Chapter .16 Uchiha Clan

When Uzame revealed her true identity, her aura became so powerful that it took everyone's breath away. But soon, she reined in her aura, allowing the room to breathe again. She then spoke, "I am here solely as the head of the medical department. It would greatly benefit our village if we could all reach a consensus on unity. The war has left us vulnerable, but if we unite, we can emerge even stronger."

Once everyone was able to catch their breath, they regained their senses and tried to make sense of what had just happened. Uzame's words finally registered in their minds, causing their eyes to widen in shock and fear. As she finished speaking, they all calmed down, but any previous arrogance had completely vanished. Uchiha's blind pride was gone, and the Hyugas had been humbled, now willing to accept whatever was required of them. Each of them made a silent promise in their hearts to never anger her again. They felt completely powerless, like newborn babies, realizing that it was never a good idea to upset their doctor.

Uzame, with a sense of authority and power, looked at them and spoke calmly, "You have all learned a valuable lesson today. Remember, I only have your best interests at heart, and I expect nothing less than your full cooperation."

The group nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. They had never felt so vulnerable and at the mercy of someone else before. From that day on, they made sure to adhere to Uzame's instructions without question, treating her with the utmost respect and gratitude for her expertise.

As the room quieted down, Hiruzen saw it as his chance to speak. "I realize that not all of you may be on board with the idea of 'unity'," he began, "so please, feel free to express your thoughts openly. I am here to listen and take into account any demands or concerns you may have," he assured, first acknowledging the Konoha elders before turning to the clan members.

The silence in the room lingered until finally Fugaku Uchiha clan spoke up. "We understand the importance of unity, Hokage-sama, but we also want to ensure that our interests and traditions are not overlooked," he said.

Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging the valid point. "I hear you, and I assure you that I will do my best to address and balance the needs of the individual clans with the goal of unity. Let's work together to find a solution that benefits everyone," he suggested, hoping to bridge the gap between the groups.

As Hokage was open to conversation, Fugaku turned to the two clan elders by his side and then addressed Uzame. "The Uchiha clan is ready to agree to the plan and understand its implementation, but we do have one request," he said, scanning the room to make sure everyone was listening before continuing. "We would like to regain our former standing and not be isolated from the village," he added, taking a deep breath after making his request. It was a difficult thing to ask for, but the elders had insisted, and as the patriarch of the clan, he had to voice their desire.

Hokage nodded thoughtfully, considering Fugaku's request. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "I understand the importance of unity and the need for the Uchiha clan to feel included in the village. I will consider your request and discuss it with the council."

Hiruzen surveyed the council members, seeking their input on the matter at hand. Danzo, visibly seething and gnashing his teeth, had gone to great lengths to convene this council meeting after a two-month delay. Hiruzen's return to consulting with clan heads had sparked Danzo's determination to uncover his intentions and thwart any long-term plans he might have.

He couldn't allow Hiruzen's folly to jeopardize everything. It had taken some time, but Danzo had finally managed to corner Hiruzen in a council meeting, only to have Hiruzen outmanoeuvre him by summoning all the clan members on the same day. Danzo recognized every tactic Hiruzen employed, but he couldn't fathom how his old rivals had grown so much stronger in their advanced age. It seemed impossible, unless... unless that hateful bitch had assisted him. It had to be Uzume, with her expertise as a medical-nin.

"The Uchiha clan was isolated by the second Hokage, Tobirama, for a reason. Despite Madara Uchiha's attack on the village, Tobirama still showed trust in them by giving them control of the police force," Danzo said, his voice low and serious. "Now, they are still under investigation for their involvement in the Kyuubi attack, as the beast had a Sharingan pattern in its eyes on the day of the attack."

The Uchiha clan has always been a focal point of suspicion and distrust within the village, and their ties to the Kyuubi attack only add fuel to the fire. But there are still some within the village who believe that the Uchiha are not to blame and that there may be a larger conspiracy at play.

As tensions within the village continue to rise, it is clear that something must be done to address the underlying issues. Whether it is through diplomacy or force, the situation with the Uchiha clan cannot be left unchecked. The future of the village may well depend on how this delicate situation is handled.

Kuharu, a woman of keen intellect, stated, "The situation with Uchiha is serious, and we must determine if there is a traitor among them. I believe that given enough time, we will be able to identify the culprit, and we should hold off on making any decisions about unity for the time being."

Himora shared a meaningful look with Uzume before he spoke, "Our village is our top priority. We shouldn't delay in coming together as one, as other issues can be addressed later. We must not show any weakness that other villages could exploit." He hoped to earn some points with Uzume. He realized that going against her, especially after witnessing her status and display of power, would be unwise. It was something he couldn't quite grasp.

Danzo was displeased with the direction things were taking. He yearned to stoke more animosity between the Uchiha clan and the villagers, in hopes of further incriminating them and perhaps even annihilating them to claim their eyes for himself. But now, all of his efforts seemed to be futile, as the ultimate decision, as always, rested in Hiruzen's hands.

He knew he had to come up with a new plan, a way to manipulate the situation in his favour. Danzo couldn't let Hiruzen's decision stand in the way of his ambitions. As he pondered his next move, a devious smile crept across his face. There was always another way to achieve his goals, and he was determined to find it. With a new sense of determination, Danzo set out to devise a scheme that would ensure he got what he wanted, no matter the cost.