Sunagakure.
The Third Kazekage sat stone-faced, staring at Chiyo and Ebizō without a word.
After a long while, he exhaled and said, "I miscalculated. I'll take responsibility for the loss of five jōnin."
Chiyo snorted. "Saying that now is pointless. We can't just let this go."
The Third Kazekage asked, "Chiyo-baasama, let's hear your plan this time."
"Uchiha are Konoha shinobi. Konoha must pay for our losses."
"Make them compensate us—or we go to war."
"And from today, start pressuring Konoha along the border."
Beside her, Ebizō asked worriedly, "Sister, the Uchiha have already become rogue-nin. Will Konoha really agree to this?"
Even as her brother, Ebizō felt Chiyo's idea was far-fetched.
"And our strength still trails Konoha's by a good margin."
Chiyo sneered, saying confidently, "With the Uchiha clan's mass defection, Konoha is at its weakest."
"We just have to start the brawl; others will join in."
"Don't forget how the last two Shinobi World Wars began."
"This fat piece of meat—no one's ever stopped eyeing it."
The Third Kazekage and Ebizō straightened, excitement flashing in their eyes.
She had a point.
—
Konohagakure.
Shimura Danzō pushed the door open and walked in, cutting straight to the point with Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hiruzen, my Root was ambushed by Kumo shinobi at the border."
"We need an explanation from them."
Hiruzen frowned. "Why wasn't your Root staying put in the village? What were they doing at the border?"
Danzō waved it off. "Collecting intel, maybe planting a few spies in other villages."
"Never mind that. Those Kumogakure thugs are too arrogant. I say we teach them a lesson."
Hiruzen took a few puffs from his pipe and finally sighed. "Conflicts between villages are normal. If your subordinates died, you can only blame their lack of power."
"Starting a war over something so petty would only bring heavier casualties to the village."
Danzō snapped, "They're wiping their feet on your head and you're still backing down!"
"Danzō!" Hiruzen slapped the desk. "Watch your tone."
"What? Is the great Hokage going to strike me?"
"You…"
Hiruzen glared, then compromised. "You can draw from village shinobi to make up Root's losses."
"Hmph." Danzō dropped the rant and seriously considered which secret-technique users to recruit.
Just then an Anbu flickered in. "Lord Hokage, a scroll from Sunagakure."
"Sunagakure?" Hiruzen took it, skimmed a few lines, and hurled it onto the desk in anger.
"Isn't this just bullying the wrong man?!"
Curious at Hiruzen's outburst, Danzō picked up the scroll and, after reading, couldn't help but chuckle.
The Uchiha had killed Suna jōnin, and now the Third Kazekage wanted compensation from Konoha…
He'd never heard of a village being liable for a rogue clan's actions.
'Have those people living in the desert gone mad for money?'
"Hiruzen, shall we discipline a few Suna shinobi?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "Let it go this time. They just want money. Pay them."
Danzō had to admit, a person really does laugh when they are utterly speechless.
"What a 'Forbearing Bear.' You've really opened my eyes." He gave a cold snort and strode out of the Hokage's office.
If he stayed, he'd die of rage.
Hiruzen felt wronged.
If the Uchiha hadn't defected, would Suna and Kumo dare to loot a burning house?
In the end, it was all the Uchiha's fault!
—
One month later.
Under the escort of Kumo ninja, all the members of the Uchiha clan arrived at Kumogakure.
At the village gate, a huge banner hung high, silk streamers dancing in the wind.
The Third Raikage stood personally at the entrance to welcome the Uchiha from afar.
"Yuzuru, no trouble on the road?"
"Thanks to the Raikage's protection. Much appreciated."
"Hahahahaha…"
After a brief exchange, the Third Raikage and Yuzuru headed into the village.
The Uchiha followed close behind.
Inside Kumogakure, lofty peaks rose everywhere. Even the clouds reached only halfway up the mountains.
The villagers' homes clustered around the foothills.
The mountains themselves were crowned with massive administrative buildings.
The Raikage Tower sat dead center, radiating dominance.
Seeing such terrain for the first time, the Uchiha were full of wonder.
In Konoha, aside from some low hills, it was all flat forest—like a different world compared to this place.
"Wow! So this is the Uchiha? No wonder they're a noble clan—so many people."
"So many handsome guys. I heard from Lord Raikage they're even open to marriage alliances. The women of Kumogakure are in luck."
"Is the one in front their leader? So young! And that face—too gorgeous!!!"
"I really want a spar. Let's see how strong the famed Sharingan really is…"
"So fair, so delicate… totally unlike our rugged Kumo ladies. I'm begging you—let me marry into their clan."
"Get in line!"
Hearing the crowd's chatter, the Uchiha couldn't hide their excitement.
Their anxiety about the future evaporated in an instant.
They had never imagined—even in dreams—that the Uchiha would be this popular.
"So in other shinobi's eyes, our Uchiha have so many strengths."
"Yeah. Unlike those Konoha jerks who roll their eyes at us. I've only ever seen a scene like this in my dreams."
"They're too enthusiastic—quick, check if I'm under genjutsu."
Walking beside Yuzuru, Fugaku couldn't help but sigh. "Yuzuru, with a reception this grand, even I'm overwhelmed."
"Lord Third Raikage, you're too thoughtful."
The Third Raikage shook his head. "This welcome was organized by the villagers themselves. A rough man like me wouldn't have thought of this."
"Eh? Is that so?"
Seeing Fugaku's surprise, Yuzuru patted his shoulder.
"Fugaku, don't let the past blind you. Open your eyes to the world."
"In Konoha, they shunned us and griped at us. But in other villages' eyes, as a noble clan with millennia of heritage, the Uchiha come with a powerful aura."
T/n:
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