UCAW: Ch. 03

Warning: 5k words

----------

Takeo stood on his balcony, watching the clan members below. Gastly floated quietly beside him.

"Gastly, today we plant the seeds," he murmured. "Today we begin saving what remains of the Uchiha."

The Pokémon bobbed in agreement.

As he turned to go inside, his enhanced vision caught a shadow moving across a distant rooftop, ANBU, no doubt. Their surveillance had grown more brazen recently. Time was running out faster than he'd anticipated.

It was time for the gathering.

For this, he had deliberately chosen mid-morning, when Fugaku would be occupied with Police Force duties and Itachi would be on an ANBU mission. The five most influential elders of the clan sat before him in a semi-circle, their faces revealing nothing as they waited for him to speak.

Yashiro, the most outspoken hawk among them, broke the silence first. "Takeo, calling us without Fugaku's knowledge is... unconventional." His tone suggested 'treasonous' rather than 'unconventional.'

Takeo met his gaze unflinchingly. "What I'm about to share requires discretion that extends even to our clan leader, for now." He activated his Sharingan, and the elders unconsciously straightened, recognizing the seriousness of the gesture.

"Something is coming for the Uchiha. Something worse than the discrimination we've faced since the Nine-Tails incident."

Uruchi, the only woman among them, narrowed her eyes. "Speak plainly, Takeo. What have you discovered?"

Takeo produced a scroll and laid it on the floor between them. "ANBU surveillance patterns. Root movements. Restricted mission assignments for our clan members. And this—" he unrolled the scroll to reveal a detailed map of Konoha with the Uchiha district circled in red, "orders for increased security around our compound, disguised as 'protection.'"

The elders leaned forward, examining the evidence. Inabi looked up with skepticism. "These could be standard security protocols. The Hokage—"

"The Hokage is a puppet," Takeo interrupted. "Danzō pulls the strings, and we all know how he feels about the Uchiha clan."

The silence that followed was heavy. These elders had lived through wars, had seen villages fall, had witnessed the birth of Konoha. They recognized the signs.

"What do you propose?" Teyaki asked, his hands trembling slightly as he rolled up the scroll.

Takeo took a deep breath. This was the moment of truth. "We liquidate our assets. All of them. The hot springs, the karaoke lounges, the massage parlors, everything. We convert them to gold and portable valuables."

Yashiro slammed his fist on the floor. "You want us to ABANDON Konoha? To run like cowards from a village WE helped found?"

"I want us to SURVIVE," Takeo countered. "The Senju have all but vanished from this village. Do you think that happened by chance?"

"Takeo," Uruchi said softly, "selling our businesses would alert the very people you're concerned about. They would know immediately."

Takeo smiled. "Not if we frame it as a grand auction, a public event. We invite every clan in Konoha, make it seem like we're simply... diversifying our investments. Perhaps even that we're attempting to integrate further with the village."

Teyaki, who owned several of the clan's businesses, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "An auction... it could work. But Fugaku must be informed."

"Eventually," Takeo agreed reluctantly. "But first, I need your support. The elders' council must present a united front when we approach him."

The elders exchanged glances.

"Show us your full plan," Yashiro demanded. "Not just the auction, but what comes after. Where would we go? How would we survive outside Konoha?"

Takeo had prepared for this. He couldn't reveal his knowledge of the Multiverse Travel Card, but he had crafted a plausible alternative.

"I've established connections with merchants in distant territories beyond the Land of Fire's borders. Territories where the Uchiha name isn't tainted with suspicion, where our skills would be valued rather than feared. We wouldn't be abandoning our pride, we would be ensuring our legacy continues."

The elders deliberated in hushed tones for several minutes while Takeo waited patiently. Finally, Uruchi spoke for the group.

"We will support your auction plan. But Fugaku must be informed before any final decisions are made about... relocation." The way she said the word made it clear she wasn't fully committed to the idea.

Takeo bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for your wisdom. I'll begin preparations immediately."

As they rose to leave, Yashiro stayed behind. When they were alone, he fixed Takeo with a penetrating stare.

"You've always been ambitious. But I've never questioned your loyalty to our clan." He paused. "Until now."

Takeo didn't flinch. "Everything I do, I do for the Uchiha."

"See that it remains so," the elder warned before sliding the door shut behind him.

Alone in the meeting hall, Takeo exhaled slowly. So exhausting... and people actually choose to study politics? For pleasure?

