In the days following the contentious clan meeting, the Uchiha compound became a hub of clandestine political activity. The carefully maintained gardens and traditional architecture that had once provided peaceful sanctuary now served as the backdrop for conversations that could reshape the relationship between one of Konoha's founding clans and the village leadership.
Sasuke watched from his bedroom window as clan members made their way to the main hall with increasing frequency. Each visitor carried themselves with the tense posture of someone bearing weighty concerns, their expressions ranging from frustrated to openly angry. The formal greetings exchanged at the entrance were brief and perfunctory, suggesting that whatever business brought them to speak with his father was too urgent for extended pleasantries.
Initially, these meetings followed a predictable pattern. The visitors would arrive with obvious agitation, spend an hour or more in heated discussion with Fugaku, then depart with expressions that suggested their concerns had not been adequately addressed. Their body language as they left the compound spoke to frustration that had been acknowledged but not resolved.
Elder Setsuna's inflammatory words at the clan meeting had clearly resonated with more members than just those present that night. The seeds of discontent that had been planted were taking root throughout the Uchiha community, spreading through networks of family relationships and shared grievances that connected even the most distant cousins.
But as the weeks passed, Sasuke noticed a gradual change in the pattern of these visits. The openly angry visitors became less frequent, replaced by smaller groups who arrived with more discretion and departed with expressions that were harder to read. Where the earlier meetings had been characterized by passionate argument, these new gatherings had the quiet intensity of serious planning.
Father must be handling the situation, Sasuke initially thought, relieved that the clan's internal tensions seemed to be diminishing.
However, his relief proved premature. Late one evening, as he was preparing for sleep, Sasuke noticed shadows moving through the compound with unusual stealth. Several clan members had entered the grounds without the usual formal announcements, their movements suggesting a level of secrecy that made his instincts flare with alarm.
These weren't the politically frustrated visitors who had been coming openly during the day. These were skilled ninja moving with deliberate concealment, their chakra signatures carefully suppressed to avoid detection. The very fact that they felt the need for such precautions suggested that whatever they planned to discuss was far more serious than routine political grievances.
Sasuke's three years of dangerous missions had honed his infiltration skills to a level that impressed even veteran jonin. When he set his mind to remaining undetected, even skilled clan members would struggle to notice his presence. This expertise, developed through life-or-death encounters in hostile territory, now served him in penetrating the secrets of his own family.
On this particular night, he had positioned himself in the hidden space beneath the main hall's floorboards hours before the meeting began. The traditional architecture of Uchiha buildings included numerous concealed areas originally designed for defensive purposes, but they served equally well for surveillance when the need arose.
From his hidden vantage point, Sasuke could hear every word of the conversation that unfolded above him, and what he heard made his blood run cold.
"Clan Leader," one of the visiting members said, his voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being taken seriously, "it's time for Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui to clarify their loyalties once and for all."
The statement hung in the air like a challenge, its implications clear to everyone present. This wasn't a request for reassurance—it was an ultimatum demanding that the clan's most powerful members choose between their current positions and their family obligations.
"Otherwise," the speaker continued, his tone becoming more ominous, "I'm afraid that over time, even your position as clan leader may become untenable."
Sasuke's hands clenched involuntarily as he processed the threat implicit in those words. His father's authority, which had seemed absolute throughout his childhood, was apparently being questioned by members of their own family.
"The previous Mizukage of Kirigakure used dissidents within clans to completely control those families," another voice added, providing historical context that made the current situation even more troubling. "When family members are more loyal to external authorities than to their own blood, traditional clan structures become meaningless."
In the darkness above, Sasuke could see his father's expression becoming increasingly grim. The stoic composure that Fugaku normally maintained was cracking under the weight of accusations that struck at the heart of his leadership and his family's unity.
As the discussion continued, Sasuke found himself remembering Itachi's response to his question about choosing between clan and village. The unwavering conviction in his brother's voice when he declared himself "Uchiha Itachi of Konoha" suddenly took on new and disturbing implications.
If these clan members are right, Sasuke thought with growing unease, then Itachi's loyalty to the village could be used against our entire family.
"Well," Fugaku finally replied, his voice heavy with resignation, "even if what you're suggesting is true, what exactly can we do about it?"
For the first time in Sasuke's memory, his father's voice carried a note of genuine helplessness. The man who had always seemed invincible, who had guided the clan through political difficulties with calm authority, was admitting that there were forces beyond his control.
"The power differential between our clan and the village leadership is too great," Fugaku continued, his analysis brutally realistic. "Without the strength to resist, any opposition we might attempt would be suicidal."
The conversation concluded without resolution, leaving Sasuke with more questions than answers but with a growing understanding of the precarious position his family occupied within the village's power structure.
