Naruto: The Flame That Reshapes Fate

Hokage Office.

"Uchiha Fugaku is no longer the head of the Uchiha clan. Uchiha Rēn has become the new clan head... Kakashi, are you sure this isn't a joke?"

The Third Hokage, still awake late into the night, stared wide-eyed at Kakashi, who was kneeling silently before his desk, disbelief written across his face.

"Yes. That's what Uchiha Fugaku personally told me. Over a hundred members of the Uchiha Police Force were present at the time. It's not the kind of joke one could easily make."

Kakashi truthfully reported what he had seen and heard.

To be honest, had he not experienced it himself, he would have thought it unbelievable. Even as someone who had been there, he still hadn't fully made sense of it and doubt lingered.

The Third Hokage questioned him repeatedly, confirming that Kakashi was neither lying nor under the influence of a genjutsu. That meant it was true: the Uchiha clan had changed leadership. The seasoned and steady Fugaku had stepped down, and in his place, the new head was the fifteen-year-old Uchiha Rēn.

"This... is not good news."

The Third Hokage felt a headache coming on. Veins throbbed near his temples.

Fugaku had always looked stern and fierce, but once you figured out how to deal with him, he wasn't difficult to handle. But now his replacement was that Uchiha Rēn brat... thinking back to the encounter in the forest not long ago, that boy—though young—was far harder to manipulate than Fugaku.

This resignation notice Kakashi had brought back was the clearest evidence of that.

Uchiha Shisui... a descendant of Kagami. The Third had once intended to draw him into his side. But unfortunately, Shisui never managed to rise above his ties to the clan. He carried the village in his heart, but couldn't let go of the clan either. That had been a disappointment.

Fortunately, later he found Itachi.

His talent and intellect were no less than Shisui's. And his understanding of the Will of Fire was even deeper. He was just a bit younger. If they wanted to use him effectively... a few more years would be needed.

Honestly, the Third no longer cared much about whether Shisui left the ANBU. Though Shisui hadn't broken away from his clan's limits, he also wasn't the type to rebel against the village. Such a person didn't warrant too much concern.

By contrast, what concerned him now was what trouble Uchiha Rēn would stir up next. He had a strong feeling that this boy wasn't the quiet, obedient type like Fugaku. Once Rēn solidified his position as both clan head and Commander of the Police Force, there would be major problems.

"No. I can't just sit back and do nothing. A fifteen-year-old becoming a clan head... this is outrageous."

The Third Hokage furrowed his brow.

He began to plan. This wasn't something that could be ignored. He had to find a way to remove Uchiha Rēn. If he couldn't eliminate him, then he had to get him off the clan leader's seat.

But this wasn't something he could do alone.

Intervening in a clan's internal affairs was taboo. Even with the Uchiha's poor reputation, he would still need support before acting—especially from the Hyūga, Aburame, and other clans. Fortunately, the Uchiha's reputation in the village was terrible, and with their history involving the Nine-Tails incident, it wouldn't be difficult to gain backing.

"Kakashi."

The Third called out to the young man kneeling like a silent scarecrow in front of his desk.

"Go find the two advisory elders. Tell them it's urgent. Have them come to my office immediately."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Kakashi accepted the order and left.

The Third then summoned another ANBU and gave a similar command. This time, the ones to be summoned were his support aides—Danzō included.

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Time passed quickly. Before long, the moon set behind the western mountains, and light began to appear in the eastern sky. The sun peeked over the horizon. Its bright rays drove away the night, waking the village from its slumber.

"Morning, Chihaya."

Rēn, retying his loosened belt, greeted Uchiha Chihaya as she walked in through the door.

"You're already up?"

Chihaya glanced regretfully at the couch, which still bore the imprint of someone having slept there.

"I'm not a kid anymore."

Rēn shook his head helplessly.

When he was younger—maybe because his body wasn't fully developed or for some other reason—he had a hard time waking up. Regardless of season, every morning he would stay curled up in bed, refusing to get up. Luckily, he had a childhood friend who loved waking him up, treating it like a daily game.

"Where's Shisui? Is he awake?"

They had all stayed the night at the Police Force headquarters rather than returning to the clan compound. Rēn had slept on the couch in what was now his office. As for Shisui, a building this large obviously had more than one couch.

"No idea."

Chihaya answered plainly.

Waking Rēn was her habit since childhood. As for others... she didn't really care.

"No idea... fine. Chihaya, go get me some breakfast. I'll wash up first."

Rēn picked up a fresh set of toiletries and headed to wash his face and brush his teeth.

After a quick cleanup, he returned to his office to find breakfast already on his desk: two slices of golden toast, a strip of bacon, a round fried egg, and a steaming glass of milk. On the couch sat Shisui, munching on toast.

"Shisui, how was the couch?"

"Pretty good. Definitely better than the tents we used to sleep in on the battlefield."

"Can't argue with that."

Rēn chuckled. After being on the battlefield, most hardships felt trivial. Back then, even sleeping required keeping one eye open, hand always on the sword hilt, ready to fight at any moment.

"By the way, where's Chihaya? Did you see her?"

"She went out to practice kenjutsu."

"Always so diligent. She never takes a break."

"Rēn, are we heading out after breakfast?"

Shisui spoke while chewing, his words slightly muffled but still understandable.

"Yeah. The earlier we go, the earlier we're done. It's better to settle problems as soon as possible."

Rēn sat down at the desk and began devouring his breakfast.

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