Chapter 2:Aftermath of the Massacre
As time unfolded, tales of carnage rippled through the shinobi world. Some observers were appalled by the heir's actions, while others reveled in Schadenfreude, delighting in Konoha's diminished supremacy.
The people of the Land of Fire now steered clear of Konoha, sensing its impending fall.
Sequestered in a remote cave, adapting to her newly obtained eyes, Fuji saw things differently. She thought, 'Had Konoha truly been so vulnerable, the tragedy of the Uchiha clan would never have occurred.'
Despite her unremarkable renown, Fuji enjoyed privileged access to secrets reserved for select clan leaders, a courtesy extended due to her lineage and her friendship with Mikoto, the daughter of an Uchiha elder.
She was aware that other villages were merely masquerading strength, still reeling from the 3rd Shinobi World War's aftermath.
Kirigakure was in disarray, its leadership betraying its foundational members with ruthless executions.
Sunagakure faced financial distress, losing the Wind Daimyo's support and adopting a flawed elite shinobi program to reduce expenses.
Iwagakure's manpower dwindled, a direct consequence of the Yellow Flash's exploits and Konoha's overall might.
Only Kumogakure seemed prosperous, thanks to the 3rd Raikage's battlefield sacrifices.
Politically, however, the 4th Raikage grappled with the entire Kumo council, lacking the charisma and credibility of his predecessor, causing a partial government shutdown.
Smaller villages bore the brunt of the conflict, used as battlefields by the Five Great Shinobi Villages, suffering the most from the war.
While Konoha appeared more vulnerable than ever, its rivals were not in a position to challenge it, although traders took advantage of the situation to raise prices.
Fuji pondered over her strategy and potential targets.
And whom to target for her vengeance.
'I doubt Sarutobi and Shimura were the only clan that deserve my retribution.'
She considered the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans, closely allied with them, and smaller clans like Mitokado and Utatane, whose leaders were the village elders, an obstacle to her vengeance.
She knew attacking two clans would provoke five others to retaliate. Overwhelmed by her hatred, she still had humility and acknowledged she couldn't take on seven clans alone. The situation was more complicated than she had initially thought, realizing, 'Gaining strength before facing them is prudent.' But how?
Stirring internal conflict was an option, yet she lacked the means and influence. Additionally, she had to avoid Itachi and the enigmatic masked man, who would surely hunt her down upon discovery.
Aware she was no match for Itachi, the clan prodigy, she had witnessed Mikoto's murder while hiding.
If not for her exceptional sensory abilities, enabling her to evade the Sharingan, she would have met the same fate.
And seeing masked man space-time ninjutsu that was far superior in terms of use where veterans could do nothing to injure him, he was another person she didn't wish to confront believing he had MS as well since his focal point of teleportation focused on his right eyes.
'Unsure of his identity, but his chakra feels Uchiha-like. Perhaps another Uchiha manipulated by the higher-ups,' she speculated, considering Shinsui, traitorous Kagami's traitorous grandson, as a possible influencer of the masked man just like he was for Itachi.
Though she is surprised he wasn't present in the massacre, she still believes he is alive as his body was never found.
Confronted with the daunting task of opposing seven clans and three potent Uchiha, her prospects for revenge seemed bleak, yet her resolve, fueled by hatred, remained unshaken.
With her eyes still healing, shrouded in bandages, Fuji craved the power rumored to be bestowed upon the wielder of such formidable abilities, a power that could fulfill her deepest desires.