The battle ended swiftly. The Uchiha had mobilized several members who had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Usually, clan members of such rank could not leave the village for too long without raising suspicion — but there were exceptions.
One of them was Uchiha Ran, known as Higanbana, Uchiha Kairen's mother.
The Uchiha were busy disposing of bodies. The corpses belonging to Root were taken away. The ambushed post was made to look like it had been attacked by raiders — heads crushed, remains burned beyond recognition.
Uchiha Ran gently patted her son's shoulder and said,
"Don't let guilt weigh on your heart. Those patrol ninja weren't as innocent as they looked. That squad captain told you to stay away earlier — not to protect you, but because he knew Root was about to make a move. He didn't want his men dragged into it."
Uchiha Kairen smiled faintly.
"Mother worries too much. I don't feel guilty at all. I killed them, yes — but they came to arrest me. Of course I fought back. As for those patrol ninja — well, they brought it on themselves for running their mouths. If they hadn't provoked us, Root would've probably waited until we left before attacking."
Soon, the clan finished cleaning up the scene. After bidding farewell to his mother, Kairen's team set off once more toward the Land of Grass.
---
A sharp crack echoed — Danzō slammed down his teacup.
"An entire squad disappeared, and you're telling me you can't find them?! Has there been any movement from the Uchiha? What about our agents along the border? And those brats — where are they now?"
The kneeling ninja reported,
"Both the main force and our agents have lost contact. The Uchiha haven't shown any change — their elites are still in the village, doing missions as usual. As for the kids — a message from the Land of Grass says they've arrived in Kusagakure."
Danzō's face darkened.
"Useless. Send men to the border immediately — I want the truth. Alive or dead, find them. And stop tailing those Uchiha brats."
---
Having delivered their client's letter and completed the mission, Kairen's team decided to explore Kusagakure a bit before continuing their search for the Kusanagi Sword.
As they walked through the foreign streets, taking in the unfamiliar sights, Kairen found himself suddenly homesick. Then, his eyes caught a young red-haired girl tending to an injured puppy beside her father at a small roadside stall. Both of them had the same crimson hair.
The girl carefully pricked her own finger and let a drop of blood fall into the puppy's mouth — glancing around nervously to make sure no one saw.
Kairen immediately thought of someone — Uzumaki Karin. Judging by the girl's age, this must be Karin's mother. The red-haired man beside her was likely her grandfather.
He stepped toward them.
"Your kindness might get you killed one day," he said quietly. "My name is Uchiha Kairen. You're from the Uzumaki clan, aren't you?"
The man's eyes narrowed, wary. He saw Kairen's Leaf forehead protector but remained on guard.
Kairen continued,
"I saw your ability. Don't worry — I'll keep it secret. But listen carefully — this isn't a village where everyone's kind. Kusagakure is riddled with corruption. Its shinobi study foreign jutsu obsessively, experimenting on others to gain power. If they discover your gift, they'll drag you into a lab. You'll die, and your daughter… she'll become nothing more than a tool — for breeding or for medical research."
The red-haired man tensed.
"What do you want from us? We've nothing left that Konoha would need. Please, just leave us alone."
Kairen smiled faintly.
"No can do. I can't stand by and watch you die. You're coming with me. This isn't a request — it's an order. You already know what'll happen if you refuse."
Terrified but powerless to resist, the man and his daughter followed him back to the team's lodging.
Inside, the others had returned. Uchiha Honō was setting food on the table. When they saw the two redheads behind Kairen, everyone's eyes widened.
Uchiha Gorou frowned.
"Kairen, your talent is rare even among the clan. The family won't approve of you being involved with an Uzumaki girl. You should forget it."
Uchiha Retsu added,
"He's right. The purer our bloodline, the greater the chance to awaken our eyes. You wouldn't want your descendants unable to awaken the Sharingan, would you?"
Uchiha Honō chuckled.
"You two are reading too much into this. Kairen probably just realized they're Uzumaki and wants to bring them back to the village, nothing more."
Uchiha Danten looked at the red-haired girl and said calmly,
"Still, good taste."
It was unclear whether he meant her looks or something else.
Kairen sighed.
"I plan to take them back to the Land of Fire — but not to Konoha. Any suggestions?"
Retsu replied,
"Not back to the village? Fine. Then head to the Land of Fire."
Gorou suggested,
"What about Tanzaku Quarters? It's full of travelers and mercenaries. Easier to blend in."
Danten offered,
"There's a small settlement near Konoha — few ever visit. They'd be safe there."
Honō said,
"Or the Fire Temple. It's peaceful, and the monks there are kind."
Kairen turned to the father and daughter.
"You heard them. Where would you prefer to go? Also, I still don't know your names."
The man hesitated, then said,
"I'm Uzumaki Chuta, and this is my daughter, Uzumaki Hanaka. I think… we'd like to go to that small village near Konoha."
Kairen nodded.
"We have something to take care of first. After that, we'll escort you there."
---
The next day, the squad set off again, following clues in search of the Kusanagi Sword.
"This should be the place," said Retsu, pointing ahead. "That peak shaped like an eagle — the cliff must be there."
Kairen looked up at the towering rock face.
"Looks right. This is Eagle's Head Peak. I'll go down with Danten and Retsu. You two stay here and keep watch."
With that, the three tied ropes around their waists and descended. They reached the base, where a pool of water shimmered below. Diving in, they swam to the center and spotted a dark opening beneath. Kairen wedged a shuriken under a stone to anchor their rope, then the three dove deeper, swimming into the submerged passage.
After a while, they emerged through another opening into a cavern — inside stood a massive stone statue. Climbing up, they found a hidden lever behind its ear. When pulled, a small entrance opened on the statue's shoulder.
Inside, murals covered the walls. At the far end stood a dais with three sword boxes and a large scroll, before which a stone tablet read:
"Here I felled the Eight-Headed Serpent.
I command the Hellhound Clan to guard this place for generations.
Whosoever wields my sword — his clan shall serve unto death."
Retsu opened the boxes — two were empty. In the leftmost box lay a sword. But when he reached for it, his hand passed right through. Danten tried next — the same. Even activating his Sharingan made no difference; he couldn't touch it at all.
Kairen closed his eyes, sat cross-legged upon the dais, and recalled that tranquil feeling of fishing with his grandfather — a heart as still as water. He realized this was a trial.
He exhaled slowly, letting his sword intent flow from him. Then, without a weapon in hand, he drew an imaginary blade.
"Iaidō — Draw Slash: Empty Strike!"
"One-Sword Style — Godspeed!"
He continued practicing silently, each swing sharper, faster — until finally he blindfolded himself and ran through the basic kata once more.
When he finished, he rose calmly.
"Let's go," he said. "I've obtained it."
He reached into the air — and a sword materialized in his hand.
A loud thud followed as a scroll fell onto the stone floor before them.