Naruto: The Flame That Reshapes Fate

Shōchikutei was one of the most refined high-class restaurants in Konoha.

Though it wasn't due to lack of money, this was Rēn's first time stepping into this elegant establishment. His age was the limiting factor—before twenty, both his father and mother had strictly forbidden him from drinking. Even now, as clan head, he hadn't gained that freedom.

His grandfather fully agreed with this, too.

Said that young people today didn't take the "three taboos of the shinobi" seriously. Rēn, as the clan head, should lead by example and help reform the clan's customs. Indulgence in wine, women, and riches should be sampled lightly by shinobi—obsession would only numb their will.

Rēn stepped onto the wooden floors, casually glancing at his surroundings. Led by the hostess, they moved along a winding corridor. On both sides were shōji screens, painted with scenes of spring blossoms, autumn moons, summer suns, and winter snow—the beauty of all four seasons. Yet the corridor remained well-lit.

Clearly, the shop's owner wasn't a rigid traditionalist. The illumination came from modern electric lights, shaped like cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and plum flowers, creating a charming harmony with the seasonal imagery on the screens.

"Clatter—"

The hostess slid open a tightly shut shōji screen.

They had arrived.

Rēn followed Hyūga Hiashi inside and saw it was a six-mat room. In the center were zabuton cushions and a low-legged table. Hanging on the walls were elegant landscape scrolls Rēn didn't really understand. Beyond the veranda, there was a picturesque stone garden—carefully raked white sand, arranged rocks, stone lanterns—all composed into a breathtaking miniature landscape.

When the attendants brought in tea and snacks and quietly closed the screen doors, only Rēn and Hiashi remained inside. Shisui and Hiashi's attendant were placed in an adjoining room—close enough to react instantly, but far enough to avoid interfering.

"Clan Head Uchiha, please wait just a moment."

Hiashi sat cross-legged on a cushion, activated his Byakugan to scan the surroundings, and only after confirming there was no surveillance did he deactivate it.

Watching Hiashi's actions, Rēn lightly furrowed his brow. The environmental check was clearly also a pretense to size him up. Still, there were things that couldn't be hidden. If Hiashi wished, he could see Rēn clearly from miles away.

Though it sparked a moment of discomfort, it passed quickly.

"My apologies, Clan Head Uchiha..."

"Please just call me by name, Hiashi-senpai."

"Then—Rēn-kun?"

Rēn and Hiashi weren't exactly close, but neither were they strangers. They'd collaborated a few times during the Third Shinobi World War. The Hyūga had been active on the front lines against Kumogakure, but their Byakugan also offered a powerful counter to Kirigakure's Hidden Mist techniques.

However, the overconfident Hyūga had suffered for it.

A member of the main house had died in combat, and Kirigakure had taken a fully intact Byakugan eye.

Rēn had met the unlucky one who died—a cocky young man about his own age, someone who ignored all warnings and, in the end, got not only himself killed but also dragged six Hyūga branch members down with him.

"What are you thinking about, Rēn-kun?"

"I'm wondering what you called me here for, Hiashi-senpai. If you've something to say, please speak plainly. I find getting to the point more worthwhile than wasting time on pleasantries."

"...Haha!" Hiashi chuckled quietly. "No wonder you became the Uchiha clan head at such a young age. Since you said that, I'll speak directly."

He paused briefly, the smile vanishing from his face, replaced by a grave seriousness. His pure white eyes locked onto Rēn, seated opposite, and he slowly began: "Rēn-kun, I'd like to ask—does the Uchiha clan intend to nominate a new Hokage?"

It was an expected question.

But—

Rēn hadn't thought Hiashi would come out and say it so directly. He'd expected more probing, more circling. Clearly, the anger and bitterness pent up inside Hiashi had built up to the point he couldn't bother with subtleties.

"We do."

Rēn replied without hesitation.

"The Third's prejudice against our clan runs too deep. Frankly, as long as he holds office, my life is like sitting on thorns—never at ease. Every moment I'm worried for the clan's future. So, Hiashi-senpai, are you planning to act on this as well?"

"Rēn-kun, don't say it like that. I may not know exactly what methods you used to get that Kirigakure envoy to say what he did, but I don't believe they'd be so arrogantly reckless. That's not the point. The point is—what he said wasn't wrong. Hizashi's death is the greatest mistake of my life!"

Hiashi closed his eyes, his expression full of grief.

"For the sake of the clan, I chose to sacrifice Hizashi. I personally sent my brother to his death. That's a sin I cannot deny. But the Third Hokage must also bear his share of responsibility. I wasn't the only one who killed Hizashi—he has blood on his hands too!"

When he opened his eyes again, flames seemed to blaze within the white of his Byakugan.

"So, you came to me?"

Rēn asked calmly.

"Yes."

Hiashi nodded without hesitation. "Everyone knows that the Uchiha and the Third's faction are like fire and water. And… this might not sound nice, but frankly, the current Uchiha under your leadership are more impressive than when Fugaku was in charge. With your help, I'll have a much greater chance of forcing the Third to step down!"

Rēn didn't rush to answer. He picked up his teacup and slowly traced its warm surface with his fingertips.

He realized he'd been thinking too narrowly—focusing only on internal clan affairs, without noticing that within the great structure of Konoha, others were also at odds with the Third.

Hiashi's plan to overthrow the Third wasn't made in haste. Today's events merely gave him the opening. The claws he had hidden beneath the water had finally begun to surface.

But—

It didn't matter.

Forming alliances was one way to help the Uchiha. Still, this world was ruled by power. The law of the strong prevailed.

Strength equated to control in this world.

Relying on others was unreliable. Mountains collapse, rivers dry up—only one's own power could be trusted.

"Hiashi-senpai, do what you must. The Third and his faction are relics of the past. Konoha needs a new leader." After a brief pause, Rēn made his stance clear. The Uchiha would fully cooperate with the Hyūga.

But removing the Third wasn't enough. Unless the rot was cut out, the wound would never heal. If the Third were allowed to fade quietly, the danger would only grow worse.

So—

The Third had to die.

…I wonder if Akitarō has found him yet.

The thought passed through Rēn's mind.

Aloud, he asked, "Hiashi-senpai, since you're planning to overthrow the Third, have you considered a candidate for the Fifth Hokage?"

"Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya. They're the most suitable candidates."

"...I thought you might run for the position yourself," Rēn said with a smile.

"I'd be lying if I said I had no interest. But the civilian shinobi and smaller clans would never accept someone from a bloodline limit clan like ours as Hokage. Forcing it would only drive the majority of them into the Third's arms."

Hiashi was sharply aware of reality.

He knew what could be done and what couldn't. He had no intention of trying to claim the Hokage's seat for the Hyūga.

Konoha wasn't what it was decades ago. Since the Second Hokage founded the shinobi academy, more and more small clans and civilian shinobi had entered the scene. Today, while the main clans still held power, the rise of the civilians could not be denied. Without them, Konoha wouldn't have survived the Second and Third Wars. Each war had pitted Konoha against all four other great villages—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.

Those brutal conflicts had left the major clans battered.

It was only the sheer number and rapid replenishment of the civilian shinobi that kept Konoha alive and barely clinging to its position as the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Unless another Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha appeared to suppress the world, even the Hokage selection now had to take civilian opinions into account.

"As for Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya, I have a rough idea of their whereabouts. If I send people, we should find them quickly. Once they're found, I'll immediately move to impeach the Third. Many clans in the village will support us. I hope you'll lend your strength, Rēn-kun."

"Of course."

Rēn nodded.

It was clear Hiashi hadn't made this decision impulsively. He had already united a significant number of clans. Truly, when it came to connections, the Uchiha couldn't compare with the Hyūga.

Their alliance was sealed with a toast.

No documents, no signatures. Hiashi trusted that Rēn would act in the Uchiha's interest. Rēn had no doubt about the ambition and hatred burning in Hiashi's eyes. Their motives didn't need to align—so long as their goals did.

Hiashi raised his teacup and downed the warm tea in one gulp, soothing his throat and dampening the excitement rising in his chest.

Hizashi, I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. Overthrowing the Third is only the beginning. The Hyūga... will one day break free of the caged bird curse!!!