Several days later, Sasuke encountered Naruto on one of Konoha's main streets, and the sight of his longtime rival triggered a surge of emotions that caught him completely off guard. The cheerful, oblivious expression on Naruto's face—so completely unaware of the political machinations orchestrated by his father—ignited a anger that Sasuke hadn't realized he was carrying.
This is all because of him, Sasuke thought, his rational mind overwhelmed by resentment that had been building for weeks. Because of his father's manipulations, my family is being torn apart.
The logical part of his consciousness understood that Naruto himself was innocent of any wrongdoing, but logic had little power against the emotional turmoil created by watching his clan's internal unity crumble. Someone needed to be held responsible for the pain his family was experiencing, and the son of the man orchestrating their suffering was a convenient target.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto called out with his usual enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the dark thoughts churning in his rival's mind. "Perfect timing! I've been working on some new techniques, and I need someone strong to test them against."
The casual assumption that they would simply continue their friendly rivalry as though nothing had changed only intensified Sasuke's anger. How could Naruto be so carelessly happy when Sasuke's entire world was being systematically dismantled?
"Fine," Sasuke replied, his voice carrying a cold edge that should have warned Naruto that something was different.
But Naruto, as usual, was too focused on the prospect of a good fight to notice the subtle changes in his friend's demeanor. He led the way to their usual training ground with characteristic enthusiasm, already planning the techniques he wanted to demonstrate.
The battle began predictably enough, with Naruto employing his signature tactic of overwhelming numbers.
"Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto called out, his hands forming the familiar cross-shaped seal.
The chakra expenditure required to create hundreds of shadow clones simultaneously would have exhausted most ninja, but three years of intensive training with both Minato and Jiraiya had expanded Naruto's reserves to truly extraordinary levels. The army of duplicates that materialized around Sasuke represented a fraction of his total capacity.
"Rasengan!" approximately one-third of the clones shouted in unison, each one forming the signature blue sphere of concentrated chakra in their palms.
The sight was both beautiful and terrifying—dozens of azure lights gathering in formation, their combined radiance bright enough to be seen from considerable distance. Each individual Rasengan was capable of causing serious injury, and their coordinated deployment represented a level of tactical sophistication that few opponents could handle.
Sasuke's response was immediate and practiced. His Sharingan activated automatically, the three tomoe in each eye spinning as they tracked the movement of every clone and analyzed the formation for weaknesses.
"Chidori Nagashi!" he countered, his hands forming seals with mechanical precision.
Lightning chakra erupted from his body in all directions, creating an electrical field that extended several meters in every direction. The technique was an evolution of his signature Chidori, designed specifically to handle multiple opponents by sacrificing focused power for area coverage.
"Bzzt! Crack! Pop!"
The sound of electrical discharge filled the training ground as Sasuke's lightning-enhanced body tore through the formation of advancing clones. Each contact resulted in immediate dispersion, the electrical current disrupting the chakra constructs faster than they could maintain cohesion.
However, Naruto had fought Sasuke enough times to anticipate this exact response. The Chidori Nagashi was powerful but energy-intensive, and its area effect meant that it couldn't be maintained indefinitely without exhausting even Sasuke's considerable chakra reserves.
As the lightning emanating from Sasuke's body began to weaken, the surviving clones immediately pressed their advantage, surrounding him once again with renewed coordination.
But this time, something was different about Sasuke's response. Instead of the focused intensity that usually characterized his fighting style, there was something wild and desperate in his movements. His Sharingan seemed to burn brighter than usual, and his attacks carried a level of aggression that went beyond tactical necessity.
Sasuke drew a kunai from his equipment pouch, his movements sharp and deliberate. Lightning chakra flowed down his arm and into the weapon, creating a blade of electrical energy that hummed with lethal potential.
"Swoosh!"
His figure blurred as he moved through the remaining clones with surgical precision, each strike perfectly calculated to cause maximum destruction. The kunai traced arcs of lightning through the air, leaving trails of dispersed chakra in its wake.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
One by one, Naruto's shadow clones fell before Sasuke's relentless assault. But as the battle progressed, observers would have noticed something troubling about the Uchiha's expression—a cold intensity that suggested his motivations had transcended simple sparring.
Gradually, a scarlet gleam gathered in Sasuke's eyes, and his perception began to shift in ways that had nothing to do with his Sharingan's analytical capabilities. The Naruto in front of him seemed to change appearance, taking on the features of a different figure entirely—a man in white robes whose very existence represented everything that Sasuke had come to resent.
The murderous intent that began radiating from Sasuke was unmistakable to anyone with the sensitivity to detect it.
In the Hokage's office, Jiraiya stared at the scene unfolding in the crystal ball on Minato's desk, his expression becoming increasingly grim as he watched Sasuke's escalating aggression.
"This kid has developed genuine killing intent toward Naruto," he observed, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had witnessed enough violence to recognize the warning signs.
