Kushina Uzumaki The Sage Of The Yuri Path

The snow fell softly on the Uchiha compound, blanketing the rooftops and courtyards in a serene stillness that stood in stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface. Inside the compound's council chamber, Fugaku Uchiha sat at the head of a long table, his expression as cold and unyielding as the winter outside.

Seated around him were the clan's leaders, their voices sharp and filled with frustration. Chief among them was Ryoga Uchiha, the scarred and imposing leader of the Hawks faction. His presence alone seemed to command the room, his dark eyes fixed on Fugaku with an intensity that mirrored his defiance. The hawks are the group within the Uchiha who are the most radical pushing for the Uchiha Clan to overthrow the third Hokage and make themselves the leaders of Konoha.

"Fugaku," Ryoga began, his voice low and cutting, "we can no longer afford to wait. The Third Hokage and his council have made it clear where we stand. They see us as a threat, and they will act against us the moment it suits them. The only reason things have improved it because Minato Namikaze is currently Hokage but how long will that last with The third still closely advising that kid."

Fugaku's jaw tightened. "And what would you have me do, Ryoga? Declare war on Konoha? Risk the lives of every man, woman, and child in this clan?"

Ryoga leaned forward, his scar catching the dim light of the room. "If that's what it takes to secure our survival, then yes. The Uchiha are not cowards. We cannot stand idly by while the village pushes us into a corner."

Another Hawk chimed in, their tone equally sharp. "Every day we hesitate, the Anbu tighten their grip. Shisui himself has reported increased surveillance around the compound. They're watching us, Fugaku. Waiting for us to slip."

At the mention of Shisui, Fugaku's gaze darkened. "Shisui is loyal to the clan. He works in the Anbu to protect us, not betray us. With the fourth in power we a future that we have never been given an opportunity to have before."

Ryoga scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Loyalty is a fine word, but actions speak louder. Shisui serves two masters—the Hokage and the clan. How long before his loyalties are tested?"

A murmur rippled through the room, the tension palpable. Fugaku raised a hand, silencing the discussion. "Enough. Shisui has proven his worth time and again. I will not hear his loyalty questioned."

Ryoga's lips curled into a cold smile. "Trust doesn't win wars, Fugaku. Strength does. And if you won't act, then perhaps it's time someone else took the lead. The Uchiha and your Dove faction will never be allowed to join Konoha in a meaningful way give up your delusions of a peaceful co existence."

Fugaku's gaze snapped to Ryoga, his voice hard as steel. "The clan remains unified, Ryoga. Do not forget your place."

The room fell silent, the weight of Fugaku's words settling over the council. Ryoga's sneer faded, replaced by a calculated calm. "As you wish, clan head. For now."

Far from the compound, Shisui Uchiha sat in the shadowed halls of the Anbu headquarters, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his position. The reports from Root had grown increasingly troubling, each one painting a darker picture of Konoha's growing distrust of the Uchiha. But Shisui's confidence has never wavered he believes in the Will Of Fire and his ability to bring the Uchiha into Konoha's inner circle peacefully.

Unrolling another scroll, Shisui's Sharingan flickered faintly as he read. The latest report detailed increased surveillance around the Uchiha compound, with a specific focus on Mikoto Uchiha.

"Mikoto?" Shisui murmured, his brows knitting together. "Why target her?"

The answer was painfully clear. As Fugaku's wife, Mikoto was a symbol of the clan's leadership, a vulnerable point in an already tense standoff. Shisui clenched his fists, the conflict within him growing.

The reports also mention Mikoto meeting a mysterious girl at night, but any attempts to capture her have met with the disappearance of both Root and Anbu personnel. For now, the Fourth Hokage and Danzo have ordered that any Anbu or Root oppertive that encounters this girl are to abandon surveillance at once. What Shisui does not know of course is that this is the work of Raven's nine-tailed fox Yuumi, her silent and eternal guardian.

The sound of footsteps drew his attention. A masked Root operative stepped into the room, their silence a reminder of the shadowy forces at play. Shisui watched them go, his resolve hardening. He had to find a way to protect his clan and meet the thirds expectations.

Back at the compound, Mikoto sat alone on the porch, her hands resting on her growing belly. The snow fell gently around her, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within the Uchiha clan.

Fugaku approached, his footsteps crunching softly against the snow. "Mikoto."

She turned, offering him a small smile. "You're back."

Fugaku nodded, his expression stern. "The meeting ran long."

"I heard," Mikoto said softly. "The Hawks were… vocal, weren't they?"

Fugaku sat beside her, his gaze fixed on the falling snow. "They're frustrated. The village's actions give them reason to be."

"And what about you?" Mikoto asked, her voice gentle. "Do you agree with them?"

Fugaku hesitated, his jaw tightening. "It doesn't matter what I agree with. My duty is to the clan."

Mikoto's smile faded. "And what about your duty to us? To this family? Itachi is already growing more aware of the clans circumstances what should he think.

Fugaku's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the snow. "The clan comes first, Mikoto. You know that."

Her heart sank at his words, but she held her tongue. She looked away, her thoughts heavy. "I know. But sometimes it feels like we're just pieces on a board. Being manipulated as you see fit because of your stubborn refusal to act or see the larger picture."

From her perch on a nearby rooftop, Raven Kamizuki watched the scene unfold, her disguised five-year-old form hidden in the shadows. Her violet Rinnegan glowed faintly as she observed Fugaku's stiff demeanor and Mikoto's weary expression.

"That man," Raven muttered, her tone sharp. "He's so caught up in duty he can't even see how much she's hurting."

Yuumi's voice brushed against her mind. "Fugaku is a product of his world. His priorities are the clan and its survival. But yes, he is… difficult."

"Difficult is putting it lightly," Raven replied, her fists clenching. "Mikoto deserves better."

Yuumi chuckled softly. "And you're here to provide that?"

"Someone has to," Raven said, her determination unwavering.

When Mikoto stepped outside for air, Raven seized the opportunity. Disguised as her five-year-old self, she approached Mikoto with light, deliberate steps.

"Hi, sister Mikoto," she greeted softly.

Mikoto turned, her expression softening when she saw the small girl. "Raven. Out for another walk?"

Raven nodded, her playful smile disarming. "And you look like you could use some company."

Mikoto chuckled faintly, her shoulders relaxing. "I suppose I could. It's been… a long night."

As they walked through the snowy courtyard, Mikoto spoke of the clan's struggles, Fugaku's pressures, and the Hawks' relentless demands. Her voice carried a weight that Raven listened to with quiet attentiveness.

"You know," Raven said after a pause, her tone thoughtful, "sometimes being strong means walking away from things that hurt you."

Mikoto glanced at her, a hint of confusion in her gaze. "And what does a little girl like you know about that?"

Raven grinned. "More than you'd think. And I'm just saying, sister Mikoto, you've got options. You don't have to let sourpuss husbands or stubborn clans tell you how to live."

Mikoto blinked, startled, then laughed softly despite herself. "You're quite the strange one, Raven."

"Maybe," Raven replied with a wink. "But I'm also right."

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