The scroll that Tsunayoshi received — the one supposedly from Elder Uchiha Setsuna — was merely the final step in a long-laid plan.
Tsunayoshi probably wouldn't go see the man at all — at least, not seventy percent of the time. She knew better than anyone the consequences that might follow. Even if she did meet him, whether that elder acknowledged the matter or not, what difference would it make? In the end, the blame for anything that went wrong in Konoha would always fall upon the Uchiha.
After all, "the evil Uchiha" didn't earn that title for nothing.
As long as the information contained within that scroll turned out to be true, there would definitely be trouble. And no one would ever suspect a boy who had graduated from the Ninja Academy barely a year ago. Such matters were clearly far beyond his control.
"Kid."
Inside the tent, Tsuna's expression softened slightly, as though her earlier anger had faded into something close to regret. That was her nature — her temper came quickly and left just as fast.
But Uchiha Ye's expression remained firm.
"Captain Tsuna, believe in the village. That old thief won't give up so easily."
The young Uchiha's tone was sharp, his words cutting through the air. To scold the clan elder so harshly — it was obvious this boy had been thoroughly indoctrinated by the so-called Will of Fire.
Tsunayoshi snorted, crossing her arms.
"You don't need to remind me, kid. In two days, Hatake will arrive at the front lines to take over command. You'll return to the village with me and rest for half a month."
The war in the Land of Rain had yet to erupt in full force, and Konoha's forces were still sufficient for now.
Hearing this, Uchiha Ye opened his mouth to reply, but Tsunayoshi cut him off with a stern warning.
"Brat, don't forget what I told you. The information in that scroll is top-secret!"
"Yes, Captain Tsunayoshi!"
Uchiha Ye straightened his back, his tone solemn and resolute. Then, with a respectful bow, he handed the scroll back and quietly exited the tent.
Now alone, Tsunayoshi sat in silence, her brow furrowed as she stared at the parchment before her.
"Is that old ghost still refusing to give up? Or… is he actually serious this time?"
The scroll's contents were brief — only a few lines of text — yet they carried enough weight to shake even the highest ranks of Konoha.
"Nawaki, grandson of the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, has been assigned by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, to the team of his disciple Orochimaru. The mission begins the day after his birthday."
At first glance, there was nothing particularly strange about it. The first part was simple enough — anyone with connections could have found that information. But the second half… that was where things turned dark.
The scroll claimed that an ambush awaited during that mission — and the target was Nawaki himself.
Though it didn't name the culprit, the accusation was clear enough: the finger pointed directly toward the Third Hokage's faction.
That was what made it dangerous.
"This old fox…" Tsunayoshi muttered under her breath.
The implications were clear — this message suggested that the current Hokage administration not only distrusted the Uchiha but had begun to eye the Senju clan with the same suspicion. It even hinted at something darker — manipulation, betrayal, and political cleansing.
Outside, the rain continued to pour, drumming endlessly upon the canvas tent.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ye stepped out into the gray world, pulling his hood over his head in irritation. The air in the Land of Rain was heavy and sour — perfect for brooding.
And yet, beneath his lowered hood, his lips curled into a faint smile.
The Uchiha were weak now. If they ever hoped to seize the position of Hokage, they would need allies. And this piece of intelligence — oh, it was no lie.
He knew Nawaki personally — a classmate, born on August 9th. According to his calculations — and to the events described in the "original book" he remembered — Tsunade had been in the village around Nawaki's birthday, which matched perfectly with her current schedule to return home.
More importantly, in that same "story," Tsunade had gifted Nawaki the First Hokage's necklace for his twelfth birthday… only for him to die the very next day during a mission.
How convenient.
A simple one-day mission, under the personal protection of Orochimaru — one of Konoha's elite jonin — yet the boy vanished without a trace.
Without this information, the blame would naturally fall upon Orochimaru. But if Tsunade knew about it beforehand — if this "scroll" reached her hands in time — the story might change completely.
Whether the conspiracy was real or fabricated didn't matter. What mattered was that Tsunade's awareness would make the entire incident reek of suspicion.
