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Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 87 on Patreon. Read at one go.
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The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 87-92)
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"Shisui acted for the sake of the bigger picture."
Itachi's low voice came from behind Duan, his tone trembling slightly. "Uncle… I only hope you won't let Shisui's efforts go to waste. Don't push the Uchiha into a dead end. Just this once… please."
Itachi knew his uncle too well. With Duan's nature — fearless, unrestrained, and drawn to chaos — the entire clan and even Konoha itself would inevitably be dragged into flames. But before that moment arrived, he prayed for time — just a little longer. Enough for him and Shisui to find a way to truly save both Uchiha and the village.
Facing Itachi's plea—
"Alright," Duan replied with a calm smile. "I promise. As long as I don't speak, everything will be fine."
He folded his arms and leaned back lazily in his chair. He had come here to watch a performance, not to interfere.
---
A cough echoed from the head of the table.
Patriarch Fugaku, composed but grim, declared, "Everyone knows our current situation. Because of the prison riot, the Hokage has decided to hold a council to discuss punishment for the Police Department — and by extension, for Uchiha.
Although I'll be the one attending, my voice represents all of you. Therefore, I ask that you speak freely before I go."
At his words, murmurs rippled through the room.
Uchiha Setsuna glanced at Duan, who remained still — composed as ever, offering no opinion. His eyes then flicked to Shisui, who sat silently with bandaged eyes, lost in thought.
So, taking it upon himself as the elder of the Radical Faction—
Boom!
Setsuna slammed his hand on the table, the sound sharp as a whip. "Anyone who isn't blind can see that this entire riot was orchestrated by Konoha's leadership! They even provoked the villagers to come protest against us. Do they think the Uchiha are fools?"
"That's right! Elder Setsuna speaks truth!"
A chorus of agreement followed from the clansmen. Their anger mirrored his own, voices rising against the injustice.
Fugaku frowned. "Elder Setsuna, what exactly are you suggesting?"
Setsuna took a deep breath. His sharp eyes swept across the crowded hall, his voice slow but heavy with the weight of years.
"Many of you are young. You never lived through the Warring States era. You've forgotten the truth — that peace began only when the Uchiha and Senju ceased fighting and built the first ninja village in history… Konoha.
Even the name 'Konoha' was chosen by our ancestor, Uchiha Madara. The 'wood' represents Senju. The 'leaf' represents Uchiha!"
The room stirred. The name Madara sent an invisible current through the air.
"It's true," Setsuna continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "The First Hokage once wished for Madara — a master of Fire Release — to lead the village. But history was rewritten."
The younger Uchiha gasped softly, exchanging looks of disbelief. Most under forty had never heard this story. The elders had buried that history, ashamed of their past with Madara, and the academy textbooks had long erased Uchiha's role in founding Konoha — preaching only about the Will of Fire.
According to the Will of Fire, the meaning of Konoha was simple:
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal, lighting the village and giving birth to new leaves.
A noble idea — but one that erased Uchiha completely.
To Setsuna, it was nothing short of erasing their ancestors.
Even Shisui, who had always believed in the Will of Fire, faltered. Doubt flickered across his expression for the first time.
Setsuna discreetly wiped the corner of his eyes, then turned toward Duan. His cloudy gaze held faint relief.
This elder truly believed Duan would become the next Uchiha Madara.
---
Raising his voice again, Setsuna continued passionately:
"For a thousand years, Uchiha and Senju were the strongest clans known to the ninja world. Together, they founded Konoha, ending the chaos of the Warring States era. From the beginning, Uchiha was one of the two pillars of this village — its rightful master!
Even the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, despite his hatred, acknowledged our strength and entrusted us with the Police Department — granting us the power over the city's defense and law enforcement."
He paused, his expression hardening.
"But later… the new Hokage and the so-called 'elders' of Konoha — men jealous and narrow-minded — conspired to isolate us. They gathered the lesser clans and civilian shinobi against us, driving Uchiha from the center of power.
And what happened to the Senju clan? Look at their fate!
Within thirty years of the First Hokage's death, the once-great Senju vanished completely. Only Tsunade remains — and even she abandoned the village!
They say the First's dying wish was for the Senju to 'blend into the village' and hide their name. Ha! Does anyone truly believe such lies?"
Laughter, bitter and sharp, rippled through the crowd.
"The truth," Setsuna thundered, "is that the 'wood' of Konoha no longer exists. Only the 'leaf' remains — and we, the Uchiha, must not wither away like the Senju!
We must resist! We must reclaim what was ours — the full authority of the Police Department — and take back our rightful place as the true masters of Konoha!"
His voice rose like fire, each word fanning the flames in their hearts.
To him, the Uchiha's power — with three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan among them — was an iron guarantee that Konoha's leadership would never dare to confront them directly.
The Hokage's suppression, he believed, was nothing but a bluff.
---
Setsuna finished his speech in a fit of coughing, his body trembling from the strain, yet his eyes burned with conviction.
His words struck deep. The room erupted in applause and shouts of agreement. Even the usually composed Fugaku felt his blood stir, his own resentment reigniting.
The atmosphere burned hot — unity laced with vengeance.
But behind them, Itachi's face had gone pale.
No matter how glorious the Uchiha's past, openly challenging the entire village — especially believing the advantage was theirs — could only lead to tragedy.
And in his heart, he suspected the worst.
This speech, this radical flame — it reeked of his uncle's silent influence.
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
Currently at Chapter 87 on Patreon. Read at one go.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days. (Chapter 87-92)
patreon.com/FrancisMW