Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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"Wait a moment."
Just as Kanzou proposed Fugaku's expulsion from the clan, the few remaining supporters who still stood by Fugaku could no longer remain silent. Among them, Uchiha Shinkurou, one of Fugaku's last key allies, stepped forward.
Shinkurou had harbored doubts about Kanzou and Mikoto ever since the panties were discovered in Kanzou's drawer. Though he had never found concrete evidence to confirm his suspicions, he seized this moment to speak up, attempting to challenge Kanzou's decision.
"These are nothing but her one-sided claims," Shinkurou argued. "Who can prove that what she's saying is true? Besides… Fugaku-sama claimed that you were having an affair with her. What if she's working in collusion with you?"
His sharp gaze flicked to Mikoto. He noticed the unease beneath her tear-streaked face, the way she avoided eye contact. If he could draw the others' attention to that, he was certain it would expose her.
But he also knew it wouldn't be easy, especially with Kanzou still standing there.
"Oh?" Kanzou replied, a sneer curling his lips. Mockery dripped from his voice. "Are you suggesting that this guilt-ridden Mikoto-san would openly speak about the disgraceful and scandalous acts she committed with me… all just to frame Fugaku?"
"Impossible! Mikoto-sama would never do something like that," someone interjected.
"Just look at her," another voice added. "Deceiving Kanzou-sama has clearly taken a toll on her. And now you're saying this is all an act?"
"Yes. Her character is beyond reproach," a third clansman said firmly. "She's kind, dignified, and exemplary. She would never lie about something this serious."
"That's right," someone else agreed. "I've noticed Mikoto-sama hasn't been herself these past few days. She's seemed sad, anxious, fearful, reluctant. I kept wondering what was troubling her. Now it makes sense. It must have been because of what that vile man was forcing her to do. If she truly intended to betray Fugaku, why would she look so torn and guilt-ridden all this time?"
More voices rose in agreement, all defending Mikoto's integrity.
Her reputation within the clan was impeccable. She was known for her gentle nature, sincerity, and dignified conduct. She had never wronged anyone, always helping fellow clansmen whenever she could. Her name had never once been tied to scandal.
It was hard for anyone to believe she would fabricate such a grave accusation against Fugaku.
Compared to that, it was far easier to believe that Fugaku had been threatening her.
Kanzou had anticipated this outcome.
He knew the clan's unwavering trust in Mikoto's character would work in his favor, precisely why he had arranged things this way.
Hearing so many voices defend her without hesitation, Mikoto lowered her head slightly, guilt washing over her.
She was no longer the gentle, kind-hearted Mikoto they believed her to be.
She had begun to be colored by Kanzo, shaped by his influence. She had started to become a bad woman.
But not just any bad woman.
She was Kanzou-sama's bad woman.
That thought steadied her. She lifted her gaze and looked at Fugaku with open contempt. 'Serves you right… You incompetent cuckold.'
"Kanzou, you bastard! Mikoto, you slut!" Fugaku roared, his voice cracking with hysteria. "You shameless monsters, both of you are lying! She's in on it, too! This bitch, she's lying!"
Anyone in Fugaku's position would have been furious to the point of collapse. The fact that he hadn't completely lost his mind was an achievement in itself.
"I'll say it again," Kanzou declared, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "Fugaku is to be expelled from the clan."
At those words, murmurs rippled through the gathered clansmen. Many were already inclined to support Kanzou.
Of course, there were those who opposed expulsion, but most of them remained silent. None dared step forward, afraid that speaking up would mark them as accomplices to Fugaku's disgraceful actions.
Still, one voice cut through the murmurs.
"No… how can something like this be allowed?" Uchiha Shinkurou stepped forward.
"Kanzou-sama," he said carefully, "I understand your anger, but—" His gaze shifted to Mikoto, who stood there crying, her expression heavy with guilt. "Her words alone cannot be taken as the absolute truth. I still suspect that the two of you are conspiring to destroy Fugaku-sama's reputation."
He straightened, voice growing firmer. "I propose we take this matter to the Hokage. Hokage-sama will hear both sides and deliver a proper judgment."
In Shinkurou's mind, this was the only remaining path to save Fugaku. If the decision stayed within the clan, Fugaku's fate was sealed; ruin and expulsion were inevitable.
As for the Hokage's ruling, Shinkurou felt confident it would favor Fugaku. After all, Kanzou had already offended Sarutobi Hiruzen by having his son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, arrested.
At Shinkurou's proposal, the crowd stirred again. Some exchanged uneasy glances. Others reflected quietly, some harboring contempt for Sarutobi Hiruzen, others holding deep reverence for his authority.
The 'Professor' would surely deliver an unbiased judgment…
Kanzou looked at Shinkurou with cold, unreadable eyes.
'So you want to die as well,' he thought, already marking Shinkurou for elimination. Still, he felt no need to rush.
Fugaku, emboldened by Shinkurou's words, felt a surge of hope. His eyes lit up as he spoke at once. "That's right, Kanzou. Let's take this to Hokage-sama and lay everything before him. I'm certain he'll give an unbiased judgment."
