New Foe

A/N: Since you guys got to 50 powerstones, you're getting a double release. This is the 1/2. Next goal is 70 powerstones for a double release on the next Monday. Lets see if we can do it. 

On the way home from the meeting with Shisui and Itachi, Eiji contemplated the conversation they had.

'I was aware things in the clan were getting progressively worse, but to think they've been conducting secret meetings... If this is found out, it'd be a good enough reason to expel our clan for conspiracy. If the Hokage or village higher-ups were to get wind of this, there's no telling what the consequences would be. We've already been marginalized; I can't imagine what'd be next. Expulsion? Extermination? I cannot fault my clan, though. They're only doing what they can to ensure our existence and regain our pride. It's the only logical conclusion.'

'This feels too orchestrated... like our clan is being goaded into committing treason against the village. We've been put in a corner, leaving us with only one choice. A coup. That way, they can use it as justification to expel or destroy our clan. I never thought the Third Hokage was such a cunning man. What I fail to understand is why our clan is being targeted.'

Eiji massaged his temples, feeling a headache emerging from all the overthinking he was doing.

'This isn't good for my health. There's no guarantee this is orchestrated either. The only way I'd know is if I find out a valid reason why the Hokage would want to get rid of the Uchiha. The culprit of the Nine-Tails attack was never found, and they never bothered investigating our clan, so I truly believe something else is going on behind the scenes.'

Eiji had returned home and entered. Everyone in the house was asleep, and all the lights were off. Turning on the lights, Eiji went into his mother's room to check on both his mother and younger sister. They both lay on the bed with no blanket over them.

'I should place a blanket on top of them. It's pretty chilly in here.'

Going through his mother's cupboard, he came across pictures of his late father as a young man.

'... Hah... Looks like he's always had that bright smile. A smile that would illuminate any room he was in... I wonder what you would do to help the clan, Father.'

Placing the pictures down, Eiji found the blanket and took it, placing it over the two.

Eiji then left the room, going into his own and changing into his pajamas. As he was about to go to sleep, the scroll he had taken from the academy library caught his eye.

'Substitution jutsu, huh? It shouldn't take me too long to learn it. It seems fairly short. Once I have the concept down, I can give it a shot. My chakra control should be sufficient.'

Taking the scroll off the shelf, Eiji sat on his bed, spending several hours reading and going over the technique in his mind.

'Hmm... So it's a technique that swaps the user with a decoy, while the user runs away, hides, or plans a counterattack. The technique also has to have perfect timing in order to make it convincing, and the chosen decoy needs to be similar to the user in form in order to be effective.'

Having understood the technique and learned the hand signs, Eiji was prepared to try it out the next day.

'So, it commences with the Ram seal, Boar, Ox, Dog, and lastly Snake. I think I've got it.'

Satisfied, Eiji got into bed. Learning the substitution technique was fairly easy, but it took a few hours.

'Hopefully, I can wake up on time...'

It was the early afternoon of the next day, and Eiji had just woken up. Seeing that the sun was much higher than usual, Eiji panicked and frantically looked for his clock.

'OH SHOOT! What time is it?! I was meant to go by Hanako's place!'

Opening a small cabinet by his bed, he found his clock, which he used to check the time. Realizing the morning had already gone, Eiji ran to his closet, grabbed his clothes, and put them on. Rushing out of his room, his eyes met with his mother's, who was sitting at the dining table feeding Michiko.

"You didn't go to school?! Hurry up!" she yelled.

"Huwwy Huwwy!" Michiko mimicked.

Eiji sprinted out of the door and got to the academy in record time. Panting, Eiji walked into class, taking his usual seat.

"Is Tetsuya with you too?" Ryuu asked, shuffling to the side to give Eiji space. Eiji shook his head, slightly perplexed why Ryuu would ask such a question. That's when he realized that Tetsuya hadn't come to school.

"I thought he'd be with you because you were also late," Ryuu explained while taking notes.

"For what reason are you late, Eiji?" Tarou asked, raising one eyebrow.

Shifting his gaze from Ryuu to Tarou, Eiji replied, "I slept in, sorry sensei." Tarou didn't seem pleased with Eiji's response.

"I understand that you hold a lot of potential, but that isn't an excuse to be lazy!" Tarou scolded.

'If only you knew the reason I was late...'

Turning his attention back to Ryuu, Eiji said, "I gave him quite a taxing workout routine, so he may be sleeping in from the fatigue."

Ryuu let out a sigh of relief and responded, "As long as he's alright."

'Ryuu seems like quite a genuine kid. He cares for his friends. If anything, I've met some great people here at the academy. They'll be the future of our clan.'

Shortly after, the lesson ended, and it was break. Eiji and Ryuu were relaxing in the academy grounds when Hanako came rushing towards Eiji.

"Don't you want the scroll? Why didn't you come over to my place? I waited so long you made me late!" she complained, grabbing onto Eiji's arm.

"Looks like you've got your work cut out for you," Ryuu chuckled nervously.

"What did you say?" Hanako grumbled. Hearing the tone of Hanako's voice, Ryuu backed off, raising his hands in front of him in defeat.

"I'll be there tomorrow. I slept in today," Eiji answered. Hanako pouted, dissatisfied with his response. As she was about to make more of a fuss, a force threw her to the floor, scraping her arm.

The culprit was a boy much older than Eiji, Ryuu, or Hanako. He looked to be around 12 years old, and behind him stood Kenta, who had a fearful expression on his face.

"You're Eiji Uchiha, correct?" the boy asked, towering over the three. Eiji ignored the boy's question and helped Hanako to her feet. Hanako held her elbow, blood dripping from it. Turning towards the older boy, Eiji remarked, "Yeah. And what is it to you?" As Eiji was speaking, Ryuu stepped forward, standing next to him.

The older boy laughed, patting Eiji on the shoulder. "Sorry if I came off rude. I'm not here to start a fight. Quite the contrary, actually. I'm here to apologize on behalf of this idiot behind me," the boy said, pointing at Kenta, who flinched.

'Came off rude?! The audacity of this guy! I don't know what he's up to, but he needs to apologize for what he just did. Hanako is my supplier after all.'

Before Eiji could say anything, the older boy grabbed Kenta by the collar, dragged him forward, and slapped him incredibly hard. The slap made Kenta's cheek go red, the handprint clearly visible.

"My name is Ichiro Nara. I hope this is enough to show that we sincerely apologize," the boy repeated.

'Nara clan, huh? They don't have any dojutsu but have the hiden technique, shadow possession. These are intimidation tactics. I've read too many police interrogation psychology books to fall for this. So young, yet he knows techniques that work on adults? What is he, a mafia boss? Hahaha!'

"Listen, I don't care about this little show you're putting on. Apologize to my supplier you just pushed over," Eiji demanded, placing his hand on Ichiro's shoulder.

Ichiro was frozen. He was baffled why his tactics weren't working. For the first time in a long time, he felt threatened. Eiji's aura was like that of an adult, who wasn't interested in childish games.

"Ehm... Yes, sorry," Ichiro said, facing Hanako.

Hanako stuck her tongue out at him, then yelled, "I don't need your apology, get out of here!"

The veins in Ichiro's face popped up. Embarrassed, he left, gritting his teeth. "I'll see you guys around," he assured, walking off. Kenta followed meekly.

'What a bunch of weird kids...'

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New Goal: 70 Powerstones for a double release on the next Monday. All the support is appreciated.