The Uchiha clan meeting at Naka Shrine had ended.
Fugaku saw off the furious elder faction, keeping only the main captains from the Police Force behind.
In the empty shrine hall, Fugaku dropped his thick facade and let out a quiet sigh.
"Everyone, the village and our clan have reached a point where we must sacrifice something. I've made my choice. What about you?"
At his words, a tall man pushed past his companions and boomed out to Fugaku:
"Just tell us where we're moving, Clan Head! I'm sick of Konoha's bullshit, and so are my men! Just the other day, my son got bullied at the ninja academy. That piece of shit teacher heard 'Uchiha' and even though my boy did nothing wrong, claimed both sides were at fault."
Fugaku looked at his companion with some surprise.
"Tetsuka, don't be so quick to beat your chest. Go home, ask your wife, then give me your answer."
Just then, a white-haired clansman stepped forward, cutting off Fugaku's words.
"Clan Head, all of us in the Police Force agree with your viewpoint. If I may speak boldly, I've followed Lord Kagami since his era, and I've witnessed all his efforts for our clan. But what did Lord Kagami get in the end? If the Rain Country daimyo hadn't saved him, he would've died at the hands of his own people! Konoha is no longer the Konoha it once was, and the Uchiha are no longer the Uchiha we once were! Let's leave, just like Uchiha Madara left this place! At least we have Rain Country as our destination!"
Hearing this, Fugaku, who had never revealed his plans, couldn't help but frown and ask:
"You... you all know about the plan to go to Hidden Rain?"
The elder nodded.
"Lord Kagami approached us. Without his warning, we would still be in the dark, unaware that the Uchiha had reached such a state of internal and external troubles!"
At this, Fugaku's heart, which had jumped to his throat, settled back into his stomach.
"In that case, I'll give everyone a week to prepare."
"Clan Head, the longer we wait, the more complications arise!" The elder shook his head. "We've already secretly disposed of the assets we needed to liquidate. Three days is enough for the remaining preparations."
Hearing this, Fugaku pressed his lips together, his gaze sweeping over the expectant eyes around him, and nodded firmly.
"Very well then. In three days, I'll call another clan meeting!"
Everyone nodded in unison.
Watching the Police Force members leave in small groups, Fugaku couldn't help but clench his fists, his heart surging with excitement.
Having people backing you up feels fucking amazing!
...
Three days later, evening. The last rays of sunlight illuminated Konoha's lush forests.
The Uchiha, having eaten their fill at home, walked toward Naka Shrine in small groups, chatting and laughing.
They'd heard the clan head was taking them for a post-dinner stroll tonight - walk a hundred steps after eating, live to ninety-nine. They were all looking forward to it.
But Fugaku was thinking that dying with a full stomach was much better than dying hungry. At least when you're cut in half, what flows out of your belly won't just be dark green bile...
The undercurrents between the rocks were hidden, but when they gathered together, the entire water surface showed obvious ripples.
On the streets near the Uchiha district, perceptive villagers had returned home early, firmly shutting their doors. The shops along the streets had closed even earlier.
The wind had stopped. In the entire southeastern corner of the village, only the oblivious cicadas continued their loud calls.
At Naka Shrine, the last ray of sunlight left the shrine's tall torii gate as night fell.
In the shrine hall, candles burned. With people packed together, the summer heat seemed to creep into everyone's hearts like a ghost.
"Clansmen, before we depart, let me emphasize a few points! First, don't attack lightly under any circumstances unless you're attacked. Second, we're seeking justice and status - indiscriminate killing and looting absolutely cannot be allowed. Third, never be deceived by their promises at any time. Until we achieve our final goal, we must stay united! Everything else follows the instructions of myself and the three elders! Is that clear?"
"Clear!" The elder faction members raised their arms and cheered.
At the front of the group, the three elders exchanged glances, increasingly satisfied with Fugaku.
This kid might not be refined, but he knows when to advance and retreat!
Facing the crowd's cheers, Fugaku raised his hand to quiet them, then continued:
"For this operation, the Police Force colleagues and I will lead the charge. The rest of you will be led by the three elders. Once there's an opportunity, immediately storm the Hokage building!"
"Yeah!" Another round of cheers erupted.
After waiting so many years, they'd finally reached a time when the village was vulnerable, finally got a strong-willed clan head. The future looked bright!
Just as the entire Uchiha clan was fired up with excitement, around the entire district perimeter, large numbers of ANBU and Root ninja gathered.
Many of them wore ANBU masks, but their builds and movements clearly weren't those of ANBU members. Obviously, ANBU and Root forces alone weren't enough to face the massive Uchiha clan directly.
However, these people's positioning was quite interesting. Root members stood in the first line, clearly prepared to take the blame and face the enemy head-on. ANBU members were scattered throughout the second line - obviously prepared to catch any who slipped through the net.
If there had been a moon in the sky, tonight would surely have been a blood moon night.
In the shrine, Fugaku gave the order, leading the Police Force clansmen charging out of the shrine. Ten minutes later, the three elders would follow with the main force.
They had no idea that this group of Police Force members who'd left the shrine were heading in the completely opposite direction under Fugaku's leadership.
Because the Uchiha settlement was right next to a corner of the village, it was actually very close to the village walls. Fugaku led his subordinates, slipping quietly into a pre-prepared old mansion, changing into Konoha Unlimited Irresponsibility Company employee uniforms, preparing to depart.
Tonight was both Konoha's most heavily guarded moment and its most relaxed moment. As long as they avoided the Uchiha district, entering and leaving the village would be very easy.
After changing clothes and putting on bamboo hats, everyone walked to the courtyard of this sprawling old mansion.
In the courtyard, a massive square object two stories tall was slowly materializing from transparency.
At the front of the square object, something like a door opened, and Uchiha Kagami slowly walked out.
Seeing this, Fugaku hurried forward:
"Uncle, where are the family members?"
At this, Kagami waved at the giant square box. Curtains around the box pulled back, revealing the people inside.
If Rinjin had been here, his eyeballs would've definitely hit the ground.
This wasn't a fucking square box at all - this was clearly a double-decker bus!
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