Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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"Well then… we're here," Kanzou murmured, his gaze settling on the steps before him.
Members of the Uchiha Clan were still arriving in small groups for his ascension ceremony. When they spotted Kanzou and Mikoto standing together, they paused and bowed to them.
Of course, not every Uchiha bowing to him was loyal to him; how could they be? Absolute loyalty to a single person, faction, or ideology ran contrary to human nature, rational thought, and free will.
Yet regardless of where their true allegiances lay, the sight of Kanzou in formal attire, accompanied by Mikoto, also dressed formally, was enough to command respect, even if begrudgingly.
They bowed to him because he was about to become the Patriarch. They bowed to Mikoto because, in nearly everyone's mind, she was already his wife-to-be. Even without an official ceremony, she had moved into his house; for most, the marriage was a foregone conclusion, with only the formalities remaining.
In any case—
Kanzou acknowledged their bows with brief nods before turning to Mikoto at his side. "Looks like we arrived on time," he said lightly. Leaning closer, he whispered near her ear in a low voice, "It's a good thing that we bathed together, right? It saved us quite a bit of time…"
"Umm…" she nodded lightly, keeping her expression composed. Outwardly, nothing showed, but inwardly, she wanted to roll her eyes.
A bath? Indeed, they had bathed… but only for the last five to ten minutes, but before that? Before that, they were doing something else!
In actuality, they had spent well over an hour in the bathroom, and most of that time had nothing to do with bathing at all. What they had been doing was something else entirely… something she didn't even want to dwell on.
The thought of how much the so-called 'deep cleaning' they had done over the past hour made her flush.
It had been so excessive, so thorough, and so brutal that her waist and hips felt numb and stiff with aching fatigue. Her legs were also weak, trembling faintly, and she had to consciously focus on staying upright instead of collapsing into a heap.
Even when she repeatedly pleaded that she was too tired, that she wouldn't even be able to stand properly afterward, he hadn't listened, only pushed harder.
'Kanzou-sama… y-you really do enjoy tormenting me…' she couldn't help but think. It wasn't anything she didn't already know, and she could only sigh.
'Forget it. If he enjoys it… then so be it… a-and it's not like I hated it…' she admitted to herself. Embarrassed as she was, she couldn't deny that she had been shamelessly moaning the entire time.
The memory of those sounds that came out of her very mouth made her flush even deeper, her body weakening further. She quickly shook her head. 'Now isn't the time to think about that… right now—' Her gaze lifted to the steps before her, her expression stiffening a the daunting task.
There were easily more than a hundred steps. Just looking at them made her feel as though she was about to faint.
She wasn't unfamiliar with these stairs. In fact, she climbed them often and has climbed up and down hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times over her life. And yet today, for the first time, the sight of them filled her with unease.
'I… might not be able to climb them at all…'
"Let's go," Kanzou said, extending his hand toward her. "Here… the stairs will probably be difficult for you. Hold my hand."
He knew she wasn't in any condition to stand steadily, let alone climb a long flight of steps, so he offered his support without hesitation.
"T-thank you…" she said softly. Her ears burned as she took his hand, his fingers interlocking with hers and holding her firmly.
'Kanzou-sama's hand… It's so big,' she thought as her entire hand disappeared into his grip.
His hand was rough and hard, completely unlike her own softness. This was also the very same hand that often torments her, but now, it was also keeping her steady.
The contrast made her acutely aware of how utterly dominated she was in that moment, and yet, it also filled her heart with a strange sweetness, prompting her to surrender control to him without resistance, following obediently as they climbed the remaining steps.
Soon, they reached the top and stopped before a massive torii gate.
This was the entrance to the Naka Shrine.
The Naka Shrine, also known as the Nakano Shrine, stood near the banks of the Naka River that flowed through Konoha and part of the Land of Fire.
On the surface, it was presented as a shrine dedicated to the spirit of the Naka River itself.
But that was only the public explanation.
In truth, the shrine was devoted to the ancestors of the Uchiha Clan. Exactly which ancestor it honored, however, remained shrouded in layers of ambiguity.
Some believed the shrine was dedicated to the first son of the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Indra, built in his name so that he would continue watching over the Uchiha Clan. Others claimed it honored the Sage of Six Paths himself, erected by Indra out of a tangled mix of guilt, resentment, and lingering filial devotion after his father's death.
According to that version, Indra never formally named the shrine. But because it stood beside the Naka River, people eventually came to call it simply the Naka Shrine.
