Uchiha Patriarch

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Startled by the commotion outside, Fugaku woke up abruptly. He closed his eyes and listened intently. His fears came true: another Konoha Elder had been murdered in their home the previous night. Adding to the tragedy, two Uchiha clansmen on patrol duty had also been killed mercilessly, their throats slashed open by the assailant.

The clansmen swiftly departed, and the fading sound of footsteps escaped Uchiha Fugaku's ears.

As he sank deeper into his thoughts, it became clear that his suspicions were accurate. Capitalizing on the turbulent times in the ninja world, the high-ranking officials of Konoha were consolidating their power within the village.

Fugaku reached the conclusion that the survival of the Elders ensured their continued influence over decision-making in Konoha. Considering Hiruzen's youth, he suspected that these elders were attempting to replicate the power dynamics that Hiruzen and Danzo had in the future orchestrated during Minato's tenure.

However, Fugaku also realized a grave issue, once the Elder Group perishes completely, the Uchiha clan would inevitably face the complete focus of Danzo and Hiruzen, and their crisis of genocide will be fast approaching.

'Two consecutive "Elder deaths" have already occurred, and the person hiding in the shadows has probably achieved his objective of Konoha deploying troops to the Land of Rain.': Fugaku thought at this moment.

Dressed and composed, Fugaku stepped out of his family residence and made his way to the customary meeting spot of the clan. In the center of the courtyard, two black shroud bags were positioned. With a heavy heart, Fugaku approached and discovered the opened bags, revealing the lifeless bodies of the two clansmen.

The body bag was pulled open, unveiling the lifeless, pallid face of the deceased. Fugaku immediately recognized the individual—Uchiha Moriko from the Police Force, someone with awakened 2-Tomoe Sharingan but lacking notable talent.

Present at the scene were various members of Konoha's High Echelon and the grieving families. Among them, two little children from the deceased's family caught Fugaku's attention. His reaction stirred with anger.

The two children, aged around 7-8 years old, and the younger one, about 5-6 years old, sobbed in profound sadness. Their cries were filled with breathlessness as if they had never anticipated the sudden passing of their father, who had always been there for them in the mountains.

Fugaku's attention was drawn to the feeble waves of Strength emanating from the two children. It was this realization that stirred his emotions even further. The two children, thanks to the traumatic event had begun to unleash their potential, and are about to awaken the Sharingan at any moment.

"Fugaku, you've arrived at last," Tenjō greeted his son, his voice tinged with urgency. "We're about to inspect Elder Yamamoto's body. Join us."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded, his expression solemn. "Of course, Otōsan," he replied, acknowledging his father's request. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air as they all are confronted with the grim reality before them.

The Uchiha Clan entered the Intelligence Department, where the headless body of Elder Yamamoto had been temporarily placed. A few of Konohas High Echelon members had already been there, examining the body, but no definitive conclusions had been reached for now.

"The Uchiha Clan will be taking over. Please leave now and let us work.": Tenjo said with a commanding tone, leaving no room for discussion as the Police Force took over.

Inside the morgue, a chilling atmosphere pervaded the air. The lifeless body, devoid of its head, lay motionless under the covering of a pristine white cloth. The absence of the head added a gruesome and unsettling element to the scene, emphasizing the heinous nature of the crime committed against Elder Yamamoto.

With utmost care, a group of Uchiha clansmen delicately lifted the white cloth, revealing the lifeless body of Elder Yamamoto. Their gazes focused intently on the wounds that marred his form.

The wound on his neck was a precise incision, exhibiting a clean and meticulous cut. It bore the distinct markings of a sword's blade, suggesting the deliberate skill and calculated act of violence done by the perpetrator. The sight of the wound sent shivers down their spines, evoking a profound sense of unease and unsettling fascination with the methodical nature of the attack.

Uchiha Tenjō pulled Fugaku aside, a sense of urgency in his voice. "Take a close look, Fugaku. Tell me what you see."

Fugaku's gaze narrowed as he meticulously examined the body, his voice hushed yet resolute. "Father, there is no doubt," he articulated, his tone steeped in solemnity. "The most glaring evidence lies in the severed head, a deliberate act. It strongly implies that Elder Yamamoto had somehow managed to identify one of his assailants. The possibility exists that the uncovered information may have proven vital during our investigation, with the assistance of the Intelligence Department. However, that avenue has been irreversibly closed now. The attackers' modus operandi strongly suggests a clear link between this heinous act and the murder of Elder Yamada. It seems we are dealing with the same nefarious group of individuals."

These words hung in the air, the weight of the situation intensifying. Fugaku's deduction hinted at a sinister conspiracy that reached deeper into the heart of Konoha, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding tragedy.

Tenjō nodded, a chilling realization settling over him. "It's truly unsettling. It seems these individuals are willing to go to any lengths, even resorting to eliminating Elders, to achieve their objectives. Who knows how many more lives they will take before they succeed."

Fugaku's voice resonated with a hint of mockery as he responded, "Indeed, but Elder Yamamoto should be the final target for now. Father, our focus right now should be to consider the power of public opinion. Taking the life of another Elder would only tarnish Konoha's prestige and work against their own cause."

Fugaku's words carried a sense of calculated strategy, hinting at a clandestine plot to manipulate perception and wield influence within the village.

Tenjō's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing the mocking undertone in his son's voice. "What exactly are you planning?" he inquired, a trace of suspicion creeping into his words.

A sly smile played across Fugaku's face as he revealed his insidious scheme. "Father, when you report our findings, emphasize the Uchiha Clan's limitations. Emphasize that our current resources and skill sets are insufficient to effectively handle such dire situations within the Police Force. Subtly suggest that we need to recruit individuals from other clans, insinuating that their diverse talents would be invaluable in addressing these challenges." His words dripped with hidden intent, a plot to expand the clan's influence and undermine the existing power dynamics within Konoha.

Tenjō's worry crept into his voice as he questioned his son's motives. "But why, Fugaku? The Police Force has always been under the control of our clan. Our own genin members join its ranks after graduating. Are you suggesting we allow other clans to infiltrate and disrupt our control?"

Fugaku's posture relaxed as he leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the headless corpse. His voice dripped with insidious intent as he responded, "Father, the Police Force is nothing more than a facade—a means to keep us separate from the rest of Konoha. Letting other clans in will serve our purpose. It will expose the true incompetence and irrelevance of the force. Besides, all we do is generate resentment among the civilians. The high-profile cases always end up in the hands of the Anbu, leaving us with the thankless task of permanently alienating a significant portion of Konoha's population." His words carried a hidden agenda, aimed at weakening the Police Force's reputation and furthering the Uchiha clan's insidious plans.

Tenjō expressed his doubts, "The Hokage will never agree to such a proposition."

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