Faced with the question of the survival of the entire Uchiha clan—and more importantly, with Uchiha Yue's strength already demonstrated in both combat and strategy—there was no longer any room for hesitation in what must come next.
In just a short span, an elite Uchiha strike force of three hundred shinobi, each no weaker than a Chūnin, assembled before Uchiha Yue. This was despite the urgency of time; many clan members had yet to arrive, or the total number could have easily doubled. With proper notice, the Uchiha could have mustered more than half their active-duty strength, a force to rival even the Konoha ANBU.
Witnessing the formation of this disciplined unit—uniforms crisp, chakra suppressed but seething, Sharingan eyes lit with determination—Uchiha Yue couldn't help but feel a rush of pride. Indeed, the Uchiha were Konoha's foremost clan, and their martial prowess was no exaggeration. They were the soul of the village's elite forces, now facing annihilation by the very power they once upheld.
"Excellent!" Yue shouted, his voice carrying across the stone square outside the Nakano Shrine. "It seems everyone is well aware of the situation. Then today, let's prove once and for all—the Uchiha clan is not one to be trampled. Even if the Hokage himself seeks our destruction, it will not come without a price!"
A roaring energy erupted among the Uchiha, the red glow of awakened Sharingan eyes gleaming like a sea of embers. Cheers rang out, swelling into a thunderous chant:
"I swear to follow the commander!"
"Uchiha will prevail!"
"I swear to follow the commander!"
"Uchiha will prevail!"
One voice became ten, then hundreds, until the entire battalion was shouting in unison, the earth seeming to tremble with their oath.
Laughing aloud with blood boiling, Yue raised a hand. "Hahaha! Very good! Then today—let's raise hell! Move out!"
Without pause, he surged to the front, his violet Mangekyō flaring as he led the assault directly toward the approaching Konoha force under the Third Hokage's banner. But even as he charged forward with the vanguard, Yue didn't neglect the defense of the Uchiha district. From the shadows near the Naka River, his clone remained behind, overseeing a secondary team—smaller and of lower combat grade, yet vital for internal defense and potential evacuation.
…
Time passed quickly.
Thanks to the intelligence leak orchestrated by Danzo's secret operatives—likely via ROOT sleeper agents within the Konoha Police Force—Sarutobi Hiruzen had already prepared for conflict. He moved swiftly, leading a detachment of Konoha's elite Jonin, including the regular ANBU, to the Uchiha compound's perimeter.
But before they could set foot in the heart of the Uchiha district, Uchiha Yue's strike force intercepted them.
The confrontation was sharp. On one side stood Sarutobi Hiruzen, flanked by Homura, Koharu, and Shimura Danzo; behind them were Jonin and ANBU of considerable strength. On the other side, the Uchiha stood unmoved, unified under a single command—no longer fractured by politics or internal divisions. The tension between the two groups was heavy, ready to ignite.
"Are you Uchiha Yue?" Hiruzen asked calmly, stepping forward with his staff. His eyes scanned Yue's young figure, Mangekyō active but restrained. "A most remarkable young man… To have come this far, and yet remained hidden in the Academy. You've concealed your talent well."
Yue sneered. "Third Hokage, I see you're fond of idle praise. But don't pretend you came here for admiration. You arrive with armed forces, chakra cloaked and masked… and you want me to believe this is a social call?"
Before Hiruzen could respond, Danzo stepped forward, chakra brimming with restrained hostility. "Uchiha Yue, your actions speak for themselves. You attacked the Hokage Building and infiltrated the ROOT archives. The theft of the Sealed Scroll and other confidential materials has been confirmed."
"You're wanted for crimes against the village," Danzo continued, voice sharp. "If you surrender now, the Uchiha may be spared your punishment. Resist, and your entire clan bears the cost of your ambition."
At this, murmurs spread among the Uchiha behind Yue. A few Sharingan flickered uncertainly. Yue frowned but stepped forward, raising his voice.
"Danzo… you make accusations with no proof? You speak of crimes, yet what about your crimes?" Yue gestured at him sharply. "The stench of stolen Sharingan oozes from your body. Do you think my Mangekyō cannot sense it? You are no Uchiha—yet you possess Uchiha bloodline powers!"
A visible twitch marred Danzo's face. "Y-You…!"
"You dare speak of justice," Yue said, eyes narrowing. "Then strip your bandages! Show everyone your right arm! Let Konoha see what kind of monster you are!"
Danzo flinched. He couldn't speak. No words came, only a rage-filled glare and grinding teeth.
"Lord Third!" Yue suddenly shouted, turning to Hiruzen. "I accuse Shimura Danzo of harvesting Sharingan from fallen Uchiha clan members. I demand an immediate investigation. If the Uchiha must be held accountable, then so must he."
Behind him, the crowd of Uchiha had fallen silent. Now, their Sharingan locked onto Sarutobi Hiruzen, waiting. Expecting.
Hiruzen hesitated. "Cough… Uchiha Yue, Danzo is the Head of ROOT and serves under the authority of the Hokage. Whatever his methods, I cannot question him now. This is not the time for internal matters."
"We are here to investigate the Hokage Building incident. The Sealed Scroll is extremely dangerous. Even a prodigy like you risks death meddling with the kinjutsu inside."
Yue narrowed his eyes, his voice sharp. "So the Hokage will protect Danzo. Very well. Then I, Uchiha Yue, say this: Unless you present irrefutable evidence for these so-called crimes, I will not submit to arrest. Not even the Hokage can decree guilt without proof."
As Yue spoke, he ensured his tone was calm but unwavering. If Hiruzen was to cloak himself in the image of the just leader, Yue would hold him to it.
The image of rebellion must not come from the Uchiha. Yue knew the village politics too well. He had to cast the clan as protectors, as victims forced to the brink. Let Konoha think they resisted only because they had no choice.
And meanwhile, the longer they spoke, the more time passed.
Time for the remaining Uchiha to evacuate families. Time to mobilize assets and prepare hidden escape routes under the Naka Shrine. Time to turn what had been a massacre in another timeline… into a battle with a chance of survival.
For no matter how powerful Uchiha Yue was, and no matter how fearsome his Mangekyō, he could not fight the entire might of Konoha alone. Not yet.