Chapter Two: The Chaos of the Nine-Tails

As the last trace of sunset faded from the horizon, the moon cast its glow upon the night sky. In the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Uchiha Rei led his squad through the streets on patrol.

The shadow of the Third Great Ninja War had only recently lifted, and peace now pervaded the entire village; everywhere, civilians strolled about, enjoying the evening. Yet Rei’s squad seemed utterly out of place amidst this harmony.

As the Police Force team moved through the streets, the eyes of those around them reflected only fear and disdain. It did little to improve Rei’s mood.

To be honest, the very nature of the Police Force’s work was to make enemies. Coupled with the Uchiha clan’s inherent pride, their manner of dealing with matters was inevitably cold and brusque. Ordinary people could hardly understand them, and so alienation and resentment became inevitable—the rift between the Uchiha and the village only grew wider.

“Without orders from the Hokage, you are not to leave this area!”

“On what grounds? The Police Force is responsible for the village’s security; all streets fall within our jurisdiction…”

A faint argument drifted over from a nearby street, catching Rei’s attention—someone seemed to be obstructing the Police Force’s patrol.

“Let’s go see what’s happening,” Rei said, his brow furrowing as he gestured for his team to follow.

They quickly arrived at the scene and saw the situation for themselves.

A group of ANBU operatives, their masks adorned with intricate patterns, blocked the road near the village’s outskirts. It was Uchiha members of the Police Force who were being held back. A standoff hovered in the air; though no blows had been exchanged, tension crackled palpably between both sides.

“What’s going on? Why are you obstructing the Police Force’s patrol?” Rei asked, having caught enough of the conversation to sense that something was amiss. As a squad leader, it was his duty to defend the roles of both his family and the Police Force.

“Lord Rei!” The Uchiha being obstructed brightened at his arrival, greeting him respectfully.

The Uchiha valued strength above all; those who awakened the Sharingan were especially esteemed. So, though Rei was still young, his status was high.

“Lord Rei, these ANBU claim the streets by the village gate are under lockdown and are forbidding our members from entering or leaving!”

A few words sufficed to explain the situation. Rei stroked his chin thoughtfully. While relations between the Uchiha and the village were strained, such a blatant, public ban on Uchiha movement had never occurred before.

Yet tonight, with Kushina Uzumaki about to give birth, the Uchiha and the Police Force were under clear restrictions—an obvious sign of the village’s mistrust.

His gaze swept over the ANBU blocking their path, taking in their undisguised suspicion toward the Uchiha. Rei’s mood darkened further.

He was about to speak when footsteps sounded from afar.

It was Fugaku Uchiha, head of the clan and captain of the Police Force, who had come to investigate upon seeing the confrontation.

“Clan Leader!” the Uchiha present called out as he approached.

Fugaku nodded slightly and walked up to Rei. “What’s happened here?” he asked.

Just then, a violent tremor shook the village.

A ferocious roar rent the air—a gigantic Nine-Tailed Fox appeared in the heart of the village. Its massive tails swept buildings into ruin, and a Tailed Beast Bomb formed in its maw, painting the streets in blood and devastation.

“Damn it, how did the Nine-Tails get here?” was everyone’s first thought, swiftly drowned out by wails and cries for help.

In an instant, the once peaceful and harmonious Leaf Village was plunged into hell.

“Police Force, assemble! Squads One through Seven, handle evacuation! The remaining teams, follow me to engage the Nine-Tails!”

Without another word about the standoff, Fugaku immediately issued orders for rescue and combat. There could be no question: when disaster struck the village, the Uchiha, as leaders of the Police Force, were duty-bound to respond. His command was unassailable.

Yet before the Uchiha could act, a figure flashed before them.

This man’s mask bore even more elaborate patterns than the others; his eyes, visible through the mask, were devoid of emotion.

“By order of the Third Hokage: the Uchiha are forbidden from engaging in battle. You are to focus solely on evacuation. Any violation will be treated as treason!”

Such a targeted decree naturally infuriated the assembled Uchiha—if not for the presence of their clan leader, conflict would have erupted then and there.

Safeguarding the village was the Police Force’s charge. To be barred from battle was a naked insult.

Fugaku’s fists clenched; his chest heaved, and his icy gaze bored into the ANBU before him, barely containing his rage.

The ANBU operative was unmoved. He seemed certain Fugaku would obey, even if it meant the Uchiha would be vilified afterward.

Sure enough, a cold, desolate look crossed Fugaku’s face as he prepared to acquiesce.

Such was always the way of things in the end.

Relations between the Uchiha and the village were perennially tense; Fugaku would never choose this moment to escalate the conflict.

“Very well, the Uchiha will—”

“Wait. We Uchiha will not comply with such an absurd order!”

After a long silence, Rei, watching his clan leader capitulate as usual, could hold back no longer.

Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have cared to intervene, nor been surprised by Fugaku’s choice. But this time was different—his eyes were throbbing uncontrollably, and were it not for his iron will, his Sharingan would have activated on its own.

The Nine-Tails’ rampage had unleashed an immense tide of chakra throughout the village; in his left eye, where “Terra” resided, an unprecedented hunger stirred. Clearly, Terra wanted him to use the absorption ability of Karoso to devour the Nine-Tails’ chakra and accelerate its revival.

The faster Terra’s recovery, the more abilities of the Apostles he could wield—and the further his Sharingan would evolve.

“Rei, what are you saying?” Fugaku’s expression flickered with shock and gravity. “This is the Hokage’s order. We cannot disobey…”

Rei stepped forward, glancing at his clan leader but offering no reply. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the ANBU who had delivered the message.

Despite his mask, this man’s elaborate markings and cold demeanor revealed him as a member of Danzo’s Root division.

Facing the Root operative, Rei spoke unflinchingly: “Repeat the order you just gave.”

Irritation flashed in the man’s eyes, but he complied, his words laced with even more malice: “To prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos, the Uchiha are forbidden from engaging in battle. That is the order!”

Preventing whom from sowing chaos?

The Sharingan marks in the Nine-Tails’ eyes made the insinuation plain.

This was a direct slander against the entire Uchiha clan. If they could not clear their names, the consequences would be dire.

At these words, the already disgruntled Uchiha members raised their weapons.

“What, are you Uchiha planning a rebellion?” The Root operative was ready for this, instantly hurling the accusation.

Rei tilted his head, gaze cold and stern. “A rebellion? I’d say the ones rebelling are you!”