Before meeting Duan, Yashiro and Setsuna had already discussed their approach: first gauge Duan's stance—his thoughts about the clan, the village, and the current patriarch.
They intentionally avoided declaring their allegiance to the radicals too early, cautious not to scare off someone who might still be neutral or uncommitted.
After all, to both of them, a military coup was a drastic path. They assumed that someone like Duan—young and used to a civilian life—would find such ideas extreme.
But after hearing Duan speak, they realized just how wrong they were.
If the faction led by Uchiha Yashiro and Elder Setsuna could be called "radicals," then Duan was something beyond—more akin to a "self-destruction faction," willing to drag both Uchiha and Konoha down in flames.
In comparison to that brand of madness, even the radicals seemed reserved.
"Radical? You mistake me. You're just... too weak," Duan said calmly in the face of Setsuna's reprimand, unbothered.
"Get out. Right now!"
Elder Setsuna pointed his cane at the door, face red with fury. "Your way of thinking is insane! It will bring only ruin to the Uchiha!"
Without another word, Duan turned and walked out.
Bang.
The door slammed open.
Outside, Yashiro and Teyaki stood stiffly, having overheard part of the conversation. They stared at Duan with wide eyes, at a complete loss for words.
As Duan stepped off the porch, Yashiro followed and shouted after him:
"Uchiha Duan! I will pretend today's discussion never happened. But if you dare act in the name of our faction again, I will personally see to it that you're arrested and imprisoned!"
To Yashiro, Duan's mindset was far too unstable. Dangerous. The radical faction couldn't afford to be associated with him in any way.
Duan ignored the threat.
To him, Yashiro was just another version of Setsuna—an aging ideologue, not even a capable one.
After meeting them, Duan became even more certain: these so-called radicals were too fragmented and self-serving to ever successfully rebel.
He turned the corner, steps unfaltering.
Whoosh.
Under the blooming cherry tree nearby, a figure appeared without warning—Uchiha Fugaku, his face unreadable as ever.
"Brother-in-law," Duan greeted with mild surprise.
"What happened?" Fugaku asked. "Why did Yashiro threaten you?"
Even Fugaku's stoic face betrayed a hint of confusion. It was rare for a conversation to end in such hostility.
"I didn't see eye to eye with them," Duan replied casually. "We parted on bad terms."
Fugaku's expression eased slightly.
He had worried about Duan's leanings for some time now. Hearing this outcome gave him relief.
"You made the right choice," said Fugaku. "If Yashiro or the others trouble you again, come straight to me. I'll handle it."
He placed a reassuring hand on Duan's shoulder.
"Thanks, brother-in-law," Duan nodded.
Fugaku laughed, uncharacteristically warm.
For once, their relationship felt like family.
They walked along the cherry-blossom-lined road.
"You've always been one of us—part of the moderates, right?" Fugaku asked with a knowing look.
"What makes you think that?" Duan tilted his head, genuinely curious.
Fugaku crossed his arms, analyzing Duan closely.
"Even though you look like a brute, your heart is softer than anyone else's. Mikoto told me that. You've got strength but no desire for power. You left the clan compound and even stopped using the Uchiha name. You live quietly, not stirring trouble. Isn't it obvious?"
Duan smiled slightly.
"You're not wrong, brother-in-law," he agreed, playing along. "I think everything the Uchiha have was granted by Konoha. No matter what happens, we shouldn't go against the village. The village's interests must come first."
Fugaku suddenly halted, frowning.
"You're too gentle, Duan."
His tone was serious now.
"That kind of thinking is weakness. If we don't assert ourselves, people will continue to see Uchiha as pushovers. We need to claim what's rightfully ours, not just sit quietly waiting for favors."
Fugaku spoke not as a warm brother-in-law but as a leader caught between two extremes—radical and moderate.
He didn't want to serve the village blindly like Shisui, nor did he want to throw everything away like Yashiro. As patriarch, his goal was balance: to protect the clan's honor without open revolt.
But that balance was fragile.
When radicals gained momentum, Fugaku had to lean radical. When moderates held sway, he played the peacekeeper. At the core, he was a fence-sitter—too cautious, too careful.
"I understand, brother-in-law."
Duan nodded with a faint smile.
It was amusing, really. He kept adapting his words depending on who he spoke to. As a result, radicals thought he was too extreme. Moderates found him too gentle.
Fugaku's gaze softened.
They talked casually for a few more minutes until they reached a crossroads.
"Almost forgot," Fugaku said suddenly. "Tonight is your sister's birthday. She said the best gift would be for you to come to dinner."
"…Alright," Duan agreed without hesitation.
"Excellent."
Fugaku seemed genuinely pleased. If he failed to bring Duan, he probably wouldn't hear the end of it from Mikoto.
"Oh—and one more thing," Fugaku added. "Itachi mentioned there's someone else living and working at your gym. You can bring her too."
His expression was oddly knowing as he said it.
"Understood. See you tonight." Duan gave a small nod and turned away at the intersection.
---
Later That Day — Surveillance Post
Itachi took his usual shift, monitoring the Uchiha district through an array of flickering screens.
Though he never said it aloud, he hated this duty.
It made him feel like a spy in his own home.
His eyes scanned screen after screen, unfocused—until they landed on something.
Uncle Duan had just appeared on-screen, walking into a house with Uchiha Inahura.
Moments later, Duan exited alone… only to be intercepted by his father, Fugaku. The two spoke for a while under the cherry blossoms, appearing oddly cheerful.
What…?
Itachi stared hard, thoughts racing.
What had just happened?
Before he could process it fully, a colleague tapped him—it was time to switch shifts.
He got up quickly, eager to investigate.
But none of them—not even Itachi—noticed what happened next.
On the screen showing Nanhe Shrine, a faint swirl of distortion flashed and disappeared.
Gone in an instant.