---

Late afternoon found Takeo in his office at the Police Force headquarters, drafting plans for the auction. He had sent Gastly on reconnaissance around the village, wanting to gauge the reaction to the auction rumors that would inevitably begin to spread.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter," he called, quickly covering his notes with an unrelated case file.

The door slid open to reveal a young Uchiha officer, Hikaku, looking unusually tense.

"Takeo-sama, there's someone here to see you. Says it's urgent." Hikaku's eyes darted to the side, a subtle signal they had established for Root or ANBU presence.

Takeo nodded. "Send them in."

The visitor was a nondescript man with brown hair and forgettable features, the perfect spy. He recognized him immediately as Yamanaka Fū, one of Danzō's most trusted Root operatives, though he pretended not to.

"How can the Police Force help you today?"

Fū bowed slightly. "Takeo-san, I come with concerns from the Konoha Council regarding some... unusual activity within the Uchiha district."

"Oh?" Takeo raised an eyebrow. "What kind of unusual activity?"

"There are rumors of businesses closing, and inventory being consolidated. Some have suggested the Uchiha are planning something significant." Fū's eyes never left Takeo's, searching for any reaction.

Takeo looked mildly annoyed. "The Uchiha clan's business dealings are our own affair, though as a gesture of goodwill, I'm happy to inform you that we're planning a grand auction next month. All of Konoha is invited, including the Konoha Council members."

Fū's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. "An auction? Of what nature?"

"Various assets. The clan is diversifying our investments." Takeo shrugged as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The current economic climate suggests it's prudent to liquidate certain holdings. Purely a business decision."

"I see." Fū clearly didn't believe him. "And this decision was made by...?"

"The clan collectively, with the clan leader's approval, of course." He hadn't actually spoken to Fugaku yet, but he would before the day was out.

Fū nodded slowly. "The Council appreciates your transparency, Takeo-san. We look forward to the auction invitation."

As the Root operative left, Takeo kept his face neutral, but inwardly, he smiled. Danzō's interest was piqued, just as he'd planned. Better to have the old war hawk focused on the auction itself rather than what it might be preparing for.

Gastly materialized from the shadows once Fū was gone.

"Gastly, gas!" It seemed agitated.

"You followed him? Good. So he went straight to Danzō. And they're increasing surveillance on the compound."

Takeo stood, gathering his papers. "We need to accelerate our timeline. And I need to speak with Fugaku tonight."

---

The Uchiha clan leader's residence stood apart from the rest of the compound. It was a traditional house with gardens that had once been the pride of the clan. Now, like everything else in the Uchiha district, it showed subtle signs of neglect, limited resources meant even the clan leader had to prioritize necessities over appearances.

Takeo found Fugaku in his study, reviewing police reports by lamplight. The clan leader looked older than his years, the strain of leadership etched into the lines around his eyes.

"Takeo. This is unexpected." He set aside his work, gesturing for Takeo to sit.

Takeo remained standing. "Fugaku-sama, I've initiated something that requires your immediate attention."

Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been busy today. The elders have been unusually active, and now I hear rumors about an auction?"

Of course the clan leader already knew. Takeo should have expected as much.

"Yes. I'm proposing we liquidate most of our business assets within Konoha."

"Without consulting me first?" Fugaku's voice was dangerously quiet.

"The circumstances required quick action. I sought the elders' approval with the understanding that you would have the final say."

"And what circumstances would those be?"

Takeo took a calculated risk. "May I speak freely, Fugaku-sama? Without concern that our conversation might be overheard by unwelcome ears?"

Understanding flashed in Fugaku's eyes. He made a subtle hand sign, activating privacy seals around the room, basic protections against eavesdropping that all high-ranking ninjas used.

"Speak," he commanded once the seals were in place.

"The Uchiha clan is in danger." Takeo laid out everything he had shown the elders, the surveillance patterns, the mission death rates, the systematic isolation. "They're preparing something that will end with the extinction of our clan."

Fugaku listened in silence, his expression giving nothing away. When Takeo finished, he stood and walked to the window, looking out at the compound.

"You think I don't know this?" he finally said with a sighed. "I've watched it happening for years."

Takeo felt a flare of anger. "Then why have you done nothing? Why continue to appease them while they strip away everything from us?"

Fugaku turned, and for a brief moment, Takeo saw not the weary clan leader but the fearsome ninja who had earned the name "Wicked Eye Fugaku" during the last war.

"Because the alternative was immediate destruction," he said coldly. "Every concession I made bought us time, which I had hoped would allow tensions to ease, would show Konoha that the Uchiha are loyal."

