CHAPTER 35

"The Uchiha Police Force is taking over the Senju clan's property..."

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was troubled by rumors of unrest within the Uchiha, an ANBU agent appeared and knelt before him.

"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha Police Force has mobilized across the village..."

Hiruzen furrowed his brows. "A coup?"

The ANBU shook his head. "No... It seems they are seizing properties historically belonging to the Senju clan."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his expression still dark. "So it's not an uprising... but this is no less troubling."

"The Senju clan's estates..." he muttered. "Why would the Uchiha make such a move now? Do they expect no resistance?"

Although Hiruzen outwardly promoted harmony in the village, he had long watched as the Senju clan — Hashirama's bloodline — dwindled in power and numbers. As Hokage, he subtly ensured their assets remained 'unclaimed', hoping to eventually reassign them under Konoha's direct administration, preferably through trusted loyalists like the Sarutobi or Koharu clans.

This sudden move from the Uchiha upended that plan.

Just then, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane stormed into the Hokage's office.

"Sarutobi!" Koharu snapped. "Do you know what's happening? The Uchiha are forcefully 'repossessing' properties — including some under our stewardship!"

"Several of my clan's businesses have already been seized," Homura added bitterly.

Both had benefitted for years from the quiet appropriation of Senju holdings as the clan withered.

"This is unacceptable!" Hiruzen stood. "We must intervene before the situation escalates."

—

In Konoha's northwestern district, once under Senju administration, chaos had broken out.

Uchiha patrols stood guard as others marked buildings with clan seals, forcibly evicting long-time occupants.

"This is outrageous! This land belongs to the Mito family!" a protester shouted, invoking the name of a distant branch family connected to Mito Uzumaki.

Uchiha En, leading the operation, scoffed. "The deeds say Senju. You lot merely squatted here after Lady Tsunade left the village."

"Still, you have no right—"

The protester's voice faltered when Uchiha En drew a short sword from his back.

"Try and stop us if you think you can."

Tensions rose sharply until the arrival of the Hokage, accompanied by Koharu, Homura, and a full squad of ANBU.

Those who had been expelled rushed over, seizing the chance to complain.

"Hokage-sama, they're robbing us in broad daylight!"

"Silence," Homura barked. "Uchiha En! Who gave you the authority to act unilaterally?"

"The Senju clan's rights aren't yours to enforce!" Koharu added.

Before En could respond, a ripple passed through the crowd as Uchiha Byakuya stepped into view.

"Isn't this rich..." he muttered. "The same people who stood by while the Senju declined now cry foul when someone steps in."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Byakuya... your clan has no jurisdiction to seize property."

"Jurisdiction?" Byakuya chuckled. "Then whose authority let you and your allies quietly devour the Senju holdings over the years?"

"They're gone," Koharu snapped. "The Senju have no claim anymore!"

"And yet Tsunade-hime still lives. You didn't seem so eager to return anything when she was in debt or grieving. Now that her clan is weak, you scramble to pick the bones."

Hiruzen clenched his fists. "This is a disruption of village order. ANBU—"

"You Uchiha are clearly trying to seize the Senju clan's assets!"

Utata Koharu and Mitokado Homura both stood up, their voices sharp with anger and suspicion.

Without flinching, Byakuya calmly unsealed a scroll and unfurled it in front of them.

"Then open your eyes and look closely." He pointed to the document.

"This is a binding agreement signed between the Uchiha and the Senju clan. From now on, the Uchiha will manage all the Senju's remaining holdings in Konoha."

The scroll bore clear signatures, ink stamps, and even the Senju clan crest. It looked official—undeniably authentic.

"No... this can't be," Koharu muttered.

"Why would the Senju willingly give you, of all clans, control over their ancestral property!?"

"If they had to surrender it, they should've turned to us—their comrades-in-arms!" Homura added indignantly.

"We served under the Second Hokage! We were entrusted with the Will of Fire far more than your clan ever was!"

"This document must be forged! We reject it!"

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression soured. He narrowed his eyes at the scroll. He had long coveted the remnants of the Senju estate—unused land, jutsu scrolls, and influence. He'd planned to wait until the Senju clan faded further before quietly absorbing their holdings through Hokage decrees and bureaucratic claims.

But now, the Uchiha had outmaneuvered him.

"Hmph. Your approval was never required," Byakuya said coldly.

"I came here only to inform you. Whether you belong to the Sarutobi, Mitokado, or even Shimura clans—none of it matters. You'll step aside. If not, the Uchiha Security Force will make sure you do."

"You bastard!" Koharu snarled, lunging forward. "You forged this—"

"Give it here!" Homura added, reaching for the scroll.

In a flash, Byakuya moved.

BANG! BANG!

Two dull thuds rang out as both elders were sent flying across the room, crashing into the far wall.

"You dare strike the elders of Konoha!?" Sarutobi Hiruzen rose to his feet, voice thunderous.

"ANBU! Take him down!"

He knew it wasn't the smartest move—open conflict with the Uchiha could tear the village apart—but Byakuya's audacity left him no choice.

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Several ANBU operatives appeared, weapons drawn, ready to strike.

"ANBU, is this really the fight you want?"

Uchiha En stepped forward, joined by the fully armed Uchiha Security Force.

"We do not fear bloodshed."

The air thickened. Chakra flared from both sides. Swords clanged free of their scabbards. One wrong move would ignite a civil war in the heart of Konoha.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen," Byakuya called out, his tone now ice. "Are you truly ready to fight the Uchiha clan again?"

Byakuya's eyes flared crimson—three tomoe spun rapidly, then merged into a new shape.

The atmosphere distorted slightly. The oppressive pressure of powerful chakra spread like wildfire.

"That... those eyes..."

One of the ANBU trembled.

"Mangekyō Sharingan...?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned pale. He had seen it before—in the eyes of Uchiha Kagami, and in the fearsome records left behind after the Warring States Era.

The Mangekyō Sharingan. The Uchiha's forbidden power—capable of genjutsu, teleportation, flame, or space-time destruction depending on the user.

"That's right." Byakuya stepped forward, chakra boiling around him like a tempest.

"Now tell me, Lord Hokage... do you really want to see what the Mangekyō can do?"

For a brief moment, silence ruled. Even the ANBU held back. They could feel it—one command from Byakuya, and blood would spill across the Hokage's mansion.

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