Shadows On The Leaf

Under the dim candlelight, the Naka Shrine stood like a sacred place, imbued with decades of Uchiha clan history. The figures of the Uchihas who had awakened the Sharingan were gathered together, their tense expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. Fugaku Uchiha, in the center, watched each member with calculated calm, as if measuring their thoughts before they spoke them. 

Setsuna, the clan elder, struck the floor with his staff, breaking the silence with a vehemence that filled the room. 

"Fugaku, this is unacceptable. Danzo Shimura is a danger to our clan. Putting your name forward as Hokage is not an act of good faith, but a ploy to sweet-talk you. He wants us to abandon the Military Police, the only institution that maintains our dignity and control in this village." 

Some members nodded, sharing the distrust towards Danzo. However, Shisui, sitting at the back, spoke in a calm but firm tone. 

"Setsuna-sama, with all due respect, is it wise to assume that Danzo-sama has ulterior motives? My father would tell me stories of how Danzo-sama and my grandfather, Kagami, fought together in the war. They were more than just comrades, they were friends. My grandfather even saved his life on more than one occasion. Why would a man who so respected an Uchiha want to destroy us now?"

Setsuna snorted, her gaze filled with disdain towards the young man. 

"You are naive, Shisui. Danzo is not the same man your grandfather knew. Kagami was an idealist, a dreamer who believed in cooperation with the village. Danzo, on the other hand, is a manipulator who will do anything to consolidate his power. If he were truly our ally, why hasn't he openly supported us instead of working from the shadows?" 

Shisui tilted his head, pondering for a moment. Then he replied with a calmness that surprised several people present. 

"Perhaps Danzo-sama is simply trying to protect the village, even if his methods are questionable. I don't think a place like Konoha can be governed without making difficult decisions. Setsuna-sama, I understand your distrust, but if we continue to see ourselves as enemies of the village, we will only confirm what they fear from us."

The old man slammed the table again, his voice rising with indignation. 

"So what do you propose? That we blindly trust someone who has acted against us before? I am no fool, boy. I will not allow the clan to abandon its historical position in the Military Police to become pawns of Root." 

Fugaku raised a hand to calm the argument. 

"Enough," he said firmly. "You both have valid points. Shisui, I understand that you want to believe in Danzo's good intentions, but Setsuna-san is not wrong in pointing out the risks of aligning our fate with his. However, we will not make any rash decisions."

Fugaku paused, his eyes scanning each of those present before continuing. 

"The Military Police is a symbol of our authority and commitment to the village. If we abandon it, we will lose more than we could gain. But that doesn't mean we can't look for ways to strengthen our position. Danzo is a shrewd man, and we must treat him with caution. If he truly wants to help us, let him prove it with actions, not words." 

The room fell silent. Setsuna continued to frown, but he could not refute Fugaku's words. Shisui, for his part, nodded slightly, although doubt was beginning to settle in his heart. 

Before concluding the meeting, Fugaku took one last look at those present. 

"This is a crossroads for the Uchiha clan. We cannot allow our emotions to cloud our judgment. We must be patient, but also be prepared for any eventuality. For now, we will maintain our position in the Military Police, but we will closely monitor the movements of Danzo and the Council." 

The Nakano Shrine, shrouded in darkness, remained silent as the ninjas left the room one by one. 

/////

Outside the sanctuary

Shisui stood back, silently observing the altar. Fugaku approached him, his gaze softer than the one he had shown during the meeting. 

"Shisui, your optimism is admirable, but do not be blinded. This village has not always been fair to our clan, and Danzo is a man who knows how to take advantage of any weakness. Keep your guard up." 

Shisui bowed his head respectfully. Then, with some hesitation, he broke the silence. 

"Fugaku-sama, if you will allow me, I have a proposal. Allow me to join Root as the first Uchiha under Danzo's direct command." 

Surprise briefly crossed Fugaku's face, followed by a serious expression. 

"That is unacceptable, Shisui. You are the greatest prodigy of our clan, at only 11 years old you have already made a name for yourself among the nations, I cannot risk you, you are a symbol for young Uchihas."

"I understand your concern, Fugaku-sama," Shisui replied in a firm but respectful tone, "but this is a unique opportunity. If Danzo truly intends to help the clan, I will be able to confirm it. If not, at least we will be forewarned. Someone must take that step, and I am willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of the clan." 

Fugaku closed his eyes for a moment, as if weighing all the possible consequences. Shisui continued, this time with a more hopeful tone. 

"Besides, I have faith that Itachi will surpass me one day. He is young, but he has potential that has yet to be unleashed. The clan will have another prodigy to rely on. For now, let me bear this risk." 

Shisui's words echoed in Fugaku's mind. Finally, he sighed and nodded gravely. 

"I'll talk to Danzo tomorrow. But, Shisui, if anything seems suspicious, get out of there immediately. Don't risk your life unnecessarily." 

Shisui gave a small smile and nodded. 

"Thank you, Fugaku-sama. I will not let you down." 

