Throne Of The Uchiha

Uchiha Skyfire

Wars in the shinobi world are fought not only with strength and numbers, but with logistics and supply lines. Hidden Villages can survive short conflicts with their own stockpiles, but in a protracted war, the backing of the Daimyo and the nation's resources becomes crucial.

Assassinating the Minister of Logistics from the Land of Earth would normally be feasible for an elite shinobi team. But during wartime, such figures are protected as tightly as a daimyo—sometimes even more so. This is because while daimyo assassinations are taboo—capable of destabilizing the entire world order—the death of a minister serves as a pointed challenge. It tests whether the country's leadership prioritizes internal power redistribution or is still unified in its ambition to advance into the Land of Rain as part of the Four-Nation War.

From the Hokage's office, five figures exited one after another. Among them was Uchiha Fugaku, newly appointed captain of a joint special operations team. Despite the Third Hokage's formal recognition, Fugaku knew that leadership wasn't granted by title alone. To truly command respect and authority in the field, he would need to demonstrate overwhelming strength—especially among seasoned Jōnin.

Later that day, at an open training ground within Konoha's inner district, the five team members gathered under the fading sun.

"I thought we'd no longer be working together," said Hyūga Ning, the first to break the silence. "But it seems we're teammates once more. I'll admit, I'm impressed you were named captain."

Fugaku could tell the comment was more strategic than sincere—meant to communicate to the others that even someone from the noble Hyūga clan acknowledged Fugaku's qualifications. It was a calculated deterrent for any who might challenge his authority.

He nodded. "I'm Uchiha Fugaku, team captain. Let's hear introductions—your names, clans, and specialties."

His eyes moved calmly over the group. No one spoke out of turn or tried to assert themselves. They were Jōnin—veterans who knew how to assess new dynamics before exposing their cards. And perhaps, as members of smaller clans, they were cautious of provoking an Uchiha, especially one rising rapidly through both military and political ranks.

Each ninja introduced themselves:

Gekkō Shuichi, heir of the Gekkō clan—an old line of Kenjutsu specialists. Proficient in the Konoha-style sword technique and Hiding in Light Technique (Meisaigakure no Jutsu), a stealth-based ninjutsu that bends light.

Yamashiro Aoki, a Fire Release user and skilled summoner of ninja crows—rare among Konoha shinobi outside of the Nara and Uchiha.

Mitarashi Meimitsu, a dual-nature user, fluent in both Earth and Fire Release. Likely a distant cousin of Mitarashi Anko, she possessed unorthodox and versatile combat skills.

Fugaku recognized the significance of their backgrounds. These weren't nobility, but their clans had produced exceptional shinobi. The sort of bloodlines Konoha valued for balancing the influence of larger houses.

"Prepare your tools and final arrangements today," Fugaku said. "We depart tomorrow at first light. Dismissed."

Three vanished instantly, leaving only Hyūga Ning.

"Not easy teammates," Ning remarked. "They each have specialties that could challenge your authority. Convincing them won't be simple."

Fugaku gave a wry smile. "You underestimated me during our missions in the Land of Rain. You hid it well—but the Sharingan sees through more than illusions. Only after we fought together repeatedly did you begin to accept me as your leader."

Ning gave a sheepish chuckle.

"These three might come from lesser clans, but they're not weak. I'll need more than Sharingan to unify them. Before we enter the Land of Earth, I plan to earn their complete cooperation."

Ning's tone turned sober. "We're heading deep into enemy territory. If we're exposed, we won't just face one or two Rock-nin. The entire region will hunt us."

Fugaku nodded. "Even success may mean death. Escaping the capital alive will be harder than completing the kill."

With nothing more to say, the two disappeared into the twilight.

---

Instead of returning home, Fugaku roamed the quiet streets of Konoha. He listened. Conversations in alleys, whispers in tea houses, murmurs near old shrines.

The "nails" he'd planted weeks earlier—agents and rumors meant to stir public memory—had begun to take root.

More and more citizens were reminiscing about the First Hokage—Senju Hashirama—and the time when Wood Release suppressed the entire shinobi world. For years, such talk had been muted. But the pain of endless wars had reignited nostalgic yearning. Fugaku had anticipated this.

By the time he returned from the Land of Earth, he expected the rumor mill to be ablaze. Eventually, someone in the village—whether an ANBU scientist, a desperate clan elder, or a curious medic-nin—would try to revive or replicate Wood Release.

In the Uchiha clan compound, Fugaku learned his father had gone on duty with the Military Police. The mission from the Hokage weighed heavily on his mind. The capital of the Land of Earth, unlike Iwagakure which lies among the rocky mountains, sat on a rare inland plain. This made logistics easier but also increased patrols.

Fugaku unrolled the mission scroll again. The layout was detailed: steep crags in the east, forested gorges to the southwest. But even with terrain analysis, every retreat path he traced was riddled with flaws. Without on-site recon, any escape plan was a gamble.

That evening, Uchiha Tenjō, his father, summoned a council of elders and high-ranking clan members. Fugaku, now considered a future leader of the Uchiha, joined quietly and sat in a corner.

"Clan head," began one elder, "Uchiha Tenka and his group have become increasingly reckless. They ignore orders, form their own faction, and mock your caution as weakness."

Tenka, though absent, cast a long shadow. Arrogant and powerful, he and his like-minded peers flaunted Uchiha superiority openly. Fugaku had never worked with him closely but knew the type well—impulsive, proud, and dangerous.

Such members were both a strength and a curse. They burnished the clan's martial image, but also deepened its isolation and arrogance. Fugaku understood: It was men like Tenka who made the village fear the Uchiha name.

And it would be men like Fugaku who would have to lead the clan away from destruction.