Rebuilding Uchiha By Removing Fugaku

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Originally, Uchiha Toki had a certain level of admiration for the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, before his reincarnation.

After all, in this land dominated by the Ōtsutsuki, monitored by Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, and eyed by Ōtsutsuki Hamura, Sarutobi Hiruzen managed to single-handedly dismantle several ancient clans that had been established for thousands of years, allowing the indigenous forces of the planet to rise to prominence. This alone demonstrated the success of his strategies.

Putting aside subjective likes and dislikes, if viewed from the perspective of the Sarutobi clan or pure Konoha civilians, Hiruzen was undoubtedly a leader worthy of high praise.

Under his rule, not only was the Sarutobi clan elevated to Konoha's top-tier family, but he also ensured that ordinary civilians were rarely wronged. This is particularly remarkable in a village like Konoha, where ninja power was ubiquitous. The structure of Konoha could be likened to that of ancient monarchies in Toki's previous life: the Hokage acted as the emperor, ninjas represented aristocratic clans, and the civilians were akin to commoners.

The persistent bias against civilians by prominent ninja clans, as evident from Kakashi's students, demonstrated the deeply entrenched discrimination. Yet, during Hiruzen's tenure, even the most influential clans were at times subordinated to the civilians. This was undeniably groundbreaking.

Hiruzen had risen to power with the support of noble clans, but after ascending, he cleverly balanced the scales, empowering civilians while systematically weakening the clan's influence. From the perspective of an ordinary civilian, he might indeed be seen as a selfless ruler.

Unfortunately, as Toki's perspective was shaped by his identity as both a ninja and a Uchiha, this approach was disastrous. The Uchiha, once a clan that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Senju, now faced suppression and marginalization. Hiruzen's policy of sidelining the clans resembled the betrayal of allies once their usefulness had expired.

In Toki's eyes, this was nothing less than a political maneuver to consolidate absolute power. He had anticipated political manipulations by Hiruzen—pressuring Fugaku, influencing Shisui—but he hadn't expected them to outright assassinate Shisui, a key figure who was delivering documents for Hokage.

It was a poorly conceived move, one that revealed their desperation and shortsightedness.

---

Toki, however, had no intention of passively accepting such behavior. When he pushed open the door to Nara Shikaku's office, he carried a decisive air.

"Prepare another copy of the daimyo's documents," Toki demanded.

Shikaku was taken aback. "But those papers were delivered by Shisui just yesterday!"

Toki's expression darkened. "Shisui was attacked, and his whereabouts are now unknown. The papers need to be re-sent."

"What?!" Shikaku exclaimed, his shock evident. "Shisui was attacked? You don't mean…"

As a member of the Nara clan, renowned for their intelligence, Shikaku immediately deduced who might have orchestrated the attack. After all, this was Konoha—a place where only "insiders" had the capability and motive to ambush a ninja like Shisui.

"So, you're still planning to send them?" Shikaku asked cautiously, his face clouded with concern.

"Of course," Toki replied coldly, "and this time, I'll send them with great fanfare."

Shikaku's unease deepened. "But this is playing into their hands! If you send another team and they get intercepted again, the village might suppress your clan under the pretext of treason."

He paused, lowering his voice. "You've already begun winning the support of the villagers. Once the war with Kumogakure subsides, Sarutobi's influence will wane. Why take such risks now?"

Toki's eyes gleamed with determination. "I won't sit and wait for their next move."

In truth, Toki had initially intended to buy time, allowing the current political climate to work in his favor. But the assassination of Shisui had crossed a line. If he let this act go unpunished, it would only embolden his enemies.

"Are you confident you can confront Sarutobi's faction?" Shikaku pressed. "The Uchiha may still be Konoha's strongest clan, but don't forget—Hiruzen's real power lies not in the Sarutobi clan, but in the countless civilian ninjas he's cultivated over decades. Even if some support you, the majority remain loyal to him."

Toki's gaze hardened. "I know. But if they think the Uchiha will fold without a fight, they're gravely mistaken."

..

Thus, the most powerful trump card in the hands of Hiruzen Sarutobi was never the ANBU or even the Sarutobi clan itself.

It was the steady influx of civilian ninjas who could replenish ANBU ranks endlessly.

These civilian ninjas made up nearly 70% of Konoha's Chūnin and almost half of its Jōnin. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi's "Will of Fire" ideology remained intact, this group of loyalists would serve as his ultimate safeguard.

