Assassination – Revised with Manga Details
Inside Uchiha Tenjo's study, father and son sat facing each other in the quiet glow of a single lantern.
"Fugaku," Uchiha Tenjo began solemnly, "what do you make of today's clan assembly? Do you hold any different views?"
Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts. "Father," he began, "since the death of the First Hokage, and especially after the Second Hokage appointed Tobirama's disciple Hiruzen as the Third Hokage, the village's trust in the Uchiha has steadily eroded. Tobirama's policies, under the guise of stability, isolated the Uchiha and relegated us to positions of containment rather than power."
Tenjo remained silent, but the flicker of approval in his eyes did not go unnoticed.
Fugaku continued, "The Konoha Military Police Force was given to the Uchiha as a 'token of trust,' but in truth, it was a means to keep us under constant surveillance—marginalized, and set apart from village administration. The Uchiha's pride and our visible authority have only deepened the villagers' fear and alienation."
Tenjo exhaled slowly, his gaze far away. "Sharp insight for a thirteen-year-old… You see it clearly. Many in the clan do not."
"Our current position is worse than it appears," Fugaku went on. "We are feared, not respected. The higher-ups, especially Danzo and his Root faction, have long desired a reason to suppress or eliminate us."
Tenjo looked at his son, a mixture of pride and sorrow in his expression. "It is as you say. In Madara's time, the Uchiha stood at the summit of the shinobi world, though we paid dearly for his extremism. Now, some among the elders whisper that you may be the one to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan… and lead us back to prominence."
Fugaku stiffened. Though he had resolved upon transmigration to prevent the clan's destruction, hearing that he had become the clan's pillar still came as a shock.
Tenjo's eyes darkened. "What do you think about the recent assassination of Elder Yamada? Which country do you suspect—Wind, Rain, or Earth?"
Fugaku shook his head slightly. "None of them. Elder Yamada held no strategic value. His strength was negligible, and he was nearing retirement. His death accomplishes nothing for any foreign power."
Tenjo raised an eyebrow.
"This is internal," Fugaku said firmly. "Likely orchestrated by a hardline faction within the village—perhaps even Root itself, to manipulate public opinion and push for military expansion. Danzo and his ilk have long viewed conflict as the path to power consolidation."
Tenjo leaned forward slightly, his voice low. "So you believe this is a false flag?"
Fugaku nodded. "A staged assassination to provoke war sentiment and strip authority from the council. Each death weakens civilian oversight, centralizing control in the Hokage's hands—or worse, in Danzo's."
Tenjo looked troubled. "And to lay the blame on foreign enemies, or even the Uchiha... it would not be the first time we were scapegoated."
"Exactly," Fugaku replied. "The Uchiha name would be tarnished further. And if the pattern continues—if more elders are assassinated—public trust in the village's peace will erode. That fear will be turned against us."
Tenjo remained silent for a long moment. Then, heavily, "Without a Mangekyō wielder, we have no one on par with the Sannin or even the ANBU elites. Our three-tomoe users are many, but power alone does not sway politics."
Fugaku's expression was resolute. "The village won't move openly yet. The world is still in turmoil—Hanzo rules Amegakure, and Iwagakure and Sunagakure are watching each other closely. Konoha can't afford internal war right now. Until then, we still have room to act."
Father and son spoke long into the night, their quiet words echoing like the first rumblings of a distant storm.
---
Meanwhile, outside the Uchiha District...
In a dimly lit alley within Konoha's inner sector, two Uchiha patrolmen fell without a sound. Their Sharingan spun wildly as they clutched their throats, blood soaking their vests.
Six shadowy figures emerged, moving with trained precision through the rooftops of the village. Their chakra signatures were expertly masked—clearly Root.
They arrived at a well-guarded compound: the residence of Elder Yamamoto, a senior member of the advisory council.
Inside, Elder Yamamoto sat upright before the first sound even reached his room. Years of battlefield instinct had not dulled. He flung open the door, kunai in hand, and rushed into the courtyard.
But six masked attackers were already waiting.
"Who are you?!" he barked, eyes scanning. "Land of Earth? Land of Wind?! Or have Konoha's enemies come within the gates?!"
No answer came—only a flash of blades.
Despite his age, Yamamoto fought valiantly. He evaded one strike, only to be cut across the ribs. Blood ran down his side as he fended off another two attackers.
Chakra surged through his body. In a burst of speed, he slashed through the mask of one of his assailants. The mask shattered in two, revealing a pale, youthful face with a tattoo—Root.
Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock.
"You... you're one of ours…"
Before he could speak further, five blades pierced his chest simultaneously. He staggered, blood gurgling in his throat.
"Too much talking. His head must be destroyed," one assassin said flatly.
The unmasked Root agent stepped forward. A clean slash followed.
Yamamoto's body collapsed, lifeless, his face still frozen in disbelief.
The courtyard was silent again.
"Dispose of the remains. Leave no trace. Mission complete," the leader ordered.
In the shadows of Konoha, another elder was gone—and with him, one more layer of protection between the Uchiha and the abyss.
---
Key Corrections & Manga Consistency:
Second Hokage's Policy: Tobirama Senju did marginalize the Uchiha by assigning them the Police Force, creating a visible separation from other Konoha operations (canon: Itachi Shinden, Naruto manga ch. 481).
Danzo & Root: The existence of Root, an ANBU black-ops faction under Danzo, is confirmed in canon. Danzo has orchestrated assassinations and manipulation for political ends (manga ch. 481–483).
Uchiha Status: The Uchiha were strong but politically isolated. Few members had Mangekyō, making them vulnerable without external support.
War Climate: The setting implies the Second or Third Shinobi War era. At this time, countries like Rain, Wind, and Earth were unstable; internal manipulation was common to trigger external wars.