In the heart of the Hyuga compound, two figures sat side by side under a blooming cherry blossom tree, calmly sipping tea. On any other day, this scene might have seemed ordinary—but today, it was anything but.
Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi, patriarchs of two of the most powerful clans in Konoha, sat together openly—without pretense, without secrecy.
Such an occurrence had once been unthinkable.
In the past, both clans maintained a careful distance, wary of appearing too aligned in front of the Hokage and village elders. That was the reality of Konoha politics—alliances were scrutinized, and unity between clans was often interpreted as defiance.
Even after the Hyuga Affair, when a bond briefly formed between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, the leaders of the families had never dared to meet so openly.
But today, things had changed.
Hiashi gently put down the document in his hand—an official transfer agreement for the Uchiha Industrial Street's shop leases.
"Fugaku… is this your way of telling me the Uchiha are preparing to leave Konoha?"
Fugaku didn't flinch. He lifted his teacup slowly and took a measured sip.
"Not leaving," he said evenly. "We're simply choosing to distance ourselves. We're still Konoha shinobi—on paper—but we will no longer be controlled by the village."
He gestured toward the signed agreement.
**"These shops are no longer of use to us. I want the Hyuga to manage them. Don't worry—**the profit distribution is in your favor."
Hiashi's brow furrowed. He could sense there was far more behind these words.
In truth, Andrew—Fugaku's right-hand man and rising Uchiha prodigy—had already executed a strategic evacuation. After Danzo's imprisonment, Andrew had taken advantage of the chaos to relocate three-quarters of the Uchiha civilians from Konoha. The remaining population was being moved in phases.
With their people gone, Uchiha no longer needed their presence in Industrial Street.
Still, profit was profit, and Fugaku had no qualms about earning from Konoha while living outside it. The agreement was simple: Hyuga would operate and manage the Uchiha shops, receiving 70% of the net earnings, while 30% would go to Uchiha as silent shareholders.
Hiashi sighed.
"It's not a bad arrangement… but it still saddens me. The village has wounded your clan too deeply."
Fugaku said nothing, but Hiashi could feel the bitterness beneath his silence.
They both knew the truth about the masked man. The one with the Sharingan. The one responsible for the Nine-Tails attack. It wasn't any of the Uchiha they knew—it wasn't even someone they acknowledged as Uchiha.
So could you blame them for wanting to leave?
"The village never liked your clan," Hiashi murmured. "And now, your clan no longer cares for the village. Perhaps distance is best."
Fugaku smirked. "Tell me, Hiashi. Be honest—did Hiruzen give you any specific orders during that so-called 'emergency council meeting'?"
Hiashi's face turned grim.
"Yes. And I suspect the entire meeting was staged to deal with Uchiha. You and Andrew left before it even began—Third Hokage didn't stop you. Instead, he turned all attention to Hyuga."
"It was a trap."
Fugaku scoffed, "We're always the convenient scapegoats. When something goes wrong, just blame a big clan. Convenient, isn't it?"
He placed his cup down.
"Danzo's illegal experiments with Wood Style had nothing to do with either Uchiha or Hyuga. He kept it secret from all of us—yet when it blew up, the village demanded that we take responsibility."
Hiashi nodded in frustration. "It's all political theatre. But I worry… your clan stepping away now leaves the village too vulnerable."
"During the Third Great War, Konoha faced all four other villages. We barely survived. If another war breaks out—without Uchiha in the front lines—Konoha might not make it this time."
Fugaku raised a brow. "You're suggesting Sarutobi isn't just acting out of pettiness—but fear?"
"Exactly," Hiashi replied. "He knows Konoha's strength is deteriorating."
Fugaku's voice was calm but unyielding. "He can try to stop us, but it's already too late. Nearly 80% of our people have resettled at the port harbor. The few left behind are mainly shinobi—we're moving them next."
There was one thing Fugaku didn't say aloud.
Andrew had warned him. If the Hokage attempted to force Uchiha back… they would march four Susanoo onto Hokage Rock as a statement.
Four titanic avatars of destruction appearing on the symbol of Konoha's leadership.
What message would that send?
Meanwhile, far from Konoha—in the depths of Rain Shinobi Village, inside a subterranean cavern lit by flickering torches—the Gedo Statue loomed, sitting cross-legged like a god of nightmares.
Across from it stood Tendo Pain, Nagato's Deva Path, staring at Obito with a stony expression.
"You exposed yourself in Konoha," Tendo said flatly. "Do you realize what kind of attention you've brought us?"
Obito's voice was low, defiant. "Konoha's attention may be on me—but the other villages are after your Rinnegan. Orochimaru leaked everyone's secrets, not just mine."
Nagato said nothing.
Obito continued, "Danzo used Wood Style in the heart of Konoha. Compared to a mythical eye, real experimental results are far more dangerous. The other villages will prioritize that threat first."
He stepped forward, confidence slowly returning.
"If a new war breaks out, let them fight it. The weaker the Five Great Nations become, the stronger Akatsuki's influence grows. Then, our plan to collect the Tailed Beasts can begin."
Nagato still looked unconvinced, but didn't argue.
"There's an organizational meeting soon. Will you attend?" he asked.
Obito smirked beneath the mask. "Eventually. I need to prepare."
He knew he couldn't hide much longer. Orochimaru's betrayal had made his secrecy harder to maintain.
And more importantly—he still hadn't recovered both of his eyes. As long as Nagato wielded the Rinnegan, controlling him wasn't easy.
Remaining in the shadows gave Obito an edge—manipulating the organization while Nagato and Konan believed they were leading it.
Back in Konoha…
At the edge of the now-abandoned Uchiha district, Tsunade stood silently beside Andrew, her eyes scanning the darkened compound.
Once, this place had been filled with laughter, children, and celebration.
Now, it was eerily quiet.
Tsunade opened her mouth to speak… but hesitated.
What could she say?
The Uchiha had been wronged—and yet they did not retaliate. That alone was a testament to their restraint.
She had known of their evacuation for weeks. She had seen Andrew organizing the transport. Yet she hadn't reported anything to the council.
Because in her heart, she understood.
This outcome—a peaceful retreat rather than rebellion—was the best Konoha could hope for.
As the last wave of Uchiha prepared to leave, Andrew stood in the center of the district, stoic and composed.
Only a few shinobi remained—most of them loyalists tasked with defending the clan should the worst come to pass.
And in Andrew's glowing Sharingan, there was no sadness—only resolve.
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