"But they never believed it," Takeo pressed. "No matter what you did."

Fugaku's shoulders sagged. "No. They never did."

A heavy silence fell between them. Takeo waited, knowing that pushing further would only harden Fugaku's resistance.

Finally, the clan leader spoke again. "This auction of yours. What's its true purpose?"

"To convert our assets to portable wealth," Takeo admitted. "To prepare for contingencies."

"You mean to flee." It wasn't a question.

Takeo chose his next words carefully. "I mean to ensure the survival of the Uchiha, by any means necessary. If that requires leaving Konoha, then yes."

Fugaku rubbed his temples. "Have you spoken to Itachi about this?"

"No. And I wouldn't recommend it." Takeo hesitated, then added, "His loyalty to the village supersedes his loyalty to the clan. We both know this."

A flash of pain crossed Fugaku's face. "He is still my son."

"He is also an ANBU captain, directly under the Hokage's command," Takeo countered. "Involving him would compromise everything."

Fugaku turned away again, staring out at the compound for what felt like an eternity.

"Proceed with your auction," he finally said. "But understand this, Takeo, I will not abandon Konoha unless there is no other choice. Continue your preparations, but I want alternative solutions as well. Diplomatic approaches. Negotiations. Anything that might prevent the need for... exodus."

It was more than Takeo had hoped for. "As you wish."

As he turned to leave, Fugaku's voice stopped him. "And Takeo? Keep Mikoto and Sasuke out of this, for now. They don't need this burden yet."

Takeo nodded. If things went wrong, if they were discovered, Fugaku wanted his wife and younger son protected from association with the plan.

"Of course, Fugaku-sama."

---

The moon hung high in the sky as Takeo met with Hiro and Takeshi in a secluded clearing in the woods outside the Uchiha compound. Gastly circled overhead, creating a perimeter of ghostly mist that would alert them to any intruders.

"The elders are on board, and Fugaku has given his reluctant blessing," Takeo informed them. "Now we move to phase two."

Takeshi looked skeptical. "You really think we can pull this off? An auction of this scale will draw attention from every corner of Konoha."

"That's exactly what we want," Takeo explained. "The more public, the more legitimate it appears. A clan plotting rebellion doesn't invite the entire village to examine their assets."

Hiro nodded thoughtfully. "Misdirection. They'll be so focused on what we're selling that they won't question why."

"Precisely." Takeo faced his two most trusted subordinates. "Takeshi, I need you to start preparations for the auction immediately. Venue, catalogs, invitations, everything must be flawless. This needs to look like the social event of the year."

"Consider it done," Takeshi said, already making mental notes. "The clearing near the eastern forest boundary would work, we can set up temporary structures, and it's within Konoha's walls but gives us some privacy."

"Good. Hiro, you'll handle the invitations. Every clan in Konoha gets one, no exceptions. Even the smallest families. Make them feel important."

Hiro's brow furrowed. "Even the Sarutobi clan? The Hokage himself?"

"Especially them," Takeo confirmed. "The more official approval we appear to have, the less suspicious our actions will seem."

"What about Itachi and Shisui?" Takeshi asked, voicing the concern they'd all been avoiding. "They're not fools. They'll see through this."

"Leave Shisui to me. As for Itachi..." Takeo paused, weighing his next words carefully. "We keep him at arm's length. Official information only. Nothing about our true intentions."

The three fell silent, each contemplating the enormity of what they were planning.

"There's something else," Takeo finally said. "We need to be prepared for the possibility that not everyone will want to leave. Some will choose to stay in Konoha, come what may."

"What do we do about them?" Hiro asked.

Takeo looked up at the stars, remembering his past life, the world he'd left behind. "We respect their choice. But we don't compromise our plans for them."

Takeshi's voice was solemn when he spoke again. "This is really happening, isn't it? We're really going to leave Konoha."

"Yes," Takeo said simply. "One way or another, the Uchiha clan's time in this village is coming to an end. Our job is to ensure it doesn't end in blood, well, too much blood."

He pulled out a rough map of the Land of Fire and surrounding territories that he'd drawn earlier.

"For Fugaku's benefit, and for those who might not be ready to hear the full truth, we'll say we're planning to establish a new settlement here, in this remote area beyond the Land of Fire's borders." He pointed to a mountainous region. "It's plausible enough that no one will question it too deeply."

"And the truth?" Hiro asked.

Takeo looked at his subordinates, men who had followed him for years, who had helped build the Uchiha businesses from nothing. They deserved some measure of truth.