The crystal ball technique allowed them to observe events throughout the village, but it also meant they were forced to watch potentially tragic situations develop without the ability to intervene immediately.
"Minato," Jiraiya continued, his tone becoming more urgent, "what are you waiting for? At this rate, Sasuke's attacks might seriously injure your son."
Despite the obvious danger, Minato remained seated calmly behind his desk, his expression thoughtful rather than alarmed. His fingers were steepled in front of him as he analyzed the situation with the same strategic detachment he brought to major political decisions.
"Teacher," Minato replied with a slight chuckle, "Naruto is your student as well, but he's not so easily defeated."
The confidence in his voice suggested that he was seeing something in the battle that Jiraiya was missing—some factor that made intervention unnecessary despite the apparent escalation of violence.
"What time is it for jokes?" Jiraiya demanded, his frustration evident. "You can still find this amusing?"
As one of the few people aware of the plan that Minato and Uchiha Yoruki had been implementing, Jiraiya understood exactly why Sasuke was developing these feelings. Everything that had been deliberately presented to the young Uchiha—the political pressure on his clan, the questioning of his family's loyalties, the apparent betrayal by his most trusted brother—had been carefully orchestrated to create exactly this kind of resentment.
"Actually," Minato replied with a sigh, his expression becoming more serious, "the person Sasuke really wants to eliminate is me, not Naruto."
The admission carried the weight of genuine regret. Minato understood that his strategic manipulations had created a situation where an innocent young man had been driven to the edge of genuine hatred, and that burden weighed heavily on his conscience.
"He's striking out at the nearest available target," Minato continued, "because the real object of his anger is beyond his reach."
"I really don't understand you!" Jiraiya exclaimed, his patience finally exhausted.
When it became clear that Minato had no intention of intervening directly, Jiraiya made his own decision. With a flash of movement that spoke to decades of ninja training, he disappeared from the office and began racing toward the training ground.
Meanwhile, in the training ground, Naruto was becoming increasingly confused by the changes in his rival's fighting style and expression.
"What's wrong with this guy today?" he muttered as information from his destroyed clones filtered back to his consciousness.
Ninety percent of his shadow clones had been eliminated under Sasuke's fierce assault, and the feedback from their final moments painted a disturbing picture of his opponent's mental state. The casual competitiveness that usually characterized their sparring matches had been replaced by something far more dangerous.
"Let's finish this all at once!" Sasuke declared, his Sharingan spinning as it tried to identify Naruto's real body among the remaining clones.
His hands moved through a sequence of seals with practiced efficiency, channeling chakra into a technique that Naruto had never seen him use before.
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
Sasuke's arm moved in a rapid throwing motion, launching dozens of senbon needles formed from pure lightning chakra. Each projectile carried enough electrical energy to cause serious injury, and their speed made them nearly impossible to dodge at close range.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The lightning senbon struck Naruto's remaining shadow clones with devastating accuracy, dispersing them in rapid succession until only the original remained.
But Sasuke wasn't finished. His seal sequence changed once more, and chakra began gathering in his palm with the familiar sound of a thousand birds crying.
"Chidori Eisō!" he called out, raising his arm as lightning extended from the Chidori in his hand like a spear.
The Chidori Spear was a technique Naruto had never seen before, representing an evolution of Sasuke's signature jutsu that extended its range and destructive potential significantly. The lance of electrical energy swept toward him with lethal intent.
At the critical moment, Naruto's training with Jiraiya proved its worth.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" he called out, his hands forming the summoning seals with desperate speed.
"Bang!"
A cloud of smoke appeared between Naruto and the oncoming attack, and when it cleared, a large toad with distinctive iron-like arms had materialized to block Sasuke's technique.
"You're welcome, kid," the toad said dryly, his metallic limbs having absorbed the full force of the Chidori Spear without apparent damage.
"Thanks, Iron Toad!" Naruto replied with relief, though his gratitude was somewhat undermined by his continuing inability to remember his summon's correct name.
"I've told you repeatedly," the toad replied with long-suffering patience, "my name is Iron-Armed Toad."
"Eh, close enough," Naruto said with his characteristic dismissiveness of details he considered unimportant.
As the smoke cleared completely, Naruto's eyes met Sasuke's across the training ground, and what he saw there made him reassess the entire situation. The cold intensity in his rival's gaze was unlike anything he had encountered before, suggesting motivations that went far beyond their usual competitive spirit.
"I don't know why you're acting so strange today," Naruto said, his voice carrying a mixture of confusion and excitement, "but this seems to be your real strength."
Despite the obvious danger and the disturbing changes in Sasuke's behavior, Naruto's response was characteristically optimistic. Rather than being intimidated by the escalation, he saw it as an opportunity to push himself to new levels of performance.
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