While the Uchiha clan held their clandestine meeting beneath Naka Shrine, the Hokage Office was no less tense.
Senju Hashirama and his younger brother Tobirama were locked in yet another argument. Across the room, Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Shien sat quietly, reviewing documents, pretending not to listen, but their ears were sharp.
"Anija!" Tobirama said carefully, "surveillance over Uchiha clan is a necessary precaution. At least until… Madara is subjugated."
He chose his words with care. Madara's name was a volatile spark, especially in front of his brother.
Hashirama's eyes narrowed.
"I won't allow policies that target a single clan. Not even the Uchiha. End it, Tobirama. Now."
"Anija!" Tobirama's voice rose. "We've discussed this! The Uchiha are emotionally unstable. Their physiology. Their Kekkei Genkai makes them prone to darkness and destruction. We can't risk another Mada–"
"ENOUGH!"
Hashirama's chakra flared, flooding the room with his raw Yang chakra. Tobirama broke into cold sweat. He had crossed a line.
"Settle down," he muttered, backing off slightly. But he didn't agree. Not yet.
Hashirama reeled in his chakra but remained glaring.
Then, a knock.
Sarutobi Hiruzen entered, bowing respectfully. Though young, he had long been accepted as Tobirama's student.
"Hokage-sama. Tobirama-sensei. Uchiha's deputy clan head, Uchiha Sosuke is here."
Hashirama blinked. "Send him in."
Uchiha Sosuke entered without ceremony.
No greetings or pleasantries.
"Hokage-sama," Sosuke said with a firm voice. "The Uchiha clan formally relinquishes its right to appoint the Hokage's right-hand."
"""!!!!!!"""
"I also come to inform you of structural renovations with the UCHIAH CLAN COMPOUND."
He handed a formal notice to Shimura and Sarutobi.
Everyone stood.
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. His mind racing.
'What are they planning? To give up their fundamental and most influential rights in Konoha? like that?'
Tobirama had long resented the Uchiha's ability to block policies, especially under Madara. This move by the Uchiha felt like a trap.
Shimura Shien stepped forward, voice raised.
"Are you Uchiha planning a rebellion?! Building a fortress within Konoha?!"
Sosuke's Sharingan flared in retaliation.
Without a word, he cast a Genjutsu.
Shien collapsed instantly.
"Our clan may be under pressure," Sosuke rebuked coldly, "but a third-rate clan like Shimura has no right to speak to me that way."
"SHIEN! Kuchiyose!" Sarutobi Sasuke summoned his contract beast, Monkey King Sekikou, but before the situation escalated, Hashirama's chakra erupted again, freezing the room.
"Enough. Thank you for the notice, Sosuke. You may leave."
Sosuke nodded and exited.
Hashirama immediately healed Shien, then turned to Tobirama.
They both knew.
The Uchiha were dangerous, not just because of their numbers and Sharingan.
But because of their secrets.
The Senju had long feared the Uchiha's forbidden jutsu Izanagi, a kinjutsu capable of rewriting reality itself. It was said to be used only in times of absolute desperation. Surprisingly, the contemporary Senju had never faced it directly, but they warned about its effects every generation.
Hashirama and Tobirama had always wondered: Why hadn't the Uchiha used it yet?
Now, watching Sosuke's boldness, they feared the answer.
They hadn't been desperate enough.
They were never in a position they are in today, surrounded by potential enemies with their clan laid bare and civilians unprotected.
Tobirama remained silent, his mind heavy. He had always acted with logic, but Madara's return had stirred old fears. He knew not all Uchiha were evil, but he believed most would fall, eventually.
He wanted to ensure they never held power again.
But now, he had pushed too far.
Tobirama sighed.
"…I'll withdraw the surveillance order, brother."
Across the room, Sarutobi Sasuke, Shimura Shien, and young Hiruzen exchanged glances. A flicker passed through their eyes.
There was something about the Uchiha; something only the Senju truly understood.
And the rest of Konoha was beginning to sense it too.
***
The surveillance order had been rescinded. On the surface, peace returned to Konoha. but beneath the calm, a quiet unease lingered.
The villagers no longer whispered openly about the Uchiha. They smiled, nodded and carried on. But their eyes betrayed them, watchful, wary, and uncertain. The Uchiha were no longer seen as enemies... but they were no longer seen as neighbors either.
Within the Uchiha compound, the clan pressed forward. Barriers were erected along the perimeter – chakra-sensitive formations, defensive seals, and patrol rotations. Officially, they were to deter thieves and enemy spies. Unofficially, they were a statement.
We protect ourselves now.
Surprisingly, Senju Tobirama did not respond. No reprimands. No inquiries. No renewed surveillance followed. The silence was unsettling.
The clan elders recalled the tense meeting from days prior. They had expected resistance. Instead, they received quiet concession. And so, they chose patience. For now.
***
Senju Compound Garden
The sun dipped low behind the Hokage Monument, casting long shadows across the Senju compound's garden. The air was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of village life winding down.
Tobirama stood alone by the koi pond, his arms folded in front of his chest. His silver hair shimmered faintly in the fading light. He didn't turn when he heard footsteps behind him, he already knew who it was.
"Kagami," he said.
Uchiha Kagami stepped forward, his posture respectful but relaxed.
"You summoned me, Sensei?"
Tobirama nodded slowly. "I did."
A long silence passed between them. Kagami waited patiently.
"The village is changing," Tobirama said, "faster than I anticipated."
Kagami tilted his head slightly. "Because of my father?"
Tobirama's jaw tightened. "Because of what Sosuke represents. The Uchiha are consolidating and restructuring. They've relinquished their right to appoint the Hokage's advisor. They are starting to isolate themselves more... Konoha must not be fractured."