"The truth is that I have a way to take us somewhere far beyond these lands. Somewhere the Uchiha can truly start fresh, without the shadow of the past hanging over us."

Takeshi and Hiro exchanged glances, clearly sensing there was more to it, but neither pressed the issue.

"You've never steered us wrong before, Takeo-sama," Takeshi said. "If you say there's a way, we believe you."

Their trust was both a comfort and a burden. Takeo nodded, grateful for their loyalty.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin in earnest."

---

Dawn was just breaking when Takeo felt a familiar presence approaching his home. He had been awake for hours, meditating to control his newly enhanced powers. The Mangekyō required careful handling to prevent strain, and the void abilities from Nocturne were still unpredictable.

He opened his eyes just as a gentle tap came at his window. Shisui perched on the sill, looking troubled.

"Come in," Takeo said, rising to his feet.

Shisui slipped inside like a cat. "You've been busy." There was no accusation in his tone, just concern.

"News travels fast," Takeo said, neither confirming nor denying.

"When it's about the Uchiha clan liquidating all their assets? Yes, it does." Shisui paced the small room, uncharacteristically agitated. "What are you doing, Takeo? This auction... people are talking. Danzō is talking."

Takeo had expected this conversation, though not quite so soon. "It's a business decision. The economic landscape is changing, and we're adapting."

Shisui stopped pacing and looked at him directly. "Don't insult my intelligence. Not after everything we've been through together."

Silence.

Takeo weighed his options. Lying to Shisui would damage their trust, but telling him everything could jeopardize the plan. Shisui's dedication to both the clan and the village put him in an impossible position.

"Sit down," Takeo finally said, gesturing to a cushion across from him. "You deserve some measure of truth."

Shisui sat, his eyes never leaving Takeo's face.

"The clan is in danger," Takeo began, echoing what he'd told Fugaku. "You know this as well as I do. The auction is preparation."

"For what?" Shisui asked quietly, though his expression suggested he already knew.

"For whatever comes next," Takeo said carefully. "Whether that's negotiation from a position of financial strength, or alternatives, if negotiations fail."

Shisui closed his eyes briefly. "You're planning to leave Konoha."

"I'm planning to save the Uchiha. By any means necessary."

"This will only heighten suspicions!" Shisui argued, leaning forward. "If the clan appears to be gathering resources, preparing for movement, Danzō will see it as confirmation of his fears about an Uchiha rebellion."

"Which is why we're making it public. Why we're inviting everyone, including the Hokage and the Council. A clan planning rebellion doesn't put their intentions on display."

Shisui shook his head. "You're playing a dangerous game."

"We've been playing a dangerous game since the Nine-Tails attack," Takeo said bitterly. "The difference is, now I'm actually trying to win instead of just delaying defeat."

Shisui stood and walked to the window, looking out at the compound. "I've been working with the Hokage. He's not unsympathetic to the Uchiha's position. Given time—"

"We don't have time," Takeo interrupted. "And the Hokage doesn't have the power you think he does. Not when it comes to us."

Shisui turned back. "What would you have me do? Stand by while you lead the clan away from the village I've sworn to protect? The village we both grew up in?"

Takeo rose and approached his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I would have you keep doing exactly what you're doing. Keep working with the Hokage. Keep trying to bridge the gap. And if you succeed, I'll be the first to abandon my plans."

"But you don't think I will."

"I think you're fighting forces beyond even your considerable abilities," Takeo said gently. "But I would never discourage you from trying."

Shisui held his gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I won't interfere with your auction. But I won't help you leave Konoha either."

"I understand." Takeo squeezed his shoulder once before stepping back. "Just promise me one thing, Shisui."

"What?"

"When the time comes, if it comes, judge my actions by their intent, not by how they appear."

Shisui's expression softened slightly. "I've always trusted your heart, Takeo. Even when I questioned your methods."

As he departed through the window, Takeo watched him disappear in a flutter of leaves.

"I hope that trust holds," he murmured to the empty room. "For all our sakes."

---

Midday found Takeo at the Uchiha storage warehouse, where clan treasures and business inventory were kept under guard. He needed to assess exactly what assets they had available for the auction, and what should be reserved for their journey.

As he examined a particularly valuable set of ceremonial weapons, a commotion outside caught his attention. He emerged from the warehouse to find Takeshi arguing with one of the younger Uchiha who helped manage inventory.

"What's going on?" Takeo asked, approaching the pair.

Takeshi turned, looking both exasperated and amused. "Renji here was supposed to be cataloging your personal items for the auction, but he seems to have gotten distracted."

