Inside the Hokage Office.
"Ahhh! My leg! My arm!"
Danzo Shimura writhed on the floor, howling in agony. With his limbs gone, he couldn't even stand—only claw at the ground with his remaining left hand, his face twisted in pain.
"Uchiha Tobirama! I'll kill him! I'll tear him apart! Strip his skin!"
His voice was shrill and unhinged. The infamous "Darkness of the Shinobi World" was nowhere to be found—only a mad dog with its fangs pulled and legs broken.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood to the side, his expression grim. Watching his old friend reduced to this state filled him with a mix of fury and dread—fear of the Uchiha's power, and rage at his own loss of control.
"That's enough, Danzo!"
Hiruzen clenched his teeth and ordered the med-nin to stop the bleeding.
"What's the point of screaming now?!"
"Root is gone. Your body is ruined."
"This is the price of your recklessness."
Though he scolded Danzo, the killing intent in Hiruzen's eyes was even heavier than Danzo's own.
"…But don't worry."
Hiruzen took a deep breath and looked out the window toward the Uchiha compound, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"He won't live long."
"I was planning to wait—but after today, after he dared to humiliate the Hokage and Konoha's leadership…"
"He must die."
"Only the dead can no longer threaten Konoha."
Danzo stopped wailing and fixed his single eye on Hiruzen.
"Kumogakure… Iwagakure… move the plan forward."
"Send him to his death. Let him die on the battlefield."
"I want to see his corpse torn apart with my own eyes."
The two former comrades reached their most vicious consensus in the blood-soaked office.
No matter the cost—even at the expense of the Village itself.
That Uchiha youth had to die.
---
Konoha streets, at sunset.
Compared to the oppressive Hokage Building, the streets were full of warmth and life.
"Yo! Tobirama's back?"
"Tobirama, fresh red bean cakes—take some for your apprentice!"
"You're a real talent, Tobirama! Come eat at my place sometime!"
The villagers were overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
After all, between the shower of money and the legend of wiping out a nation, Tobirama had become a living saint in the eyes of civilians.
Tobirama wore a gentle smile, responding to everyone, even greeting a few neighbors by name.
Behind him, Konan was stunned.
Was this really the same master who had slaughtered dozens without hesitation?
"Master… everyone really likes you."
Konan hugged the bag of red bean cakes an auntie had pressed into her hands, her orange eyes shining.
This was the life she longed for.
No war. No hunger. Only smiles.
"Like me?"
Tobirama patted her head, his gaze deep.
"Remember this, Konan."
"They don't like me—they like strength. They like someone who protects them and brings benefits."
"If I ever lose, they'll turn on me faster than flipping a page."
He smiled lightly.
"But as long as I keep winning, that won't matter."
---
Back at their residence.
Tobirama reheated food for Konan and checked her injuries with practiced ease.
"After you eat, write today's training summary."
"I'll be out for a bit. Don't open the door for anyone unless you hear my voice."
"Yes, Master!"
Konan nodded obediently, warmth filling her chest as she watched him leave.
This was home.
And she would protect it.
---
Deep within the Uchiha Clan compound.
The Great Elder's residence lay in the quietest corner, guarded by two elite shinobi with two-tomoe Sharingan.
"Stop!"
The guards stepped forward arrogantly.
"Tobirama? This is the Great Elder's residence. You may not enter without summons!"
"And even if you've earned merit, you're still a junior from a branch family—do you know the rules—"
Before he could finish—
Tobirama didn't stop. He didn't even raise a hand.
"Genjutsu—Tsukuyomi."
Scarlet light flashed.
Thump. Thump.
The two elite chūnin rolled their eyes and collapsed, unconscious.
"Rules?"
Tobirama stepped over them and kicked open the vermilion gate.
"My words are the rules."
---
Inside the residence.
The Uchiha Great Elder knelt on the tatami, calmly sipping tea. Hearing the disturbance, he frowned.
"Presumptuous!"
He set the cup down and glared at Tobirama.
"Tobirama! Who allowed you to barge in?"
"No matter your fame, within the clan you are still a junior!"
"No kneeling, no salute—and you injured the guards? Are you rebelling?!"
Tobirama pulled over a chair and sat down casually, amusement in his eyes.
"Great Elder, calm down."
"High blood pressure is bad for you."
"You—!" The elder's beard trembled. "Guards! Seize this insolent—"
"Enough."
Tobirama yawned. His presence shifted instantly.
The friendly neighbor vanished, replaced by a predator.
Pitch-black pupils transformed into the Mangekyō pattern.
A bloodline pressure flooded the room.
The Great Elder froze, his rebuke dying in his throat.
"Mangekyō… Sharingan?"
He knew exactly what those eyes represented.
Madara's power.
Legendary power.
"The times have changed, old man."
Tobirama pointed to his eyes, smiling wildly.
"I held back before because I needed time."
"Now I move openly because—"
"I'm invincible."
"In this clan, I decide."
The Great Elder swallowed, pale—yet fanatic reverence ignited in his eyes.
Respect for strength was carved into Uchiha bones.
"What… do you want?"
Tobirama tossed a scroll in front of him.
"Read."
"Root is gone. Its personnel are mine."
"Half of the Shimura clan's shops now belong to the Uchiha."
"The Military Police Force's authority is expanded—execute first, report later."
"And Danzo?"
"He's been reduced to a human stick by me."
Each line struck like a hammer.
The Great Elder shot to his feet.
"You… crippled Danzo?"
"And brought back all this?"
For decades, they had struggled just to survive politically.
This youth flipped the table—and brought the spoils home.
"Tobirama—no—Lord Tobirama!"
The Great Elder bowed deeply, tears streaming.
"The Uchiha… have finally produced a dragon!"
"Fugaku is too cautious. Only you—only someone with these eyes—can lead us to the peak!"
The shift was complete.
"You don't need to worry about Fugaku," Tobirama said calmly.
"I'll make him submit."
"Summon every Uchiha currently in Konoha to the Valley of the End Shrine."
"I'm calling a meeting."
The Great Elder straightened instantly.
"Yes! Lord Tobirama!"
"Anyone who doesn't come—I'll break their legs myself!"
As he rushed off, Tobirama smiled faintly.
Old hardliners were the easiest to control.
Be strong. Be ruthless. Bring profit and glory.
And they would follow like loyal hounds.
---
At the gate.
The two guards slowly woke.
The first thing they saw was their usually imposing Great Elder bowing respectfully.
"Lord Tobirama, take care!"
The guards froze.
The sky had changed.
Tobirama glanced at them and hummed softly.
That alone nearly made their legs give out.
Behind them, the Great Elder barked:
"What are you staring at?!"
"That is the future head of the Uchiha Clan!"
"Pass the order!"
"The entire clan assembles—now!"