Over time, the name stuck. The belief that the shrine honored the Naka River became common knowledge, while its true purpose, as a place venerating the Uchiha Clan's ancestral lineage, remained known only to a select few. In fact, not even everyone within the Uchiha Clan knew precisely whom the shrine was dedicated to; most only understood that it honored the spirits of their ancestors, and nothing more.
In any case, once Kanzou and Mikoto passed through the torii gate, an Uchiha shinobi who had been waiting stepped forward and bowed to them. "Kanzou-sama… Mikoto-sama," he greeted respectfully. "Tadayoshi-sama has been waiting. All preparations are complete."
"In that case, let's not keep him waiting," Kanzou replied calmly. "Lead the way."
Mikoto, whose hand remained firmly clasped in his, followed alongside him as they moved forward.
…
The ascension of a new Patriarch was a momentous event within any clan.
After all, the Patriarch would lead the entire Clan until the moment of his retirement or death, and nearly every member would be bound by his decisions and direction.
Such a transition might carry little weight in smaller families or minor clans, but for Konoha's most powerful and influential clan, it was both profoundly important and deeply private.
For that reason, the Patriarch's ascension ceremony allowed no outsiders.
Kanzou himself had decreed that only Uchiha could take part. Outsiders would neither be invited nor welcomed.
As a result, no one outside the clan was either invited or permitted to attend, not the heads of other clans, not the elder advisors, and not even the Hokage.
That said, exclusion did not mean indifference.
Even now, three of Konoha's four leaders stood atop the Hokage Building, its height granting a sweeping view over much of the village. From there, they faced the distant direction of the Naka Shrine, watching from a distance as the event unfolded beyond their reach.
Even so, dissatisfaction lingered among them.
"Did they really not send any invitation?" Utatane Koharu asked, her tone sharp. As an elder advisor responsible for negotiations and contact with the Fire Daimyō, she took particular offense to the slight.
She knew full well that an invitation was unlikely, and that she wouldn't have attended even if one had arrived, but the absence of one still irked her.
It was a clear sign that the Uchiha Clan held no respect for them.
Hiruzen merely shook his head without replying. This outcome wasn't unexpected. His relationship with Kanzou had never been cordial; if anything, it would have been suspicious had Kanzou sent an invitation at all.
In fact, Hiruzen might have suspected an assassination attempt if he had been invited.
Mitokado Homura adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose and hummed in displeasure. "Uchiha Kanzou becoming the Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan… that's not a good development. Even now, he's a constant headache, always stirring trouble. Once he becomes Patriarch, he'll only grow more overbearing. Hiruzen, are you really comfortable letting him take that position?"
"There's no way to stop it," Hiruzen replied, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.
If there had been a way, he might have tried, but there truly wasn't.
Fugaku no longer stood a chance, not after being so thoroughly humiliated by Kanzou and Mikoto. Seiji likely couldn't gather enough support, and beyond them, there was no one else. No one within the Uchiha Clan could meaningfully oppose Kanzou. And even if Hiruzen did interfere, the Uchiha would never accept that kind of intrusion.
The Hokage can't interfere in the internal matters of a Clan, at least not directly.
'All I can do is let this happen… while searching for a way to bring Fugaku back into the clan and restore his control,' he thought grimly.
Of course, Hiruzen and the two elders weren't the only ones watching.
There were many others… one such person was an ANBU operative hiding in the shadows. Bandages wrapped much of his body, and a mask concealed his face. Only the eyeholes gave anything away, revealing a pair of Sharingan spinning rapidly as he stared toward the distant Naka Shrine.
'Kanzou… you bastard… just you wait,' he seethed inwardly, his fists clenching tight his Sharingan spinning rapidly. 'This won't last long. You'll only sit in that seat for a short while, just a short while, only as long as I'll allow it until I reclaim my rightful position as Patriarch of the clan.'
…
Inside the Naka Shrine—
"Achoo!" Kanzou suddenly sneezed.
Mikoto glanced at him, a hint of concern crossing her face. "Kanzou-sama, you didn't catch a cold, did you?"
Given how long they had stayed wet in the bathroom, the thought wasn't unreasonable, and it genuinely worried her.
"What are you talking about? It's definitely not a cold," he replied, waving it off. Then he leaned closer and whispered near her ear, "Someone who hates me must be thinking something nasty about me."
"Really?" She rolled her eyes, not having expected Kanzou to be the superstitious type. To her, catching a cold seemed far more likely.
Kanzou, however, thought otherwise. His lips curved in amusement as he said, "Must be Fugaku-san. He's probably seething right now. Not only did I steal his fiancée, but I'm about to become Patriarch while he's completely helpless."
