Prelude
A/N: Teal and Chelle apologize for the disappearance. However we would love to introduce a new story that we're trying to tackle at the moment. Here's a little teaser. Let us know if we should continue! :)
If one approached Konoha, they would see two giant gate doors angled out to allow entry. They say the founder, Hashirama Senju, wanted everyone to be part of Konoha. He had the giant gates built to represent open arms. Everyone around would see from miles the love that would embrace and welcome guests and future family members of the grand city. Another rumor was that the cofounder, Madara Uchiha, was protective of the people in the city and didn't want anyone to attack; he demanded that they build a gate to keep the city safe. Whatever the quarrel may be, both cherished the Hidden Leaf Village and wanted the best for it.
Unfortunately, Konoha has long since distanced itself from the past. It's spirit worn down, weak much like the graffitied gates when one approached the city today. Many solutions had been tossed around. They had tried to paint over, but it would inevitably come back much like flies to roadkill. The gates were a monument and a high expense to the city. The wood was rotting and needing constant repairs to make sure it was stable for people to be around. Eventually, small adjustments here and there would be useless. The gates would require a full remodel which meant much more money. Danzō Shimura (a city council member) suggested that the most 'economic friendly' choice would be to remove the gates. After a heated debate within the council, it was with a heavy heart that the majority agreed. Little did they know that council member Danzō, in his act to save taxpayers' money, started a chain reaction. It would bring on one of the deadliest genocides and in turn give birth to a serial killer notoriously known today as Topeng.
The Uchiha highly opposed the idea of the gate being taken down. They held great pride in being descendants of Madara and building up the Konoha Police Force Investigation (KPFI). To take down a monument that their very own ancestor helped to build was like taking down their gratitude for building up the city to what it is today. It was whispered around that the Great Madara still lives in each of their hearts, and gives them inhuman strength to keep protecting the city. Nevertheless, the Uchiha Clan had contributed greatly to Konoha and they felt they had enough power to halt the procedure altogether. The mayor of the time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took their protest to heart and was able to convince the city council to rethink and re vote their decision.
Danzō was disgusted at how the mayor would sway one way or another because of the Uchiha. But the judgment from Danzō was the least of Sarutobi's concerns. Rumors began to spread. It was whispered how the clan had so much power, too much power, and could take over the entire city if they wanted to. People began to point out criminals who were Uchiha's and compared their jail time with someone of a different lineage. They said that the KPFI was corrupt. It hurt the pride of the clan and the trust between citizens. Some verbal fights would break out all over the city about 'loyalty' and 'misuse of power' whenever an Uchiha walked by. However none of this would have elevated the problem as much as the Sharin Gang. Uchiha's felt their name was tarnished, yet their pride swelled. They began to proudly state their name and flaunt their heritage. Tattoos of a black dot with a ring surrounding it carrying three swirls began to spread around the clan. It symbolized the city, the surrounding walls, and the three stations that were run strictly by the Uchiha. They began walking in groups around town, defending their name. It was starting to get out of hand. Mere bickering escalated into full out fist fights. But it became apparent that only one Uchiha had the combat skills to take on 3 common men. Some abused their inherited power. They would go out together and rob petty convenience stores or mug citizens proclaiming the "Uchiha's Sharin Gang" was unstoppable.
The Sharin Gang prompted many others to be created like Anbu, Yami, and the Byaku Gang. Many youths suffered or ruled at school solely because of their last name. Gangs and hierarchies were formed as friendship and trust dimmed out like the light when walking deeper and deeper into a dark cave. Sarutobi gave speeches across all schools about how 'pride should be put aside' with little to no effect on the hardened children's minds. Shortly after, Mayor Sarutobi's term ended and Minato Namikaze was elected. Less than a year of being in term, Minato and his wife were assassinated. By law, Sarutobi was to take his place temporarily.
Danzō only used the fear of the Sharin to his advantage and spoke of their greed to take over. Soon people refused to live remotely close to a family with that name. They were pushed to a corner and isolated from the rest of the town. The KPFI was accused of discrimination and corruption. People demanded that those who weren't of Uchiha should run the KPFI. Sarutobi wanted a compromise and sought out help from Tsunade who was already working under KPFI. With the public's opinion as well as the mayor's, Fugaku Uchiha stepped down and put Tsunade in charge. Things seemed to be getting better.
The Uchiha Massacre occurred late at night. Two survivors: Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha were pushed out into the world. The wall swayed. As the killer ran free so did the gangs as they began to grow. With the Sharin out of the way, arguments over turf and who would be the new strongest broke out. At the time the majority of the gangs evened out. A temporary standstill occurred until Akatsuki came to be.