When Uchiha Kairen received the news in the Land of Fire, his first reaction was to rush back to Konoha at once.
This was a golden opportunity — one that could tear open the façade of Sarutobi Hiruzen's faction, sow division, and expose their hypocrisy to the world.
Even if he couldn't go that far, he had to at least make everyone see clearly how Konoha's high command treated its own heroes.
If possible, he'd also use this chance to get rid of Mitokado Homura once and for all.
He first sought out Hatake Yasuo and told him everything that had happened — assuring him that the Uchiha Clan would stand firmly with White Fang-sama. He would return to the village immediately to clear the man's name and restore his honor.
Next, he summoned the Twelve Guardian Ninja and explained the situation.
After all, the Twelve had been formed by Hatake Sakumo himself; every one of them bore his influence, directly or indirectly. Several came from the Sword Clans — they had wagered not just their loyalty, but their entire future on this alliance.
After brief instructions, Kairen left Uchiha Kaze in charge of the Guardians temporarily, then departed for Konoha together with Uchiha Honō and Uchiha Retsu.
---
The moment they stepped through the village gates, Kairen sensed something was wrong.
Usually, the entrance to Konoha was bustling with life — today, the air was thick and silent.
The guards who spotted the three Uchiha quickly averted their eyes and avoided them.
They're acting like this… could we already be too late?
But it had only been three days.
He greeted the guards briefly and made straight for the Konoha Police Force headquarters.
As soon as he entered Uchiha Nobunaga's office, he asked anxiously,
"Uncle, is White Fang still alive?"
"He is," Nobunaga replied darkly, "but just as you might have guessed… it's all but over."
Kairen clenched his fists. "Uncle, our clan's arrests of those slandering White Fang have at least shown that we stand for justice — but that alone isn't enough. I think we should—"
"We've done enough." Nobunaga interrupted him with a weary sigh.
"Yesterday afternoon, the Third Hokage stripped Hatake Sakumo of his position as head of the Anbu. The Sword Clans who once spoke in his defense have all gone silent. Compared to the rest, we've already done more than anyone. Push any further, and the higher-ups will turn on us completely."
Kairen's eyes sharpened.
"Uncle, we may be stronger than before, but we're not here to 'offer help in a snowstorm.' Our goal was never about whether or not we helped White Fang."
"Our true aim is to make people see that White Fang is a hero of the Hokage faction — a commander in the Second Shinobi War, a man who served as Anbu Chief, who completed over a thousand missions, hundreds of A-ranks, and dozens of S-ranks."
"We want to reveal to the world how the Hokage's inner circle repays its heroes — by crushing them under false virtue and hypocrisy."
"What we must do now is stir the hearts of the other clans — especially those tied to the Hokage faction — make them feel that same dread, that same 'when the hare dies, the fox mourns' sympathy."
"Let the higher-ups turn on each other. Even if we fail this time, we'll have other chances. As for their so-called resentment — don't kid yourself, Uncle. They've never liked us anyway. They only tolerate us because they think we're obedient."
"We, the Uchiha, are the strongest shinobi clan. We are no one's hounds."
"We don't want a comfortable cage. We want the place that is rightfully ours.
We want the title of Hokage."
"The Hokage's seat is the only true path forward for the Uchiha. And if we must overturn the world to seize it — so be it."
"For the sake of our descendants, so that they may live beneath the warmth of sunlight and laughter — I, Uchiha Kairen, swear here and now: I will make the Uchiha rise to claim the Hokage's mantle!"
For a moment, Nobunaga's gloom vanished. His eyes gleamed like fire.
As Kairen spoke, he seemed to see — for the first time — a road stretching toward the future.
A road full of thorns and fire, yes, but one that led forward.
That fearless conviction — the resolve to march through flames and blades, to die unbowed — ignited something in the old clan head's heart.
For years, he had obsessed over compromise — how to ease tensions, to protect the clan, to "integrate with Konoha."
Those four words had hung over them like a curse, generation after generation.
But now, the mist had cleared.
We are Uchiha.
Born of love, living for love, dying for love.
With our blood, we will carve a new dawn for those who come after us.
"How do we proceed?" Nobunaga asked simply.
But Kairen heard the true meaning behind the words — his uncle, the clan head of the Uchiha, had chosen to walk beside him.
He was no longer alone.
"First," Kairen began, "tighten control of the narrative — discourage open discussion, and quietly trace where each rumor started. We need to know who leaked what."
"Second, demand a formal council of jōnin — or better yet, a full clan assembly — to discuss the matter openly."
"Third, rally the Sword Clans. Persuade them to stand firm and speak out. This isn't the time to hide — we must show strength and unity if we're to survive the fall of the Hatake."
"Fourth, Uncle, you need to meet with Hatake Sakumo personally — with his family present if possible — and declare our support."
"When all that's done, and if White Fang falls… our clan will honor him publicly, proclaiming him a hero — and denouncing the Hokage faction for devouring its own."
"The more vilified Sakumo becomes now, the greater the backlash the Hokage's circle will suffer when the truth emerges later. And knowing Sarutobi's character, he'll push all the blame onto Danzō."
"With Mitokado Homura backing him, the Third can stay afloat for now even without Danzō. But that's where we strike — while the Anbu and Root are tearing at each other, and confusion still reigns, we assassinate Homura."
"Cut off Sarutobi's left hand — and then let Danzō sever his own right by destroying White Fang. When the Hokage has neither left nor right arm to wield, what sword can he still hold?"
"Once that triangular balance shatters, the Hokage faction's power will collapse. Their leaders divided, their subordinates demoralized — and the clans who still feel sympathy for Sakumo will begin to drift toward us. Hypocrisy will breed fracture, fracture will breed opportunity."
"When that time comes, the Uchiha will truly step out of the shadows and into the light."
Nobunaga drew a long breath. "All right. We'll proceed as you say. I'll call the clan council immediately."
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Assassinating Mitokado Homura — you speak with such certainty. You've already made preparations, haven't you?"
Kairen smiled faintly. "Yes. Leave that to me. Every contingency has been arranged, including the cleanup afterward. This will be the gift I've been preparing for our dear Hokage throughout my year in the Land of Fire."
Nobunaga placed a heavy hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"Then it's settled. Do what you must. We old men aren't dead yet, and you—" his voice softened — "you see the political currents better than anyone in this clan."
"Our people are too straightforward. Too easily deceived and used. But with you, we have hope again. Go, Kairen. Do what needs to be done. And… if you need help, reach out to Kirito. He'll be more than willing."
Nobunaga smiled.
And in that quiet smile, the Uchiha's long-slumbering ambition began once more to burn.