After Uchiha Kagami departed, the atmosphere in the meeting room remained tense, divided into factions. Uchiha Tani, the clan leader, felt the weight of the clan's divisions more than ever. He had yet to unify the Uchiha, a goal that felt increasingly distant.
"Okay, there's no need to continue the discussion. This time, we'll follow what Elder Kagami suggested," Tani declared, his tone firm despite the lingering doubts within him. He didn't fully agree with Uchiha Kagami's perspective, but he felt a pressing need to explore every avenue to resolve their current conflict.
"Patriarch!" a voice called out, but Tani held up a hand.
"No need to say anything. That's the decision," he insisted, signaling the end of the meeting with a wave. One by one, the clan members filed out, some reluctant but obeying the leader's command.
Fugaku lingered, his expression a mixture of determination and concern. Tani noticed and asked, "Are you curious too, Fugaku? About this whole situation?"
"It's not curiosity, but I believe you should take this seriously," Fugaku replied, his tone earnest. "I can represent the clan and handle this matter."
Tani was taken aback. As the deputy minister of Konoha's Security Department, Fugaku's status was high, and risking his position for this could backfire. "If you think you can handle it, then do it," Tani said finally, recognizing that growth often required facing challenges head-on.
---
Meanwhile, Reiki was seated in his living room, scanning the records on his panel detailing injuries and treatments from the day. Despite the data, his mind lingered on that elusive golden mark.
"Reiki, our mission is complete," Uchiha Shisui announced as he and Namikaze Nozuki entered the room. "The weather's getting bad. We should go help the villagers repair their houses."
"Right," Reiki replied, already gathering his tools. "Let's move."
The trio set off, determination etched on their faces.
As the night deepened, the rain began to fall heavily.
"Thank you so much! Here are some snacks I prepared. Please eat," an elderly man said, placing a box on the ground with a warm smile. "You should head back soon. It's going to rain a lot tonight."
"Thank you. This is what we're here for," Reiki said, accepting the snacks with a nod.
"Reiki, the mission's complete," Shisui continued, his tone shifting to seriousness. "Next, we'll be on an escort mission, likely facing some enemies—wandering ninjas or samurai. They have a lot of combat experience, so we should prepare."
"Should we head to the Uchiha training ground tonight?" Shisui suggested.
The public training grounds were accessible during the day but off-limits at night for residents' safety. If they returned home, their training would likely include Tsunade, and nobody wanted to be on the receiving end of her legendary prowess.
"Sounds good to me," Reiki agreed.
With their minds set, the three made their way to the Uchiha compound.
Suddenly, a rustling noise caught their attention.
"Someone?!" They froze, immediately seeking cover.
It was late, and the rain was light, making the presence of others in Konoha concerning.
"Remember, these four must be sent out of the village tonight," whispered a masked ninja, his voice low and cautious. "Be careful; those Uchiha are not simple ninjas."
"Understood," the others murmured, shouldering heavy black bags as they crept toward the village wall.
Upon reaching Shadowleaf Lake, the four masked figures dropped their bags, releasing the individuals inside.
"Remember, if you leave the village, don't come back. If you get chased or caught, you know what to do," the leader instructed, calm despite the grim situation.
"Got it. Let's go quickly. I can't take this place anymore," said one of the captives, his body marred with injuries from prior interrogations.
"The guard change will take another hour. If you leave now, you'll still have to wait," the leader advised, resting on a large tree. "Stay hidden; no one comes out at this hour."
As the group settled in, the atmosphere shifted.
"Aihara, I didn't expect it to be you," a voice suddenly broke the tension.
"Who—" Aihara started, but before he could react, a hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him. A kunai struck, burying itself in his neck, his body slumping lifelessly against the tree.
From the shadows, a pair of scarlet eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Thunder Release: Thunder Dragon Explosion!" The chakra surged forth, unleashing a wave of thunder and lightning, forcing the three remaining enemies from their hiding spots.
"Come on, it's an Uchiha!" one shouted, panic seeping into his voice. "I set a barrier; you have to take it down!"
"Who's blocking?" Before he could finish, a figure materialized before him.
"Uchiha Fugaku…"
The words were cut short as darkness swallowed him.
The last two were quickly subdued by the Uchiha, their resistance crumbling under the weight of Fugaku's presence.
"I ask again: when did the members of the Root Organization start doing this?" Fugaku questioned, his voice a low growl. "You'll be remembered as a sacrifice for the village."
With no hesitation, he ended their lives, leaving the remaining four terrified and speechless, huddled together in the rain-soaked darkness.
As the downpour intensified, Konoha's peace hung by a thread, the night far from quiet.
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