The sudden gathering of so many resurrected Uchiha clan members left Naruto momentarily stunned. Their presence, their angry glares, and the tension in the air made it clear something had gone wrong during his absence.
Sasuke exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple as though irritated by the noise.
"While you were gone, some of the clan members came here to pay their respects. When they saw I had unearthed the graves, they grew furious."
Naruto blinked in disbelief. "Wait—you didn't tell them we were doing this to bring everyone back? That this was the whole point?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and clipped.
"I told them. I explained everything. But they didn't believe me. Instead, they ran back to the compound, rallied more people, and returned here to stir up trouble."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, sweat-dropping. "Seriously? Man, you Uchihas are impossible sometimes."
Before Sasuke could retort, the sound of footsteps echoed through the graveyard. Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto appeared, their expressions calm but firm. Alongside them walked Itachi and Shisui, their presence immediately commanding silence from the surrounding crowd.
Sasuke's tone shifted in an instant. The cold edge melted, replaced with something softer, more respectful.
"Mom, Dad… Brother, Brother Shisui. You're here."
Fugaku gave his youngest son a measured nod before surveying the scene. The ground was scarred from excavation, bones and remains laid bare for all to see. The uproar among the clansmen was undeniable.
Fugaku raised a hand, his voice carrying the authority of a clan head.
"Quiet, all of you."
The murmurs died down, though angry eyes still lingered on Sasuke. Fugaku continued.
"I already heard what happened on the way here. Sasuke is fulfilling a promise he made. For that, he dug into the graves of our loved ones. Look around you—Naruto is here as well. That should tell you enough. Do not act impatiently. Trust in Sasuke."
Naruto stepped forward, lifting his voice so all could hear.
"Yeah, Sasuke talked about this with me plenty of times. He wants to revive your relatives, all of them. And to prove it, I even went with Kabuto myself to capture White Zetsu for the sacrifice. Look."
He gestured, and beside him stood a towering pile of sealed White Zetsu, bound tightly with sealing tags. The sight drew gasps from the crowd.
Moments ago, their rage had burned hot. But seeing the evidence with their own eyes silenced many. Naruto wasn't just speaking empty words—this was real.
The anger softened into shame. One clansman stepped forward, bowing his head.
"Sasuke, forgive me. I spoke harshly without understanding."
Another echoed, "Yes, young master, we accused you unfairly. Please accept our apology."
Others chimed in as well:
"We were only… emotional. Please don't hold it against us."
But not everyone was swayed. A handful of Uchiha still glared defiantly, bitterness etched in their features. One spat out his words venomously.
"Hmph! Why should we apologize? His brother, Uchiha Itachi, massacred our entire clan. Now Sasuke digs our graves only to 'revive' us? Isn't that just making up for his family's sins? He deserves to be condemned!"
Another joined in quickly.
"That's right! Why should we beg forgiveness from the brother of the man who slaughtered us?!"
Their voices grew louder, supported by a few more:
"Exactly! It's only fair we hold him accountable!"
The crowd grew restless again.
Sasuke's expression hardened, his patience unraveling. His voice cut through the noise, low and lethal.
"If any of you still object to my brother, then stand forward. I will not resurrect your families. This is my condition."
His words froze the air. He continued, his tone like ice.
"And more than that—since I am the last living Uchiha heir, I will personally expel you from the clan. You will no longer carry the name Uchiha."
Gasps erupted.
"What?! Who are you to expel us?!" one shouted.
"That's right! Clan Head Fugaku still lives, why do you think you have such authority?"
"Unbelievable… to threaten your own kin. You're as cruel as your brother!"
The accusations hit the air like sparks.
Sasuke's eyes bled red, Mangekyō patterns swirling into existence. The pressure from his gaze alone made several step back.
Itachi's instincts screamed, and he called out in alarm.
"Sasuke, wait—don't!"
But it was already too late.
"Amaterasu."
Black flames erupted instantly, clinging to one of the loudest dissenters.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
The man screamed, his body writhing violently. Though reanimated through Edo Tensei, the black flames of Amaterasu scorched not only flesh but soul. His agony wasn't physical—it was existential, a torment of the spirit itself.
He clawed at his body, staggering toward his comrades, desperate for aid.
"Help me! Someone—please!"
But the others scattered, fear widening their eyes. None dared approach.
Whispers spread like wildfire:
"That's… Amaterasu!"
"The black flames that never die… only Mangekyō Sharingan can summon them!"
"It's said they burn even the soul. Eternal fire that doesn't fade until its victim is ash!"
"Even Edo Tensei can't withstand that! If his soul burns away, he'll be gone forever!"
The crowd recoiled. Fear, pure and primal, gripped them.
Sasuke's expression didn't waver. His eyes were merciless, the same eyes Naruto remembered from their duel at the Valley of the End in his past life. The same cruelty.
Itachi stepped forward, his voice tight.
"Sasuke! Stop this!"
Sasuke's reply was cold steel.
"I don't care for dissenting voices. I gave them chances. Revive them, or let them burn forever—it's their choice. I will not tolerate betrayal within my clan."
His words silenced every protest. The lesson was clear: one example would terrify the rest into obedience.
A trembling clansman dared to speak, his tone weak.
"But… we are kin. Isn't this too much?"
Another stammered, "Yes… even if you want leadership, this is too harsh…"
Sasuke's lips curled into a humorless smirk. He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, speaking loudly enough for all to hear.
"This is Naruto Uzumaki. By now, you all know him. He will be Hokage. And with his backing, making me the head of the Uchiha clan would be trivial. If I wish it, your names can be erased. Your existence as Uchihas will end."
His gaze sharpened further, Mangekyō and Rinnegan glowing with oppressive force.
"Naruto and I both inherited the power of the Sage of Six Paths. We are the strongest in this world. Do not mistake my restraint for weakness. The only reason I offer you a choice is out of respect for Naruto. Without that, I would simply execute my will and erase you all."
The silence that followed was absolute. Not a single voice dared oppose him now. The weight of his chakra pressed down on them, suffocating.
Even the bravest couldn't meet his gaze. After all, they remembered—Sasuke once immobilized all nine Tailed Beasts with just his eyes. Who among them could hope to resist?
Itachi finally spoke again, his eyes on the smoldering, writhing figure still engulfed in black fire.
"Sasuke… please. Enough. Give him another chance."
His voice wavered, caught between compassion and duty.
Sasuke glanced at his brother, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"Brother… when you chose to be cruel, you were merciless. When you chose to be gentle, you were unbearably soft. You're a kind soul, but this clan… this cursed village… twisted you into something else entirely."
Itachi lowered his gaze, silent.
Sasuke turned back, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the burning Uchiha. With a flick of Mangekyō, he released the black flames. Amaterasu dissipated, leaving only a charred husk.
Gasps spread again. Many hadn't known Mangekyō could extinguish its own eternal fire.
The man collapsed, his Edo Tensei body slowly regenerating—but his soul had clearly been scarred. Even restored, he would never be the same.
The lesson lingered heavy in the air. One sacrifice, one "chicken killed to scare the monkeys," was enough to break every last shred of defiance.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