Uchiha Clan Home
Tribal Hall, Meeting Room
Uchiha Naraku sat in the first seat, with many Uchiha clan shinobis seated cross-legged below him.
The Uchiha clan and the security forces were both stable. The number of Uchiha clan shinobis was gradually increasing, and their strength was also growing.
"Master clan leader, Amegakure has been very dangerous in the past two years. Our Uchiha clan lost dozens of ninjas there. Whether it was our Uchiha shinobi team or the mixed team with Konoha, those who went to the Amegakure to perform missions basically disappeared," the Uchiha shinobi reported, holding a file in his hand.
Uchiha Yashiro, the deputy that the leader of the Uchiha clan relied on, helped manage the Uchiha clan.
"Well, I noticed this situation as well. Notify the clan members not to accept any more missions to the Amegakure," Uchiha Naraku nodded.
As the clansmen who went to Amegakure kept disappearing, Naraku noticed something strange while handling all kinds of letters, files, and mission reports.
By now, not only Naraku, but even the clan members had taken notice. At the clan meeting, Yashiro solemnly reported the issue to Naraku.
Naraku frowned slightly and continued:
"Hayato, let the shinobi cats and intelligence personnel infiltrate Amegakure and gather intel. This matter feels suspicious."
Uchiha Hayata, an intelligence officer of the Uchiha clan and chief of the Konoha Guard Force's plainclothes intelligence division, held a single position but operated within two organizations—and drew two salaries.
Naturally, his work reports—whether submitted to the clan or the security team—ultimately reached Naraku.
"Yes, Chief. I arranged for intelligence personnel and shinobi cats to infiltrate Amegakure. According to the information we've received, it seems that Konoha Anbu were active there, and our elite Uchiha team encountered the Amegakure's Salamander. We suspect it's related to Hanzō of the Salamander. As for Konoha's Anbu, I'm not sure if they're connected to the clan members' disappearance."
"Konoha Anbu and Salamander? Hmm, I see."
"Clan Leader, do you know something?"
Naraku's composure and commanding presence prompted the Uchiha clansmen below him press for answers.
"Remember, issue a notice asking the clansmen not to go to Amegakure. I only have preliminary suspicions and judgments—nothing solid enough to act on."
Naraku chose not to answer the clansmen directly.
With Anbu involved, Naraku knew who was behind the scenes.
Shimura Danzō, though nominally the Hokage's assistant, operated from the shadows. Many shinobis and villagers in Konoha didn't even know what Shimura Danzō's responsibilities were.
"My brother is missing in Amegakure, Clan Leader! If you know anything, please tell me!"
"My son is missing in Amegakure. Chief, if you know anything, please tell me!"
The Uchiha people below grew agitated and demanded answers.
Naraku couldn't ignore their concerns.
"Amegakure dares to challenge our Uchiha clan—they're courting death. I have decided to lead a group to investigate Amegakure myself."
It wasn't easy to ignore Naraku, but speculation could not serve as evidence. If unfounded, the Hokage would accuse Naraku of slander.
"Clan Leader, I am willing to go with you!"
"I'm going too. I want to find my son!"
"I want to go too!"
The shinobis in the audience agreed one after another, eager to follow Naraku to Amegakure.
Naraku felt reassured that he was still highly respected within the clan.
"Everyone, Konoha has its rules. You can't leave the village without a reason. And if most of the clan members accept missions to Amegakure, the mastermind will definitely go into hiding."
"So, I decided to lead a team of special police officers from the security force myself. Don't worry—I'll go to Amegakure and uncover the truth."
Naraku comforted the crowd and rejected their requests to accompany him. Konoha's security force, the Special Mobile Force—also known as the Special Police Force—rarely had missions due to Konoha's peace.
They were an elite unit that trained regularly with military provisions. Seventy in number, they were comparable to Anbu—private armed elites of the Uchiha Guard Force. Only Uchiha with great strength or exceptional talent could join.
Naraku maintained tight control over this special police department and didn't allow other clans to join. Over the past two years, the Uzumaki and Kurama clans had joined the security force, but they were limited to village management and public security roles.
These roles were the most labor-intensive and received the least respect from villagers. They were "landmine" positions. In addition to Uzumaki and Kurama, Naraku also recruited civilian shinobis and members of smaller clans.
Naraku aimed to transform the village management and public security departments from roles bound to the Uchiha into purely Konoha-oriented roles with little association with the Uchiha.
After Naraku announced his plan to go to Amegakure, the clan members calmed down. His ability was clear to all.
The Uchiha had long been hated by the villagers, but their numbers had finally started to increase again over the past two years. This made the Uchiha feel more like part of Konoha.
The Uchiha were one of Konoha's founding families—this village was their home.
Konohagakure
Recently, Konohagakure buzzed with news.
The Hatake family had produced a genius.
Hatake Kakashi, son of Konoha's White Fang, had graduated from Ninja School a month early and passed the Genin exam, becoming a Genin.
Uchiha Naraku, on a rare tour through Konoha, overheard many villagers talking about the White Fang and Kakashi.
Hatake Kakashi's genius made Konoha's villagers proud.
"Lord White Fang of Konoha is a powerful ninja, and now his son is proving to be just as exceptional."
"The peace of Konoha really depends on Lord White Fang."
As he walked, Naraku—ever observant—heard many such comments.
He shook his head and hurried back to the security building.
In the office of the captain of the security force, Fugaku wrote furiously at his desk, issuing security tasks.
"Fugaku, Lord White Fang's son, Hatake Kakashi, became a Genin at the age of five. Isn't it unusual for a five-year-old to be a Genin?" Naraku asked as he entered.
The captain's office was large, with finance, logistics, and other departments working in the same hall. Several smaller rooms flanked the space, marked as assistant or secretary offices.
Fugaku looked up at Naraku, paused his writing, and replied:
"For a civilian shinobi, becoming a Genin at five is indeed rare. Even in our clan, those who can release ninjutsu at that age are uncommon."
"Oh, you're right—Hatake Kakashi is indeed a genius, worthy of being Lord White Fang's son."
Fugaku's words made Naraku nod in agreement.
As Naraku walked toward his office, a thought crossed his mind.
"It seems Kakashi rose to prominence for two years before Hatake Sakumo took his own life. I wonder if I should attempt to recruit White Fang."