"Even though our ancestor Madara lost, the Uchiha Clan ultimately came out victorious," said Uchiha Itachi. "Back then, Madara fought the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, using the power of the Nine-Tails."
"Although Madara was defeated, the Nine-Tails remained."
"Hashirama, with his Wood Release, was able to suppress the Nine-Tails, but his brother Tobirama couldn't. That's why they had to rely on Hashirama's wife, Mito Uzumaki, to seal the Nine-Tails within her."
"Ever since then, the Senju Clan has been wary of our Sharingan, afraid that we might one day seize control of the Nine-Tails and destroy the Hidden Leaf Village."
"That constant, unspoken fear drove the Senju to place all their hopes on awakening Wood Release in others, hoping to control the Nine-Tails and continue suppressing our Uchiha Clan."
"But things didn't go as they planned. Their attempts failed, and the Senju paid a heavy price in blood. Eventually, even the last male heirs died on the battlefield, leaving only a few women and distant relatives to merge into Konoha through arranged marriages."
"That's how the once-powerful Senju Clan faded into obscurity."
"So in truth, while Madara may have lost the battle, we Uchiha won in the shadows," Itachi continued. "At the very least, our ancestor Madara, through his friendship and rivalry with Hashirama, helped elevate our clan above all others. And at the very least, we've outlived both the Senju and the Uzumaki clans."
"If Hashirama and Tobirama knew that their descendants, whom they built Konoha to protect, were later sacrificed in a scheme to artificially awaken Wood Release, they'd probably rise from their graves in fury."
"I'm certain the death of the Senju Clan is tied to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura."
'A tall tree attracts the wind.'
As long as the Senju still existed, the position of Hokage would always fall into their hands. That made them a threat. To secure power for themselves, others ensured the Senju's demise.
Likewise, we Uchiha have struggled for generations to attain that same power — the position of Hokage.
"In this context, 'Wood' represents the Forest, the Senju Clan — Hashirama, their leader, possessed the Wood Release kekkei genkai. 'Leaf' represents the Uchiha — our clan's crest is shaped like a fan leaf."
"Konoha was co-founded by Hashirama and Madara, which gave our Uchiha Clan a level of autonomy that other clans didn't enjoy."
"Put simply, it was 'One Village, Two Systems.'"
"Our clan held the Konoha Police Force monopoly for years — a role that stoked envy and resentment from other clans."
"They weren't angry about having less, but about the imbalance. That resentment festered. And with the Nine-Tails incident and the death of the Fourth Hokage, the other clans finally had the excuse they needed."
"They wouldn't miss the chance to kick us while we were down, to crush us and divide the spoils."
"You've analyzed it well, Itachi. You truly are my son," said Fugaku Uchiha with pride before addressing the gathered clan. "Although the village has the Hokage, which brings unity against external threats, inside it's a power struggle. Our clan's pride makes us vulnerable to manipulation. That's the dilemma we now face."
"After being exiled from Konoha, the clan's pent-up anger has no outlet. Many are on the edge, ready to gamble everything without thinking of the consequences."
"That's why I considered handing the title of clan head to Itachi. It's a retreat to advance — sacrificing a few to save the whole clan."
"What a noble strategy," scoffed Uchiha Tajima. "No one ascends to leadership without bloodshed. You want to use Itachi to eliminate the radicals in the clan, just to win the village's pathetic mercy and forced trust."
"But have you considered those you're sacrificing? They followed you out of faith, and now you're turning your back on them? You think you can wash away betrayal with words?"
"Even if Itachi becomes clan head, do you think anyone would accept a leader who spilled the blood of his own kin? Would they truly follow him?"
Fugaku lowered his head in shame.
"No," Tajima said coldly. "All you'll have left is a mess."
"If the village betrays us again, and the clan has lost its best fighters, we'll be slaughtered—just like the Senju. Betrayed and wiped out."
"That's why I told you long ago: the clan is everything. When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is no longer needed. When all the birds are gone, the fine bow is put away. You now understand what that feels like?"
"You trusted outsiders more than your own blood? No wonder we ended up like this!" Tajima pointed at both Madara and Fugaku with bitter disappointment.
Uchiha Shisui, too, lowered his head in anguish. His own naivety had cost him dearly — he had been ambushed by Danzo.
