"Kai-kun, where did you get this letter?"
It took considerable effort for Uchiha Osamu to keep a calm expression. He took a deep breath and asked in a slow, measured tone.
The letter in his hands revealed far too much. "Yu Uchiha," his younger brother, had written it — claiming he was imprisoned, possibly tortured, and had lost one of his eyes. He had also shared suspicions about who might be responsible.
The letter was crumpled and stained with dried mud, as though it had been dragged through the elements before being delivered. Its condition suggested it had been abandoned or lost for a period of time.
"It was discovered by my subordinate, Uchiha Chuan," replied Uchiha Kai, shrugging slightly.
"I investigated the area myself but didn't find anything conclusive. Still, since it concerns your brother, I felt obligated to deliver it to you directly."
Kai's tone was even, and his words difficult to refute. Everyone in the clan knew Kai's relationship with the Uchiha brothers was... strained at best. Yet here he was, showing a rare sense of duty — both as a clansman and as deputy head of the Konoha Military Police Force.
Osamu's eyes narrowed, searching Kai's face for any hint of deceit. But Kai remained composed, his Sharingan inactive, his features placid and unreadable — like the surface of a still lake.
"I understand," Osamu finally said, letting out a slow sigh. "Regardless of our history, thank you for bringing this to me, Kai-kun."
"No need for thanks." Kai waved his hand dismissively. "I've got a patrol scheduled tonight. I should get moving — the village hasn't felt safe lately."
"A patrol? You, personally?" Osamu raised an eyebrow. "That's rare for someone at your rank."
"The area we're sweeping includes the location where this letter was found," Kai said plainly. "If anything happens again under my watch, I'll be held responsible. I can't afford another disappearance — not from my own unit."
With a casual wave, Kai turned and began walking away. Osamu watched him with growing suspicion. The timing of everything was too convenient. His instincts screamed at him.
He didn't trust Kai.
Never had.
The ambition Kai kept hidden behind his stoic facade was unsettling. Osamu had always believed his brother's disappearance wasn't random — and Kai remained his top suspect. But belief wasn't evidence. And even now, Osamu wasn't sure Kai had the strength to pull it off.
Still...
"Yamato," Osamu said under his breath, motioning to a nearby shinobi.
The younger Uchiha approached swiftly, bowing his head.
"Yes, Master Osamu?"
"Alert our men. I want them to follow me discreetly. No contact unless I signal. Bring weapons. And..." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Tell the Great Elder. Let him know I suspect Uchiha Kai is involved in my brother's disappearance. If anything happens to me, I want him to act."
Yamato blinked, stunned by the severity of the order — but quickly bowed. "Understood. I'll inform the Elder immediately."
Osamu nodded grimly and gave a subtle hand sign. Then, without a word, he followed in Kai's footsteps.
If Kai was behind Yu's disappearance, Osamu was ready to bring him down. And if he was wrong... at least he'd be prepared.
"Osamu-san?" Kai asked without turning as he heard footsteps behind him. "Why are you following me?"
"This patrol route involves my brother," Osamu said evenly. "I intend to assist. If danger arises, I'll be there to handle it."
Kai glanced over his shoulder, face unreadable. "The village is stable now. If you hadn't stirred things up, there wouldn't be any danger."
"Be that as it may, I'm coming," Osamu replied. "You don't command me, Kai-kun — not yet, anyway."
There was a pause as Kai stopped walking.
He turned, studying Osamu carefully. He understood the implication. The Great Elder's faction — Osamu's faction — had been pushing for a change in the Military Police leadership. Some whispered that Osamu might replace Kei as deputy, under the guise of fulfilling his "late brother's will."
"Hmph. Empty dreams and paranoia," Kai muttered. "Careful, Osamu-san. You wouldn't want to vanish like Yu."
"I'll take my chances," Osamu said, his expression calm but cold. "Let's go, Kai-kun. Maybe we'll end up needing each other."
"Don't count on it."
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yan — a trusted comrade of the brothers — was making his way through the district.
He had received Osamu's orders and was en route to report to the Great Elder. Though only a two-tomoe Sharingan user, Yan had earned his position through combat valor and ideological loyalty to the Old Guard of the clan.
As he walked, a familiar figure stepped into his path.
Uchiha Fugaku.
"Patriarch!" Yan bowed quickly. "Do you require something of me?"
Fugaku's expression was stern. "I do. Come with me, Yan-kun. We need to speak privately."
Yan hesitated. "Forgive me, Lord Fugaku, but I have urgent business with the Great Elder. Please allow me ten minutes — I'll report to your estate immediately afterward."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
"You're heading to the Elder's compound, correct?"
Yan didn't answer, but his silence spoke volumes.
Fugaku sighed. He had long known the clan's support for him was tenuous, especially among those who aligned with the Great Elder. Once, he had hoped to wait out the old faction peacefully — but times had changed.
Kai had changed him.
War had changed him.
His hands were no longer clean.
"Yan-kun," Fugaku said darkly, "this isn't a negotiation."
The red glow of the Sharingan flared in Fugaku's eyes — three tomoe spinning with ominous force.
"Choose now: your clan's future, or its ruin. Defy me... and you won't leave this road."
Yan stiffened, caught between loyalty to the past and the unavoidable weight of the future.