Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter Fifteen: Under Currents Stirring

At the Uchiha clan compound in Konoha, a cup of considerable value flew out of a room and shattered against the ground. The sharp crash startled two tabby cats, causing them to leap up and glance nervously toward the house. They seemed puzzled by the sudden outburst from their usually composed and measured owner.

Inside the room, Uchiha Shizan paced back and forth like a caged beast, the steady air of authority that normally surrounded him nowhere to be found. His face was contorted with anger, and his mood cast a long shadow over the room. Several figures knelt on the floor, heads lowered, their silence heavy with fear.

After what felt like an eternity, Shizan finally settled into a chair and looked at those gathered before him. "Tell me," he began, his voice sharp, "what should we do next?"

None of them dared meet his gaze. Their heads remained bowed, and the silence dragged on.

Growing impatient, Shizan's voice took on an edge. "Uchiha Jinichi, you speak first."

Jinichi swallowed hard, straightened his posture as best he could, and spoke up. "The first step is to ascertain Uchiha Kagami's whereabouts. I propose sending the clan's loyal warriors to the Land of Rain. We must retrieve his body or confirm his survival. That's the family rule."

"I asked how to quell the village's anger, not about that disgrace's life or death!" Shizan barked, his voice cutting through the room's stillness like a blade. The others flinched under his fiery gaze.

Taking a moment to collect himself, Jinichi tried again. "I suggest forging an alliance with the Senju clan."

This statement caused a stir among the others, though none spoke up. A tense atmosphere settled over the room, making the air seem heavier with each passing moment.

Shizan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table, each beat like a drum echoing in the minds of those kneeling before him. After what seemed like a lifetime, he finally broke the silence. "Jinichi, you will lead this effort. Coordinate with Kagenuma, and approach them with humility. Report back to me regularly. Also, from this moment on, you are the new head of the Uchiha clan."

The announcement of a new clan head was delivered with a nonchalance that belied its gravity. With that, Shizan rose to his feet and slowly left the room. Those remaining hurriedly bowed deeply, showing their utmost respect as he departed.

After Shizan's departure, the men in the room finally stood. The tension that had gripped them seemed to lift slightly, and one by one, they offered Jinichi their congratulations. They knew that with Shizan's endorsement, Jinichi's ascension as clan head was all but certain. Yet Jinichi himself did not seem particularly pleased. In his eyes, this position was more a burden than a victory. A puppet head at best—there was little joy to be found in the title.

For generations, the Uchiha had thrived because they avoided the pitfalls of dictatorship. The council of elders was established precisely to dilute the power of the clan head, ensuring that no one individual could steer the family unilaterally. Yet in Jinichi's time, the seat of the clan head had remained empty for decades. The aftermath of Uchiha Madara's tumultuous tenure had left the position too controversial, and without a leader, the council of elders had held sway. Were it not for Uchiha Kagami's meteoric rise, the idea of appointing a new clan head might never have resurfaced.

After exchanging pleasantries with his peers, Jinichi returned to his home. As a figure of considerable standing within the clan, his residence was spacious and well-appointed. But comfort did not calm his troubled thoughts.

Inside, his son Uchiha Fugaku was sprawled on the floor of the living room, staring at the ceiling as if lost in another world. The sight gave Jinichi pause, but he remained composed as he entered.

"Fugaku, why aren't you at the police force today?"

Without looking up, Fugaku replied with a question of his own. "Father, is it true we're going to ally with the Senju?"

Startled, Jinichi glanced at his son. "What are you talking about? The Senju have always been our bitter rivals. An alliance is unthinkable."

Sitting up, Fugaku fixed his father with a serious look. "Because the Senju fear that they'll be the next ones targeted."

Jinichi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What makes you think that? The Third Hokage is from the Senju's faction."

Fugaku's young face was set in a cold smile. "When it comes to internal power struggles, those closest to you often pose the greatest danger. Mark my words—Tobirama Senju will come to regret appointing Hiruzen Sarutobi as Hokage."

"What makes you so sure?" Jinichi asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Father, haven't you heard? Sarutobi Hiruzen has just appointed Senju Kippei as the captain of the jonin corps. It's a prime position."

The jonin corps, established by Tobirama, was tasked with overseeing the village's growing number of high-ranking ninja. In times of peace, the role was more administrative, but during war, it carried considerable influence.

"A familiar trick," Jinichi murmured. "But surely the Senju wouldn't be foolish enough to fall for it again, not after what happened to us."

"It's not a trap; it's a blatant move," Fugaku said, shaking his head. "The village is unlikely to leave the Land of Rain alone for long. When the Senju are inevitably called upon to lead the charge, they'll have no choice but to comply. Refusal would invite public backlash."

Jinichi smirked. "Looks like they're about to face some well-deserved consequences. I wonder if they regret their earlier choices."

The Senju had gambled on consolidating their power after the village's founding. Despite Hashirama's promise that the Hokage position would rotate among the clans, the Senju had never allowed the Uchiha a turn. While most clans stayed silent, the Uchiha's internal strife under Madara made them an easy target for exclusion. But when Tobirama's term ended, the other clans began clamoring for a proper vote. Tobirama countered by leveraging the newly created jonin corps to secure Sarutobi as his successor. What followed was a steady centralization of power, turning the Hokage's office into a tightly controlled entity. The Senju, expecting to remain in the inner circle, instead found themselves marginalized, forced to put on a cheerful front while privately stewing in their diminished role.

"Isn't this the perfect opportunity for our clan to work with the Senju?" Fugaku asked, watching his father's expression carefully.

Jinichi narrowed his eyes in thought. His son's words carried weight, and the gears in his mind began to turn.

...

As Fugaku predicted, only days later, the Hokage's office unilaterally announced the formation of a new organization: the Root division. The decree sent shockwaves through the village. In response, the Senju clan elders convened a late-night meeting with Uchiha Shizan. A surge of clandestine negotiations followed, and several smaller ninja clans began pledging their loyalty to the Third Hokage, hoping to secure a slice of power in the reshuffle.

Meanwhile, unaware of the political storm brewing in the village, Hayama focused on his training at the border camp. In the grand scheme, he was just a small pawn. With no bloodline limit or remarkable connections, Hayama knew his path to greater strength would be long and arduous. He kept his head down, immersed in his daily routine of patrols and practice.

Time passed, and the remnants of the defeated Konoha forces seemed all but forgotten. The year of Konoha 38 slipped into the annals of history, leaving the border camp's daily rhythm undisturbed. Hayama's life continued in its predictable cycle, until one day, an unexpected letter from the village arrived—shaking up his carefully maintained balance and drawing him into a new, uncertain chapter.