//////

The sun filtered through the trees in Konoha as Fugaku Uchiha walked through the gates of Danzo's austere residence in the Shimura clan compound, Tatsuma, the Root leader's bodyguard, greeted him with a nod and a gesture for him to follow in silence. Fugaku took in the sober décor as he walked forward. There were no luxuries or unnecessary ornaments, just an atmosphere that reflected the severity and efficiency that characterized the owner of the house.

As he entered the main hall, Fugaku stopped abruptly. In front of him sat Danzo, with a relaxed yet imposing posture, and what caught his attention the most was his appearance. Danzo looked incredibly young, with smooth skin and an energy that did not match the figure everyone knew as one of the most influential elders in the village. Fugaku, though surprised, held back any comment. He was an experienced ninja, and he would not let his curiosity give him away. 

"Fugaku," Danzo said in a deep, calm voice, gesturing for Fugaku to sit across from him. "What an honor to receive the leader of the Uchiha clan." 

"Danzo-sama," Fugaku replied as he took a seat. "Thank you for granting me this meeting." 

Danzo nodded, while Tatsuma remained behind him, like a silent but menacing shadow. Fugaku wasted no time and got straight to the point. 

"Danzo-sama, I have come to talk about something that is deeply troubling to me. After our last conversation, I began to notice certain attitudes of Hokage-sama towards my clan. Attitudes that, I must admit, previously went unnoticed." 

Danzo looked at him with apparent interest. "What attitudes are you referring to?" 

Fugaku clenched his fists slightly, remembering. "To begin with, Hokage-sama seemed surprised when I arrived to help during the Kyubi attack. It wasn't a surprised relief, but rather… discomfort. As if he didn't expect me to be there." 

Danzo nodded slowly, his gaze calculating. 

"And then there is your refusal to consider the Uchiha clan in important decisions. I noticed this clearly when the Hokage succession was discussed. My experience, my leadership, were not even considered. The excuse that the Uchiha clan 'is more useful in the Military Police' was an insult disguised as flattery. I now understand that such attitudes are no coincidence. Is that true, Danzo-sama? Does Hokage-sama really have such a level of distrust towards us?"

Danzo let out a heavy sigh, leaning forward. "True, though this goes back in time, Tobirama-sama felt that the Uchiha posed a potential threat to the stability of the village, and that distrust was instilled in Hiruzen from a young age. What you see now is nothing more than an extension of those beliefs."

Fugaku narrowed his eyes, observing him closely. "And you, Danzo-sama, do you also share that distrust? I remember occasions in council meetings where you pressured the Uchiha clan, even suggesting that our Military Police should receive less funding. Is that what you really think of us?" 

Danzo showed a melancholic expression, his tone taking on an almost confessional tone. "Fugaku, everything I did in those meetings was under the Hokage's orders. It was my duty as an advisor to support his decisions, even when I disagreed with them. Hiruzen instructed me to pressure the clan, to question their actions. Even the decision to not allow the Uchiha to help during the Kyubi attack came from him, but he wanted it to seem like my order, that I would take the blame… that I would be his shadow… but I realize now that those decisions were a mistake. I can no longer blindly obey him in this matter, not after remembering everything Kagami did for me in the past."

Fugaku, though annoyed, felt a hint of respect for Danzo's words. However, his mind was alert. "Hokage-sama… you have really done a lot to keep us at bay. Danzo-sama, do you think there is anything we can do to change this situation?" 

Danzo nodded gravely. "First up is the meeting we'll be having this afternoon with the clan leaders. Hiruzen has already prepared a proposal to move the Uchiha clan to the outskirts of the village, near the prison. It is my duty to present this proposal to the council, but I can help you." 

"How?" Fugaku asked, visibly interested. 

"Once I present the proposal, I will add an additional comment. I will say that moving Uchiha civilians so close to the prison is an unnecessary risk. That argument might be enough to stop the decision, or at least buy time." 

Fugaku looked at him intently. "That would be… a great help, Danzo-sama. I appreciate it." 

Danzo nodded, but in his mind he kept smiling 'I've easily put all the blame on Hiruzen. Fugaku has no reason to doubt me. Every false word I say strengthens my hold on him and the clan.'

Fugaku, after a few moments of reflection, changed the subject. "About another of your proposals, Danzo-sama. I have decided to partially accept your idea of ​​incorporating the Uchiha into Root." 

Danzo raised an eyebrow, interested. "How do you plan to do it?" 

"I will allow Shisui Uchiha, our young prodigy, to join your group. Although he is young, he has already proven himself to be an exceptional shinobi during the war. His skill and loyalty will be a sign that the Uchiha are willing to cooperate with you."

Danzo smiled, pleased. "Shisui is a perfect choice. I will accept him into Root, and as a sign of my good faith, I will allow him to maintain his ties to the clan. He will be able to return to the compound to rest and attend meetings. He will be an exceptional case." 

Fugaku bowed his head in respect. "That shows your commitment to our clan, Danzo-sama. I will speak to Shisui after the meeting this afternoon to have him come and see you." 

Danzo dismissed him with a calculating smile, and once Fugaku left, his expression turned grim. "Shisui will be mine. With his Sharingan, his skill, and his ingenuity, I will mold him into a perfect weapon. And little by little, the Uchiha clan will fall under my control."