Tobirama wanted to limit Uchiha's power, but did not want them to completely break off from Konoha.
Kagami's gaze didn't waver and spoke truthfully. "Father… the deputy clan head might have delivered the message… but ultimately, this plan stems from Uchiha Fukashi."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Madara's disciple?"
He frowned, recalling Fukashi's reputation, a shinobi with strength rivaling Izuna without his Mangkeyo sharingan. However, he did not expect that Fukashi would be so politically savvy.
"Was his foolish exterior but a façade?...."
Tobirama murmured with a mix of anticipation and ruthlessness.
"Sensei…?" Kagami asked, confused.
Tobirama turned, studying Kagami for a moment before he closed his eyes while recalling their first meeting.
***
Year 16.
It was not long after Uchiha Madara's defection.
The sun hung low over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting long shadows across the training fields behind the Academy. The air was heavy with tension due to Madara's defection and the village buzzed with unease. The Uchiha clan, proud and powerful, now stood at a crossroads, their loyalty questioned and their future uncertain.
Tobirama Senju stood alone near the edge of the field, arms folded, his white hair catching the last light of the day. His sharp eyes scanned the Academy yard, where students were finishing their drills, He wasn't here for a lesson; he was here for a test.
Among the children, one boy moved with quiet precision. Neither flashy nor arrogant. His movements were deliberate, his Sharingan not yet awakened, but his awareness was sharp. Kagami Uchiha. Just 8 years old.
Tobirama watched as Kagami helped a younger student up after a sparring match, offering a hand and a quiet word of encouragement. That was the moment Tobirama made his decision.
He thought that for an emotionally unstable clan like Uchiha, having a stable and empathy rich leader might be the best choice for Konoha.
"You're Kagami, Correct?" Tobirama asked in a calm but commanding voice.
Kagami turned, startled. "Y-yes, Tobirama-sama."
"You're not like the others," Tobirama said, eyes narrowing. "You don't carry the same pride. Or the same resentment."
Kagami hesitated. "I just want to protect the village. Like the First Hokage did."
Tobirama studied him. The boy's sincerity was disarming. No trace of the simmering anger and clan pride that marked so many of his clan. No obsession with power. Just quiet resolve.
"I plan to train you," Tobirama said abruptly. "Not officially, you'll remain an Academy student. But you'll report to me and learn from me."
Kagami's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. It was clear even to 8 years old Kagami that the current atmosphere between Konoha and Uchiha is sensitive and volatile. In his eyes, Tobirama's offer sounded like a olive branch offered from Konoha to remedy the situation.
"Why me?" Kagami unknowingly asked. He wanted a confirmation.
Tobirama turned. "Because you'll be the bridge. Between your clan and this village. And because I need someone who sees more than bloodlines."
He paused, then added, almost to himself, "Madara's defection was a warning. You'll be the counterweight."
Kagami understood the meaning and that this was an opportunity for both him and his clan.
Kagami bowed deeply. "I won't let you down! Tobirama Sensei!"
Tobirama didn't smile. But for the first time, his voice softened. "See that you don't."
As Tobirama walked away, Kagami stood up. He suddenly felt the weight of village and his clan resting on his shoulder. Not necessarily as a burden, but as a purpose, duty, and responsibility that motivate him.
***
Tobirama opened his eyes and faced Kagami.
"Kagami," Tobirama called. "I know you. You're not like Madara. Or your father, Sosuke. Or Fukashi. You've served this village with loyalty and restraint. You've proven that the Uchiha can coexist with Konoha."
Kagami's expression softened. "I believe in the village. Not because I'm Uchiha. But because I'm a shinobi of Konoha."
Tobirama studied him. "That's why I need you."
Kagami blinked. "Need me?"
"As I said when we first met, I need you to be the bridge. Between the Uchiha and the rest of the village. Between fear and trust. If war comes – if the clan speaks of rebellion – I need someone who can speak for peace. Someone they'll listen to."
Kagami's voice was quiet. ".... Do you think conflict is inevitable sensei?"
"I think peace is fragile. And paranoia is contagious."
Tobirama looked away, watching the koi ripple in the water.
"I've made mistakes, Kagami. I've let fear dictate policy. I've treated your clan like a threat instead of a partner. That ends now."
Kagami stepped closer, his voice filled with conviction. "Then let me help you rebuild that trust. Not just with words, but with action."
Tobirama nodded in satisfaction. "You'll be my eyes. My ears. And my voice among the Uchiha. Not as a spy. But as a guardian."
Kagami bowed deeply. "I accept."
Tobirama turned back to the pond, his reflection fractured by the ripples.
Kagami silently exited from the compound.
***
Uchiha Fukashi had once been known for his easy smile and light-hearted banter. But that man had vanished.
He now spent his days in silence, confined to his home. Technically, the house arrest no longer applied, within the new compound, the Uchiha were sovereign. But Fukashi remained indoors, as if the walls of his home were more binding than any decree.
He had tried to meet Madara five times. Each attempt was intercepted.
Now, he no longer tried.
Minami was rarely home, her duties outside the compound kept her busy. So Fukashi stayed behind, caring for their infant son, Kaito, with the help of his eldest, Shinichi.
Shinichi sat quietly across the room, feeding Kaito with a milk bottle. His eyes flicked toward his father, who stared blankly at the garden beyond sliding doors.
Fukashi hadn't spoken much in weeks. But Shinichi knew. His father was thinking, planning, and waiting.
After putting Kaito to sleep, Shinichi stood, brushing off his training gear.
"I'm heading out," he said softly.
Fukashi didn't respond.
Shinichi paused at the door, glancing back. "I'll be with my friends. Training."
Still no reply.
But as Shinichi stepped outside, he felt it; that subtle shift in chakra. His father hadn't spoken, but he was listening.