Renji went to the Police Force headquarters, only to be told his uncle had gone home. Rushing there, he learned his uncle had already left for the Great Elder's house.
Finally, at the Great Elder's door, he managed to block his uncle just as he was about to head home again.
Was this hide-and-seek? Renji nearly collapsed. Time was short, and yet his uncle was making him run all over.
"Uncle, I finally found you. I have something important to tell you." Renji hurried forward, afraid his uncle might slip away again.
"Oh, it's Renji. Didn't I say tomorrow would do? Is this about your marriage? Don't worry, I just spoke with the Great Elder. Your wedding will be the grandest of our generation. This is the respect a strong man deserves, and it will also set you as a standard for the next generation," Uchiha Nobunaga said with a smile.
"Uncle, it isn't about that. This concerns the very survival of our clan. Let's go inside. The Great Elder's house is the safest place right now." Renji gestured toward the door ten meters behind Nobunaga.
Nobunaga nodded. He knew Renji wasn't the kind to joke about such things. He turned and went back inside with him.
The Great Elder was seated in the entryway, sipping tea. When he saw Nobunaga return, he asked suspiciously, "Back again? Did you forget something? Nobunaga, you're clan head now. You can't still be as scatterbrained as when you were a boy."
Nobunaga's mouth twitched. He stepped aside, revealing Renji.
Renji bowed respectfully. "Great Elder, I hope you are well. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you and Uncle."
The Great Elder perked up. "Ah, so it's you. First, congratulations on your coming marriage. Now, tell me what it is." He took another sip of tea.
"This time, during our mission, I infiltrated Takigakure, killed the Takikage, and secured the Seven-Tails, Chōmei. I've hidden it in the Hellhound clan's domain, making it our clan's trump card," Renji reported, sticking to the essentials.
"Pfft—" The Great Elder spat his tea everywhere. He shot to his feet, pointing a trembling finger at Renji, unable to speak.
Nobunaga, on hearing that Renji had slain the Takikage, already had his Sharingan spinning. By the time Renji finished, his three tomoe were whirling wildly.
Renji stared at his uncle's eyes, thinking, Damn, is Uncle about to awaken the Mangekyō?
"Do you even know what you're saying? Repeat that, and I promise I won't kill you." The Great Elder stammered.
"Renji, say it again. I didn't catch it clearly," Nobunaga muttered, also half in shock.
Renji repeated carefully, "No matter how strong one man's reputation, he cannot change our clan's fate alone. Uchiha lacks the weight to stand against Konoha. They have the tailed beasts, and we had nothing.
I discovered information about Takigakure's beast and thought of a way to create a trump card. Using a secret passage, I infiltrated the village, released the Seven-Tails, forged a bond with it, and with its help destroyed Takigakure.
I then used Reverse Summoning to send Chōmei into the summoning realm. Now it sees that place as home, and the hounds play happily with it. Only my team knows. I've warned the hounds. They will not speak.
That's all. I felt this matter must be reported to you directly, and it must remain absolutely secret. It is a fragile bond. It will take time to strengthen. We cannot reveal or use this lightly."
The Great Elder grabbed Renji's hand, his voice shaking with excitement. "You reckless brat, you've done something incredible. Beautifully done. You are the pride of our clan! In ancient times, the Nine-Tails was our forebear's companion. Now you, a descendant, have secured the Seven-Tails. Remarkable!"
Nobunaga laughed, almost incoherent with joy. "Ah, so my idiot brother managed to father such a genius! Dangerous, yes, but the result is perfect. And the fools in the Hokage's faction will even honor you for your selfless courage, hah!"
After a storm of praise, both elder and uncle finally settled down, drinking tea to calm themselves.
The Great Elder spoke gravely, "Renji, you did the right thing. I'll personally speak to each member involved. This is too important. No praise can be excessive."
Nobunaga added, "Keep this buried until the right moment. With your ability, you know better than anyone when to play this card. I thought you'd need more time to grow. But you've already become our clan's trump card."
Renji bowed slightly. "You flatter me. I only wished to do my part for the family."
Then he excused himself. "I've said what I needed. I'll take my leave. If anything else is needed, call me at once." He still had dinner waiting at home.
"Go on," Nobunaga said.
"Good child," the Great Elder added warmly. "Go home. We'll handle your marriage arrangements quickly. You won't be disappointed."
Renji bowed again and departed.
When he was gone, the two elders exchanged glances and burst into joyous laughter.
"Quite the display we made. Thank goodness Renji isn't the type to gossip," Nobunaga chuckled.
The Great Elder smiled. "That boy is everything we need. Daring, ruthless, cunning, thoughtful. With him, the next generation is secure. I can die without regret."
"Don't say that, Grandfather," Nobunaga said quickly. "You must live to see us reclaim everything that is ours. We younger ones are counting on you."
The elder laughed heartily. "Always the sweet talker. Stay for dinner. Let's share a few cups. I don't often get to drink with someone I trust."
Meanwhile, Renji walked home under the glow of the setting sun, a smile on his face.
"I will start my family now. I have loving parents, newborn siblings, a wife I am proud of. This is perfect. Little brother, we will succeed. No one will break this family. Our clan will rise to its peak once again."
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