Now, Uchiha Toki was actually planning to challenge Hiruzen head-on, fully aware that the latter was desperate and backed into a corner. Was he insane?

Yet Toki's expression remained cold and unmoved.

Because this time, he had no choice but to teach Hiruzen Sarutobi a painful lesson.

Toki had already made thorough preparations for this confrontation. He had preemptively acquired the Lunar Stones and the Charizard Evolution Stones.

Although reaching Kage-level strength didn't mean one could entirely ignore numbers, until the Chakra reserves of a Kage-level ninja were drained, lower-tier ninjas—unless they were elite—were virtually inconsequential.

And with the Mega Evolution of Charizard, Toki's forces could achieve true Kage-level combat strength.

Toki spent four of his remaining family prestige points to purchase two Lunar Stones and both X and Y Charizard Evolution Stones.

Counting himself, the Uchiha clan now possessed three Kage-level fighters!

The Third Raikage, at the peak of Kage-level, had required a relentless assault from 10,000 Iwagakure ninjas over three days and nights to bring him down. Even if Toki and Charizard weren't quite at that level, it would still take an enormous force to defeat them.

But Toki wasn't a fresh Kage-level combatant still adapting to his newfound power.

The only reason he hadn't launched a full-scale attack on the Sarutobi clan or Konoha's leadership was that he didn't want the Uchiha clan to suffer unnecessary casualties. Otherwise, with his strength, it wouldn't be impossible to decimate the Sarutobi clan before retreating safely.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had only targeted him personally, Toki might have let it slide; after all, attempting to assassinate a Kage-level ninja was no different than sending people to their deaths.

But now Hiruzen had targeted Toki's people.

Those people were the foundation of Toki's system and rewards, and he would never tolerate such a provocation.

---

Soon, the news spread across Konoha: Uchiha Toki himself was preparing to deliver the paperwork again.

The attack on Uchiha Shisui, Konoha's special envoy, near the village had thrust the already controversial urban management brigade (the Konoha Military Police Force) into the spotlight once more.

Even though the responsibility for patrolling the area around the village technically didn't fall to the police force, many villagers automatically associated them with the attack. After all, they patrolled the streets, while the ANBU oversaw external security.

Within the Sarutobi clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the coffee table, his face dark and brooding.

Across from him, Danzo Shimura appeared unusually calm.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged uncertain glances.

Mitokado was the first to break the tense silence.

"Ahem, who could have predicted that the intelligence from the Root division would be inaccurate? It was just an accident," he said.

Danzo scoffed in annoyance.

"The intelligence my subordinates gathered was coded, and some ambiguity is inevitable. It's not my Root's fault if the interpretation was flawed," he retorted.

Hiruzen glared coldly at him.

"If you realized it wasn't Uchiha Toki, why didn't you call off the mission in time?"

Danzo snorted.

"How could I have known it wasn't Toki? Once the operation began, it was necessary to eliminate everyone to prevent leaving behind evidence that could incriminate us."

The truth was that Danzo had realized midway that the team wasn't disguised by Toki. However, his greed over Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan had led him to continue the operation.

For years, Hiruzen had exploited Danzo's paranoia and insecurities, nudging him to take morally questionable actions for "the good of Konoha." But this miscalculation had thrown their plans into disarray.

Hiruzen snorted coldly.

"Now Toki plans to deliver the paperwork again, clearly baiting us to act. If we make another move, it'll confirm everything in the eyes of the villagers and clans."

For once, Danzo didn't rise to the bait.

"Indeed. Mobilizing a large force to attack the Uchiha clan would amount to civil war," he replied.

Hiruzen, Koharu, and Mitokado were stunned.

Did those words really come out of Danzo's mouth?

Danzo continued, his tone serious.

"We don't know what kind of traps the Uchiha clan might have set. Even if we succeed in killing Toki, the cost might be too great. It's not worth it."

Hiruzen could only stare at Danzo in disbelief.

What had happened to the man who constantly preached about "doing whatever it takes" for Konoha?

---

When Danzo left the room, Hiruzen turned to Koharu and Mitokado, his expression dark.

"This time, you two will go!"

Koharu and Mitokado were dumbfounded.

"Us?"

Hiruzen nodded grimly.

"I'll have Shinnosuke cooperate with you and assemble a reorganized unit of a thousand men. Uchiha Toki must die!"

For the first time, Koharu and Mitokado saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's facade of composure crack.

Meanwhile, Danzo, walking away, couldn't help but smirk to himself. For once, the tables had turned, and he wasn't the one being used as a pawn.