Mikoto struggled not to giggle. "If it's him, he's probably thinking that sooner or later he'd take back what rightfully belongs to him," she said lightly.
Kanzou nodded mockingly, "Yeah, but he wouldn't have the courage, or the face, to do anything. Not after everything we put him through."
She snorted inwardly. 'After all, he is a pathetic man, an incompetent, undeserving cuck. Forget talent, strength, or looks; even his manhood must pale in comparison to Kanzou-sama's.'
Sensing the darker turn of her thoughts, Kanzou reached around from behind and gave her ass a firm squeeze.
Her eyes widened, "K-Kanzou-sama!"
She shot him a sharp look, telling him to stop, but he only grinned and squeezed more deliberately.
Panic flickered in her heart as she struggled not to let it show on her face, and tried to swat at his hand, whispering urgently, "Not now… not in front of so many people, p-please…"
"Fine, fine," he shrugged, withdrawing his hand at last.
Mikoto released a quiet sigh of relief, "Phew…"
She'd genuinely feared he might ignore her and torment her right there in public. Thankfully, he'd listened this time, though she still worried someone might have noticed.
A quick glance around eased her nerves.
It didn't seem like anyone had noticed at all.
'Fortunately…'
The reason was simple: the Gunbai Uchiwa Kanzou held casually at his side had blocked the view entirely.
As she let out a quiet sigh of relief, Kanzou turned his attention to the assembled Uchiha before him. With a single sweep of his gaze, he picked out several familiar faces: Shin, Hazuki, Souta, Satoru, and beyond them stood other prominent figures: Uchiha Seiji, Makoto, Araki, Tsubaki, Shinkurō, Kasumi, and many more.
'So all the high-level personnel really did gather,' he noted inwardly.
Elite jōnin, jōnin, special jōnin, chūnin, there were even genin, academy trainees, and civilian members of the clan present.
Indeed, nearly the entire Uchiha Clan had assembled to witness the ascension ceremony.
Whether it was his own supporters, people like Shin, Hazuki, Souta, and Satoru, the remnants of Fugaku's former faction, now reduced largely to Shinkurō as its most prominent figure, or the neutral faction that could be represented by the likes of Seiji, Makoto, Araki, Tsubaki, and the now-retired Kasumi, all of them were present.
Every faction within the Uchiha Clan had gathered to witness the ascension ceremony.
In the presence of the assembled clan, Elder Tadayoshi stepped forward to the center of the Naka Shrine's hall and addressed the crowd.
"The passing of our previous Patriarch, Uchiha Dōma, was sudden and deeply saddening," he began. "But death is not unfamiliar to us. It is something we must endure, and move beyond. The clan cannot remain without a Patriarch, and we have already mourned enough. Now, it is time to move forward and appoint a new leader."
Quiet murmurs rippled through the hall. Some nodded in agreement, others shook their heads, and a few let out heavy sighs.
Ignoring the reactions, Tadayoshi called out, "Kanzou-kun."
"Here, hold this for me," Kanzou said softly to Mikoto, handing her the Gunbai Uchiwa before stepping forward to stand before the elder.
Tadayoshi studied him for a long moment, then glanced briefly at his granddaughter standing to the side before turning back to the crowd.
"Uchiha Kanzou," he announced, "is a name everyone here already knows. From a very young age, he has displayed exceptional talent. He graduated from the Academy at an age when most children are not even enrolled. He became a chūnin while his peers were still studying basic lessons, and attained the rank of jōnin when most shinobi were only just graduating."
He continued steadily, "On the battlefields of the Land of Rain, he distinguished himself by defeating enemies far older and vastly more experienced than himself, all in the service of protecting Konoha from foreign threats. Through those deeds, he brought honor and pride to our clan. Time and again, he has placed the interests of the Uchiha above all else."
His voice trembled for a brief instant before he drew a steadying breath and continued, "For these reasons, I believe he is the most suitable person to lead our clan into the future."
He then looked out over the assembled Uchiha and asked firmly, "And I trust that everyone here feels the same."
Murmurs rippled through the hall once more, this time joined by clear, confident voices of agreement.
"Of course… Kanzou-sama is the most deserving…"
"If Kanzou-sama doesn't deserve to be Patriarch, then no one does…"
These voices came naturally from those loyal to him.
There were others who disagreed, but faced with the overwhelming support, they chose silence. Their numbers were few, and voicing dissent now would only earn them hostile stares and the displeasure of the soon-to-be Patriarch.
They knew that protesting would change nothing; remaining quiet was the wiser choice.
