When engrossed in invention and creation, it's easy to become oblivious to the outside world. This is a situation where one's focus is so intense that they tunnel-vision on a single point. So, it's no wonder Orochimaru becomes so absorbed when he's conducting his research. Of course, if Orochimaru weren't fiddling with corpses, the picture would be a lot more palatable.
Regardless, while Habara was engrossed in his "crude inventions," a major event finally occurred within Konoha.
The Third Hokage decided to establish a new security organization to prevent, suppress, and investigate ninja crimes and maintain order within the village. This organization's name was a counterpart to "Anbu" and was called "Meibu"… Although "Anbu" was merely an abbreviation, the name "Meibu" was enough to indicate Konoha's official stance.
To put it plainly, Konoha was establishing a new police force, and this police force was about to recruit officers. Interested ninjas could apply voluntarily… not entirely voluntarily, of course. This ostensible voluntariness was, in fact, only directed at a specific group of people.
Objectively speaking, the Third Hokage still hoped to achieve a kind of smooth transition. This was primarily reflected in the fact that this new "police force" was planning to recruit 80 ninjas for permanent duty, and the Third Hokage had reserved 30 slots for the Uchiha clan, even making Shisui Uchiha the "Deputy Chief."
It was certain that these 30 slots would not be filled, but the Third Hokage had made his attitude clear. He absolutely had no intention of exterminating the Uchiha clan, and he even maintained sufficient respect for them… Occupying more than one-third of the "shares"—wasn't that enough?
If the Uchiha clan wouldn't accept this, then whose fault was it?
Apart from the Uchiha ninjas, all the other Konoha ninjas would support the Third Hokage.
But the Uchiha clan would never see it that way. For years, they had regarded Konoha's security authority as their exclusive domain. The Third Hokage suddenly snatched away a large portion of the Uchiha's cake. Who could accept that?
Moreover, if the Hokage directly controlled the new police force, even if the Uchiha clan currently held more than one-third of the shares, who could guarantee that in a few years the Uchiha wouldn't be completely squeezed out?
The Uchiha clan's attention instantly shifted from the ninja disappearance incident to the new police force. Their opinion was… firm opposition.
And how did they express their opposition?
The Uchiha clan seemed to be perpetually in meetings. However, this time, their meeting place wasn't hidden, nor was the meeting time at night… Unusually, under the bright daylight, they were clamoring and arguing inside the clan head's residence.
"Clan Head, we cannot make any more concessions!"
"It's time to make a decision, Clan Head!"
"Clan Head, we'd rather be shattered jade!" [This is a reference to the idiom, meaning "better to die with honor than live in shame."]
This group was pressuring Fugaku Uchiha to make a decision. However, this matter wasn't a case of "better to be shattered jade" at all; it was "certain to be shattered jade." They were asking the clan head to lead several hundred people to their deaths, a whole family register's worth, all in one go. Talk about family togetherness.
At this time in Konoha, although the Fourth Hokage was dead, the Third Hokage was still alive. In addition, there were Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Kushina Uzumaki, who could control the Nine-Tails' power. Among the ninja clans, there were the Hyuga, Sarutobi, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Nara, and Aburame. Among the younger ninjas, there was Kakashi, who could assassinate the Fourth Kazekage, and a certain Anbu ninja who could "solo" a Tailed Beast… What did the Uchiha have? At this point, the Uchiha clan couldn't even muster a pair of reliable eyes.
So how could Fugaku Uchiha possibly make such a decision? He wasn't insane.
That was why the Third Hokage felt that a slightly more "shock therapy" approach wouldn't be a problem.
In the original story, during the Uchiha massacre, Fugaku Uchiha and the Third Hokage's performances were like two peas in a pod. Although their positions were different, their methods were the same… rational but indecisive, hesitant and lacking in resolve.
On the other hand, Danzo Shimura had clear objectives and was decisive in his actions. Come on, isn't it just a scapegoat? Pin it on me. Anyone who doesn't is a fool.
Fugaku Uchiha could neither silence the clamoring voices of his clansmen nor channel their emotions. But now he had to express his stance… Fugaku remained silent. He found himself seemingly unable to handle the current situation.
Inside the residence, the uproar continued. Itachi Uchiha sat on the steps in front of the main house, holding a baby. However, it was clear that his attention was not on the infant. He stared straight ahead, his eyes seemingly unfocused.
After an unknown amount of time, several Uchiha ninjas, led by Shisui Uchiha, appeared in Itachi's field of vision.
"Shisui?"
Itachi saw Shisui, and his eyes finally focused. The question in his voice expressed a sense of, "What took you so long?"
