"Duantian, you knew him from the Sword Tournament?" Uchiha Yan asked.
Everyone noticed that Duantian's mood was low, clearly weighed down by the events with Xiang Wu's team.
"Yeah. He lost to me, but ever since then he'd come back to spar again and again. He's a true lover of the sword," Uchiha Duantian replied.
"I think you should get used to this. We're Uchiha, they're civilians. It's not about class, it's about position," Uchiha Xingye comforted him.
"Civilian shinobi have their own helplessness. Overall, they are nostalgic for bonds, but when life is on the line, bonds don't matter much. You get that now, right?" Uchiha Retsu added.
"I know. I'm older than you all. I've been thinking about how our clan and the village could coexist for years. I always wanted to find a way to blend in with Konoha. But no matter what I tried, it never worked. Until we went for the tailed beast, I finally understood.
We Uchiha are like tailed beasts in the eyes of the village. When needed, we're sent to fight and die outside. When not, we're locked up inside, drowning in slander, exclusion, and contempt. To them, we aren't people. Are we livestock they raise? Damn those high-ups, they should all be cut down.
Blending into Konoha used to be my dream. I wanted the next generation of Uchiha to be free, able to make friends in the village without restraint, able to go out on missions and see the world just like everyone else.
But now I know, it was only my delusion. That dream will never come true. The leadership never intended to accept us.
The so-called Will of Fire, it's nothing but decoration. The only way for Uchiha to be free is the same way a tailed beast escapes — cut down the high-ups, then freedom is ours," Duantian said through clenched teeth.
None of them had ever seen Duantian, usually calm and refined, this furious. He truly hated the hypocrisy of the village leaders.
"Senior, don't go too far. Armed uprising is a last resort. War is always an extension of politics. We still have room to maneuver, we still have cards to play.
You're right about one thing though: your dream was right. Wanting to blend into Konoha isn't wrong. What we seek is harmony with the village itself, not recognition from the leadership.
If this generation of leaders fails us, we'll replace them. Or we'll take it ourselves. Leadership can change. There's never only one path.
Things aren't so bad yet. Don't lose heart. Let all these messy problems end with our generation. Let the next generation live in the sun. The Will of Fire is fine. Konoha was built by us and the Senju. The 'Wood' may symbolize Senju, but the Fire is Uchiha," Renji said with a smile.
"You're right, little brother. Let's end all of this in our generation," Duantian said.
The squad laughed together, brimming with resolve. Kirin, the double-blade warrior, watched them and thought: Takuma, you fool, how did you sire such an incredible son? The Uchiha will rise to glory again with this generation. Cutting down those old bastards will be sweet.
On the road to Takigakure, they fought battle after battle, exhaustion creeping in.
At one point, Uchiha Kuzan raised a hand to halt them. Ahead stood several Konoha ANBU. Both sides spotted each other. Normally there might be conflict, but in the field, internal disputes stayed buried.
"We came from the Grass Country side. All non-Konoha shinobi we encountered were killed. We've been clearing the perimeter, no valuable intel yet," Duantian reported.
"We came straight from Konoha's border. Two ambushes along the way. The latest order is to kill all non-Konoha shinobi with full force. We're heading west to clear the path and pass orders to other squads. Good luck." The ANBU signaled and departed west.
"Ha, the Hokage is acting uncharacteristically bold," Retsu smirked.
"Indeed. For him to give such an order, someone must've brought back important intel," Yan analyzed.
"Most likely the village knows the tailed beast rampaged but doesn't know Takigakure's condition. If they knew for sure, they wouldn't be sending ANBU to spread orders," Duantian said.
"Then let's keep moving. When we reach Takigakure, there'll be a great battle. Everyone's been busy," Retsu said.
They pressed on, ambushed twice by Kumo-nin, three times by Iwa-nin, met Ame squads twice, even Kusagakure had joined in. Suna must be on the way too. It was like the Olympics — every nation sent their team.
At last, they reached Takigakure's gates. The cliffside village was easy to defend and hard to attack. Without their hidden path, storming in would've been impossible.
The "gate" was barely recognizable, surrounded by ninja from every nation locked in tense standoff. No one wanted to make the first move and be struck down.
Renji's squad walked naturally into Konoha's camp. "What's the situation? Have our people gone inside?"
"We arrived earlier. Some entered already, but just as they began scouting, other nations appeared. Everyone's been stuck here since. Initial reports have been sent back to the Hokage, orders should arrive soon," an ANBU answered.
"Oh, so the Hokage already knows. That means only we have the real picture, while the others are still guessing. The longer the delay, the better for us?" Yan asked.
"Not necessarily. With so many secret techniques in the world, some could have already scouted inside. I think we should secure the entrance now. Whatever orders come, holding the gate will still be a major achievement," Retsu said.
The others nodded in agreement, though one ANBU cautioned, "We shouldn't act before the Hokage's instructions. This isn't about merit."
"Don't be so tense. This is our chance for glory. If something inside happens and Konoha can seize it alone, do you understand what that means? This is Takigakure. What do you think the prize is? If Konoha gains another tailed beast… that would be a heaven-shaking merit," Retsu said with a sly grin.
The ANBU's expression shifted. Even he could do the math. If Konoha gained another tailed beast, the benefits were unimaginable. Such a deed would make heroes of them all. And surely the other nations were thinking the same.
"Then it's settled. We Uchiha will take the lead. If fighting breaks out, two squads skilled in scouting will rush inside. The rest of us will hold the gate with our lives. If we survive and return to Konoha, we'll be hailed as heroes," Renji declared.
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