The festivities from the previous night lasted until late. By morning, the young men and women had dispersed. Konoha's higher-ups made no move to pursue the matter—they were too busy scouring the world for tailed beasts.
Danzo Shimura had dispatched more than half of Root's forces. Only clerical staff and a few guards remained behind. Everyone else was ordered to search for tailed beasts, with orders to eliminate any foreign ninja they encountered who were also searching.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sent out large numbers of Anbu to look for the slightest trace, hoping to get ahead of the other villages. Across the shinobi world, every hidden village was eagerly hunting for tailed beasts. Meanwhile, the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, was napping peacefully with his canine companions in the summoning realm.
Renji didn't arrive at the Police Force headquarters until midday. He came to ask his uncle when Operation Sunflower would begin. He was impatient—this was the perfect time to show off in front of the Hokage faction.
"Uncle, when are we launching the plan? Now's the best time to hit the Hokage faction with a taste of their own medicine," Renji said, barely containing his eagerness.
"Renji, the preparations are basically complete. The Fire Country funds are already in place. We can start at any time. Since you're so interested, I'll leave it to you," replied Uchiha Nobunaga, his uncle, trusting him completely.
"Perfect. Then I'll gather the team and get things moving," Renji answered.
Operation Sunflower was a derivative initiative born after the Uchiha broke through Konoha's political blockade. At its heart, it was a support program.
Step One: Focus on Orphanages
Optimize studies, change destiny – Provide tutoring and supplemental lessons. Children with potential to become shinobi would be given financial aid to attend the Academy.
Cultivate interests, balanced development – Open classes in music, art, cooking, carpentry, and more. At the end of term, students could intern in the Fire Country. The best would be retained, while others would return to orphanages in Fire Country or Konoha as social workers.
The goal was to raise these children into supporters of the Uchiha and demonstrate to others the clan's stature. The Uchiha did not rely on empty talk; they believed in taking action.
Step Two: "I Love My Home" Activities
Environmental care – Lead children in cleaning Konoha's streets, fostering awareness. Uchiha youths would set the example, divided into groups with assigned zones. Each Monday, the best group would receive stipends and banners.
Plant a tree, embrace spring – Organize tree-planting events to deepen love for nature and show Konoha's vitality.
Respect the elderly – Have Uchiha members care for disabled veterans, listening to their stories while children help with chores. This reminded the forgotten heroes that, even if Konoha turned its back on them, the Uchiha never would.
Step Three: Establish the Veterans' Guild
The Uchiha would fund a new guild, dedicating 30% of its profits to a veterans' assistance fund. Injured veterans and orphanage graduates would receive hiring priority. The fund would cover household subsidies, children's education, and other needs.
All this was targeted at civilians and clans friendly with the Uchiha. The Hokage faction was excluded. The message was clear: those who sided with the Uchiha would have food, drink, and prosperity. Those who clung to the Hokage faction could beg from them instead.
Comparison was deadly. Konoha's leadership gave scraps. The Uchiha offered real help. With Anbu and Root off chasing dreams of catching tailed beasts, the time to act was now.
Renji quickly gathered his comrades and assigned duties, splitting them into three teams:
Planning Group
Register children and assist other teams.
Compile awards and evaluations, give feedback, and gather suggestions.
Led by Yan and Duantian. Yan's meticulous nature made him perfect for handling records. Duantian's good relations within the clan suited him for coordination.
Publicity Group
Carry out activity promotion per Planning Group guidelines.
Publicize large-scale events.
Design and display posters and notice boards.
Manage the team's image and materials.
In short, this was the packaging department—making sure everyone saw what the Uchiha accomplished. Xingye, shameless and talkative, was the perfect fit. Renji would step in as needed.
Operations Group
Manage supplies and purchases.
Strengthen internal cohesion.
Arrange and deploy personnel during events.
Led by Retsu and Hahan, both lively and skilled at organizing, suited for executing large-scale activities.
Renji also proposed that every participant wear an insignia—a sunflower facing the sun—on the left chest, symbolizing hope, vitality, and the warmth of care. Participating orphanages, veterans' homes, and the residences of elderly widows would bear the same mark.
The Uchiha Police Force pledged full support. Civilian guards would walk the streets, gather information, and report it to the Planning Group. Each would send two or three auxiliary officers to assist in the activities.
Thus Operation Sunflower began in grand fashion.
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