Inside the conference room, the senior officials argued fiercely. Opinions clashed, tempers flared.
Then Homura Mitokado spoke.
"I propose we leverage public opinion. Reverse the narrative. Blame the conflict between Shuoye and the Hidden Cloud on a secret collaboration between the Uchiha and the Hidden Cloud. Use that as grounds to deny his return to Konoha."
The room exploded.
Some condemned the idea as shameless, a stain on Konoha's name. Others insisted stability outweighed morality.
Voices rose.
Accusations flew.
At last, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood.
His eyes were deep, unreadable.
He hesitated—just briefly—like a man weighing something heavier than politics.
"This matter," he said at last, "has not been discussed thoroughly enough for me to render judgment at this time."
Shock rippled through the room.
Disappointment. Surprise. Anger.
His neutrality was not neutrality at all.
In the corner, Danzō Shimura's lips curled faintly.
Hiruzen… you chose this path after all.
He said nothing aloud. But his mind was already moving.
—
Outside the tower, the rumors spread like wildfire.
Some villagers celebrated Shuoye Uchiha as a hero—the man who defeated Ay and preserved Konoha's dignity.
Others whispered darker things.
Secret cooperation.
A staged capture.
An Uchiha scheme.
At the training grounds, young shinobi argued openly. Some defended Shuoye fiercely. Others cast wary glances toward the Uchiha district.
Doubt was a subtle poison.
—
On the winding road back to Konoha, Shuoye and his group advanced beneath the fading sun. Their shadows stretched long across the earth.
A messenger arrived at full gallop, breath ragged.
"Shuoye-sama—!"
"The village's public opinion has turned hostile. Someone is spreading rumors that the Uchiha secretly cooperated with the Hidden Cloud. They claim even the Raikage's capture was part of a larger plot."
"Internal unrest has begun. The atmosphere is tense."
Shisui Uchiha's expression changed instantly.
"What…? How could this happen? Would the Third Hokage truly allow something like this?"
He turned to Shuoye.
"What do we do?"
Ay, bound nearby, let out a short, mocking laugh. His eyes flicked between Shuoye and Shisui.
"See?" he said. "This is how Konoha treats its heroes."
"Shuoye, why remain loyal to such a village? Come to the Hidden Cloud. The Uchiha would be welcomed into our upper ranks. Respect. Status. Influence."
His intentions were obvious.
He knew Shuoye's worth.
If there was even the slightest chance to draw him away from Konoha, he would seize it.
Shuoye glanced at him calmly.
"I appreciate the offer, Raikage."
"But the Uchiha handle their own affairs."
He turned his gaze toward the distant outline of Konoha's gates.
"We are returning to our land."
"Anyone who stands in our way will face the consequences."
"Those who block me… are enemies."
Shisui felt a tremor in his chest.
He understood.
This return would not be peaceful.
But fear never crossed his face.
The Uchiha's dignity would not be trampled.
—
Deep underground, in a damp, shadowed chamber—
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed faintly.
"Familiar tactics," he murmured.
"White Fang met the same fate."
"Now the Uchiha walk that path as well."
A thin smile curved his lips.
"This should be interesting."
—
Konoha's gates loomed ahead.
But what greeted Shuoye was not celebration.
It was formation.
Elite shinobi lined the entrance. Tension hung in the air like dry thunderclouds.
Shuoye's expression turned cold.
"So this is how heroes are welcomed."
Footsteps echoed.
Danzō Shimura stepped forward, flanked by elite shinobi. His gaze was sharp, unyielding.
"Shuoye Uchiha."
"You stand accused of colluding with the Hidden Cloud."
"You will submit to a full investigation."
"And you will surrender the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails."
A faint smile touched Shuoye's lips.
"Oh?"
"So this is how you intend to move against the Uchiha?"
He scanned the field.
Their numbers were smaller than Konoha's assembled elites.
But not a single trace of fear showed in his eyes.
At that moment, a Hyūga shinobi stepped forward, attempting to speak in defense of the Uchiha.
Danzō cut him off immediately.
"The Hyūga clan is also under suspicion of external contact."
"You would do well to mind your own affairs."
The gates stood between them.
And for the first time—
Konoha felt like enemy territory.
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