Uchiha Ran glanced sideways, the corner of his mouth twitching. He had long felt that there was something… questionable between Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi. Could those ridiculous fan theories actually be true?
Before he could stop himself, an image flashed through his mind—those infamous doujinshi where Shisui pinned Itachi against a wall. Ran shuddered violently.
At the same time, Uchiha Shisui suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of nausea. He shook his head. Now was not the time to dwell on strange thoughts. Fixing his gaze on Ran, he said seriously,
"Fine. Let's assume for the moment that you're right. Then explain this—what about the Nine-Tails' Attack?"
Ran snorted coldly.
"I think you're the one who's confused. Where were the members of the Uchiha Clan when the Nine-Tails attacked? In the damned Clan Compound. Every single one of us—including the Clan Head."
"So tell me," he continued sharply, "what does the Nine-Tails' Attack have to do with the Uchiha who were confined inside the compound in Konoha?"
"They don't even bother asking who was actually outside the village that night. Instead, they suspect their own people. Is it fear of our power—or is there some filthy secret they're hiding?"
"And yet, instead of questioning this, you think we should just swallow the injustice and endure it until it blows over?" Ran's voice rose.
"Why should we endure it? It was Konoha that forbade us from taking part in the Nine-Tails' suppression, and afterward they pushed us out of the village's political center, marginalizing the entire Uchiha Clan."
"I'm asking you—on what grounds?"
"Ask everyone here. Not just the hawks—even the doves. Are they truly satisfied? Don't they feel even a hint of chill from how Konoha has treated us?"
Ran's words struck straight to the heart.
The eyes of the hawk faction practically burned with fury. At this point, Ran had already become their spiritual leader. If he flipped the table right now and told Uchiha Fugaku to step down, they would draw their blades without hesitation.
For years, the hawk faction had suffered endless humiliation. Not only were they suppressed by Konoha, but even after returning to the clan, they were constrained by their own people.
Wasn't everything they did for the sake of the Uchiha?
Now, a leader had emerged—someone with the Mangekyō Sharingan, ambition, and unquestionable strength. How could they not follow him?
As for the dove faction, many of them lowered their heads.
Though they were called "doves," none of them were fools. They had repeatedly hypnotized themselves, convincing their own hearts that the village's suspicions were reasonable, legal—all for Konoha.
But when their children attended the Ninja Academy and were deliberately isolated by classmates, didn't their hearts ache?
When they went out on missions, or even just to buy groceries, and heard whispers behind their backs simply because they bore the name Uchiha—didn't they feel miserable?
At this moment, Ran's words tore open scars they had desperately tried to bury, dragging out memories of humiliation they had long deceived themselves into forgetting.
One by one, members of the dove faction raised their heads again, their eyes firm.
Taking a deep breath, the first man stepped toward the hawk faction. After joining their ranks, he turned back to face Uchiha Zongyi.
"Leader… I'm sorry," he said hoarsely. "Lord Ran is right. I don't want to live like this anymore."
He tore open his clothes, revealing a body covered in scars—deep, crisscrossing wounds, including a horrifying one that ran from his left shoulder all the way down to his navel.
"My name is Uchiha Ying. I am a jōnin," he said loudly.
"These scars were all earned while carrying out missions for Konoha, and during the Third Shinobi World War."
"I love Konoha. But I love the Uchiha Clan even more."
"Everything I did… was so my children wouldn't have to fight in wars. So they wouldn't have to struggle just to stay alive."
"But what did we get in return?" His voice trembled with rage.
"In the village, we are marginalized. Our children are ostracized."
"I told myself it was all for Konoha—but why should it be?!"
"Why should our children be treated unfairly?"
"Is it just because my surname is Uchiha?!"
"What's wrong with the Uchiha?" he roared.
"When Konoha was founded, without the Uchiha, could Senju Hashirama have united all those clans by himself?"
"We are a clan of heroes—not criminals!"
"From today onward, I quit the dove faction!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Ying ripped off the dove faction armband and hurled it to the ground.
His actions instantly ignited the crowd.
The hawk faction members' eyes turned crimson as they clenched their fists. One after another, members of the dove faction walked toward them.
Soon, only three people remained standing on the dove side: Uchiha Zongyi, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi.
Behind Uchiha Ran, however, stood nearly the entire Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Zongyi lowered his head. He knew that from this moment on, the dove faction had ceased to exist.
Uchiha Shisui was deeply shaken. Since his birth, this was the first time he had ever witnessed such unity among the Uchiha. Uchiha Ying's words echoed endlessly in his mind.
Is what I've been doing really right?
Should the Uchiha Clan really be treated like this?
Are we not a clan of heroes?
The balance in his heart began to tilt—away from the village, and toward his clan.
Ran walked up to him.
"Shisui," he said calmly, "before being a villager, don't forget your surname. You are an Uchiha—one of the two great founding clans of Konoha, alongside the Senju."
"I don't believe Senior Uchiha Kagami wanted the Uchiha to merge into Konoha in such a submissive way."
"And from the very beginning, the position of Hokage should have belonged to the Uchiha Clan."
As he spoke, Ran bared his teeth in a sharp grin.
Shisui froze. He was suddenly unsure of his grandfather's true intentions—but his heart was undeniably stirred.
Perhaps… the Uchiha truly shouldn't live like this.
At that moment, Uchiha Itachi spoke coldly:
"Shisui, don't forget—we are the Uchiha of Konoha."
His words immediately stirred discontent among the crowd.
Shisui snapped back to his senses. Looking at Ran, he said solemnly,
"Ran, I will consider what you said. But first, I must investigate the truth behind my grandfather's death. Only then will I make my decision."
Ran nodded in understanding. He first shot Itachi a mocking glance, then extended his hand toward Shisui.
"I'll go with you. Because even though Danzō Shimura isn't much in terms of strength, when it comes to scheming, ten of you wouldn't be a match for him."
Shisui nodded. "Alright."
Seeing this, Itachi could only sigh.
As for reporting this to the village?
With Shisui personally involved—and planning to act against Danzō—Itachi would never betray him. Their bond was far too deep.
Shisui might be wavering, but Itachi was not.
If the Uchiha Clan truly chose rebellion, Itachi would definitely report it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In his heart, the village came before the clan.
The Uchiha could be destroyed—but Konoha must never fall.
If Uchiha Fugaku knew what Itachi was thinking, one wonders whether he would kill his own son on the spot.
…Probably not.
After all, in the original course of events, Fugaku didn't even resist before being cut down by that very son.
Ran let out a quiet breath, relieved that things were finally moving in the right direction.
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku stood up.
"In that case, we'll wait for Shisui. One or two days won't change anything," he said gravely.
"Everyone—continue training. Do not grow lax or careless."
With that, he turned and walked toward the door. Just as he reached the threshold, he paused.
"Ran," Fugaku said without turning around,
"Come to my room later."