Elder Tadayoshi continued, "Since that is the case…" He turned to Kanzou and asked solemnly, "Uchiha Kanzou, do you accept the role of Patriarch?"
Kanzou answered without hesitation, his tone unapologetically arrogant. "As many of the clansmen have said, no one but me is worthy of becoming Patriarch."
Tadayoshi pursed his lips but offered no comment on the arrogance. Instead, he accepted a haori from a subordinate and presented it to Kanzou.
"In that case," he declared, "I, Uchiha Tadayoshi, in the presence of all our clansmen and with the blessing of our ancestors, hereby name you, Uchiha Kanzou, the Patriarch of the Uchiha Clan."
He draped the black haori over Kanzou's shoulders and added gravely, "Lead the clan with pride and dignity, and ensure that our people feel protected."
Immediately, applause erupted throughout the hall, followed by loud cheers.
"Long live Kanzou-sama, the Patriarch!"
"Long live Kanzou-sama, the Patriarch!"
Hearing the cheers, Kanzou smirked. The open support was deeply satisfying; it fed his vanity without restraint.
After letting the applause wash over him for a moment, he raised both hands. Gradually, the hall fell silent as the clan waited for him to speak.
He surveyed the gathered Uchiha, studying their expressions, before finally opening his mouth.
"I believe I speak for everyone here when I say that I am not satisfied with our current situation," he began calmly. "Not satisfied with the state of our clan and how we are treated in Konoha."
Confusion flickered across some faces, but many already understood where he was heading.
"Konoha was founded when the two strongest clans in the Land of Fire came together, the Senju and the Uchiha. It was 'our' cooperation that built this village," he continued. "The Senju are gone now, by their own foolish choices. But we, the Uchiha, remain."
His voice sharpened.
"And yet… look at us. The co-founders of this village are treated as a nuisance. We are sidelined. Ignored. They demand our service, our loyalty, our sacrifices, yet they deny us what we deserve. They push us away from the center of power. Away from what should rightfully be ours. Away from the Hokage's seat, where one of 'us' should stand."
A heavy silence settled over the hall. Faces shifted, some filled with anger and resentment, others with unease and fear.
"They shoved us into the Police Force," Kanzou continued, "giving us the illusion of control, making us believe we held power, that things were in our hands. But the truth is this: we are not the ones in control. We are not the ones in power."
His voice hardened.
"We are the ones doing the dirty work, the work that breeds resentment and distrust," Kanzou said firmly. "And they knew exactly what that would bring upon us. They pushed us into the Police Force fully aware of the consequences. In fact, they hoped for these results."
His voice sharpened.
"And yet, we endured it all in silence, believing that our dedication would serve the village. But what have we received in return? Nothing. Our efforts have never been rewarded. It has been decades since we took responsibility for the Police Force, and what did it earn us? Forget rewards, we aren't even funded properly. They refuse to provide the Police Force with the resources it needs."
He continued coldly, "When I asked Sarutobi Hiruzen for adequate resources, so our clansmen could be paid fairly, properly equipped, and feel secure, do you know what he told me?"
He paused, letting the tension thicken.
"He gave the same excuse that he always gives… currently, the village is short on funds and couldn't afford it."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"And I tell you this," Kanzou continued, his voice hard. "What I asked for wasn't unreasonable. It was merely what we deserve as Konoha's strongest clan. What we could easily earn if our people weren't restricted and forced into a single role."
"But Hiruzen refused," he said coldly. "Why? Because he's afraid. Afraid that if we gain the resources we deserve, we'll become great again. And he cannot allow that. Because if the Uchiha rise… the rest of the clans fade into irrelevance, his Sarutobi Clan would fade into irrelevance, and the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado would fade into irrelevance. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who parades himself as the greatest Hokage, would no longer be enough."
He paused and scanned the crowd. More than sixty or seventy percent of the faces burned with anger, while the rest looked solemn or tense. From that alone, he knew exactly how many of them resonated with his words.
"When Madara left Konoha," Kanzou continued, his words dropping like stones, "he already understood what future awaited the Uchiha here. He asked us to follow him, and we refused."
The name Madara sent a tremor through the hall. Older clan members stiffened.
"Not many people might agree with me when I say this… but that was a mistake. Madara was not wrong. We are still paying the price for that choice. He knew we would be sidelined, exploited, and never allowed to reach our true greatness if we stayed in Konoha. He fought for it and was crushed for it. Yet his words proved true."
The mention of Madara's name, and of what he had once sought for the Uchiha, ignited a fresh wave of emotion. The older members of the clan certainly remembered what Madara had tried to do.
