"Wood Release: Tree World Birth!"
Life-rich green chakra surged from Chiya's hands into the earth. In seconds, towering trees punched through the soil and swelled into a dense primeval forest.
Within his senses, the trees were threads in his palm. He could steer them to attack or defend, and within this domain of wood he had spawned, his techniques flowed faster.
After testing the forest's responsiveness, Chiya moved on to new forms.
"Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison."
"Wood Release: All-Enfolding Pouch."
"Wood Release: Wooden Dragon Technique."
One wood technique after another bloomed, reshaping the terrain with each casting.
He was about to enter Sage Mode to try the Buddha on Top when a ripple stirred back at the guard tower.
"Did the war take another turn?"
Sensing Obito's side for a heartbeat, Chiya triggered Summon Flash and vanished.
Hidden nearby, the little slug let out a silent breath. She had been watching him from the shadows all along, and Chiya knew. Since she kept her distance and never interfered, he had learned to ignore it. His commotion just now had not been small. The whole valley could hear it. If he had not stopped, she would have gone to fetch the Slug Sage.
Back in the village, Chiya dispelled his clone and learned the clan had summoned every awakened clansman to a meeting at the shrine. His public face was that of an ordinary chunin with a single-tomoe Sharingan, which put him on the list.
There was time to spare. He decided to check on Obito's grandmother first, then drop by the old man's to see whether his shinden robe was finished.
At Obito's home, the old woman sat on the veranda in the sun. For once her warm face carried a faint worry. Her grandson had marched to the front, and she feared for him. War took lives. No word had come back since he left.
Chiya walked in with a large bundle and an easy smile. He had promised Obito he would look after her. Training had delayed him longer than he liked.
Two hours later, after lunch with the old woman, he crossed to the old man's house. The elder was in a heated shogi battle with the dango seller next door. Business had slowed with so many shinobi gone to war.
"Looks like I picked the wrong time."
Both men were so absorbed they did not notice Chiya until he stood beside them.
"Oh, it's the Chiya kid. Been a while. You came early today, so you owe me a few games."
The elder brightened at the sight of Chiya.
"Oharu, move. Let Chiya play me."
"Hey, old fossil, you begged me to come play, and now you kick me out?"
They bickered as only old friends could.
"No need, old sir. I only came to see you. The clan is meeting soon."
Chiya stepped closer and studied the board. As expected, Oharu was getting steamrolled. Chiya smiled and murmured a few moves. The balance flipped within moments.
"Hey, you brat, if you want to play, we restart. No coaching."
The elder grumbled, then squinted. "You really only came to see me? Nothing else?"
Chiya laughed. "Been a while, so I wanted to check whether the shinden robe was done."
"Knew it. You came for the clothes."
Smirking, the elder jabbed a thumb toward the counter. "Finished long ago, in that bag. Go try it."
Chiya chuckled, grabbed the bag, and ducked into the changing room.
Moments later he stood before the full-length mirror. A tall figure gazed back from beneath a crimson shinden robe. Fair skin, blade-sharp eyes and brows, a straight nose, a thin mouth. The Sage Body had chiseled his features, edges clean and striking. With that different air about him, he looked like an exiled immortal who had wandered down to earth.
"Sigh, even more handsome."
Admiring the face so handsome it hurt, Chiya indulged in a rare moment of vanity.
"Not bad at all, boy. The robe suits you."
"With that face, even I feel a little pressure. Step outside and you will drown in admirers."
"Get real. I knew what you looked like when you were young. Let's just say... words fail."
Behind him, both the elder and Oharu gave approving looks, then slid right back into their familiar squabble. Chiya grinned. Best frenemies, despite the years between them.
After watching one more game, Chiya took his leave. It was time for the clan meeting.
By the time he reached the shrine, most of the stay-behind shinobi had arrived. With Fugaku absent, the Great Elder would preside.
Chiya did not want attention. He slipped into a corner seat by the outer wall. Soon the hall was full. Aside from patrols, every fighting force in the Uchiha was present. He saw many new faces, the awakened who did not usually qualify to enter the shrine for council.
The Great Elder stepped up to the dais and cleared his throat. A request for help had arrived from Fugaku that morning. The front was in dire shape.
The murmuring died away. Every eye followed the old man as he began to speak.