The Konoha Police Force was the pride of the Uchiha Clan—an institution entirely run and guarded by their own.
So when Uchiha Yuan declared that the clan, despite holding this authority, had been excluded from the village's true center of power because of it, disbelief rippled through the gathered youths.
"What, you don't believe me?"
Looking at the stunned faces below, Yuan said calmly, "I may despise Senju Tobirama, but I have to admit—his political cunning was brilliant."
"It was Tobirama who proposed that our clan take command of the Police Force. It looked like a gesture of trust—a great responsibility and honor."
"But in truth, it was a trap. He set us up as a target—a visible symbol of power that other clans would naturally come to fear and resent. It isolated us from potential allies and ensured that we would stand alone."
"The Police Force was tasked with maintaining order in the village and guarding against intruders. But after our clan took that post, Tobirama created another organization—the ANBU. And what are the ANBU's duties? Nearly identical to ours. The only difference is that they answer directly to the Hokage."
As his words sank in, the once-rowdy gathering grew silent. They realized, with a chill, that Yuan was right. They had never thought of it that way before.
Yuan continued, "The reason I'm telling you this is so you understand—the village has always been wary of the Uchiha."
"I believe the clan head and the elders know this as well. For years, there's been a quiet struggle between us and the village. The clan doesn't want an open confrontation, and the village doesn't want to lose our strength. Both sides have been maintaining a fragile balance of trust."
"But that balance…" Yuan's tone darkened. "It was shattered just a few days ago."
At those words, one of the boys, Uchiha Daishi, stirred. "Chief—you mean because of that monstrous fox that caused the Fourth Hokage's death?"
"Correct. That beast is called the Nine-Tails, the strongest of the nine tailed beasts."
"In the shinobi world, tailed beasts are natural disasters—living calamities. The only powers capable of suppressing them are the Uchiha's Sharingan and the Senju Clan's Wood Release."
"And on the night the Nine-Tails appeared… there were Sharingan patterns glowing in its eyes."
The children's faces went pale.
"Chief, is that true?"
"Does that mean someone from our clan controlled the Nine-Tails?"
Another youth, Uchiha Feng, protested, "The Nine-Tails' Rampage had nothing to do with our clan!"
Uchiha Qiren added, "Yes! The night before yesterday, my father and brother attended a clan meeting at the Nanga Shrine. When they returned, I overheard them talking—the clan was confused too. No one knew whose Sharingan had appeared in the Nine-Tails' eyes."
"I even heard Father say there were people secretly watching our compound lately."
Yuan nodded. "The clan didn't start the Nine-Tails' attack. But because of the Sharingan, we're the only suspects the village will consider. I have no doubt—they already suspect us."
He sighed softly. "Even if the real culprit is found, it won't matter. The village's fear and distrust of us have already been awakened. That night only confirmed their deepest prejudice."
"From now on, the village will increase its surveillance and suppression of the Uchiha. And our clan… will never quietly accept that kind of treatment. The tension will keep growing—until one day, it explodes."
Yuan's gaze sharpened, so fierce it seemed to pierce their very souls.
"And when that day comes, neither side will be able to back down."
"There will be only two outcomes. Either the Uchiha win—and seize control of the village. Or we lose—and you, your families, all of us, will be annihilated."
"If we're lucky, a few might escape. But they'll spend their lives hunted by the village's wrath."
"Tell me… as Uchiha, would you accept such a fate?"
Silence fell. A suffocating stillness filled the warehouse.
These children, trained since birth to wield jutsu and kill, had never before faced the reality of political warfare and survival.
Then, slowly, they raised their heads. The fear in their eyes was gone—replaced by burning determination.
Yuan smiled. "Good. Those are the eyes of true Uchiha—no fear, no hesitation."
"Chief, what should we do?" someone asked.
Yuan's eyes swept over them. "For now, you train. Grow stronger. And above all—hide yourselves."
"Hide… ourselves?"
Seeing their confusion, Yuan nodded. "Yes. Until open conflict erupts between the clan and the village, you are nothing more than ordinary Uchiha with mediocre talent."
He paused, his tone turning cold. "Because aside from the village, there's another enemy lurking in the shadows—an unknown figure who used a Sharingan to unleash the Nine-Tails. Whoever that is, they mean the clan harm."
"Remember this—we will become the ace that upholds the Uchiha's future."
The Night of the Nine-Tails not only devastated most of Konoha but also sent shockwaves across the entire ninja world.
Each of the Five Great Villages had spies embedded in the others. The massive chakra explosion that night couldn't possibly be hidden.
It wasn't long before the news spread: the Nine-Tails had attacked Konoha, the village suffered catastrophic losses, and the "Yellow Flash," the Fourth Hokage, had died sealing the beast.
The balance of the world trembled.
Borders that had been quiet for years erupted in small skirmishes. The Hidden Sand Village, once on the verge of peace, rekindled its ambitions. The Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud, whose strength remained intact, were elated.
Every village wanted a piece of the now-weakened Leaf.
The flames of war rose once more—the Third Great Ninja War reignited.
Facing simultaneous invasions from nearly all sides while still rebuilding, Konoha had no choice but to mobilize in full force.
They understood one thing: they could not show weakness. Not even a hint.
Otherwise, the other villages would pounce like starving wolves.
Under this immense pressure, Konoha decided to strike first—targeting the Hidden Sand and Hidden Mist.
If those two could be forced to retreat early, the encirclement would break, leaving only the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud to deal with.
The Uchiha Clan, masters of Fire Release and the Sharingan, were particularly effective against Mist-nin's jutsu. So, for once, the village set aside its suspicion and ordered the Uchiha Police Force to the Mist frontlines.
Their intervention quickly halted the Mist's advance.
As for the Sand, already weakened from prior conflicts, they suffered a string of defeats under Konoha's counteroffensive and soon withdrew into a wary stalemate, not daring to push into the Land of Fire again.
The immediate crisis of encirclement was thus averted.
But the war raged on.
The Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone knew well—Konoha was bleeding.
And so, both dispatched massive forces to the borders of the Land of Fire, launching ferocious assaults.
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