Susanoo
Xu Fan suddenly realized something.
Although the Uchiha clan had been under surveillance by Konoha's leadership since the era of the Second Hokage, the real turning point—the moment they were truly pushed to the margins—was the night of the Nine-Tails attack.
Combining this realization with Fugaku's earlier words, "You don't understand anything," Xu Fan instantly grasped their intent.
The Uchihas were planning to use the Nine-Tails as a trump card for their coup.
"Ugh…"
Fugaku sighed heavily and began recounting the history of the Uchiha clan.
"It's true that Konoha was founded through the alliance of the Senju and Uchiha clans. But our first patriarch, Uchiha Madara, could not accept the terms. He believed the Uchiha would be sidelined by Hashirama's vision. He tried to fight for our place at the top."
"But the clan, weary of war and hungry for peace, rejected his call to arms. They turned their backs on him."
"So Madara left the village alone. Since then, the Uchiha have always been branded with suspicion."
Fugaku's tone grew more passionate, his loyalty to his clan burning in his voice.
"The Uchiha clan longed for peace. We treasured it. But over time, we were mistrusted, excluded, and pushed aside. After the Nine-Tails attack, we were accused without proof. We tried to help—our shinobi stood ready to fight the beast alongside the rest of the village. But Danzo ordered us to stand down."
"When it was over, he pinned the blame on us and forced us into a corner—relocating us to the outskirts of the village. The ANBU's Root division has watched our every move ever since."
"No one would listen to the Uchiha. No one believed in us."
But before Fugaku could go on, Xu Fan interrupted sharply.
"Where is Uzumaki Naruto?"
His eyes were like daggers, fixed on Fugaku.
Up to this point, the conversation could have been interpreted as just grievances about Konoha's unjust treatment of the Uchiha. But if Naruto had been taken, that changed everything.
"Naruto Uzumaki?!"
Itachi's face froze in shock. Fugaku had never told him anything about this.
But Itachi knew who Naruto was. His last name was rare, tied to the once-great Uzumaki clan. More importantly, he was the jinchūriki—the vessel of the Nine-Tails.
"Father… did you really kidnap Naruto Uzumaki?" Itachi asked, his voice trembling.
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Naruto. That reaction was all the confirmation Xu Fan needed.
This meant that the accusations Danzo had once levied against the Uchiha… were about to become truth.
"Tell me where Naruto is, Father," Itachi urged. "There's still time to fix this."
The sun was beginning to set. Though the Uchiha had planned their coup for later in the night, no one could be certain the plan wouldn't start sooner—especially if the Nine-Tails was involved.
If they lost control and unleashed it again, the cost would be catastrophic.
"He's safe," Fugaku finally admitted, his voice low. "But this wasn't my decision. The people... they're desperate. They believe that after everything we've done for Konoha, we deserve recognition. We deserve justice. We are this village, just as much as the Senju are. We were its founders too."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "And the truth is… on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, we could have helped. My Sharingan evolved into the Mangekyō years ago. I've never told anyone—not even Itachi. I considered using it that night to subdue the Nine-Tails. I didn't."
Xu Fan took a step forward. His voice dropped to a cold whisper.
"Where is he?"
This wasn't a negotiation anymore.
To Xu Fan, Naruto was like a younger brother. Maybe Fugaku still hoped to use the Nine-Tails as a last resort, but some among the clan—those drunk on power—might release the beast early.
And among them, more than a few wielded fully matured Sharingan.
Itachi, sensing the growing tension, spoke quickly.
"Father, please. Tell us where Naruto is. Before it's too late."
Desperate, Itachi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and attempted to cast Tsukuyomi on his father—hoping to drag him into a genjutsu and force the truth from him.
But to his surprise, Fugaku resisted it.
"Itachi… do you know how long I've had my Mangekyō?" Fugaku said calmly, brushing off the illusion.
Then his eyes turned toward Xu Fan.
"You might want to unite the Uchiha and the village. You may even mean well. But passion alone won't change anything."
"I've heard from Itachi that you possess the Will of Fire—Senju Hashirama's will. That you've inherited it perfectly."
"In that case… let me see it for myself."
"If you can defeat me, Xu Fan, I will tell you where Naruto is. And I will call off the coup."
He stepped back and exhaled deeply. To protect the clan's secrets, he had sent the rest of the Uchiha to the Naka Shrine. No one would interfere.
This fight would be between them alone.
"You still want to fight?" Xu Fan murmured.
But a grin curled at the corner of his mouth.
He wasn't Naruto—he wasn't skilled in persuasion. He had tried to reason with Fugaku, but if this was how it had to be… so be it.
He knew what this was about. The Uchiha revered strength. Perhaps Fugaku wanted to believe him, but couldn't—unless he proved his power.
"I will become Hokage," Xu Fan said, stretching out his hand. "And I'll rewrite the village's treatment of the Uchiha."
Fugaku gave a solemn nod.
"I hope so."
Then he turned to his son.
"Itachi, step back."
Xu Fan's voice was firm. "This is between us."
Though hesitant, Itachi obeyed. He sensed his father's resolve—and Xu Fan's determination.
"Follow his lead, Itachi," Fugaku said quietly. "No matter the outcome."
Then it happened.
A powerful chakra flared from Fugaku's body.
And in an instant—giant ribs of glowing chakra formed around him, rising like a fortress of bone and power.
Susanoo.
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