The young Uchiha, barely out of his teens, flushed crimson. "I-I apologize, Takeo-sama! I was just surprised by... well..."

"By what?" Takeo prompted, suddenly concerned. Had the young man found something related to the system?

Renji reached into his bag and carefully pulled out a glossy magazine. "This was among your personal effects."

Takeo stared in disbelief at Master Roshi's Collector's Edition Adult Magazine, which he had completely forgotten about after the lottery draws. In the chaos of planning, it had slipped his mind entirely.

"That's, ah..." For once, he found himself at a loss for words.

"It's quite valuable, actually," Renji continued, oblivious to Takeo's discomfort. "My father collects rare publications, and he mentioned such a colorful edition sells for a small fortune in certain circles. It's considered a collector's item because of its unusual... content."

Takeshi was clearly struggling not to laugh as Takeo carefully took the magazine and slipped it into his own bag.

"Thank you for your thoroughness, Renji. This particular item won't be part of the auction."

"But," Renji protested, "it could fetch an excellent price! And it's not as if you'd want to keep something like that for yourself..."

Takeshi finally lost his battle with composure and turned away, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Takeo fixed Renji with a stern look. "That will be all. Please continue with the cataloging."

As the young man bowed hastily and retreated, Takeshi turned back, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.

"Master Roshi's Collector's Edition? Really? I never knew you had such... refined tastes."

Takeo sighed. "It was a gift, and I forgot about it completely." Which was technically true, if one considered the system's rewards as gifts.

"A gift from whom?" Takeshi pressed, clearly enjoying his superior's rare moment of embarrassment.

"That's not important," Takeo said dismissively. "What matters is keeping this quiet. The last thing I need is rumors about the Vice Leader's secret magazine collection spreading through the clan."

Takeshi nodded, still grinning. "Of course. Your secret is safe with me."

Takeo wasn't convinced, but he had more pressing matters to attend to. "How are the auction preparations coming along?"

"On schedule," Takeshi reported, shifting to a more professional tone. "The venue is secured, and we've begun creating the catalogs. Hiro has drafted the invitations and will begin distribution tomorrow."

"Good. And the gold for the invitation cards?"

"The blacksmiths are working on it now. They should be ready within three days."

Takeo nodded, satisfied. "Keep me informed of any issues."

As Takeshi left to continue his work, Takeo pulled out the magazine and looked at it thoughtfully. Despite the embarrassment, he wondered if this unexpected discovery might actually be useful. Items that generated interest and competition among bidders could drive up the overall energy of an auction.

And if the elders of Konoha's most prestigious clans found themselves in a bidding war over something so unexpectedly valuable yet embarrassing to acknowledge...

A slow smile spread across Takeo's face as an idea began to form.

---

Evening settled over Konoha as Takeo made his way toward the Hokage Building. He had requested a brief meeting with the Third Hokage, ostensibly to formally notify him of the upcoming auction, but really to gauge the old man's reaction and assess how much Danzō had already told him.

Gastly followed discreetly, staying hidden in shadows and maintaining enough distance to avoid detection by the ANBU guards.

The Third Hokage's office was as he remembered it, cluttered with scrolls and papers, smelling faintly of tobacco, with the elderly leader himself seated behind the desk.

"Takeo," the Hokage greeted him, setting aside his pipe. "This is an unexpected visit."

Takeo bowed respectfully. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Hokage-sama."

"I understand the Uchiha clan is planning some sort of auction?" The Hokage's tone was neutral, but Takeo detected the underlying curiosity and concern.

"Yes. A liquidation of certain business assets to allow for reinvestment in new ventures. I wanted to personally extend an invitation to you and assure you that this is simply a financial restructuring."

The Hokage studied him for a long moment. "Fugaku approves of this?"

"Of course," Takeo said smoothly. "The entire clan leadership is in agreement."

"I see." The Hokage picked up his pipe again, a gesture Takeo recognized as a way to buy time to think. "And what new ventures does the Uchiha clan intend to pursue with these funds?"

Here was the delicate part. "We're exploring several possibilities, including potential expansion into territories outside the Land of Fire. Trade routes, primarily."

The mention of "outside the Land of Fire" caused a nearly imperceptible narrowing of the Hokage's eyes. "The Uchiha clan has historically kept its business interests within our borders."

"Times change. The economic landscape is shifting, and we must adapt to survive and thrive."

The choice of words was deliberate. "Adapt to survive," a phrase with multiple meanings, depending on the listener's perspective.

