After giving his gifts, Uchiha Kairen arrived at Konoha's main gate, where four Uchiha clansmen were already waiting — Uchiha Danten, Uchiha Retsu, Uchiha Honō, and Uchiha Gorou. The five of them would form a temporary squad: their first stop was the Land of Grass to complete a delivery mission, and afterward, they would head to Land of Craftsmans to forge new weapons.
The reason Kairen gifted his younger brother Uchiha Fugaku his sword was simple — lately, the sword couldn't keep up with his chakra flow anymore. Whenever he tried to channel chakra through it, the current felt sluggish and unstable.
He'd asked several weaponsmiths about it, and they all said the same thing: it's time to change your sword. Besides, he'd grown taller, and the weapon now felt a little short for him.
With his teacher Uchiha Ankoku's permission, he passed the sword down to Fugaku as a form of inheritance. But he couldn't leave empty-handed, of course. He borrowed a sword from his teacher, accepted a delivery mission to the Land of Grass — and planned to look for the legendary Kusanagi Blade while he was there. That information had come from his uncle, who had traded it from Orochimaru himself, so it was likely credible.
Thus, this "training expedition" began.
As they approached the outskirts of the village, Uchiha Danten walked over and whispered, "Everyone's in position," giving Kairen a knowing wink.
Uchiha Gorou, however, felt uneasy from head to toe. His own team had no regular members, and unlike the others who had volunteered, he had been dragged into this one. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to be sold off again. He sighed softly — hopefully, this mission would be a peaceful one.
After checking their travel papers, the group left through Konoha's main gate and headed toward the Land of Grass. They traveled for three straight days, and when they were nearly at the border of the Land of Fire, they decided to stop.
A wooden bridge spanned a narrow river ahead, beside which stood a Konoha border outpost. The team slowed their pace, intending to rest there for the night.
As they approached, three shinobi emerged from the outpost. "Who goes there? Stop right there!" one of them demanded.
Kairen didn't think much of it — border patrols had every reason to be cautious. He stepped forward and said calmly, "We're shinobi from Konoha, on a mission to the Land of Grass." He tossed over their mission scroll for inspection.
The leading guard examined it briefly, nodded, and returned the scroll. "You can rest nearby," he said. "We don't have room inside, but we can offer you some food." He turned to head back to the post.
But another guard sneered, "Uchiha, huh? Don't you people usually hide in the village like turtles? You don't look like Konoha shinobi to me. Maybe you're enemy spies — mission documents can be forged, you know."
Kairen smirked coldly. So someone wants to pick a fight, huh?
He replied, "You ever seen the Hokage himself on border patrol? Those with real ability are sent to important posts. The small errands are for the useless ones — cannon fodder either way. If you think we're spies, don't just talk—come and catch us."
The tension instantly thickened; both sides were ready to draw weapons.
The patrol captain turned back sharply. "Enough! You think a Hokage-stamped scroll can be forged? We're all from the same village — stand down and return to your post!"
He looked to Kairen's team. "You can still rest nearby, but stay a little distance from the outpost. If you need food, send one person to collect it."
Just then, a large group of masked shinobi appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them in a flash. From their distinctive masks, it was clear they were Root operatives.
A grin crept onto Kairen's lips — Finally, they've come.
The leading Root agent stepped forward. "Uchiha Kairen, Uchiha Retsu, Uchiha Honō, and Uchiha Gorou — you are suspected of involvement in the attempted assassination of Elder Koharu Utatane. Danzō-sama requests that you return for questioning."
Of all the people there, Uchiha Gorou looked the most confused. The other three were actual participants, so they weren't too surprised — but Gorou had no idea what was happening.
Another person who wasn't happy was Danten. There are five of us — you're arresting four? What about me? Am I not good enough to be a suspect?
Kairen chuckled coldly. "Danzō? That old bastard's not worth shit. I'm not going."
Uchiha Retsu added mockingly, "He suspects us? I suspect him! Maybe he, Koharu, and Homura were caught in some messy love triangle — things turned ugly, he got dumped, and decided to kill her. Maybe I should 'invite' him to the Police Force for questioning when we return."
The Root leader's voice turned low and cold. "So you refuse to cooperate? Don't blame us for what happens next." He drew a short blade.
The outpost captain blew his whistle, summoning eight more shinobi from the barracks. "What are you doing?" he barked. "You want to start a bloodbath right under our noses?"
Uchiha Honō smirked. "Captain, are you here to help us or them? This is like flipping a coin — heads or tails. You can't pick the middle. Which side are you choosing?"
One of the border guards shouted, "Told you! The Uchiha are probably traitors! They even dared to attack an Elder — now they're resisting Root! Think your parents can protect you here, spoiled brats?"
Another chimed in, "I've hated you Uchiha bastards for a long time. If they're taking you in, I'll gladly help rough you up!"
Kairen burst out laughing. "Hate us, do you? Then stop looking — dead men don't need eyes." His Sharingan flared to life, crimson tomoe spinning in the dark.
Uchiha Danten fired a signal flare. Over twenty Uchiha emerged from all directions. Uchiha Retsu, his own Sharingan active, said, "Heh. Let's begin then."
---
"Danzō, how goes the investigation?"
Homura Mitokado asked, sitting in the Hokage's office.
Danzō lowered his head, silent for a moment before answering, "No solid evidence yet — but I suspect the Uchiha clan is behind it."
Homura sighed inwardly. Whenever Danzō can't find proof, he blames the Uchiha. But things were different now — Konoha was actively trying to reconcile with them, to dissolve the old grudges.
He said patiently, "Danzō, the current policy is about easing tensions. Let's not make baseless accusations."
Danzō gave him a sharp look. "A few days before Elder Koharu's attack, three Uchiha — Kairen, Retsu, and Honō — were seen leaving the village multiple times. After the incident, none of them have gone out again. And there's also Uchiha Gorou — he's been wandering around recruiting members for his 'team,' but I think he's actually scouting locations. I've already sent people to bring them in."
At that, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk.
"Danzō! Do you even know what you're doing? Don't you realize that Jiraiya just took Uchiha Fugaku — the Uchiha clan's heir — as his disciple? The message that sends to the whole village is vital! We're building a new bridge of trust! You'll destroy all of it!"
Danzō shot up to his feet, glaring at him. "What I'm doing is what you wish you could do. The next generation of Uchiha is full of talent — but how many can one Fugaku control? 'Young patriarch' sounds nice, but until he becomes clan head, he's nothing. One genius is enough. I'm doing this for Konoha!"
"That's enough!" Hiruzen roared. "Call your men back immediately! From now on, you are not to provoke the Uchiha again!"
Danzō turned toward the door. "You're the Hokage, so I'll obey," he said. "But if the recall order comes too late — and they're already dead — that's not my fault."
With that, he left the office, his cloak sweeping behind him.