Avenger's Log, 4/8/1932
Have decided to mark private journal as "Avenger's Log", on the grounds that it is an impressive sounding name and "Avenger's Log" simply sounds good. Why am I justifying anything to you, Avenger's Log? You are just recording, my thoughts and ambitions.
Am straying off topic. Must stay focused. Where begin?
Beginning.
Have written journal entries for classes before. Exercises in writing reports; organize thoughts. Recognized as another exercise-knowing what to reveal and what not to reveal. Am Uchiha, with potential for a powerful bloodline, but that alone does not guarantee path to what is needed.
Is longstanding Uchiha tradition. Is how we rose to prominence, is how we became the strongest ninja clan in West-Fire.
Also how we lost.
Hypothetical situation: Say you lived in a remote area where you worked hard for a living. Overcame every obstacle, pushed through every barrier to become best. The locals loved you, and you loved them right back. They were the people you protected, you were their guardian, you were their hero.
After some time, government tells your community that it can give better schools, better roads, free services, better protection, better everything. Sounds great, doesn't it? Already paying taxes to them anyway, so why not this great deal?
Except there are catches. Many catches. They meddle in what you learn, they meddle in how you conduct businesses, meddle in how you have fun, meddle in what you hear and know about the world, and raises taxes to benefit people who got them into office, or to keep themselves in office. All outside your control.
This community, Western Provinces of the Fire Republic, refused to accept meddling. Refused to take "gift" with chains attached. They kept refusing, wishing to control their destiny. Wasn't perfect; of course it wasn't. But did not think that the Republic Government had any business being in their heads and homes. They seceded.
Uchiha had been fixture in West since was settled, long ago. We were guardians, their knights. When the War began, proudly fought as Independents-Our famous symbol, Fan and Flame, adopted by Independent Alliance of Nation-States Army's official battle flag. Was thanks to my ancestor, General "Mad" Madara Uchiha, that army outnumbered more than five to one able to drag out the Civil War to seven years. Nearly broke the strongest nation on continent. Tactics Madara used still taught in military academies across continent.
Senju Clan, who stayed neutral in the war, decided "rescue" Republic. They agreed to do so, only under the condition that once the war was won, they were given their own land, to govern as they saw fit and to serve the Republic. They agreed. At this point, they had little choice in the matter.
Uchiha were defeated. Grand Army of Independent Alliance crushed. Republic conquered every inch of West, burned cities to the ground. Ended with civilian government unable to run anything; Uzume Uchiha, sister of Madara, negotiated the surrender of Independents. Republic was "whole" again.
Madara never accepted. He vanished, said that the West would not be denied freedom; that The Uchiha would have their revenge. Others followed, but the clan had been decimated. So many lost. Almost all left were women and children. These women and children, the Senju extended an olive branch.
The Uchiha could have place in Konoha. Uchiha could protect Republic, fight for freedom. The Uchiha become obedient servants at last, help spread "enlightenment" across West.
Humiliating. Humiliation that did not end even when Itachi betrayed clan, slaughtered his own family. Simply because he could. Has given me (if nothing else) special determination in the carrying out of my mission.
Like Republic, like Senju, he threw his power around at will to do what he wished. He slaughtered my family for no reason. The family that loved him, been there for him!
Mission is clear. Live up to ideals of Uchiha. We lost war for freedom once. Were disgraced, honor of our clan gone, lost blood and sweat and tears. But I will restore it, will stand against tyrants, against abuse of power.
I will kill my brother, have justice. I will embody history of the Uchiha, proud legacy, use it to kill him.
All I have left... All that is left of Uchiha. Lonely warrior. Impossible odds.
No matter. Uchiha have history. History of being on losing side of battles.
Never history on wrong side.