The Hokage puffed on his pipe, sending a cloud of aromatic smoke between them. "Danzō expressed concerns about your auction."

And there it was, confirmation that Danzō had already been whispering in the Hokage's ear. "He often has concerns where the Uchiha are involved," Takeo spoke carefully. "We hope his attendance at the auction might ease some of those concerns."

"Perhaps." The Hokage set down his pipe again. "Tell me, Takeo, how are things within the compound? Truly?"

The unexpected question caught Takeo off guard. For a brief moment, he saw not the powerful village leader but an old man who had lived through too many conflicts, who perhaps genuinely wanted peace.

"Difficult," he admitted, deciding that a measure of honesty might serve better than complete deception. "Our people are struggling. The economic restrictions, the social isolation, it takes its toll."

The Hokage nodded slowly. "I have tried to ease these tensions, but change comes slowly, especially when old wounds run deep."

"Too slowly for some," Takeo said, then quickly added, "which is why initiatives like this auction are important. They give our people hope for a better future, for prosperity through our own efforts."

"And what of Itachi and Shisui? Do they share this hope?"

The question was pointed, aimed directly at the heart of the clan's internal divisions. Takeo maintained his composure.

"They have their own paths to follow. They serve the village admirably. The rest of us must find our own ways to contribute."

The Hokage seemed to consider this answer carefully before nodding. "I wish your auction success, Takeo. Change, even economic change, can sometimes bridge divides that seem insurmountable."

As Takeo rose to leave, the Hokage added, "And I hope that whatever new ventures the Uchiha pursue, they remember that Konoha will always be their home."

Takeo bowed one final time. "Thank you for your wisdom, Hokage-sama."

Outside the tower, Takeo exhaled slowly, processing the conversation. The Hokage was suspicious but not openly hostile. He seemed genuinely concerned about the clan's welfare, yet bound by political realities that Takeo understood all too well from his previous life.

Gastly materialized beside him as he walked down a deserted street.

"That went better than expected," Takeo murmured to the Pokémon. "But it changes nothing."

---

Takeo stood at the window, watching the sleeping compound. In his hand, he held one of the golden invitation cards that had just been completed, ornate, heavy, and embossed with the Uchiha crest. They would be distributed throughout Konoha tomorrow.

Behind him, Master Roshi's magazine lay on his desk. It might serve a purpose in his plans.

Gastly floated in lazy circles near the ceiling, occasionally passing through the wooden beams as if to remind itself of its ghostly nature.

"It's really happening," Takeo said softly to himself. "After all these years, we're finally going to leave this place."

He activated his Mangekyō briefly, feeling the familiar burn as his eyes transformed. The power of the Void surged through him, dark and tempting. With these abilities, he could protect the Uchiha in ways Fugaku never could, or would.

A soft tap at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He deactivated his Sharingan instantly.

"Enter," he called, turning from the window.

Takeshi slid the door open and stepped inside. "Forgive the late hour, but there's something you should know."

Takeo gestured for him to continue.

"There's talk among some of the younger clansmen, those close to Itachi. They're suspicious of the auction. Someone overheard part of your conversation with the elders."

Takeo frowned. "How much do they know?"

"Not everything, but enough to be concerned. They're loyal to Fugaku and fear you're undermining his authority."

This was an unexpected complication. Takeo had planned for resistance from outside the clan, but internal division could be even more dangerous.

"Who leads them?"

"Yashiro's son, Tenma. He has about twenty followers, mostly chunin and special jonin."

Takeo considered this information carefully. "For now, we watch them. Let them think their concerns are unnoticed."

Takeshi nodded. "And if they go to Fugaku or, worse, to the Hokage?"

"Then we accelerate our plans." Takeo picked up the invitation card, running his thumb over the embossed Uchiha crest. "But I don't think it will come to that. Once the auction begins, once they see what we're truly working toward, most will understand."

"And those who don't?"

Takeo's expression hardened. "As I told you before, we respect their choice to stay, but we don't compromise our plans for them."

After Takeshi left, Takeo returned to the window. He reached out with his senses, feeling the subtle pulse of chakra from the sleeping clan members.

"The seeds are planted," he whispered to the night. "Now we see what grows from them."

Gastly floated down to hover beside him, its gaseous form glowing softly in the moonlight.

"I know. It won't be easy. But nothing worth doing ever is."

He turned from the window and went to his desk, pulling out fresh paper. There was still much to plan before tomorrow, and the night was growing short.