Shisui simply nodded. He said, "Itachi, is the clan still in a meeting?"
There was no need for Itachi to answer. Before Shisui even entered the clan head's courtyard, he could hear the loud clamor.
He then approached, smiled at Itachi, and pushed open the door, entering the room where the Uchiha ninjas were deliberating.
Itachi felt that Shisui was different today. He sensed that the other man seemed to have made some kind of resolution. So, Itachi immediately stood up and followed Shisui's group.
"Shisui? Why are you late? Sit down. As a young ninja like you, you must be even more unable to tolerate Konoha's unjust treatment!"
Shisui's sudden intrusion naturally drew the attention of the Uchiha ninjas. But Shisui did not take a seat. Instead, he said, "Well, we went to register for the new police force, so we were a little late."
Swish. All eyes turned to Shisui. Those gazes held not only anger and confusion, but some had even activated their Sharingan.
Shisui's voice had been calm, but now there was complete silence. All the discussions abruptly stopped… They were just here plotting how to rebel, and then Shisui pops up and says he's already betrayed their rebellion?
"Shisui, what are you saying?"
"Why would you do such a thing?!"
A young talent like Shisui represented the future of the Uchiha. However… the future of the Uchiha seemed to have run off to the Hokage's side?
That wasn't enough. He had to make the clan members realize that the new police force wasn't just an attack from the Hokage's faction.
Shisui Uchiha took a deep breath and said, "Because I was the one who submitted the application for this new police force. The Third Hokage approved my request."
These words made everyone jump to their feet. Many were ready to pounce on Shisui… If Shisui's words were true, then he wasn't just a traitor; he was the traitor!
"Clan Head!"
Fugaku Uchiha also slowly stood up. He raised his hand to stop the others from taking any irrational actions. His eyes were also filled with surprise… Although Fugaku had heard Shisui mention this before, he hadn't expected Shisui to reveal it directly in this setting.
"Shisui, why would you do such a thing?" Fugaku asked. Of course, he was just playing dumb.
"There are some things I don't see the same way as everyone else. I believe the Uchiha cannot turn their backs on Konoha, nor can they afford to. Since that's the case, shouldn't we be more proactive in integrating into Konoha?" Shisui explained.
"Integrate into Konoha? What about the missing clansmen?"
"Everyone, my previous thoughts remain. I do not believe the Hokage has any motive to kidnap Uchiha ninjas. This matter is still under investigation."
The Hokage was the leader of the village, not a terrorist. What reason would he have to kidnap Uchiha ninjas? And in recent days, Konoha had indeed been working tirelessly to help find the missing ninja.
"The higher-ups are pushing too hard. Do you think the Uchiha fear death? We'd rather be shattered jade, Shisui!"
Well, this was basically saying, "Rebellion will lead to death; inaction will also lead to death; so if death is inevitable, should we die for our clan?"
Shisui felt that was not acceptable.
At this time, Itachi Uchiha stood at the doorway, holding his younger brother. He watched the adult clan members, who had lived for most of their lives, spitting and fuming, angrily pressuring Shisui… Itachi had always been a thoughtful person. So, what were his thoughts on this scene?
The ninja disappearance incident, the division of security authority, the internal clan split. In short, the Uchiha clan's focus shifted gradually that day. But Fugaku Uchiha secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least for now, he didn't have to worry about the entire clan jumping ship and rebelling.
So what was Fugaku thinking? As the Uchiha clan head, he couldn't support Shisui's actions. At the same time, as the clan head, he also had to consider that "what if" scenario. Therefore, to prevent the Uchiha bloodline from being cut off, he couldn't directly stop Shisui's actions either.
Humans are complex beings; their emotions and rationality are intertwined, naturally leading to complexities in their stances, thoughts, and actions.
…
Because of the "split" in internal opinions, the Uchiha certainly couldn't rebel before resolving this internal conflict and unifying the clan's voice. Although the "surrender faction" was a minority, they had Shisui Uchiha, and Shisui's reputation as a genius gave him considerable influence within the clan.
However, while certain unforeseen events couldn't make the Uchiha "rise up," that didn't mean they would remain idle.
In fact, after realizing Shisui Uchiha's "betrayal," some Uchiha ninjas immediately took action. Shisui Uchiha's whereabouts were not difficult to track. They quickly learned that Shisui had visited a certain small mud hut several times before. Thus, they immediately concluded that Shisui had been seduced at this location.
If Shisui Uchiha hadn't been seduced by someone, then why would a perfectly good Uchiha ninja suddenly side with the Hokage? It didn't make sense.
So what should they do next was obvious, wasn't it?
Stake out the place, pick a fight, demand an explanation, and…
More than just an explanation.
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