Under the soft glow of the full moon, the Uchiha Clan gathered in their traditional meeting. The arrangement was formal, with Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head, seated prominently in the center, flanked by the four elders—two on each side. The atmosphere was solemn, as it always was during these important assemblies.
Note: Uchiha Clan meetings will be held only in full and no-moon days.
Fugaku waited for the crowd to settle before clearing his throat, commanding their attention.
Fugaku: "If everyone is ready, I will begin with an important announcement for the clan."
The assembled crowd responded in unison.
Crowd: "Yes!"
Fugaku straightened, his voice resonating with authority.
Fugaku: "As you all know, the Uchiha Clan has contributed significantly to the efforts of the Shinobi World War. Recent calculations have made it abundantly clear that our contributions have been unmatched by any other clan."
The crowd erupted in prideful agreement.
Crowd: "The Uchiha are the best!"
Fugaku raised a hand, silencing the murmurs.
Fugaku: "While it is natural to take pride in our achievements, we must not let arrogance blind us. Instead, we should focus on ensuring the next generation understands the reality of war. This moment presents us with an opportunity to teach them, I am asking if anyone willing to send their child to Warfield with Police force protection"
Uchiha Mika, frowned slightly.
Uchiha Mika: "But sending children to the battlefield is extremely dangerous, is it not?"
A wave of agreement rippled through the crowd.
Other Members: "Yes, we agree! It's dangerous!"
Fugaku remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the assembly.
Fugaku: "I understand your concerns. However, tomorrow marks the final day of the war. The level of aggression and battle will be minimal, providing a safer environment for them to observe and learn. I have decided to bring my own son, Itachi, as well as Elder Tanaka's grandchildren."
At this, murmurs grew louder among the clan members.
Uchiha Nomu: "You mean Shisui and Isami's child?"
Fugaku nodded.
Fugaku: "Yes, Yagami"
A loud, dissenting voice cut through the room.
Uchiha Geon: "Clan leader, Yagami is not truly part of our clan!"
This statement caused a stir, with many others echoing the sentiment.
Other Members: "Yes, they are outcasts!"
The atmosphere remained heavy as Fugaku's piercing gaze silenced the murmurs of dissent.
Uchiha Fugaku: "Isami is one of the few who works in Konoha's hospital, providing essential support to the Uchiha Police Force and our Genins, Chunins, and Jonins. Uchiha clan members receive a 50% discount on all treatments at that hospital. Are you suggesting we exclude her children from our clan? Are you fools?"
The sternness in Fugaku's voice made many avert their eyes.
Uchiha Geon: "But it feels... unfair."
Before Fugaku could respond, the first elder, Uchiha Akira, interjected with calm authority.
Uchiha Akira: "Geon, Isami's husband may not be an Uchiha by blood, but he's a skilled jonin who previously served in the ANBU and now plays a vital role on the barrier team. That makes him one of the key sources of information flowing from the central power of Konoha. Their family has contributed significantly to the Uchiha Clan's standing. Do not make the mistake of undervaluing them."
Geon hesitated, then lowered his head.
Uchiha Geon: "I apologize."
Another voice, Uchiha Mika, spoke hesitantly.
Uchiha Mika: "But will her son and daughter truly be able to carry the Uchiha name?"
Fugaku's gaze hardened as he directed his words with cutting precision.
Uchiha Fugaku: "They are members of Uchiha Tanaka's family—our third elder. Their lineage alone is worth far more than your petty concerns. Mika, you would do well to watch your words when speaking about Isami before me. She is like a sister to me, and I will not tolerate disrespect toward her."
The tension dissipated as Fugaku's authority asserted itself, silencing all dissent.
Fugaku: "Now, who among you is willing to send their children? The Uchiha Police Force will personally escort them to the field for observation."
A heavy silence followed, as no one stepped forward.
Fugaku: "Cowards. If someone is willing to seek knowledge, do not hinder them with your insecurities. This meeting is over."
As the last of the murmuring crowd dispersed under the moonlit sky, Uchiha Tanaka approached Fugaku and Akira, his steps steady and composed.
Uchiha Tanaka: "Thank you, Fugaku. Thank you, Akira."
Fugaku inclined his head respectfully toward his sensei.
Fugaku: "There's no need to thank me, sensei. Your guidance has shaped me. Protecting your family is the least I can do."
Akira chuckled, his tone lighthearted but filled with warmth.
Akira: "Tana, you've contributed far more than most can imagine. So what if Isa married outside the clan? It has only brought strength and support to the Uchiha. Don't trouble yourself over those fools. Worthless troublemakers exist in every clan, but they rarely matter in the grand scheme. Ha ha ha!"
Fugaku allowed himself a rare smile as the elder's laughter filled the air. Watching his sensei and Akira converse brought a sense of contentment he didn't often indulge in.
It was Tanaka, after all, who had nurtured Fugaku's potential, honing his abilities and vision, crafting the leader the Uchiha Clan now followed.
