"My name is Taira Ryōsei, a former Konoha Jonin. I am willing to serve the Hidden Mist."
Without hesitation, Taira Ryōsei knelt on one knee, cupping his hands respectfully and speaking with measured determination. His voice, though calm, carried the weight of someone ready to sever all ties to the past.
Uchiha Su's sharp eyes studied him closely. At first glance, Taira appeared unremarkable, an ordinary man in appearance, but there was a vitality in his gaze, a flicker of unbridled ambition that could not be ignored. Such a person was inherently difficult to control, wild in spirit, yet undeniably capable.
"Taira Ryōsei, is it?" Uchiha Su said slowly, his voice even but carrying a tone of appraisal. He pondered briefly, weighing the man's character and potential, before settling on a role befitting him.
"Lean in and listen."
Taira Ryōsei rose to his feet and approached, bowing slightly due to their height difference, his head respectfully lower than that of Uchiha Su. Every fiber of his being seemed to brace for the command that was about to follow.
"I will give you a squad composed of ten Konoha defectors. Take them to the capital of the Land of Fire. Your mission is to assassinate the Daimyo. Success or failure doesn't matter—but there is one requirement I must insist upon."
"And that is…" Taira prompted, his pulse quickening.
"You must leave markings of Konoha at the scene. They need not be convincing, only visible. It must appear that Konoha itself has carried out the deed."
Uchiha Su's expression was deadly serious, his youthful face becoming a mask of authority. Even though Taira could read the gravity of the order, there was no room for hesitation.
Would the Daimyo truly stake his life on proving Konoha's innocence? Would he vouch for the Hokage with his very head?
In the world of Ninja politics, blood often outweighed familial bonds. Biological fathers and sons, brothers and cousins, all could fall upon one another's blades when ambition and power were involved. Uchiha Su was willing to exploit every weakness, to strike Konoha where it hurt the most.
Taira Ryōsei swallowed audibly, his throat dry. He had long yearned for power, for advancement, and to climb the ranks of the Hidden Mist. He had severed ties to his past for a chance at survival and influence. Yet, the thought of assassinating the Daimyo, at this early stage as a defector… the weight of the act made his chest tighten with fear.
Uchiha Su's lips curved into a faint, approving smile.
"Well, Taira? I truly admire ambitious fellows like you. This Ninja World is stagnant. It needs people willing to shake it, to change it, to carve their own path!"
He meant it. Ambitious people were his ideal tools: sharp-minded, decisive, and unafraid to act. Strength alone could make such individuals more loyal than any other, while the weak-minded or foolish might rebel blindly, exposing themselves to ruin.
"Now, my Lord…" Taira's voice trembled. His hands shook slightly, but the determination in his heart pushed him forward. "I—I do not have the courage for such a task!"
Uchiha Su raised an eyebrow, a shadow of mild disappointment flickering across his features.
"Is that so? Then perhaps I misjudged you."
He paused, then nodded toward Uchiha Setsuna. "Setsuna, since Taira is unwilling, you shall accompany him and… ensure he completes his mission."
Taira's eyes widened, panic threatening to overwhelm him. "I—I'll do it! I'll do it, my Lord! Please, give me the ten squads! I swear, if I fail your command, I will bring my own head to you!"
Immediately, the Jonin leapt into action, gathering the ten squads of defectors, ready to march toward the capital without hesitation. The choice was simple for Taira: preserve his life by following orders, or face death for rebellion. He was not a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, nor did he owe loyalty to the Daimyo. Survival and ambition dictated his decision.
"Setsuna, follow him. If anything goes awry, terminate him and complete the mission yourself," Uchiha Su commanded.
"Understood, Young Master," Setsuna replied. His voice was calm, measured. "I will observe him closely. Any sign of betrayal, and I will act immediately, taking over the mission if necessary."
Setsuna assembled the elite squad for the journey, hesitating for a moment as if weighing something more.
"What is it, Setsuna?" Uchiha Su asked, his tone neutral yet probing. "We are all bound by the same cause. If we cannot trust our clansmen who defected with us, then who can we trust?"
"Seeing as the war with Konoha is temporarily at a close, I hope, Young Master, that you can return to Hidden Mist to formally succeed as Uchiha Clan Head," Setsuna said earnestly. "A grand banquet would also ease the minds of our clansmen, showing them that the leadership remains strong."
Uchiha Su's eyes flickered with interest. "Shoulder responsibility?" he mused. "Do you mean to suggest I am not already doing so?"
He gestured toward Miwacho and the disciplined troops below, his voice rising with pride. "The Hidden Mist and the Land of Waves are under my control. I led the Hidden Mist army to crush the Eastern Army twice, integrated numerous Konoha defectors, and strengthened our forces considerably. That is only the external side of my responsibilities."
He took a step forward, voice growing more animated. "Internally, I have established the Engineering Department, reformed administrative structures, and ensured even weak Ninjas receive a stable monthly salary, so none are forced to beg. I have unified the great clans, compelling them to serve Hidden Mist while sending out their best warriors every day. Every achievement you see, every system in operation—none exists without my hand in it!"
Setsuna nodded gravely. "Indeed, Young Master. Your accomplishments are obvious to all."
"But," Setsuna continued, "what does this have to do with the Uchiha?"
Uchiha Su's momentum slowed. He looked directly at Setsuna, a flicker of doubt crossing his youthful face.
"After Lord Madara's passing, the morale of the Uchiha sank. Without a leader, they have no one to entrust their dreams to. Their ambitions are adrift."
"You are the Young Master, yes—but not yet the Clan Head. Without the proper title, your words carry no weight. Our clansmen cannot fully commit their hopes to someone without official authority."
Uchiha Su's expression hardened. "I am still young…" He hesitated. Age had always been a disadvantage, a reason for others to doubt his abilities. A mere sixteen-year-old could not be expected to command as a Clan Head or even aspire to Mizukage. To outsiders, a child holding such power seemed laughable.
"Age is irrelevant," Setsuna said firmly. "Serving as Clan Head is well within your capabilities. Difficulties exist for Mizukage duties, yes—but leading the Uchiha? That is entirely within your grasp."
Uchiha Su considered the suggestion. "Perhaps we should wait until the war concludes. Once the conflict is fully resolved, I will return to the Hidden Mist to claim the position properly as Clan Head."
Setsuna nodded approvingly. "It is a prudent choice. Strengthen your foundation, secure the loyalty of your people, and only then take the mantle openly. Our clansmen will respect your leadership when it is clear and undeniable."
Uchiha Su allowed a faint smile to form, a mixture of determination and youthful cunning shining in his eyes. The path was clear: consolidate power, maintain control over both nations, and gradually ascend to the position he was always destined to hold.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)