"Exactly."
Fugaku nodded approvingly, his eyes reflecting a glint of agreement. "Three years ago, it was clearly Kumogakure who attempted to abduct Hinata Hyuga. In retaliation, Hiashi Hyuga killed the envoy to protect his daughter. But under the pressure of the Fourth Raikage, the Third Hokage forced the Hyuga Clan to hand over Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, as a scapegoat."
Duan fell into thought, continuing from Fugaku's words:
"Konoha's leadership suppressed Uchiha far more harshly than they ever did the Hyuga. If something similar happened again… I doubt they would protect us. In fact, they'd likely seize the opportunity to tighten the leash—force us to surrender one of our own as compensation."
Fugaku's expression darkened.
"Uchiha's 'Hizashi'—sacrificed not for the village, but for convenience," Duan added solemnly. "And if they could ask that of the Hyuga, what might they demand of us?"
"A warning from the past, shaping the future," Fugaku murmured. "Duan, you really do understand. You've said what I've been thinking."
He smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with renewed respect. Earlier that day, he had questioned Duan's passive stance—but now, he saw something different. A shift. A spark. One that considered Uchiha's interests above all else.
Fugaku now believed Duan's vision extended beyond most of the clan's. It was worth nurturing.
Still, some lines had to be drawn.
"Then you'll understand why I'm asking you to sever ties with that woman. Tonight. Completely. Can you do that?"
Fugaku's gaze was intense, awaiting Duan's answer.
"Who else knows about Samui?" Duan asked calmly.
"I investigated on my own," Fugaku replied. "Not even Mikoto or Itachi knows. No risk of the information spreading."
Duan nodded once.
"Then... I'll keep Samui."
"What?"
Fugaku blinked, stunned. His brows furrowed. "Duan, do you really like this woman that much?"
Yes, Samui was beautiful.
With her golden hair, fair skin, and striking figure, she was reminiscent of Tsunade Senju in her prime. But that wasn't why Duan was keeping her.
"It's not about that," Duan replied, his tone even. "I knew she was a spy from the beginning."
As he spoke, his hand gently stroked Samui's hair, like one would pet a relaxed feline resting in their arms.
Fugaku's eyes widened in disbelief.
That explained a lot—why Duan hadn't been shocked earlier, why he'd remained so calm. He already knew.
"Then why keep her near?"
Duan internally considered the truth: she was efficient, handled chores, ran the gym well—like a hybrid assistant and housemate. Useful.
But he knew that answer wouldn't satisfy Fugaku.
After a beat, he replied:
"Brother-in-law. If Konoha's leadership is so wary of Kumogakure, why not use that fear to our advantage? What if we maintain a hidden line of communication with them—through Samui? Build a covert bridge, or even influence their power… for Uchiha's benefit."
Fugaku's pupils dilated. He inhaled slowly, eyes lighting with realization.
"I see," he murmured. "You're suggesting we keep her as a pawn… use her to maneuver around the village's power games."
"Something like that."
Duan's answer was ambiguous but agreeable enough.
"Very well. She's in your hands now."
With conviction, Fugaku rose to his feet, retrieved the document from the table, and ignited it with a burst of flame.
The classified report on Samui's identity turned to ash before Duan's eyes.
"I'll take my leave, then."
With practiced ease, Duan lifted Samui into his arms and exited the room with a nod of respect.
---
The moon hung high and silent over the forested edge of the Uchiha district. Minami Kawa flowed gently through the night, its waters reflecting the ancestral shrine of the clan—Naka Shrine—standing solemn by the river.
Under its ancient roof, Uchiha Yashiro moved stealthily. After confirming he was alone, he entered the shrine and slid aside the seventh tatami mat from the right.
Below it: a hidden passage leading into a dimly lit chamber.
The flickering torches revealed a solitary figure standing before the stone tablet of Uchiha—a sacred relic inscribed in the ancient Sharingan script.
"You came," said the figure, turning.
Yashiro bowed low, his voice respectful. "Madara-sama."
The man wore black, his long wild hair cascading behind a tiger-striped orange mask. Only a single eye was visible—cold, calculating, and full of depth.
To most of the world, Madara Uchiha was a ghost. A myth. But Yashiro had faced him, been defeated by him, seen the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan with his own eyes.
That encounter had made him a believer.
Madara had approached him weeks ago, pushing Yashiro to rally Uchiha's radicals. Not to reform the village—but to bring Konoha to its knees.
"Any new movements among the clan?" Madara asked casually.
Yashiro hesitated, then spoke of Duan.
"Oh?"
Madara's interest sparked.
His true aim was never to see Uchiha triumph. Quite the opposite—he wanted them to fall, dragging Konoha with them. Mutual destruction.
From what Yashiro described, Duan's ideology—this "jade-shattering" philosophy—aligned dangerously close with his own.
Perfect.
"I'll approach Uchiha Duan myself."
As he finished speaking, space twisted around his eye like a whirlpool. In a moment, his entire form was drawn inward and vanished without a sound.
Yashiro watched, lips tight.
Even now, the way Madara manipulated space unnerved him. That was the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan—unfathomable and lethal.
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha—
The man in the mask passed through the village like a ghost. He ignored patrol routes, slipping between shadows and sliding through walls, until he reached a small alleyway.
There it was: the gym.
"Physical Modification Department."
He read the wooden plaque aloud, scoffing. What a ridiculous name.
He stepped forward—his body phased effortlessly through the locked front door.
Empty.
He scanned the hall, but Duan wasn't there.
Fine. He could wait.
He moved through the building and entered the training retreat room. Kneeling on a futon, he rested his chin on his hand and closed his eye.
Half an hour passed.
Just as his patience began to fray, a familiar chakra approached the gym.
Uchiha Duan had returned.