"…The Nine-Tails' attack caused severe damage to many buildings in the village," Danzo began, his voice steady and confident. "With reconstruction underway, it's the perfect opportunity to make some changes to the village's layout."
He stood beside the long table, gesturing toward the map of Konoha laid out in front of everyone. It was obvious to anyone paying attention: this wasn't a discussion—it was an announcement. The plan had already been agreed upon behind closed doors by the Third Hokage and the two advisors. Today was merely formality.
Danzo pointed to a square zone near the Konoha Forest. "The Aburame clan will be relocated here. They've long expressed a need for forested land to better support their unique ninjutsu training."
Beside Fugaku, Aburame Shibi gave a slight nod in agreement.
"The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clan residences were mostly unharmed. They will remain where they are," Danzo continued. "As for the police headquarters, it will be rebuilt here."
Fugaku's expression darkened as his gaze followed Danzo's finger to a remote corner of the map—an area pressed against the outer wall of the village.
Danzo kept going. "And to better coordinate operations, the Uchiha clan should also be relocated near the new police station."
The implication was clear: the Uchiha were being pushed out of the village center.
Fugaku stood up abruptly, anger tightening his voice. "Lord Danzo, the Uchiha clan serves as the village's police force. That location is far too remote. If an emergency were to occur, we wouldn't be able to respond in time."
It was a valid argument. Several other clan heads nodded in agreement.
But Danzo looked up, calm and unbothered. "In an emergency, Anbu will respond."
Fugaku's expression faltered.
It wasn't just a cold reply—it was an accusation. A subtle jab implying the Uchiha had done nothing during the Nine-Tails' attack.
But the Uchiha had acted under orders.
And those orders came from you.
Fugaku turned his eyes to the Third Hokage, hoping for support. But Hiruzen remained silent, eyes closed in weariness. Instead, the two advisors spoke up.
"The Uchiha frequently use the training fields. This new location is adjacent to ideal terrain for such practice."
"Yes, it's a suitable location to serve as both a residence and training ground."
It was absurd. The kind of excuse that might as well have said: "You Uchiha need to relieve yourselves too, might as well live in a latrine."
But the message was clear—the village leadership had decided: Uchiha was to be pushed out of Konoha's heart.
How could this be happening?
Fugaku's thoughts raced. Instinctively, he glanced across the table toward Orochimaru, suspicion flashing in his eyes.
After all, the ones who act like they owe you nothing are the least trustworthy. And trusting a Sannin to keep secrets without expecting anything in return? That was a fantasy.
Orochimaru noticed Fugaku's searching gaze, gave a slight shake of his head, and offered a sinister smile.
The meaning was clear: It wasn't me, brother.
Fugaku believed him—not because he trusted Orochimaru to be honest, but because if the village leadership truly believed the Uchiha clan caused the Nine-Tails attack, then being exiled to the outskirts was far too lenient a punishment. And if this was just suspicion… then the decision was far too extreme.
Fugaku's eyes darkened as a chilling possibility crossed his mind.
Back in the Second Hokage's era, the Uchiha were assigned to form the village's police force. It sounded powerful, but in reality, it was little more than a glorified security team. Their status? Closer to enforcers than leaders.
If any Uchiha wanted to join foreign missions and elevate their standing, they had to go through the village higher-ups. Those who cooperated—like Shisui—were funneled into ANBU. The rest were left behind with the guard.
Now, history was repeating itself.
Fugaku clenched his fists. His face darkened further.
He understood that the Hokage needed to prioritize the village, even if that meant suppressing powerful clans. But why was it always Uchiha?
During the Second Hokage's time, they were pushed to the village's edge and confined to the police force. Now, even that meager authority was being stripped away.
But… what could he do?
From the corner of his eye, Fugaku glanced around the table. The other clan leaders sat in silence, unconcerned. He understood why.
After the Nine-Tails attack, Uchiha hadn't lost much. Their forces were still intact, and their presence in the village was too prominent. That made them a target.
"…So be it," Fugaku sighed inwardly. The Uchiha were isolated now, and protesting would only make things worse.
He sat back down.
Danzo shot him a glance, then looked away, the gleam of triumph in his eyes. He was about to dive into more detailed plans for the Uchiha's relocation when laughter suddenly broke the tension.
Danzo turned sharply—his face soured.
It was Orochimaru.
What now?
Orochimaru chuckled openly, genuinely amused. This meeting had been full of rewards for him. He'd learned a forbidden technique not long ago, and now he was finally able to see the web of politics clearly.
Fugaku was cornered. Danzo was on the offensive. The clan leaders were detached. The Third Hokage stayed silent but maintained control.
"Orochimaru," Danzo snapped, "this is an official council. Mind your conduct."
Jiraiya tugged on his sleeve, trying to rein him in, and Orochimaru fell quiet—though his smile didn't fade.
Fugaku couldn't understand where the upper echelon's hostility came from. He could only chalk it up to deep-rooted conflict between the village and the clan.
Orochimaru had once believed the same—until the Lamp Spirit gave him a different perspective.
To Uchiha, Konoha was a symbol of unity—built by the peace between Uchiha and Senju during the Warring States era.
That's not how the Hokage clan saw it.
To them, Konoha existed because the Senju defeated Uchiha. It was Senju Hashirama who brought Madara to his knees. After Uchiha's defeat, Hashirama didn't destroy them—he forgave them. He tolerated their hatred and folded them into his dream for a unified village.
It wasn't about equality. It was about magnanimity.
And if the village could reconcile with even the Senju's sworn enemies like the Uchiha, it could unify anyone. That idea made Konoha powerful.
But in this view, Uchiha were merely the "horse bones" used to build a thriving city—the sacrificial bones that proved the village's strength.
Senju could dissolve their clan for the greater good. Even Tsunade had abandoned the name. But could Uchiha do the same?
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. His smile grew wider.
The Second Hokage created the police force to keep Konoha secure—with Uchiha as the blade.
Now that the blade had become dangerous… they wanted to exile it. And if it ever became too sharp to control—destroy it.
But that was of no concern to him.
Orochimaru thought back to the Lamp Spirit. If he were here, this entire situation would've been a stage for him to manipulate with ease.
Still, Orochimaru had his own way.
He remembered the intelligence he'd recently uncovered and spoke with a venomous smile:
"Lord Danzo, by relocating the Uchiha clan to the village's edge… are you officially confirming that they're guilty of the Nine-Tails incident?"
The entire chamber fell silent.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The faces of village elders and clan heads twisted in shock, anger—and fear.
__________
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