A Curfew
"Who is leading Sunagakure's forces in this operation, and how many shinobi have been dispatched in total?"
Uchiha Fugaku's voice was cold and direct as he repeated the question.
The captured Jonin's expression remained blank—his consciousness still gripped by the genjutsu. Fugaku's Sharingan spun slowly, his gaze unwavering. He could feel it—his ocular power had grown. The illusion held firm, but the resistance was mounting.
Even a Three-Tomoe Sharingan once struggled to subdue elite shinobi like this, Fugaku noted, reflecting on the memories of his past self. Now, with a subtle shift in mental focus, even high-level Jonin fell into his genjutsu with barely a ripple.
"The commander is Sunagakure's Elder Ebizō," the Sand Jonin muttered under the genjutsu's sway. "Exact deployment numbers are classified. Only the top command—Ebizō and the Kazekage's advisors—have that information."
Fugaku narrowed his eyes. Ebizō—Chiyo's younger brother—was not just a retired war veteran but also a cunning strategist. Unlike his sister, he remained active behind the scenes even after his official retirement, often deployed in sensitive or covert operations.
"What's your objective in entering the Land of Rain?" Fugaku asked.
"To infiltrate and await further orders… We're operating under strict compartmentalization."
Tch. Tight information discipline, Fugaku thought. They're being cautious… too cautious.
Switching tactics, he pressed on: "Based on what you've seen and heard, estimate how many units have infiltrated the Land of Rain. Then draw the supply routes from Sunagakure to the Land of Rain, including any known depots or relay points."
As his Sharingan spun faster, Fugaku's genjutsu pulsed again. The Sand shinobi's body twitched, his hand slowly moving to the scroll as he began sketching.
The map was crude but informative. Supply lines snaked from Sunagakure, through border outposts near the Land of Rivers, and into Rain territory, with resupply caches marked sparsely—most clearly set up by Ebizō himself. It was enough.
Fugaku could feel the Jonin's will beginning to surface, breaking through the genjutsu's cracks.
Another pulse of chakra.
The Sharingan glowed faintly red as he plunged the enemy back into mental darkness.
He had what he needed.
With a flicker of black, Fugaku's hand moved—a kunai plunged directly into the Sand ninja's chest, piercing the heart cleanly.
A mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
> "Killed a standard Jonin. Moderate increase in ocular power."
A wave of clarity washed over his eyes. His Sharingan gleamed, fed by the death—a sinister reminder of the Uchiha's true inheritance.
Silently, Fugaku dragged the corpse deeper into the cave, laying it against the wall. He set a paper tag beneath it.
If disturbed, the Exploding Tag would incinerate both the body and any traces of the mission.
---
The journey back to Konoha took four days.
As he approached the village gates, something felt off. There were far more patrols than usual—Uchiha Police Corps stationed at key intersections, their expressions tense.
A flicker of movement.
An Uchiha clad in black ANBU-style gear appeared before him. It was Uchiha Kin, a veteran member of the Police Force.
"Kin," Fugaku greeted. "What's going on?"
Kin lowered his voice. "You haven't heard? Last night, Elder Yamada was assassinated inside the village. Since early morning, we've been under emergency orders. Full curfew. The culprit is still at large."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "An Elder… assassinated in the heart of the Leaf?"
"Indeed," Kin said. "The higher-ups are pointing fingers at agents from the Land of Wind or Iwagakure, possibly operatives trying to destabilize Konoha during the Land of Rain conflict."
Fugaku didn't buy it.
If either nation were foolish enough to assassinate a Konoha Elder during open warfare, the retaliation would be immediate and absolute. Danzo, on the other hand… Fugaku knew he had long sought to consolidate power under Root. Killing off key Elders would remove dissenting voices on the Council.
"And the Hokage?" Fugaku asked.
"He's calling for calm," Kin replied. "But the Police Force is under immense pressure. Orders came directly from Root and the Hokage's advisors. We're being used—again."
Fugaku's frown deepened. "Be mindful. Don't alienate the civilians. That's exactly what they want."
Kin gave a grim smile. "Understood. Also… congrats on the Jonin promotion. Rumor spread fast."
Fugaku nodded and walked off toward the Hokage Tower, the mission scroll sealed tightly in his hand.
---
Later that evening, the Uchiha district was quiet. Most of the clan's shinobi were still out patrolling under curfew protocols.
Fugaku had bathed and rested. Refreshed, he headed toward the main hall, where a clan meeting was in session. Inside, Uchiha Tenjo, his father and Clan Head, sat with several senior members.
Fugaku bowed respectfully. "Father. Elders."
"Welcome back," Tenjo said. "The Hokage Office received your report. If all goes smoothly, your Jonin status will be officially confirmed soon."
"Only thirteen… and already a Jonin," one elder marveled.
There were nods of agreement, though Fugaku detected the same empty flattery he'd grown used to. These men had presided over the Uchiha's gradual exclusion from Konoha's leadership for years. Their complacency disgusted him.
"Back to the matter at hand," Tenjo said. "Regarding Elder Yamada's assassination… what's everyone's assessment?"
"The most likely suspect is the Land of Wind," said one elder. "Their Kazekage's influence has grown, and they're desperate for fertile land."
"Don't dismiss the Land of Earth," another countered. "They could be trying to provoke Konoha into attacking Wind, keeping both occupied."
"Or perhaps the Land of Rain," a third suggested. "They're being squeezed on all sides—by both Wind and Earth. By framing one of them, they could trigger mutual destruction."
The arguments swirled. Accusations, speculations. Yet no one had real proof.
Fugaku remained silent.
He already knew who the true enemy was. And they weren't outside the village—they were seated in Konoha's own shadow.