Thank you for the power stones, iRay. This is the first time someone has gifted them to me, and I'm extremely happy about it.
As a thank you, I'll be uploading two chapters at once..
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Evening settled over the Uchiha district like a heavy blanket. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, lining the walkways with warm amber light, but the air… the air felt cold.
Too many footsteps.
Too many whispers.
Too many Sharingan eyes flickering with restrained anger.
A clan meeting wasn't rare.
But tonight, the atmosphere was different.
Tighter.
Sharper.
Like the whole district was holding its breath.
I walked beside Itachi toward the central hall, where nearly every adult Uchiha gathered. Even the elders—usually reclusive—were present.
"It feels tense today," Itachi murmured.
His voice was soft, but the worry in it was unmistakable.
"Tense is an understatement," I whispered back.
He nodded and clenched his fists slightly. Poor kid. He carried far more weight on his shoulders than anyone of his age should ever have to.
We reached the entrance.
Two senior members stood guard, nodding stiffly as we entered—respectful, but distracted. Their brows were furrowed, eyes narrowed.
Inside the hall, the clan was already seated around the central platform where the Council would speak.
Fugaku stood at the front, arms crossed, expression carved from stone.
He wasn't just clan head tonight.
He was a man preparing for war.
---
The Meeting Begins
When Fugaku lifted his hand, the room fell silent instantly.
He scanned the crowd slowly, letting the silence settle like dust.
"Today," he began, voice deep and steady, "we address an issue that can no longer be ignored."
A ripple of unease spread through the room.
I exchanged a glance with Itachi.
We knew what was coming.
"The village leadership," Fugaku continued, "has increased their surveillance of our district. ANBU patrols have doubled. Requests for clan missions are being filtered through… questionable sources."
Danzo, obviously.
The name wasn't spoken, but everyone felt it hanging in the air.
"We are being watched," Fugaku said. "Controlled. Pressured."
Whispers broke out across the room.
One of the elder councillors stepped forward, his tone sharp.
"They treat us like traitors-in-waiting. Like criminals! Are we to tolerate this any longer?"
A chorus of agreement filled the hall.
Another elder slammed his cane against the floor.
"We have been loyal to Konoha for generations! Yet they distrust us more with each passing day."
Someone else shouted:
"They fear our eyes, not our actions!"
It wasn't wrong.
But anger was a dangerous direction.
I could feel the tension rising—like dry grass waiting for a spark.
Fugaku gestured for silence.
"It is clear," he said, voice low, "that we can no longer simply stand by. We must decide how to protect our clan's dignity."
The word dignity echoed deeply.
Pride was the Uchiha's greatest strength… and their greatest weakness.
Then Fugaku's gaze settled on me.
"Shisui."
The hall quieted again.
"You arrived late at our last council meeting," Fugaku said. "But your insights were… valuable."
He took one step closer, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"And you are close with the Hokage's advisors."
My heart skipped.
Not dangerous, but suspicious.
He continued:
"Your speed, your skill, your growth—all are acknowledged by the clan. You are our strongest link to the village and our first line of understanding their intentions."
Understanding.
Not spying.
Not betraying.
A good start.
But still dangerous territory.
Fugaku lowered his voice slightly, though everyone could still hear:
"We need clarity, Shisui. The Hokage's stance. The Elders' movements. Danzo's… involvement."
The room stiffened when he said the last name.
Itachi's head snapped toward me, worry flashing in his eyes.
Someone in the back muttered: "Danzo is a snake."
Another hissed, "He wants our eyes."
I kept my expression calm, but inside, my nerves prickled.
Danzo wanted me to spy on the clan.
Now the clan wanted me to spy on Danzo.
Caught in the middle.
Both sides pulling.
Both willing to crush me if I misstep.
I bowed respectfully.
"I understand, Fugaku-sama. I will observe carefully and share what I can—without jeopardizing the peace."
Fugaku studied me for a long moment.
It wasn't distrust.
It was calculation.
Then he nodded once.
"Good."
---
Radicals Rise
Before Fugaku could continue, a younger Uchiha—Shinichi—stood suddenly.
His Sharingan spun slowly.
"Observe?" Shinichi spat. "That's it? While the village prepares chains for us?"
The hall murmured again, some agreeing, some watching silently.
Shinichi took a step forward.
"We are warriors! We should not cower. We should act."
His words were bold, reckless.
"Act how?" someone demanded.
Shinichi smirked.
"By reminding Konoha that Uchiha are not to be oppressed."
Another young man stood.
"Yes! If they want to keep us out of the village center, let's show them why we deserve to stand above them!"
Fugaku's jaw tightened.
This wasn't the direction he wanted.
Anger flickered through the crowd, growing louder with every passing second.
Itachi looked mortified.
"Shisui… this is dangerous," he whispered.
"I know."
I stepped forward slightly, placing myself where the radicals and the moderates could see me clearly.
"Everyone," I began, voice calm but firm, "I understand your anger. Truly. But violence or rebellion would destroy us faster than any surveillance."
Their glares were sharp.
Suspicious.
But they listened.
"Acting rashly means playing exactly into the hands of those waiting for an excuse to eliminate us."
A few eyes widened.
Some understood immediately.
Danzo didn't fear rebellion.
He wanted it.
Shinichi's fingers twitched.
"So what?" he snapped. "You want to bow to them?"
"No," I said simply. "I want us to survive."
Silence.
That word hit harder than any argument.
Survive.
Because deep down, they all knew survival wasn't guaranteed anymore.
Fugaku stepped forward again, reclaiming control.
"Shisui speaks truth. We cannot win through force alone."
He glanced around the hall.
"We will continue to defend our dignity. But with strategy. Not recklessness."
Shinichi clicked his tongue and sat down, but the fire in his eyes didn't go out.
He wouldn't forget this.
Or forgive it.
---
After the Meeting — A Quiet Conversation
When the hall finally emptied, Fugaku approached me.
"Shisui," he said, tone softer than before, "your presence steadied the meeting. Thank you."
"I only spoke what needed to be said," I replied.
He looked at me for a long moment.
"You and Itachi… the clan needs your clarity. Your balance."
He paused.
"And your honesty."
…Right.
Honesty.
Between Danzo's request and Fugaku's trust… the irony stung.
"Take care, Shisui," Fugaku said as he walked away. "The days ahead will test all of us."
When he was gone, Itachi stepped forward, eyes worried.
"Shisui… are you really okay? You looked… tense."
I exhaled slowly.
"Just thinking," I said.
Thinking about how the clan wanted information.
Thinking about how Danzo wanted obedience.
Thinking about how one wrong word could doom us all.
Thinking about the strange, faint pulse I felt earlier…
A whisper of chakra.
Foreign.
Familiar.
The hidden reward stirring quietly.
Something powerful.
Dormant.
Waiting.
I placed a hand on Itachi's head.
"Let's head home. We'll need rest."
Because tomorrow?
Tomorrow, the clan, the village, and Danzo would all move again.
And I had to stay ahead of them all.
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END OF CHAPTER 7