Without Tanaka's influence and foresight, Fugaku would not hold the mantle of clan leader or earn a fancy nickname like the Wicked eye Fugaku.
For a moment, Fugaku simply stood by, listening as the two older men reminisced and joked under the full moon's light, their bond a quiet testament to the legacy of the Uchiha.
The next day,
The group moved steadily through the dense forest, the weight of Fugaku's words settling over the young Uchiha. The air grew heavier with the distant sounds of clashing steel and anguished cries, a grim reminder of the world they were about to step into.
Shisui walked beside Itachi, his ever-present smirk softening as he assessed the younger boy.
Shisui: "Ha, you're Itachi, Lord Fugaku's son, huh? Heard a lot about you."
Itachi turned to Shisui, his calm demeanor unwavering.
Itachi: "I am Uchiha Itachi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uchiha Shisui."
Yagami, a few paces behind, gripped his kunai tightly,'Uchiha Itachi, the unfilial son?' Yagami thought,
Itachi: "I am Uchiha Itachi. And you are?"
Yagami: "Uchiha Yagami."
Itachi's lips curved into a faint smile.
Itachi: "Itachi, Yagami, Shisui… all ending with 'I.'"
Shisui chuckled, his easy going nature breaking through the tense atmosphere.
Shisui: "Well, isn't that poetic? Maybe we'll make a good team after all."
Fugaku, who had been leading the group, came to a halt and turned to face them. His stern expression carried the weight of his years as a leader and a warrior.
Fugaku: "This is war—a place where people kill each other for reasons they barely understand, driven by the bitterness of nations and their leaders' ambitions. There is no honor here, no glory—only survival. Look around, see what this world truly is, and learn."
The group emerged from the treeline, and the battlefield stretched out before them.
Itachi's eyes scanned the scene with a mixture of curiosity and unease, while Shisui's usual confidence faltered slightly at the sight.
Fugaku gestured toward the horizon.
Fugaku: "Go. Observe. This is the world you're inheriting. Strength comes from understanding its harsh realities."
The battlefield stretched far and wide, a grim tableau of death and destruction. Blood seeped into the once vibrant soil, painting it dark crimson, and the air carried the sickening metallic scent of war. Broken weapons and shattered armor lay strewn across the ground, mingling with the lifeless bodies of fallen shinobi. The guttural cries of the wounded and the unrelenting clash of steel echoed in the distance. Overhead, crows and vulture circled and cawed, some descending to pick at the flesh of the dead, their dark forms adding to the macabre scenery.
Yagami's sharp eyes darted around, his hand gripping a kunai tightly. His senses, honed by intense training, flared.
Yagami: "Shisui Niisan, I sense chakra about 400 meters to our nine o'clock."
Shisui turned, his expression immediately serious.
Shisui: "What? But isn't this supposed to be a safe zone?"
Fugaku narrowed his eyes, his hand instinctively resting on his katana's hilt.
Fugaku: "Stay alert. Let me confirm."
With a flicker of motion, Fugaku vanished, reappearing moments later in the area Yagami had indicated. His Sharingan gleamed as he surveyed the scene: four Iwa-nin were closing in on a lone Konoha shinobi.
Without hesitation, Fugaku sprang into action. His shurikens flew with precision, striking one of the attackers and drawing their attention. One Iwa-nin lunged at Fugaku, but his Sharingan locked onto the man's movements, paralyzing him with a single glance.
Suddenly, a kunai sliced through the air with deadly speed and accuracy, embedding itself in the neck of the stunned attacker. The man crumpled to the ground. Fugaku turned, a rare smile forming on his usually stoic face as he spotted Yagami standing several meters away, his throwing stance perfect.
Fugaku: "Such precision... at his age, remarkable."
Meanwhile, Itachi had approached a fallen Konoha shinobi, offering water from his pouch. The man's hand trembled as he accepted the drink. But the moment Itachi looked away, the wounded ninja lunged, a kunai aimed at the boy's throat.
Itachi's reflexes, sharp beyond his years, took over. In an instant, he sidestepped and drove his own kunai into the attacker's neck. Blood sprayed onto Itachi's small hands as the man fell lifelessly at his feet.
Itachi froze, staring at the crimson that now stained his fingers. His young mind struggled to process the horror of what he had just done. Though his face remained outwardly calm, his eyes betrayed a glimmer of inner turmoil.
Yagami, watching from a distance, clenched his jaw. He turned his gaze away from the battlefield momentarily, feeling an unshakable mix of unease and determination. This was war, and they were no longer just children.
Fugaku's voice broke through the heavy silence.
Fugaku: "Remember this, all of you. This is the reality of war. No honor, no glory—just pain, death, and the bitterness of nations. Learn from it and grow stronger."
Yagami nodded grimly, his hand tightening around his kunai.
Shisui placed a comforting hand on Yagami's shoulder.
Shisui: "Itachi, focus. Don't let this consume you. We're here to protect Konoha and ourselves. Remember that."
The three young Uchiha stood in the shadow of the battlefield, their paths forever shaped by what they had witnessed that day.