Elsewhere—
On the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, the night wind drifted softly through the air, carrying with it a chilling sense of impending conflict.
Inside the Uchiha clan's main hall, warm but dim light illuminated the ancient Uchiha crest engraved upon the walls—a symbol of both the clan's glory and its sorrow.
Yet at this moment, the once-proud clan was shrouded in tension.
Faces were grave.
Hearts concealed hidden agendas.
Within the upper council chamber, the clan elders had gathered. The atmosphere burned hot despite the cool night.
Accusations flew.
Voices rose.
Arguments nearly shattered the roof overhead.
"This round of rumors has nothing to do with my faction!" a younger elder protested urgently, his face flushed red as he attempted to distance himself from responsibility.
"You were the first to spread the information!" another elder shot back angrily, his eyes blazing as though he wished to tear the other apart.
"We have always upheld the clan's principles! You have no right to slander us!" the younger elder snapped, his voice sharp as a blade.
Amid the chaos—
Fugaku sat quietly to one side.
His gaze was calm, deep as an abyss.
His expression revealed neither concern nor urgency.
He simply held a cup of warm tea, gently swirling it. Ripples spread across the surface, as if mocking the meaningless quarrel before him.
At the head of the chamber sat the Great Elder.
His brows were knitted tightly, disappointment and exhaustion etched across his aged face.
From time to time, his eyes drifted toward Fugaku.
A trace of dissatisfaction surfaced in his heart.
As a key figure within the clan, how could he remain so indifferent? Did he not understand the gravity of this crisis?
"Enough!"
The Great Elder's voice exploded like thunder, shaking the hall.
Instant silence fell.
The oppressive authority in his tone froze the air itself.
"What matters now is finding a solution—not shifting blame."
His voice was low and firm.
His sharp gaze swept across every elder present, as though he sought to peer into their innermost thoughts.
The elders began murmuring again, proposing their own ideas.
"We must find the source of the rumors and drag those responsible out!" a burly elder roared, slamming his fist against the table to vent his frustration.
"Seize those spreading lies!" another echoed, fury plain on his face.
The Great Elder's expression darkened further.
Foolishness.
Could none of them think deeper? Offer anything constructive?
"Fugaku. What do you think?"
His voice carried both dissatisfaction and expectation.
All eyes turned toward Fugaku.
The air grew heavy.
Fugaku slowly raised his head.
Wisdom flickered in his gaze, as though he were weighing the future of the entire Uchiha clan.
"Whether the rumors are true or false," he said calmly, "ignoring them is the best course of action. We must understand—this is likely a test from the village."
The elders exchanged glances, considering his words.
The Great Elder nodded slowly.
"Yes… it is indeed a test."
Yet disappointment lingered in his eyes.
The Uchiha had truly fallen to such a point.
It was painful.
In this clan steeped in power struggles and suspicion, every heart felt heavier.
Each Uchiha present felt stifled—
As though trapped within an invisible cage.
The Great Elder lowered his chin slightly, a wave of weariness rising within him.
Once, the Uchiha had stood proud in their strength.
Now even a simple discussion was laced with caution and distrust.
His gaze swept across the room again, sternness and age intertwined on his face as he pondered deeper concerns.
The atmosphere thickened—
Like air before a storm.
Shisui Uchiha stood quietly to one side, calm on the surface.
He had grown accustomed to such scenes.
Yet a thread of worry tugged at his heart.
When would their clan escape this predicament?
His eyes unconsciously drifted toward Shuoye Uchiha.
A question surfaced within him.
Shuoye had remained silent from beginning to end.
His face was astonishingly calm—
Like an immovable mountain, unshaken by raging winds.
Behind him stood a group of young Uchiha.
Their expressions varied.
They had once served under Shuoye.
They had fought at his side.
Trust and reliance flowed in their blood.
But after Shuoye's return from the war, they had been scattered across the village, separated from one another.
Now—
Seeing him standing before them once more—
Hope reignited in their hearts.
Like faith restored.
"Shuoye."
Suddenly, the Great Elder's gaze fixed upon him.
"What do you think?"