Chapter 5: dead

"Lord Patriarch, Kisaragi kept the money, but he has no intention of releasing the Patriarch at all."

The Jōnin who was kicked out by Kisaragi earlier reported the situation to Uchiha Nagisa.

"Damn, Kisaragi, do you really think I can't deal with you?"

Uchiha Nagisa slammed his palm on the table in anger, but he ended up spitting out a mouthful of blood, and the wound inflicted by Kisaragi's Ryūjin Jakka burst open again.

"Lord Patriarch, you mustn't use force, or your injury will worsen."

A medical ninja beside him warned Uchiha Nagisa cautiously.

"Is there any chance my injury can be healed?"

Uchiha Nagisa asked the medical ninja.

The medical ninja had a troubled look on his face and finally chose to tell the truth.

"Lord Patriarch, your injury cannot be cured. Previously, you might have lived for at least six months, but now it's difficult to survive for a month."

He felt that even a month might be too optimistic, given Uchiha Nagisa's current condition.

Injuries like Uchiha Nagisa's were not uncommon in the ninja profession, which was inherently dangerous. For example, the average age of a ninja during the Sengoku period was only around thirty years. Injuries sustained in youth would often resurface in old age, leading to death either from further injuries or illnesses. Few ninjas died in good health.

"If Lady Tsunade were here, she might be able to help the Patriarch live a bit longer."

"Leave now."

Uchiha Nagisa waved the medical ninja away.

The medical ninja quickly departed, and Uchiha Nagisa sighed in resignation.

"Lord Patriarch, Kisaragi is too arrogant and should be taught a lesson."

Uchiha kawa, who had been kicked out, looked resentfully at the floor.

"Teach him a lesson? Are you going to do it?"

Uchiha Nagisa's eyes were sharp as knives, causing Uchiha Kawa to lower his head in fright.

"Ugh!"

With a sigh, Uchiha Nagisa felt a pang of disappointment. His son, Uchiha Fugaku, had not lived up to expectations. If Fugaku's strength could have suppressed Kisaragi, it would not have gained so many supporters.

Though Nagisa wished for Kisaragi's death, he had to admit that the boy's methods were effective and had earned him the support of half the clan.

It was precisely because of the support Kisaragi had garnered that Uchiha Nagisa didn't want to confront him directly. Instead, he could only try to hinder Kisaragi's plans.

"Go and contact Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Bob, and Uchiha Shimata. Bring them back. It won't be long before the Uchiha family undergoes a change."

All three were Jōnin-level combatants, loyal to him and Fugaku.

"Yes, Patriarch."

Uchiha Kaw immediately left to find a way to contact the three Jōnin on their mission.

After Uchiha Kawa left, Uchiha Nagisa summoned the three elders of the family for an intra-family meeting.

In fact, every move on Uchiha Nagisa's side was also under Kisaragi's surveillance.

"Calling the elders, do they intend to attack me?"

Kisaragi showed a hint of disdain.

He wasn't worried even if all the old guys came out. He didn't like those old-timers. They might have been powerful in their youth, but now they were merely fighting for power and profit. Their presence was more of a hindrance than a help to the development of the Uchiha family.

"If the interests aren't substantial, those old guys might not assist Uchiha Nagisa."

As one of the high-ranking members of the Uchiha family, He understood the nature of those elders. Even if Uchiha Nagisa was the patriarch, they wouldn't help without a significant incentive.

Moreover, Uchiha Nagisa's control over the Uchiha family had long since weakened. His failure to act as patriarch had led to a decline in the family, and the clan members had long been dissatisfied with his leadership.

..

Konoha Village Hokage Building, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe.

Just moments ago, Anbu ninjas reported the situation with the Uchiha family to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Continue to monitor the Uchiha situation, but don't expose it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered the Anbu ninja hiding in the shadows.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not intend to intervene in Uchiha's internal affairs. Uchiha infighting was something that all Konoha's senior officials secretly enjoyed. Furthermore, even if he wanted to intervene, he couldn't.

Generally, family matters were handled within the family. Unless there was an action that threatened the village, he could not intervene.

"With Uchiha Nagisa dying, who will inherit the position of patriarch?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered.

In all fairness, Sarutobi Hiruzen preferred to see Uchiha Fugaku become the patriarch. The reason was simple: potential. Kisaragi's potential was much greater than Uchiha Fugaku's, and he was likely to reach Kage-level in the future, possibly even awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan.

While Uchiha Kisaragi becoming the patriarch could benefit the Uchiha family, it posed a significant threat to Konoha Village.

Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen had investigated Kisaragi's character and found it to be very strong-willed. If Kisaragi became the patriarch, it would likely lead to more conflicts between Konoha Village and the Uchiha family in the future.

Sarutobi Hiruzen might dislike the Uchiha family, but Konoha couldn't afford to lose them. With the major ninja villages beginning to rise again after years of peace, losing the Uchiha could be detrimental if a new war were to break out.

..|..

Five days passed in the blink of an eye. Kisaragi had expected Uchiha Nagisa to take action, but he was surprised by the lack of movement. Uchiha Nagisa appeared calm.

Today, Kisaragi received news that Uchiha Nagisa had died.

Although Kisaragi had anticipated Nagisa's death within a week based on his injuries, he did not expect it to occur so soon.

Kisaragi was surprised, and Uchiha Nagisa himself had not anticipated his death coming so quickly. He had initially planned to wait until Kisaragi let his guard down and then rescue Uchiha Fugaku before turning against Kisaragi completely. Nagisa had intended to support Fugaku's bid for the patriarch position before his death.

However, he had not even begun to implement his plan before succumbing to his injuries.