Tadayoshi knew it well, and if he were honest with himself, he harbored a lingering regret for not having followed Madara back then.
At the same time, Kanzou's invocation of Madara unsettled many. Madara was still remembered as a traitor, one who had betrayed the village itself.
"Now," Kanzou said evenly, "I know that mentioning Madara's name makes some of you uneasy. So let me be clear, I am not Madara. I am not asking you to leave Konoha. I am not asking you to rebel."
A quiet sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.
"But at the same time," he continued, "I am not Dōma either. I am not someone who will continue to swallow whatever is imposed upon us."
His gaze hardened.
"I am Kanzou. And I will not accept being used, chewed up, and discarded. I will fight, and if necessary, I will crush those who stand in our way. I will do whatever must be done for the sake of the clan."
He pointed toward the assembled Uchiha. "For all of you."
"And in return," he said firmly, "I ask for only one thing, your trust and your loyalty."
"Give me those," Kanzou promised, "and I swear, here and now, I will lead the Uchiha Clan back to its true glory. Back to its rightful greatness."
"Back to true glory?"
"Back to true greatness?"
"That's right," Kanzou replied without hesitation. "The blood of my ancestor Indra flows through my veins, the same blood that flowed through Madara. It will not be satisfied until I make this clan the greatest. Not just in Konoha. Not just in the shinobi world. But in the entire history of Shinobi."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"So I ask you, who will stand with me on this mission to make the Uchiha great again?"
"I am!" Hazuki answered first, dropping to one knee before him.
"I am."
"I am."
"I am."
Shin, Souta, and Satoru followed, kneeling in turn.
With them, many others joined, lowering themselves in allegiance.
From that point on, the movement spread. One by one, more clan members genuflected, until even those who did not truly agree bent the knee. Some did so out of conviction, others out of pressure, but none dared remain standing.
Kanzou looked over them all, devoted supporters and reluctant followers alike, and smirked. Spreading his hands wide, he declared, "Since everyone here stands with me, then let this be our mission. Let us ensure the Uchiha Clan returns to its true glory. Let us make the Uchiha great again."
The words ignited the crowd.
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Long live Patriarch Kanzou-sama!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
MUGA!
The chant thundered through the shrine, echoing off stone and wood alike.
Kanzou chuckled softly, satisfaction curling his lips. "Fufu… indeed. Let's make the Uchiha great again."
[Ding. Achievement unlocked. The Host has become the Patriarch of the 'Evil' Uchiha Clan. Reward: Conqueror's Haki.]
…
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
"Make the Uchiha great again!"
As the chant thundered through the hall, Seiji's heart began to race. Horror crept across his face.
Obviously, he can see what Kanzou is doing!
He was deliberately sowing seeds of discord in the hearts of the clansmen, turning them against the Hokage, against the village itself.
And that alone was worrying enough. Worse still was the way he had invoked Madara's name. Madara, the traitor who had attempted to tear the village apart, whose actions had scarred Konoha so deeply that their consequences were still felt to this day.
Kanzou wasn't merely mentioning Madara.
He was idealizing him.
He was reframing Madara not as a traitor, but as a prophet, someone who had been right all along.
He was twisting the Uchiha's marginalization into something else entirely, no longer the result of complex choices and history, but of deliberate, systematic oppression.
And at the center of it all, he was placing the blame squarely on the Hokage.
'At this rate,' Seiji realized grimly, 'whatever fragile loyalty the clan still holds toward the village, towards Hokage-sama, will rot away.'
It would curdle into discontent, resentment, anger, and eventually, hatred.
Seiji was clearly unsettled by what he was witnessing, and he feared the path the clan might take if this was how Kanzou chose to act at the very moment he had been legitimized as Patriarch.
'I… I really need to speak with him,' he thought, clenching his fist. 'This can't continue like this…'
No, he would need to speak not only with Kanzou but with Elder Tadayoshi as well.
Even so, he knew he couldn't act now.
This was not the moment to stand up and oppose Kanzou. The clan was too emotionally charged, too swept up in the fervor of the moment. To oppose Kanzou openly right now would only paint him as an enemy and invite backlash.
The Uchiha were sensitive, emotional people. Seiji understood that better than most.
And because he understood it, he also knew this situation had to be handled carefully… slowly.
'I'll try to speak with him after this,' Seiji decided, casting a brief glance at Kanzou before lowering his gaze. He then turned to his wife, Kasumi, who knelt beside him with a tense, worried expression.
Clearly, she was thinking the same thing.
Seiji met her eyes and gave a subtle look of reassurance, silently urging her to remain calm.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha