Naruto: The Flame That Reshapes Fate

2-IN-1 Chapter

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The killing intent and battle spirit radiating from the Uchiha were so intense that Hyūga Hiashi didn't dare to approach too closely. Instead, he led his most trusted subordinates to a nearby position—not too far, not too close—and watched the forty-some Uchiha jōnin with extreme caution.

Seeing so many Uchiha jōnin, Hiashi couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

Even for the Uchiha, if his estimate was correct, over forty jōnin meant they had mobilized the entire elite of their clan. Uchiha Rēn hadn't even been clan head for half a year, yet he had already gained the support of all the Uchiha jōnin.

There was no need to look behind him—

His Byakugan could see clearly the twenty-two Hyūga jōnin standing behind him, the most reliable force he could currently command.

In terms of numbers alone, Hiashi was confident the Hyūga had more jōnin than the Uchiha. The problem was, as clan head, he couldn't fully control the clan's power. The main family elders held great authority and had split the clan head's power, severely limiting Hiashi's freedom to act. The current Hyūga clan's Elders held much more political power than their Uchiha counterparts.

Especially after his brother, Hyūga Hizashi, head of the branch family, died, his authority was further eroded. Compared to Uchiha Rēn, who wielded absolute power, Hiashi's position felt worlds apart.

"Hiashi-senpai."

As Hiashi drifted in thought, Rēn walked over and greeted him.

"Rēn-kun, your clan's unity is truly enviable," Hiashi replied naturally.

"It was forced out of them."

Rēn waved dismissively, feigning humility. A united Uchiha? That sounded like a joke. The Uchiha were indeed united in defending their clan's honor, but the moment there were no external threats, their pride would turn inward and spark internal conflict.

This was all documented in the clan's historical records.

Even the forbidden technique Izanami, was designed to counter Izanagi, and had been developed to resolve clan infighting. That alone showed just how rampant Uchiha internal strife had been. Calling them dangerous wasn't without reason.

The Uchihas truly had madness etched into their bones.

Worst of all, their madness often fueled the power of their Sharingan, making their insanity a source of strength.

"Let's talk business, Hiashi-senpai. What do you plan to do next?"

Rēn cleared his throat and brought the conversation back to the point.

He hadn't come over for flattery—though it was nice to hear.

"Of course—an eye for an eye!"

At Rēn's question, Hiashi's face darkened instantly. He bit each word out through gritted teeth. As head of the Hyūga clan, he had nearly been killed by Root operatives within the village. Such humiliation was unprecedented. Right now, it felt as though a volcano was erupting in his chest—he had to vent, or the fury would consume him.

"The Hyūga also have a temper!"

Rēn carefully studied Hiashi, who hovered at the edge of rage, then nodded lightly without saying more.

It looked like the normally reserved Hyūga clan head had truly been provoked this time.

That was good.

Though Rēn didn't believe Hiashi would really retaliate in kind—after all, their enemy was the Hokage—he was curious to see whether the Hyūga's fury could actually burn the Third Hokage.

At that moment, more people arrived.

Kurama Sōun led seven jōnin of his clan to where the Uchiha and Hyūga were gathered. The instant they saw dozens of Sharingan and Byakugan staring at them, Sōun and his men instinctively took two steps back.

Damn, that was terrifying.

Being stared down by so many dōjutsu users felt like having your very soul laid bare.

"Clan Head Kurama," Rēn greeted politely.

With that, the killing intent in the air subsided. Sōun quickly led his men closer, leaned in beside Rēn, and whispered, "Rēn, if there's anything you need, just say it. The Kurama clan's strength may be limited, but I will support you with all I have."

"Thank you, Sōun-senpai," Rēn replied, then fell silent again.

The Kurama's arrival was just the beginning. Not long after, clan heads and jōnin from the Aburame, Kazamatsuri, Ise, and other families began to arrive on the ruined battlefield. The oppressive killing intent from the Uchiha and Hyūga shocked them all. As their eyes met, it became clear: today's matter would not end peacefully.

Soon after, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio arrived together. From a distance, Akimichi Torifu's imposing figure was easily spotted.

"Hiashi-kun."

Torifu stepped in front of Hiashi.

The large, elderly man looked at him and asked softly, "Is there truly no turning back?"

"Torifu-senpai, just now, I nearly died," Hiashi replied with forced calm, answering the elder who had no enmity with the Hyūga. "If I choose to endure this now, how can I continue to serve as clan head? And even if I back down—do you think he'll appreciate our mercy, or instead would he see us as weak?"

Under Hiashi's gaze—pure white eyes locked onto his—Torifu was left speechless.

It was his mistake to have harboured such naive hope.

Hiashi was right. Whether for his own dignity or the honor of the Hyūga, retreat was no longer an option. And as for his old friends... he knew all too well what they had become. In their youth, they would've burned themselves out for the village. Now, in old age, they were shadows of their former selves…

"I'm sorry, Hiashi-kun. I spoke out of turn."

"It's nothing. I appreciate your kindness, Torifu-senpai. But this is something I must do," Hiashi said, unwavering in his stance.

Torifu walked away in disappointment.

The barren field was filled with a tense, suffocating atmosphere. The overwhelming killing intent of the Uchiha and Hyūga was felt by all, and no one had yet forgotten the terrifying deep-crimson Susanoo they had just witnessed.

In this moment of crushing silence—

The Third Hokage appeared with his two advisers and a large ANBU escort.

"Hokage-sama!"

The clan heads of Kazamatsuri and Ise, who had arrived earlier, stepped forward to greet him.

These two clans were firm supporters of the Third, or more accurately, allies of the Sarutobi clan. Kazamatsuri had long held control over the Education Department, while Ise wielded significant power in the Medical Corps. Whether in personal loyalty or vested interest, betraying the Third was not an option.

"Kazamatsuri…"

Just as the Third began to address the approaching clan heads—

"Hokage-sama! Is the village planning to exterminate the Hyūga clan?!"

Hiashi stepped forward and nearly roared his question.

No one had expected such a scene.

In many people's minds, if the Uchiha were arrogant, the Hyūga were traditional and rigid. Their rules, speech, and even dress all gave off an ancient and solemn impression. Hiashi, as clan head, was the very model of a classic Hyūga.

Stoic, composed, dignified—this was how most people saw Hyūga Hiashi.

So for him to roar in anger like this shocked countless onlookers.

"Hiashi, what are you saying? No one intends to eliminate the Hyūga. The Hyūga are an irreplaceable part of Konoha." The Third Hokage furrowed his brows. He hadn't expected Hiashi to lash out so directly and aggressively. Based on his understanding, he thought the Hyūga clan head would approach the issue more subtly.

There was no time to consider a proper response—he had to speak. "I've already learned about the incident. Root acted without authorization and will be severely punished..."

"Acted without authorization?"

Rēn let out a derisive chuckle.

The mocking sound interrupted the Third's words.

Hiashi's expression was blank, unmoved by anything the Hokage said.

"Hokage-sama, I don't care about the reasons behind this. I just want to know—how will the village explain this to my clan?" Hiashi activated his Byakugan. The veins around his eyes bulged, making him appear genuinely terrifying.

At that moment,

The Hyūga jōnin stepped forward silently to express their support for their clan head.

"We Uchiha demand the same," Rēn said as he stepped forward to stand beside Hiashi. His scarlet eyes showed the six-pointed pinwheel pattern, distinctly different from the standard three tomoe.

With just a glimpse,

The Third averted his gaze and did not meet Rēn's eyes.

"Hiashi, Clan Head Uchiha, I've already investigated the matter. It was led by Torune and other Root commanders..."

"I already said, I don't want to know why. I want to know—what does the village intend to do about it?"

Hiashi's tone was aggressive.

The Third Hokage paused for a few seconds before replying, "The Root operatives who planned this operation are all dead—killed here…"

"So that's it, then? Because the planners are dead, it ends here? Dead men can't be held accountable, so even if the Uchiha or the Hyūga wanted justice, there's nothing they can do? That's what you're saying, Hokage-sama?"

Rēn's voice was calm and soft.

But it was that very cold softness that made everyone's hair stand on end.

Behind him, Uchiha jōnin activated their three-tomoe Sharingan in unison. Younger ones like Uchiha Hokuto already had hands on their sword hilts, clearly ready for combat.

This subtle shift made all the other clan head's faces change.

If a fight really broke out here, Konoha would fall into chaos.

Many grew anxious, fearing that a real clash was imminent. But in this moment… no one dared step forward to mediate. No one wanted to risk dragging their own clan into it.

The Third's gaze dropped, and he saw the deep crimson ribs of a Susanoo forming. The immense chakra pressure so close at hand darkened his expression. After a long breath, he spoke:

"After Danzō fell into a coma, it was my failure as Hokage not to restrain Root. For that, I am willing to resign."

"Hiashi, Clan Head Uchiha—will that suffice as an explanation?"

Hearing this, Hiashi was stunned.

He had planned to use this event to force the Third to step down. He never imagined that the Hokage would proactively offer his resignation. It completely disrupted his plan, and for a moment, he couldn't guess what the Hokage was trying to do.

"Not enough!!"

Just as Hiashi faltered, a voice exploded beside him.

"That's not enough!"

Rēn stared coldly at the Hokage. "This isn't resignation—it should be dismissal followed by trial!"

"This wasn't a minor skirmish involving a dozen men. Over a hundred Root shinobi mobilized—enough for a small-scale war. And yet the Barrier Corps didn't respond at all. The ANBU acted like blind men. This wasn't a small oversight—this was outright dereliction of duty!"

Rēn's words echoed with force.

"Uchiha Rēn, Hiruzen's negligence is indeed his fault—but to accuse him of dereliction... The Barrier Corps was performing maintenance on the village's main barrier today. This area falls within the Hyūga compound. Out of respect for the clans, the ANBU do not operate here without clearance. To lay all responsibility at the Hokage's feet—what is the Uchiha trying to do? Defame the Hokage? Are you trying to start a rebellion?"

Utatane Koharu, who had held back for long enough, finally exploded. She attempted to defend the Hokage while simultaneously turning the accusation back on the Uchiha.

A short, dry laugh escaped Rēn.

"Elder Utatane... do you really take me—and my clan—for fools?" His voice was calm, but the air around him grew cold. He exhaled slowly, sweeping his gaze across the Third, the two elders, and every clan head present. Then his eyes settled on the Third Hokage.

Locking eyes with the man who dared not meet his gaze, he said:

"Hokage-sama, let's end this farce. I am... absolutely enraged."

The calm mask cracked.

Rēn's face contorted with fury.

"I, Rēn of the Uchiha, Commander of the Konoha Police Force and Clan Head of the Uchiha, hereby impeach Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen for negligence of duty, abuse of power, and failing to uphold the responsibilities of a Hokage. I present four charges: First, for spreading rumors to force Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, into suicide out of fear that his achievements would threaten your authority."

"Second, for secretly conspiring with your advisor Shimura Danzō and your student Orochimaru to steal the First Hokage's cells for inhumane human experiments. When the plan was exposed, you pinned the blame solely on Orochimaru and then let him escape."

"Third, for mistreating the Fourth Hokage's orphan, Uzumaki Naruto. You let slander about the Nine-Tail's Jinchūriki run rampant while playing the kind old man—hoping to keep control of the Nine-Tails through manipulation."

"Fourth, for showing weakness to external threats. When Kumogakure made demands, you didn't protect our comrades. Instead, you pressured the Hyūga clan to sacrifice one of their own to curry favor with the enemy. Hiashi's brother's corpse is still on a Kumogakure operating table!"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen—you are no longer the shinobi hero of the past. Behind your claims of doing everything for the village, your every action has been for personal gain and political power. You are unfit to remain Hokage!"

His voice echoed in the air.

Everyone was stunned. The cascade of accusations left the assembly breathless.

Even the Third couldn't respond at first. Collaborating with Danzō and Orochimaru to steal the First Hokage's cells—wasn't that slander? He opened his mouth to rebut with sharp words—

But behind Rēn, Kurama Sōun clenched his fists and made his decision.

"The Kurama clan seconds the Uchiha clan head's motion."

And then—

"The Hyūga clan seconds the Uchiha clan head's motion!"

A brief moment of hesitation passed before Hiashi spoke. But Rēn's line—"Hiashi's brother's body is still on Kumogakure's operating table"—struck him like a dagger to the heart, washing away his final doubts.

There was no more room for hesitation. He owed Hizashi this much.

And then—

An unexpected voice rang out.

"The Aburame clan seconds the Uchiha clan head's motion."

Wearing a hooded coat and dark glasses, Aburame Shibi spoke.

No one expected the third clan to step forward would be the ever-discreet Aburame.

If Kurama and Hyūga's support had been within expectations, the Aburame's stance was truly a shock. The clan might keep a low profile, but apart from Uchiha and Hyūga, they were arguably the strongest in the village.

This was a widely held view in Konoha.

The Ino-Shika-Chō trio might outrank them in coordination, but individually, the Aburame surpassed any one of them.

So,

When the Aburame clan publicly chose a side early on, the atmosphere—already tense—became explosive.

No one knew what had gotten into Shibi.

But Uchiha + Hyūga + Aburame...

That combination sent a wave of pressure through the crowd. The balance of power had started to tip.

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Note: By the way I forgot to ask. As you might have noticed I use a lot of (-) in this fanfiction compared to the others. What do you all think about it?

It is good don't you dare take it away!!

You do you, I don't really care.

No, take it away!!

Just comment on your opinion! Just keep in mind I have advanced chapters witch still write in this style so it would take a while before you can read a chapter in the new style (if enough people want the change that is)

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