'The First Hokage…'
Shisui's gaze followed his to the great monument, resting on Senju Hashirama's serene face—the founder who once persuaded both Senju and Uchiha to lay down their blades.
According to clan records left by Uchiha Kagami, the age of the First Hokage had been an age of awe. Senju Hashirama, the God of Shinobi, had tamed Tailed Beasts with his bare hands. His Wood-style crushed armies and birthed forests from dust. Beneath his branches, even Uchiha Madara had been forced to yield.
In that era, no nation dared challenge Konoha. The five great villages had been established under the pressure of his power. When he distributed the Tailed Beasts to balance the world, none dared defy him. That was peace enforced by overwhelming might.
"Strength alone silences the noise of ambition." Shisui murmured. "When a single person stands tall enough, alliances stop being fragile."
Yun's expression hardened. "Then alliances without power are nothing more than paper shields."
The two shared a quiet look—the same understanding flashing between them. This peace Konoha enjoyed… was a temporary illusion.
"Let's go." Yun said finally, leaping down from the tower. "We start with the Nara clan. They're the mind of Ino–Shika–Chō, and Nara Shikaku always sees the truth first."
Swish!
Their figures blurred into the night.
…
The Nara clan compound lay beyond the forested district of Konoha's western quarter, where shadowed deer pens lay half-hidden behind low wooden walls. The scent of damp leaves hung in the air.
Inside, light flared as a lantern was kindled. Nara Shikaku, hair untied and eyes half-open, shuffled into the guest hall still wearing his sleeping robe. Despite his drowsy appearance, the moment he saw the two Uchiha standing before him, his sharp mind awoke instantly.
"Well," he muttered, pouring tea with one hand, "when the Uchiha visit past midnight, it can't be about a shogi match. Is this an order from Hokage-sama?"
Yun did not sit. "It isn't an order, Nara-dono. It's something larger."
He then told him everything—the events at the Hyuga estate, the dead envoy, the staged abduction, the Air Palm that struck down a man already dying. Shisui stood quietly beside him, adding nothing, the Sharingan faintly reflecting the lamplight.
By the time Yun finished, Shikaku's face had gone from irritation to grave calm. He set down his cup, eyes narrowing. "Kumogakure won't let this pass."
Yun nodded. "Their envoy was a tool. His purpose was to die inside Konoha, to demand compensation."
Shikaku leaned back. "So the Hyuga Head will be blamed… and the Byakugan becomes their price."
Shisui spoke at last. "That's why we're here. The Uchiha are also a reputed ninja clan. What happened to the Hyuga could happen to us—or to the Ino–Shika–Chō next. We need unity."
"Unity…" Shikaku echoed softly, rubbing his temple. "You two do realize what that word sounds like when the Uchiha say it?"
Yun smiled faintly. "I understand your doubt. But think about it—the Uchiha have been standing behind the Fourth Hokage for nearly a year. We've followed his leadership, and we've stayed loyal. But loyalty must go both ways. The strength of Konoha lies in its families, not just its Hokage."
He paused, letting the words settle. "If we want to protect the peace Fourth Hokage-sama is trying to preserve, we have to stand as one village—not as clans waiting for our turn to be sacrificed."
Shikaku's eyes opened fully now. "You're saying… if the Third and the Advisors decide to appease Kumogakure, every kekkei clan becomes vulnerable."
"Exactly." Yun replied. "A single death will be traded for peace once, then twice, and again. When the next demand comes, it might be the Sharingan, or the Aburame's symbiotic insects, or even your clan's shadow techniques. The precedent will be set."
For a long moment, the room was silent except for the sound of wind against the paper screens.
Then Shikaku sighed. "Your reasoning is sound, but the Hyuga estate is under watch. The Third's Anbu are surrounding it, and the Hokage hasn't authorized movement between clans. If the Ino–Shika–Chō meet with you now, it could be misread as… a coup."
Yun's eyes didn't waver. "If we do nothing, Kumogakure wins without ever declaring war. And the Hyuga die alone."
The Nara clan head stood, tension visible even through his calm posture. "You're not wrong. But even the right decision, taken without sanction, can burn the whole forest."
He glanced toward the sliding door, as though half-expecting the sound of sandals in the hall—Anbu shadows waiting for an excuse.
Shisui met his gaze squarely. "Would you rather watch the fire start, or help build a line of defense before it reaches the trees?"
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound came sharp and rhythmic.
Shikaku turned, a flash of alarm crossing his features.
"Hatake Kakashi." a voice said from outside.
"Enter." Shikaku replied after a beat.
Kakashi stepped in, his face half-hidden by the mask as always, his posture stiff from a day without rest. "Sorry for the intrusion. But this concerns all of us."
He looked from Yun to Shikaku. "Hokage-sama asks that Uchiha Yun accompany me at dawn. We're to escort the Kumogakure survivors and the envoy's body to the border. We'll deliver the account directly, then gauge their response."
He paused, lowering his voice. "Sensei also says this: tell the Hyuga not to make any decisions yet. Ask the Konoha families to hold steady until new intelligence comes from the border."
Yun blinked, startled. "The Fourth Hokage predicted I'd come here?"
Kakashi's lone visible eye curved in mild amusement. "Sensei understands people better than most. He knew you'd move before dawn."
Shikaku exhaled, almost smiling despite himself. "Then the Hokage's hand reaches even here."
Kakashi turned to him. "Sensei's words were clear. He said: 'Kumogakure's envoy died committing a crime. Hyuga Hiashi protected his daughter, not his vanity. That's no sin.'"
The silence that followed was heavy but steady—like the silence before a formation marches.
After a long pause, Shikaku spoke. "If the Hokage stands firm, then we'll match his resolve. But understand this, Uchiha Yun. For generations, your clan's name has been tied to rebellion. I have to ask—can I trust you this time?"
Yun met his eyes without flinching. "If the Uchiha betray Konoha, we'll die with it. No one would take us in, not even our enemies. The other villages would divide what remains of the Land of Fire, and every clan that followed us would be buried alongside us. I don't intend to be the reason Konoha burns."
Shikaku studied him, then nodded. "That's all I needed to hear."
He reached for his vest and buckled it on, the leather straps creaking softly. "I'll alert the Yamanaka and Akimichi. After that, I'll rouse the Inuzuka and Aburame. By dawn, at least half of Konoha's great clans will be assembled."
He glanced at Yun again. "Uchiha who think with clear eyes aren't madmen. As long as you and Shisui lead with sense, the rest of us will follow."
He left the rest unsaid—but Yun understood. What Shikaku feared most wasn't treachery; it was foolishness. One reckless hand could turn their unity into proof of rebellion.
"Then we'll leave it to you, Nara-dono." Yun said, bowing slightly.
Swish.
Within the hour, the quiet of the village was broken again and again by soft footsteps across rooftops. Word passed from compound to compound—Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Aburame, and others lesser-known but proud. Lanterns flared in the dark, one by one, like stars igniting across Konoha.
By the time the moon reached its zenith, more than a dozen family heads, great and small, stood gathered before the Hyuga estate's great wooden gates. Their cloaks fluttered in the midnight wind, and tension vibrated through the air like a drawn bowstring.
At the front, Shisui stepped forward, his voice carrying steady authority. "Apologies for the late disturbance." he called to the guards. "Please inform the Hyuga Clan Head that eleven Konoha Clan Heads are here for a meeting."
Inside the estate, a single candle flickered to life. The night of quiet alliances had begun.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
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