Naruto: I am Uchiha Seiryu

"In addition, let me tell you something else," Yuta said. "That curfew the other night was actually Uchiha Seiryu leading the Police Force in a coup! The Third Hokage only stepped down and let him take over because he was under house arrest!"

"What? The Police Force put our beloved Third Hokage under house arrest, and seize power in a coup?" a villager shouted indignantly.

During the Third Hokage's rule—he continued the Second's policies and left villagers who skirted the law alone, handling them through the Police Force. And if the Police Force was too heavy-handed, he'd step in to plead for them. No wonder these troublemakers loved the Third Hokage.

"Tomorrow morning, we'll surround the Hokage Tower and force Uchiha Seiryu to step down!"

"Yeah! He must go!"

Most of these troublemaking villagers weren't too bright. With a little incitement from Yuta, they became extremely agitated.

"But what if the Police Force beats people up?" a few more rational ones asked.

"What's there to be afraid of? There's so many of us. Would he really dare order the Police Force to attack villagers?"

"Not sure. Last time there were almost three thousand, and the Police Force still beat them up."

"Don't worry about that," Yuta said, bringing out an elderly man of nearly sixty.

"We've invited the Hyuga clan's Great Elder, Hyuga Kazuhiro. The Hyuga will help everyone get justice!" Yuta said respectfully, inviting the elder to speak.

…

Three hours earlier, inside the Hyuga clan compound.

After reading Seiryu's plan for expanding the village around the Uchiha compound, Hyuga Hiashi nodded in approval. Seiryu was even more generous than he'd expected, giving the Hyuga an entire commercial street in the new district.

Before Hiashi could put away the plan, a servant reported that the clan elders were visiting.

Hiashi frowned. The Hyuga clan was more complicated than the Uchiha—here, the elders each held power, and not even the clan head could always have his way.

"Let them in," Hiashi said, unsure of their purpose.

In the reception room, Hiashi sat facing three elders.

"Hiashi, the Uchiha have become Hokage. Don't you have anything to say?" the Great Elder Hyuga Kazuhiro began.

Hiashi frowned, realizing they weren't friendly this time.

"Hiashi, why did you order the clan not to go out that night? If the Third's side had our help, the Uchiha might not have succeeded," another elder accused.

"Did someone approach you?" Hiashi asked coldly.

Hiashi had never gotten along with these elders. After Hizashi died in his place, Hiashi had grown a lot, and now realized that the elders had played a big role in forcing that choice, wanting to seize the branch family head position.

So, facing their veiled threats, Hiashi had no intention of giving in.

"The Koharu and Mitokado clan heads approached us. If the Hyuga help drive Seiryu out, they'll support us in becoming Hokage," the elders said.

Hiashi almost laughed. "Do you know what you're saying? Drive Seiryu out? He has eyes like Uchiha Madara's. Who do you think will fight him? You old men who haven't fought in years?"

"We don't need to fight him!" Kazuhiro said. "There are plenty of villagers unhappy with the Police Force. We'll use public opinion to force him out."

"Public opinion?" Hiashi chuckled. "Do you think Seiryu cares about that?"

"Hiashi, this is our clan's best chance at the Hokage seat!" Kazuhiro insisted.

"Enough!" Hiashi snapped. "Don't think you're clever enough to oppose Seiryu. Even the Third was outplayed by him, let alone you."

"Hiashi, you—" Kazuhiro fumed.

"Please leave, elders," Hiashi said with a deep breath. "And don't bring this up again. The Fifth Hokage just gave our clan a great gift. Don't do things that will make everyone unhappy."

"Hmph, Hiashi, you've forgotten the clan's feud with the Uchiha since the Warring States era," Kazuhiro said, slamming the table before leading the elders out.

After they left, Hiashi frowned in thought, and then called for a servant.

"Have Neji come here," he said, then turned to his study.

Soon, Hyuga Neji was brought in.

"Clan leader," Neji greeted respectfully.

"Neji, just call me uncle," Hiashi sighed, looking at his nephew.

"Clan leader, rules are rules," Neji insisted, still bowing.

Hiashi couldn't argue, only sighing and handing over a letter.

"Take your two sisters to the Uchiha compound and give this to Elder Fugaku. If possible, spend the night there."

Neji looked confused.

Hiashi was about to explain when a commotion began outside, so he just said coldly, "Obey! Go out the back! Protect your sisters."

"Yes!" Neji nodded and hurried to fetch Hinata and Hanabi.

At the gate, Hiashi emerged to find, under the elders' leadership, a squad of armed branch family members.

His own branch members stood guard at the door, facing off against them.

"What are you elders doing?" Hiashi said coldly. "Are you trying to stage another coup, since the clan didn't join the village's?"

"Hiashi, you're too indecisive. You're not fit to be clan head. Today, on behalf of the elders, I strip you of your position. Surrender and await clan judgment!" Kazuhiro declared.

Hiashi sighed. He hadn't expected the elders to be so bold—or to unite like this.

Is the lure of the Hokage seat really that great? Hiashi thought, and, after estimating Neji should have escaped with the girls, stopped resisting.

…

At the Uchiha compound, Elder Fugaku was surprised to see the three children at his door.

He and Hiashi were on good terms, but to send three kids with a letter—especially when one could barely walk?

"Elder Fugaku, this is from the clan head," Neji dutifully presented the letter. Fugaku read it at the door, his face darkening when finished. "You three will sleep here tonight."

"Mikoto!" Fugaku called, and soon his wife appeared.

"Take good care of them. I have urgent business at the Hokage Tower," Fugaku said, pushing Neji and Hinata (carrying Hanabi) inside before hurrying off.

…

Inside the Hokage Tower, upon receiving Fugaku's report, Seiryu immediately took out the crystal ball Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him.

Infusing it with chakra mimicking, Seiryu saw the situation in the Hyuga compound.

Hiashi was already bound with a sealing jutsu, and there were two branch family members guarding his door—he was clearly under house arrest.

"Should we act now?" Kakashi asked, emerging from the office shadows.

"No need," Seiryu sneered. "I was just looking for a reason to warn the Hyuga. They've handed me the perfect excuse. Let's use this chance to root out the remaining troublemakers in the village."

"Understood. I'll prepare," Kakashi replied.

"And stop hiding in the corners of the office. Where did you pick up that bad habit?" Seiryu said.

Kakashi: ...

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