Would anyone believe such a coincidence?
Uchiha Ye smirked coldly. The timing, the details, everything was too precise — an ambush just outside Konoha's gates, and during wartime, no less. The target: the First Hokage's grandson.
It was too perfect.
"Ye-kun."
A familiar voice called out from behind him. Turning, Uchiha Ye saw the speaker and couldn't help but grin.
"Captain Fugaku."
Uchiha Fugaku — only a few years older, yet already a full-fledged jonin — approached with his usual composed expression. There was a calm authority about him, the kind that demanded respect without effort.
Fugaku smiled faintly. "Ye-kun, I've told you countless times — there's no need to be so formal."
The two were close. Fugaku was known for his measured temperament, his unwavering loyalty to Konoha, and his quiet sense of responsibility. To someone like Uchiha Ye — outwardly loyal, a bright believer in the Will of Fire — such a man was an ideal companion.
They walked together toward the edge of the camp, where a small waterfall trickled beside the cliffs. It seemed that the Uchiha had an odd fondness for discussing serious matters near waterfalls — perhaps they found the roar of water comforting.
Uchiha Ye couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
Beside him, Fugaku's shoulders relaxed. The constant tension of the battlefield melted away for a brief moment, and he allowed himself a sigh. His face, usually composed, showed traces of exhaustion.
"Ye-kun," he began, his voice quiet but earnest, "how do you think our clan can earn the trust of the village?"
Uchiha Ye nearly laughed out loud. No wonder the Second Hokage called the Uchiha "extreme." Even now, in the middle of a war, with danger surrounding them, Fugaku was more worried about the village's opinion than about the battle itself.
The Uchiha really were too intense — in every way.
Suppressing a sigh, Ye put on a somber expression. "Captain Fugaku, it's not about how we gain the village's trust. It's about how the village chooses to trust us."
Fugaku frowned, confused.
That reaction made Ye inwardly relieved — it meant this man wasn't beyond saving. In truth, Fugaku was a tragic figure. Loyal to both clan and village, yet caught between them — a man destined for conflict and indecision.
In another timeline, he would die still believing in peace.
Ye's gaze hardened. No, not this time. He couldn't allow that same tragedy to repeat itself.
Fugaku was a rare asset — strong, respected, and the future clan head. If Ye could win him over, if he could make him see, then perhaps the Uchiha would finally have a chance to resist properly.
"Captain Fugaku," Ye said seriously, "to gain the village's trust, we've already done everything possible. Look at us — how many of our clan's elite have been sent to the front lines this time? Even you, the clan leader's own son, are here. Do you realize what that means? We've poured out our very lifeblood just to prove our loyalty."
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly, then softened. He gave a small, weary smile. "You're right. This time, the clan truly has given everything."
Everyone said the Uchiha were cursed — power-hungry, vengeful, dangerous. But from the First Shinobi War to the Third, the Uchiha had always fought on the harshest battlefields — the Land of Rain, the Land of Water, the worst of them all. They had bled for Konoha again and again, only to be repaid with suspicion.
After the Nine-Tails incident, they would be caged within the village walls, watched like criminals. That was the beginning of their downfall.
Watching the faint smile on Fugaku's face, Uchiha Ye decided to push a little further.
"By the way, Captain Fugaku," he asked casually, "I've heard rumors in the village lately — something about the White Fang and the Fourth Hokage. Strange, isn't it? The Third Hokage is still in his prime. Why would there already be talk of a successor?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Fugaku's expression changed. The calmness vanished, replaced by a grim, wary look.
The waterfall roared behind them, the sound almost deafening.
Ye smiled faintly, satisfied. He had planted the seed of doubt.
The Uchiha had always been emotional — driven by passion, by conviction, by their hearts more than their heads. But that same passion, guided in the right direction, could reshape history itself.
If the village would not trust them, then they would build a world that no longer required that trust.
And it would start here — with Fugaku, under the cold rain of the Land of Rain, and a boy whose eyes gleamed with quiet, dangerous ambition.
(End of Chapter)