"It might just be that Lord Hiruzen is being overly cautious," Itachi murmured.
He understood Shisui's frustration better than anyone. The two of them stood on the same front line, burdened by the same impossible task balancing loyalty to their clan and to the village.
Shisui had shared his concerns about Lance Shen's recent behavior, and even Itachi had heard the rumors. Yet, despite the whispers, Lance hadn't done anything outrageous. He hadn't even approached Naruto, and still, the higher-ups had called Shisui in for questioning.
Shisui had only wanted to clear things up with a calm conversation. But somehow, it had gone terribly wrong.
"I hope you're right," Shisui sighed, brushing the dust from his cloak. Then, with his usual easygoing smile returning, he gave Itachi's shoulder a friendly pat. "By the way, congratulations on setting a new record in the Chunin exams. Planning to join the Police Force next?"
Itachi rolled his eyes at him. "That depends on Father's arrangements."
As the clan's heir, a prodigy, and the son of the clan leader, Itachi's future had already been written for him. His own desires didn't matter much.
"Training again today?" Shisui asked.
Itachi nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, Lance walked back toward the Police Department, his mind running in circles. His confrontation with Shisui earlier that day had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He didn't have much time left.
Itachi had already become a Chunin. In just a few short years, he would be scouted into the Anbu under the Third Hokage's orders and then… the massacre.
Lance clenched his fists as he walked.
Of all the worlds to end up in, why this one? And why now?
If he had arrived earlier, things might have been different. But now, it was only three years before the night the Uchiha clan would be wiped out.
If he sat back and did nothing, everything would unfold just as in the original timeline.
Even if Obito, the masked traitor, suddenly grew a conscience and decided to spare the Uchiha, there was still Danzo Konoha's shadow snake, always waiting for a reason to strike.
The thought made Lance's expression darken. He couldn't just sit around. Someone had to flip the table before it was too late.
After months of careful thought, he finally saw a path forward. It wouldn't be easy, but it was possible.
To save the clan, he would need to do something drastic something that would shake the entire Uchiha hierarchy.
And it would all start tonight.
When Lance returned to the Police Department, his squadmate Uchiha Zane was already waiting.
"Captain, that bastard didn't cause you any trouble, did he?" Zane asked, referring to Shisui with a scowl.
"It's fine," Lance said, smiling faintly. He patted Zane on the shoulder. "Just some casual talk. Nothing worth worrying about."
He glanced around at his squad members. "Alright, everyone. Patrol starts now. Wrap it up early tonight we've got a clan meeting later."
As they prepared to head out, Lance added casually, "And someone remind the personnel office to stop dragging their feet. We've been waiting a week for a new recruit."
The patrol went smoothly. No rogue shinobi, no trouble from the villagers just the usual quiet of the village streets under the afternoon sun.
By evening, Lance's shift was done. He returned home, washed up, changed into formal wear, and set out for the Uchiha shrine.
The Uchiha were still one of Konoha's most powerful clans, second only to the Senju in legacy. Yet, the shrine grounds were strangely quiet.
Few were allowed to attend the clan meetings held there. The seats reserved for the elders and the clan leader's family were still empty when Lance arrived.
Most of the younger members had already gathered, talking quietly in clusters.
Shisui was among them but noticeably isolated. No one sat near him.
"Captain, over here!" Zane waved, having saved a seat beside him. A few others from their squad sat close by.
Shisui gave Lance a small nod of greeting. But Lance merely glanced at him before walking past, sitting with his team.
His message was clear.
I haven't forgotten what you said today. And I'm not in the mood to forgive you either.
Zane smirked. "Looks like he's running out of friends, Captain."
Lance gave a noncommittal hum. His mind was elsewhere on what he was about to do.
Soon, the elders filed in, their faces grave and lined with years of suspicion. After them came the clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha, his presence commanding instant silence.
Fugaku took his seat at the head of the room, his eyes sweeping over the gathered clan members.
"Everyone is here," he said calmly. "Then, let's begin. Speak your minds freely."
"Clan Leader," one of the elders began immediately, voice sharp with complaint. "This month alone, our Police Force has received numerous complaints from the Hokage's office regarding excessive use of force. If this continues, relations between our clan and the villagers will only worsen!"
A murmur rippled through the room. It was the same old issue one that never seemed to go away.
Lance sat silently, his arms crossed, watching Fugaku's composed face.
"I'll assign someone to investigate," Fugaku replied with practiced patience. "Let's trust Lord Hiruzen to handle it fairly. And to all the squad captains please instruct your subordinates to be more careful during patrols. Minimize civilian conflict."
The elder nodded in approval, satisfied with the vague response. But several of the younger officers looked visibly irritated.
They'd heard this speech a hundred times before. Nothing ever changed.
Shisui, as always, was the exception his idealism shining through. He believed that if the clan treated the villagers with compassion, perhaps the hatred would fade.
Lance could respect that. But he also knew it was hopelessly naïve.
Still, no one dared speak against Fugaku. The silence stretched.
Then, just as Fugaku was about to move on, a quiet yet firm voice cut through the hall.
"Why should we?"
Every head turned.
Even Zane stared in disbelief.
Fugaku's brow furrowed slightly. "Lance Shen. Are you questioning my decision?"
Lance met his gaze without flinching.
"Yes," he said calmly. "I'm asking why should we?"
The words hung in the air like a crack of thunder.
For years, Lance had kept to himself, never making waves, never speaking out of turn.
But now, standing tall in the middle of the shrine, his tone was steady and his eyes burned with conviction.
And for the first time in a long while, the entire Uchiha clan fell completely silent.
Even Fugaku's composure wavered.
Because in that moment, every person present elder, youth, and officer alike felt the ground shift beneath their feet.
Lance Shen had just defied the clan leader before them all.
And the night of reckoning for the Uchiha clan had quietly begun.