The Nine-Tails Attack had ended, but its aftermath continued to weigh heavily on Konoha.
The death of Minato Namikaze shook the entire village. Panic, grief, and uncertainty spread quickly through both shinobi and civilians alike.
Fortunately, the Nine-Tails had been resealed back into Uzumaki Kushina, restoring a fragile sense of stability. Even so, the damage had already been done.
The perpetrators, Uchiha Obito and another unidentified Uchiha, became targets of intense hatred. To the people of Konoha, they were enemies beyond forgiveness.
This placed the Uchiha Clan in an extremely awkward position. In the first few days after the incident, suspicion toward them reached its peak. Many within the village began to treat them like outsiders.
Amid the chaos, Hiruzen Sarutobi resumed his role as Hokage despite his injuries, stabilizing the village and restoring order.
Even so, news of Minato's death spread to other villages. Some mourned him, others dismissed it as distant news, but a few began to move with hidden intentions.
The atmosphere across the shinobi world became tense.
None of this affected Ryūjin.
Aside from a brief moment of reflection over Minato's death, everything else remained the same to him.
---
The day after the attack, in a desolate area near Kushina's former location outside Konoha, a space distortion appeared.
Ryūjin stepped out of the Kamui dimension.
"System, sign in at Kurama's location."
"Ding! Sign-in successful. Reward obtained: Nine-Tails Chakra."
A small fragment of Kurama manifested within his body.
"Shukaku?"
"Kurama?"
The moment Kurama appeared, hostility surged. Shukaku and Kurama immediately recognized each other.
Their killing intent flared.
Ryūjin did not bother trying to mediate. That would be pointless.
Instead, he cast a genjutsu to suppress both of them. Then he used Kamui to move far away from Konoha, entered Sage Mode, and confirmed there were no White Zetsu nearby.
Only then did he release Kurama.
Without hesitation, Ryūjin beat Kurama down.
The Nine-Tails was crushed completely, left sprawled on the ground with no strength to resist. Once it was subdued, Ryūjin sealed it back inside himself, constructing a separate containment space that would not interfere with Shukaku.
Only then did Kurama settle down.
Inside the sealing space, Kurama lay still, his thoughts heavy.
"What kind of person is this?"
"Another Uchiha with this level of power…"
He paused.
"Still, his attitude toward us is different."
Ryūjin paid it no mind.
He understood something most people didn't. Tailed Beasts were not inherently monstrous. That belief was born from fear and misunderstanding.
Given respect, they could coexist with humans.
But that respect only worked if backed by overwhelming strength.
Without that, it meant nothing.
---
After handling Kurama, Ryūjin returned to the Uchiha Clan compound and remained in his room.
Konoha had already begun a full investigation into the Uchiha Clan.
Every member, including Uchiha Fugaku and the clan elders, was subjected to questioning.
The clan knew Obito was responsible for Minato's death, yet they were forced to endure suspicion and interrogation.
Anger quietly built within them.
For several days, Uchiha members were summoned one after another to the Anbu headquarters.
Ryūjin was treated as a key subject due to his prior mission involving Obito's body.
The interrogation was conducted by intelligence operatives, with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado observing.
Uchiha Shisui and others involved in the same mission received identical treatment.
In the end, nothing was found.
Because the truth had nothing to do with the clan.
It was all connected to Uchiha Madara.
The investigation yielded no results, leaving Konoha's leadership frustrated.
At the same time, someone else was growing uneasy.
Black Zetsu.
---
After visiting the Naka Shrine and discovering the altered stone tablet, Obito's beliefs were shaken.
The foundation of the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan no longer felt certain.
He spent days obsessively studying Madara's records, searching for answers about Yin-Yang Release.
But there was little useful information.
Frustration built.
Then an idea struck him.
"Edo Tensei…"
"I can summon the dead back from the Pure Land."
"If I bring back Senju Tobirama, I can ask him directly."
Obito made his decision.
Black Zetsu immediately tried to dissuade him, pointing out the risk.
Obito dismissed it.
"Even if my teacher were alive, I wouldn't hesitate. Konoha can't stop me."
Black Zetsu fell silent, though unease lingered.
Obito activated Kamui and disappeared.
Moments later, he reappeared inside Konoha.
---
His presence caused immediate panic.
Villagers recognized his Sharingan and Rinnegan.
"It's Uchiha Obito!"
Fear spread instantly. People fled.
Obito ignored them, walking through the village without concern.
Anbu forces quickly reported his appearance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious.
Before they could respond, Obito had already vanished again.
He reappeared inside the classified archives.
With the village distracted, he eliminated the guards and searched calmly.
Soon, he found what he wanted.
The Edo Tensei scroll.
"Obito, what are you doing here?"
A voice interrupted him.
Leaning casually against a cabinet stood Ryūjin.
Obito turned, recognizing him immediately.
"You still won't show your face?"
Ryūjin shrugged.
"You're not worth the effort."
Obito's expression darkened.
"You talk big."
Ryūjin ignored it.
"What are you looking for?"
"That's none of your business."
After a pause, Obito asked, "Do you have proof of what you said before?"
Ryūjin's eyes sharpened slightly.
So Obito had seen the tablet.
"No," Ryūjin said. "Too much time has passed. But if you found something, you can share."
Obito scoffed.
"If you're so capable, find it yourself."
With that, he vanished using Kamui.
Ryūjin left shortly after.
---
Konoha discovered the breach later.
The Edo Tensei scroll was missing.
Despite discussion, no conclusion could be reached.
The investigation into the Uchiha Clan continued, but it led nowhere.
Eventually, the leadership made a decision.
The Uchiha Clan would be relocated.
To the edge of the village.
The order felt like exile.
---
Outrage exploded within the clan.
"Are we supposed to accept this?"
"Our pride is being trampled!"
"They're pushing us out of Konoha!"
Voices rose in anger.
Then Shisui stepped forward.
The clan fell quiet.
His reputation carried weight.
"I believe the village is acting out of fear, not malice," Shisui said calmly.
"There is a misunderstanding between us."
"If you trust me, leave this matter to me."
"I will do everything I can to change their view of us."
His tone was firm.
The clan listened.
^_________^
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