Uchiha Clan Compound
No sooner had Yusuke returned home than Fugaku sought him out.
"Yusuke… what exactly are you planning?"
"Why suddenly push for war with Kumogakure?"
Since Yusuke took over as Clan Head, every reform had been measured and flawless.
But this—
This escalation felt abrupt.
Yusuke fell silent for a moment, then met Fugaku's eyes with burning intensity.
"The position of Hokage isn't won so easily."
"The Uchiha need war… to earn enough prestige."
Glory was forged on the battlefield.
If not for his achievements in the Third Great Ninja War, Minato Namikaze—born a civilian—would never have become Fourth Hokage.
Even Sakumo Hatake's reputation had once reached the level of a Hokage candidate because of his military exploits.
Fugaku understood.
After a long pause, he placed a hand on Yusuke's shoulder.
"As long as you have a plan."
"The Uchiha will support you fully."
That Afternoon — Hokage Tower
The Kumogakure delegation was summoned again.
This time, the atmosphere was entirely different.
They were no longer treated as honored guests.
They weren't even invited to sit.
After all—
They were now enemies in all but name.
"Ho? No need to welcome us so grandly."
One Hidden Cloud jōnin smirked as he swaggered forward, utterly arrogant.
He had already received word from Kumogakure.
Konoha wouldn't dare fight.
The Fourth Raikage.
Two perfect jinchūriki.
Kumo's military strength was at its peak.
And Konoha?
An aging Third Hokage.
The Sannin scattered.
What strength remained?
Before tension escalated further, Hiruzen stepped forward.
"Konoha will not abandon a single comrade."
"Your demands are unreasonable. We will not accept them."
His tone was steady and firm.
If war was inevitable—
Then dignity must be preserved.
Hiashi stepped forward as well.
"Kumogakure has no shame."
"You attempted a night assault on the Hyūga."
"You owe us an explanation."
"Or the Hyūga will fight."
Yusuke stepped forward next.
"Hiashi speaks truth."
"The one responsible should personally come to apologize."
"And give the Hyūga a proper explanation."
An outrageous demand.
But precisely the kind that made retreat impossible.
The Hidden Cloud representatives were stunned.
"You… you—!"
Negotiations were over.
With a furious wave, he turned to leave.
The Killing Strike
"Uchiha Style—Sun Halo Dance."
The instant the Hidden Cloud jōnin turned—
Yusuke's blade flashed from its sheath.
"If we've torn away pretense…"
"Then none of you need to leave alive."
Three arcs of blazing flame cut through the air.
In a blink—
The Hidden Cloud jōnin fell, his body engulfed in flame.
Only a single chūnin remained—
Frozen in shock.
It happened too fast.
No one anticipated it.
No one stopped it.
By the time the flames consumed the fallen body—
The delegation was shattered.
Silence.
Utter disbelief.
Even Konoha's elite stood stunned.
Yusuke—
Had drawn his sword without hesitation.
Hiashi inwardly gave him silent praise.
Decisive.
Cathartic.
Let's see how the leadership begs for peace now.
The two advisors exploded in fury.
"Yusuke Uchiha—what have you done?!"
"How dare you attack the Hidden Cloud delegation before the Hokage!"
"ANBU! Arrest him!"
Yusuke turned calmly, faint smile on his face.
"Arrest me?"
"They're enemy shinobi."
"Would you prefer they return and slaughter Konoha's soldiers on the battlefield?"
"I killed enemy ninja."
"What was improper?"
His expression was serene.
As though he had merely trimmed a branch.
Hiruzen was silent for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"Yusuke."
"Young people must not act so rashly."
"We will overlook this once."
"Do not repeat it."
The message was clear.
Public reprimand.
Private approval.
Yusuke immediately lowered his head slightly.
"I will heed the Third Hokage's guidance."
The advisors clenched their teeth but said nothing more.
Hiruzen's gaze shifted to the lone surviving chūnin—trembling on the ground.
"You."
"Return to the Raikage."
"Deliver Konoha's answer."
The message needed no further explanation.
War—
Had officially begun.
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