Throne Of The Uchiha

Tribesmen

Uchiha Fugaku stood silently before the assembled squad—eleven shinobi, including four newly reassigned members. Though most were strangers to one another, they would soon need to trust each other in life-and-death situations.

He reintroduced himself briefly for the benefit of the new additions, then allowed each member to speak in turn, gauging their personalities through tone and posture.

> "Teamwork isn't optional in the battlefield," Fugaku said. "We need to operate as a single unit. In a few days, we'll receive our first deployment orders. Use this time to build familiarity and establish trust."

Among the new members was Inuzuka Maru, a seasoned Chūnin from the Inuzuka clan, accompanied by a lean ninja hound. Though the Inuzuka were renowned for their tracking skills, Fugaku noted the thick mist and rainfall of Amegakure would interfere with olfactory perception, weakening their advantage.

Yamamoto Ichisuke followed next. Despite his name, he bore no relation to the late Elder Yamamoto of the Konoha Council. Likely promoted to Chūnin during the emergency draft, he was said to specialize in Water Release, a valuable asset in the rain-soaked terrain.

Then there was Maki Aida, a veteran kunoichi with a reputation forged through numerous high-risk missions. She was proficient in both Fire and Earth Release—two elements well-suited for underground assault and suppression fire.

Harada Kirisawa, a quieter type, had advanced to Chūnin two years prior. He wielded a combination of Wind Release and inherited kenjutsu from his clan's private style.

Fugaku addressed the team again.

> "Some of you may have never fought in war before. This isn't a training field or a D-rank mission. The Land of Rain is a live battlefield. Adapt fast, or fall behind."

He paused, letting the silence and rain-slicked air weigh on their thoughts.

> "You're dismissed. Stay close to the camp perimeter and use this time to practice coordination."

---

The Larger Conflict

Despite the local intensity in the Land of Rain, this war was still in its early phase—a proxy conflict between the Great Nations rather than total war. The Five Great Shinobi Countries—Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water—coexisted in tense balance. Currently, only the Land of Fire (Hi no Kuni), the Land of Wind (Kaze no Kuni), and the Land of Earth (Tsuchi no Kuni) had deployed major forces.

The Land of Lightning and the Land of Water had yet to commit, choosing instead to monitor the situation. Konoha's alliance with Kumogakure, forged after the previous war, was fragile—more diplomacy than true trust. The possibility of betrayal loomed like thunderclouds on the horizon.

---

The Uchiha Presence

Roughly twenty Uchiha clan members were stationed at the vanguard camp. Four, including Fugaku himself, remained behind while the others rotated between frontline and recon duty.

A few days prior, Uchiha Jin had compiled a roster of all clan members in the camp, listing names and tent assignments. It was a tradition among major clans—Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka alike—to maintain intra-clan communication even during wartime.

Fugaku's own squad included Hinata Ning, Aburame Nozawa, and Inuzuka Maru, all of whom had access to similar intelligence networks regarding their respective clans.

Though Fugaku wasn't close to every Uchiha present, he recognized that clan cohesion—both in strength and loyalty—was essential for the Uchiha's long-term survival in a village that often kept them at arm's length.

---

Visiting the Tribesmen

Fugaku reviewed the roster and made his way to tent #25.

Uchiha Maeda, a young Chūnin with a newly awakened two-tomoe Sharingan, lived there. As Fugaku lifted the canvas flap, he saw Maeda chatting with two non-Uchiha comrades. Upon noticing Fugaku, Maeda excused himself and stepped out into the light rain.

> "Fugaku-san? Is something wrong?"

> "Nothing urgent. I wanted to speak with the remaining clan members personally."

Maeda chuckled lightly. "I won't lie—I've been tense since arriving. It's my first time on an actual battlefield. But I won't let the Uchiha name be shamed. I'll keep my composure, whatever happens."

Fugaku nodded. "I felt the same way my first time. It passes after your first real mission. Just don't underestimate the enemy."

> "Understood," Maeda said, his eyes sincere. "If something happens, I'll protect our name, even at the cost of my life."

Fugaku remained silent for a moment. Maeda's pride in the Uchiha was palpable—too idealistic, perhaps, but earnest. Clan loyalty had once driven Uchiha Madara to dream of unity. But even he was cast aside when the family's heart drifted away from his vision.

Fugaku thought, "If guided well, these shinobi could become pillars of the clan's future."

Before parting, he shared a few mission tips specific to the terrain—how to fight in constant rain, when to expect ambushes in the mud-soaked terrain, and how enemy rain-nin would try to use water-style traps.

Then he moved on to tent #36.

Inside was Uchiha Ueno, a veteran Jōnin with a three-tomoe Sharingan, though considered of middling talent. He had awakened his final tomoe at age 27 after his father's sudden death—an emotional trauma that pushed him beyond his limits.

> "Fugaku? I didn't expect a visit," Ueno said warmly. "You're not easy to catch these days. You're making the family proud—youngest captain at the vanguard camp."

> "Senior Ueno, thank you. I apologize for not checking in sooner."

> "No need for that. I once served in your father's squad. The clan head taught me everything I know. You're the spitting image of him—just more polite."

Fugaku was momentarily caught off guard. He hadn't realized Ueno was one of his father's former subordinates. The respect made more sense now.

> "Let me speak honestly," Ueno said, voice quieting. "I was barely at the frontlines during the First Shinobi War, but the memory still lingers. The chaos, the loss... This war is still young, but it's no less dangerous."

> "You're still strong, Ueno-san."

> "Maybe," Ueno said, glancing at the rain. "But at my age, growth slows. You, on the other hand, have a future. You might be the one to lift our clan to new heights. That's why you must survive. For all of us."

Fugaku bowed his head slightly. There was nothing more to say.

---

Reflection

As Fugaku returned to his own tent, his mind lingered on both men. One young and burning with pride, the other older and hardened by war. Both willing to die for the honor of the Uchiha.

But Fugaku didn't want them to die. Not for symbolism. Not for legacy. He wanted them to live, to serve, to help reshape the village in which the Uchiha had been both feared and scorned.

Because only with survivors could there be a future.