Madara said nothing. He was quietly regretting things. But when he thought of the Rinnegan and the Eye of the Moon Plan, he reassured himself it would all be worth it. Once the plan succeeded, he'd be the world's savior — his father would be proud.
Fugaku, meanwhile, just looked awkward. He'd taken a verbal beating and had no response.
Just when I got Minato to take Obito as a student, Obito dies.
Just when Mikoto's friendship with Kushina gave me a chance to connect with the Fourth Hokage, the Fourth dies.
Just when our clan produces a genius like Shisui, he gets killed by Danzo, and even loses his Mangekyō.
Just when I finally get a capable son who could change the game, he nearly gets turned against us.
Feels like the whole world's out to get the Uchiha Clan. What can I even do? I'm desperate too!
"Enough. No point dwelling on the past," Tajima sighed. "Let's just hope we can still protect our clan moving forward."
"Itachi," he added, "what do you want from us — the dead?"
"Not just yet," Itachi replied. "But first, I'd like the ancestors to attend the upcoming clan meeting. I'll reveal my plan there."
"Rest assured, I will not sacrifice even a single Uchiha to exchange for some pathetic notion of peace."
"A clan meeting, huh?" Tajima mused. "Been a long time since I've attended one."
"In that case, we'll come along and see whether any of our descendants are worthy of carrying our legacy. Don't disappoint us."
"Understood. Thank you, ancestors," Itachi said respectfully.
"Then let's go," Fugaku said, leading the group. They soon arrived at the grand hall where the clan meeting was to be held.
"Didn't the clan head say there'd be a meeting? Why isn't anyone here yet?"
"Why bother with meetings? We should just stage a coup already!"
"Exactly! The Uchiha are the strongest in Konoha now. The Hokage seat should've been ours long ago. Why is Hiruzen back in power?"
"I've had enough of Danzo. Always stirring up trouble for us — if we do start a coup, I'll be the first to take him down!"
The room buzzed with discontent.
"Enough! Silence!" Fugaku entered with Itachi, followed by several masked figures in traditional Uchiha attire.
"Clan head, who are they?" asked Uchiha Hachidai.
"They are Uchiha, same as us. Their identities are not in question," Fugaku replied.
Hachidai nodded and said no more.
"Tonight's meeting will be led by Itachi. Go on, Itachi," Fugaku said, looking at the crowd.
"Yes, Father." Itachi stepped up to the podium.
"Wait! I object!" Uchiha Inaho stood abruptly. "Itachi still hasn't cleared the suspicion of having betrayed Shisui. Why does he get to lead this meeting? Clan Head, are you trying to avoid responsibility and push Itachi into power?"
Inaho, a member of the Konoha Police, had always been suspicious of Itachi. Ever since Itachi defeated him in a single move during a past confrontation, he held a grudge.
"Oh? You have an objection?" Itachi's eyes turned crimson — the Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life.
The overwhelming pressure from his eyes left Inaho breathless. He stumbled backward in terror.
"You... you've awakened the Mangekyō?!"
"Yes," Itachi said coldly. His voice carried no warmth. His eyes were icy, devoid of emotion. Inaho felt as though he had fallen into a frozen pit.
"Now then... who approves?" Itachi's Mangekyō swept over the room. Every clan member who met his gaze felt like they were being hunted. One by one, they lowered their heads, unable to bear his stare.
"Awakening the Mangekyō at thirteen — a true prodigy," Tajima thought, now viewing Itachi with newfound respect.
"Thirteen and already awakened the Mangekyō? He's way better than that blockhead Obito," Madara remarked. "That aura alone — making the entire clan submit with a glance — he may not be quite on my level yet, but he's more than worthy of the clan head position."
"Well done, Itachi," Shisui's eyes gleamed. "I made the right choice entrusting everything to you."
His eyes, his final wish — Itachi would fulfill them all.
Hidden in the shadows, Obito was stunned. Itachi awakened the Mangekyō too?
He had needed Hashirama's cells and witnessing Rin's death to gain his Mangekyō.
For Itachi to do it at thirteen — it was astonishing.
Could it be because of Shisui's death? That was the only explanation.
Obito had just come to gather intel after losing a White Zetsu clone — and instead stumbled onto a shocking revelation.