Chapter 48: Uchiha Iizumi's “Capacity”

Night fell.

In just half a day, the shocking news of Uchiha Iizumi—cold-bloodedly slaying his sole surviving relative, Uchiha Oniwa, despite their blood ties—had spread like wildfire through whispered rumors. The incident had stirred an unprecedented uproar, especially within the Uchiha clan itself.

After finishing his duties for the day, Fugaku Clan Head returned home to find his eldest son, Uchiha Itachi, already back from Anbu. At that moment, Itachi was playfully wrestling with his younger brother, Sasuke—though in truth, it was Sasuke clinging to him constantly.

“I’ve heard,” Itachi said, gently pushing Sasuke’s small hand away. He turned to face his father, the man he often butted heads with. “I know about everything. The killing of Hokage-sama’s eldest son by Uchiha Iizumi not long ago… and today’s act—his execution of Uchiha Oniwa. I know it all.”

Fugaku looked at his son, pride swelling in his chest despite their frequent disagreements. Even if Itachi’s ideals diverged from his own, Fugaku still believed he would one day carry the weight of the Uchiha clan—leading them toward a brighter, more glorious future.

Then, Itachi added, “Shisui once told me that Uchiha Iizumi’s ‘Capacity’ far exceeded anything anyone had imagined. Now… it seems Shisui was right.”

He paused, his gaze steady.

“After today, many extreme-minded Uchiha might be drawn to that man’s Absolute Justice. They’ll see it as a path worth following.”

Fugaku remained silent.

“Father,” Itachi said, his tone solemn, “this isn’t good for the clan—or for Leaf Village. Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice is undeniably impressive. It commands awe. But… it’s dangerously extreme. He ignores the village’s greater needs. His stance is entirely independent of the village. You must see that clearly, don’t you?”

For over a minute, Fugaku said nothing, listening intently. Then, slowly, he gave a faint nod.

“What do you propose, Itachi?”

Itachi lowered his eyes.

“Father, as Clan Head, you must act. You must put a stop to Iizumi’s actions. Today, his blade fell within the Uchiha clan—no immediate threat to the village. But if he continues as before, and turns that blade outward… toward the village itself… the consequences he can bear, the clan cannot.”

“Balance will be shattered.”

A flicker of quiet relief passed through Fugaku’s eyes. This was one rare moment of agreement between father and son. Both feared the breaking of peace—the fragile harmony between the Uchiha and the village.

But still… the word “peace” felt heavier than stone.

“…I can’t stop him,” Fugaku sighed, the weight of helplessness in his voice. “Iizumi shows me no hostility. But he never looks me in the eye. I don’t understand why.”

“Father,” Itachi said after a long silence, “sometimes, to protect the greater good… to preserve Leaf Village… you must act decisively.”

Fugaku’s eyes narrowed.

He stared at his son, then exhaled sharply, each word deliberate and heavy:

“Itachi… you are the one I’ve chosen to inherit the Uchiha name. As long as Iizumi does not betray the clan… does not betray Leaf Village… you must never, ever harm a fellow Uchiha.”

Itachi bowed his head.

No words came.

…

On the other side of the Uchiha compound, a gathering of the clan’s most radical faction—led by Uchiha Setsuna—was in full session. These were the hawkish Uchiha who had openly broken with Leaf Village’s leadership, plotting a full-scale coup to seize control of the village.

Over a hundred members strong—elders, middle-aged, and young—filled the hall to the brim, their numbers enough to force the Clan Head to concede to at least some of their demands.

“Hmph. Uchiha Iizumi really does have that ‘Capacity’,” said a young Uchiha, arms crossed. “I used to mock his so-called Absolute Justice. But now? He actually cut down his own blood relative for it. I saw it with my own eyes—no hesitation, no pause. He didn’t even flinch.”

Another young Uchiha grinned. “This is exactly what the Investigation Corps is for! Whether it’s family or Hokage—anyone standing in our way must be cut down without mercy!”

“Better yet,” said a third, “we should bring Iizumi to our side. We can’t let those weaklings get him first.”

He referred to the moderate Uchiha—those who advocated peaceful coexistence with the village. The two factions had clashed for years, their mutual disdain running deep. Sometimes, disagreements escalated into violence.

“His Capacity is undeniable,” someone murmured. “And his strength? He’s powerful. With him on our side, we’ll crush the soft-hearted ones once and for all.”

“…”

Uchiha Setsuna sat cross-legged on a plush cushion, his brow furrowed. The noise of the younger generation’s fervent debate grated on him. A fire burned within him—not just anger, but a deep, lingering resentment.

He still remembered the moment Iizumi had blocked him from approaching the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He’d felt something then—something he hadn’t felt in years: the chilling certainty of being targeted for death. The boy’s eyes… they had burned with cold, merciless intent.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Setsuna tapped his fingers lightly on the floor. The chatter died down. All eyes turned to him.

“You’ve all forgotten,” he said, voice low and gravelly, “that Uchiha Oniwa—whom Iizumi slaughtered—was one of us. He was a brother. An elite Uchiha. A comrade.”

His gaze swept the room, sharp and dark. The excited young warriors flinched, their bravado fading under his stare.

“Uchiha Iizumi never stood with us. He never considered our side. You think he’ll fight for us? Hah. Naive.”

His voice dropped, edged with venom.

“One who turns his blade on his own kin… is not loyal to the Uchiha. He is a traitor.”

He stood slowly, his eyes glinting like poisoned steel.

“Those soft, compromising fools within the clan? They are obstacles. But Iizumi… he is something worse.”

He paused.

“A fuse already burning.”

“He will blow us all to pieces.”

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end