Kanzou didn't respond immediately.
That silence only fueled Fugaku's arrogance. "What's wrong?" he sneered. "Afraid to face Hokage-sama? Worried he won't buy your fabricated case and will instead deliver a proper judgment?"
He turned sharply toward Mikoto. "This bitch, everything she said is nothing but lies piled on top of lies."
Then he faced Kanzou again, voice rising. "Your entire accusation rests on her words, and I say she's lying. If you have even a single piece of proof, anything at all, that I threatened her, or that I planned to accuse you of rape, then show it. I dare you. You have nothing."
Kanzou remained silent.
Seeing no rebuttal, Fugaku grew even bolder. "Haah… I knew it. You're just trying to frame me with false accusations." His lips curled into a cruel grin. "Since that's the case, I'll have you kneel before me and apologize."
He still remembered how Kanzou had humiliated him, forcing him to apologize in public. Now, he wanted the same in return, no, something even worse. He wanted Kanzou to kneel.
Yet instead of anger, Kanzou smiled. His lips slowly curved upward, calm and amused.
Just then, a small figure stepped forward from the crowd.
"Huh? Kaede-chan? Where are you going?" someone called out, trying to stop her, but it was too late.
The young girl walked straight up to Fugaku. She looked up at the battered, bruised man, and without hesitation, raised her hand and struck him across the face.
Cha!
The sharp crack echoed through the courtyard, drawing gasps from the crowd. No one had expected a small girl to suddenly step forward and slap Fugaku across the face.
"You—!" Fugaku froze in shock, then stared down at her as murderous intent flared in his eyes. He recognized her, the granddaughter of a tea shop owner within the clan. A mere civilian child. And she had dared to strike him in front of everyone, despite having no apparent connection to him at all.
"How dare you… you—!" he snarled, thrashing as he tried to strike her back. But before he could move, hands restrained him, holding him in place.
Then Kaede looked up at him coldly and slapped him again, this time across the other cheek.
Cha!
Fugaku's head snapped to the side.
As he reeled, Kaede spoke, her voice shaking but resolute. "Do you have no shame? First, you threatened Mikoto-sama into doing something so disgraceful, and now you accuse her of lying. Do you truly have no shame at all?"
Fugaku burned with anger, but beneath it, shock set in. The girl's words didn't sit right with him at all. Unease crept up his spine as he looked at her more closely and noticed the faint trace of mockery in her eyes.
That look… it was disturbingly similar to the one Kanzou wore.
A sense of dread settled in his chest.
At that moment, Kaede turned to the gathered clansmen. "Everyone… this man is lying," she said firmly. "He really did threaten Mikoto-sama. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Hm? You saw it yourself?" someone asked in surprise. "What do you mean, Kaede-chan?"
Kaede nodded and explained, "It happened at my oba-san's teahouse. He thought no one had heard him when he threatened Mikoto-sama, but I did. He threatened her until she broke down in tears. He broke off their engagement right there and also forced her to go to Kanzou-sama's house, and that once the engagement was dissolved, Kanzou-sama would trust her more. Then she would lead him on, just as he instructed. As for what happened after that… It's exactly what Mikoto-sama said."
"Well, well," Kanzou laughed softly. "It seems we won't need to involve Hokage-sama after all. There is someone within the clan who witnessed your cruelty, Fugaku."
Of course, he had anticipated this outcome. He had prepared Kaede's role in advance. He knew Mikoto's testimony alone wouldn't be enough; Kaede was the necessary reinforcement.
Amused, he turned his gaze back to Fugaku. "You claim that Mikoto and I are fabricating charges against you. Are you now going to say that this little girl, who likely doesn't even understand our conflict, is also trying to frame you? What could she possibly gain from falsely accusing you?"
Fugaku tried to argue, desperation creeping into his voice. "That's right… she's lying too—"
"Haha… as expected," Kanzou cut in coldly. "So all three of us are lying. I suppose it wouldn't matter how many witnesses or how much evidence is placed before you, you'd still deny it all."
He snorted and then ignored Fugaku entirely, turning instead to the others. "As you can all see, this is the kind of man who won't even admit his own guilt. Had he done so, I might have merely imprisoned him. But no, he remains shameless to the end."
Earlier, some had still suspected Kanzou of fabricating accusations against Fugaku. After all, Kanzou's reputation was well known, and complete trust didn't come easily.
But Mikoto's confession, her visible guilt and distress, had softened their doubts and made the accusations seem plausible, yet a lingering suspicion remained that she might be acting in collusion with Kanzou.
That uncertainty vanished the moment Kaede stepped forward.
She was a young girl of civilian background, someone with no stake in clan politics, no personal grudge, and nothing to gain. And yet, she too accused Fugaku. At that point, there was no longer any room left to defend him.
"I'll say it again," Kanzou declared, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Fugaku is to be expelled from the clan. If anyone objects, step forward now. The Uchiha clan does not harbor such disgrace. If you disagree, you are free to leave the clan alongside Fugaku."
