilemma
Meanwhile, deep within the Hokage's office, Sarutobi studied a report from Danzo — neat, official, and entirely deceptive.
> "Root operations suspended," it read.
But behind those tidy words, Sarutobi sensed the deception like smoke in his pipe. He turned to the window, looking over the dark rooftops.
> "Fugaku will not stay silent," he murmured.
Behind him, Homura frowned.
> "Then perhaps… he should be silenced."
> "You're suggesting we strike first?"
Homura looked away.
> "I'm suggesting Danzo might act regardless. If he does, and the Uchiha retaliate, we'll lose everything."
The old Hokage's eyes closed. The weight of years pressed on his shoulders like stone.
> "Then may the gods forgive us all," he whispered.
---
The Silent Signal
Back at the compound, Shina watched the flickering lights of the village from his window.
The night was peaceful — deceptively so.
A faint tapping at his door drew his attention. Itachi entered, mask in hand.
> "Tenzo confirmed it," Itachi said. "Root's movements stopped tonight."
Shina's expression darkened.
> "Stopped? Or relocated?"
> "He doesn't know. But something's happening underground."
Shina's gaze sharpened, Sharingan glinting faintly.
> "Then it's starting."
He reached for his cloak, fastening the Uchiha crest at his shoulder.
> "If they move before Father decides, we'll be too late."
> "Where are you going?" Itachi asked.
Shina paused at the doorway.
> "To light the signal."
---
End Scene: Sparks in the Night
Far beyond the Uchiha district, in the shadowed streets of the village, a burst of chakra flared — brief, silent, but visible to every ANBU operative with eyes sharp enough to see it.
A coded flare.
A message.
> Silent Split: Full Activation.
In one corner of the Leaf, an Uchiha prepared for survival.
In another, a Root agent sharpened his blade.
And in between —
the fragile peace began to crack.
Chapter 39: shina infiltrates Danzo's underground facility