This time, no one objected.
Instead, voices rose in agreement.
"Fugaku planned something so disgraceful… he doesn't deserve to remain in the clan."
"Yeah… he doesn't even deserve to be called a Uchiha."
"I feel ashamed to share the same blood as him…"
Although Shinkurou still felt the urge to step forward and oppose Kanzou, he restrained himself. He knew it would be pointless.
At this point, Fugaku had lost all face and support. The imbalance between opposition and approval was overwhelming.
'Fugaku-sama has already been expelled from the clan,' Shinkurou thought grimly. 'If I'm expelled as well, it will become nearly impossible for him to ever return to the Uchiha Clan.' Forcing himself to stay silent, he endured.
When a few loyalists behind him began to move forward in protest, Shinkurou subtly stopped them. They didn't understand his reasoning, but they trusted his judgment enough to hold back.
"Throw him out," Kanzou declared coldly. "A man like Fugaku has no place in the Uchiha clan. Keeping him here would only stain our honor."
At his command, several men stepped forward and dragged the unconscious Fugaku away.
Shinkurou and the remaining loyalists watched in silence, their fists clenched tight.
Kanzou noticed every subtle shift in their expressions. Nothing escaped his gaze.
He quietly marked each of them in his mind, resolving to deal with them in due time.
Just then, a system notification echoed within his consciousness.
[Ding. The host has broken his promise to Uchiha Fugaku and exiled him from the clan after publicly humiliating him on false accusations. Reward obtained: Mangekyō Sharingan Dōjutsu — Kagutsuchi + 10,000 Evil Points.]
'Kagatsuchi? Nice!' he thought in surprise, clearly not expecting to receive this ocular jutsu.
Even so, he was genuinely pleased.
He had already obtained Amaterasu from Fugaku earlier, and now, having gained Kagatsuchi as well, his satisfaction only grew.
Amaterasu on its own wasn't particularly convenient compared to other ocular techniques; After all, with just Amaterasu, all he can do is just ignite the things or people he wants… and that's it. Controlling the black flames is not possible. But with Kagatsuchi in his eye, he could now apply shape transformation to those flames, making them far more precise and manageable.
'Since I received Kagatsuchi… does that mean Fugaku's two ocular jutsu are Amaterasu and Kagatsuchi?' The thought crossed his mind, though he couldn't be certain.
'Well… whatever. I'm just glad I got this,' he decided, feeling the ocular jutsu fuse seamlessly into his left eye.
As Kanzou emerged from his thoughts, Elder Tadayoshi, who had remained silent throughout, observing everything, finally stepped forward.
"The previous patriarch has been dead for some time," he said calmly. "The clan cannot remain without a head."
His gaze lingered on Mikoto for a brief moment, as though seeing a side of his granddaughter he had never known existed.
Sensing her grandfather's eyes on her, Mikoto felt guilt and shame surge within her. She lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.
Tadayoshi sighed softly. He said nothing to her; he knew she had acted under Kanzou's orders. Moreover, Mikoto had already warned him that something like this would happen.
Still, witnessing it firsthand left him quietly stunned. To think that his granddaughter was capable of playing such a role…
Shaking his head, he turned to the assembled clansmen. "I propose that Kanzou-kun become the next patriarch. At present, no one is more suited for the position than he is."
Kanzou smiled faintly, lifting a hand to adjust an imaginary pair of spectacles on the bridge of his nose. 'All according to plan,' he thought.
"I support it!" Shin declared at once. "Who else could be more worthy than Kanzou-sama?"
"This Uchiha Souta also urges Kanzou-sama to assume the mantle of patriarch!" another voice added.
"Of course," Satoru followed firmly, "no one but Kanzou deserves to become the Patriarch."
"Indeed… the patriarch's seat has always belonged to Kanzou-sama. It's long past time for him to claim what is rightfully his," Hazuki murmured. She couldn't help but think that if her mother were still alive, she would have been happy to see this day.
One by one, voices of support rose from the crowd. In mere moments, the majority of the Uchiha clan rallied behind Kanzou, openly calling for his ascension as the new patriarch.
Shinkurou's expression darkened. What had unfolded today was clearly Kanzou's scheme from the very beginning. Still, he hadn't expected even Elder Tadayoshi to side with him, though, considering Kanzou's relationship with Mikoto, perhaps it should have been obvious.
Shinkurou's three-tomoe Sharingan glinted coldly as he shot a murderous glare toward Elder Tadayoshi. 'That old fossil… betraying Fugaku-sama like that, unforgivable.'
And then there was his granddaughter, Uchiha Mikoto, who had also turned against Fugaku. She, too, deserves punishment.
"Since you all place your trust in me and wish for me to become the patriarch, I will accept the position," Kanzou announced without hesitation.
Elder Tadayoshi nodded. "Then… let us prepare a proper ascension ceremony."
After all, the position of Uchiha Clan Patriarch demanded nothing less than a formal rite.
Kanzou offered no objection. "Very well."
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha