Bali sat alone in his room, reviewing the challenges he'd faced mastering each technique.
"Solar visualization - took three months to absorb energy without burning out," he thought.
"Stellar absorption - only works with microscopic particles, extremely slow progress."
"Fire visualization - nearly killed me the first time, still dangerous."
"Breathing techniques - safest methods, but limited power enhancement."
"Tai Chi - builds foundation slowly, requires daily practice."
He needed a better plan. His individual training was progressing, but the clan's survival required coordinated action.
That evening, Setsuna arrived at their compound with a grim expression.
"Raigen," he said quietly, "we need to discuss the clan's future."
"What's wrong?" Raigen asked, pouring tea.
"Itachi joined ANBU last month. He's being groomed for something by the village leadership."
"That should be good news. An Uchiha in the elite forces."
"Or it's preparation for something darker." Setsuna's eyes were troubled. "I want to speak with your grandson."
Raigen nodded slowly. "Bali, come here."
Bali entered the room and bowed respectfully. "Elder Setsuna."
"Sit down, boy. I want to hear about these dream visions you've been having."
Bali sat cross-legged, maintaining eye contact. "What specifically do you want to know?"
"Your grandfather mentioned you predicted threats to our clan. Tell me about them."
Bali took a breath, organizing his thoughts. "I saw Uchiha Itachi killing everyone in our compound. Every man, woman, and child except his younger brother."
Setsuna's face went pale. "When?"
"Within the next few years. After he gains the village's complete trust."
"Why would he do such a thing?"
"To prevent a coup. To choose the village over his family."
"That's..." Setsuna struggled with the words. "That's monstrous."
"It's strategic," Bali replied calmly. "From the village's perspective. Village hokage manipulate itachi who was brainwashed by will of fire, think village is important and itach doesn't think Uchiha is family"
" Damn! Uchiha itachi and his father! "
"I understand survival or death. The question is - what do we do about it?"
Setsuna leaned forward intently. "What do you suggest?"
". We need to leave this village and before it happens. Look for place unknown where we can build Uchiha land, somewhere else."
" What's your plan, Explain? "
" Select promising ninja and stage their deaths. Have them find and prepare a secret location - an island or remote land near the sea."
"Why the sea?"
"Unlimited food supply if other resources run low."
Setsuna stroked his chin. " What about other who don't agree with our plan , How do we choose who lives and who dies?"
" We don't. We save everyone who's truly loyal to the clan over the village."
"And the others?"
"Are already choosing their side." Bali's tone was matter-of-fact. "We note who they are and plan accordingly."
"This would require massive coordination and secrecy."
"Yes. That's why we need to support Minato as Hokage publicly while preparing privately."
"And you?"
"I'll attend the ninja academy. Act like a below-average student. Make them underestimate me."
Setsuna's eyes widened. " Are You really five years old and planning like an old man."
"Wait here," Setsuna said, stepping outside briefly.
He returned with a boy about ten years old - tall, lean, with intelligent eyes.
"This is my grandson Saroshi," Setsuna announced.
To everyone's surprise, Saroshi immediately ran to Bali and hugged him.
"Boss! I want to train with you again! This time I'll beat that Kenji and earn my spot properly!"
Bali looked confused. "Again?"
"The competition to become your follower! Kenji beat me, but I've been practicing!"
Bali glanced at Kenji, who shrugged. "There were a lot of kids who wanted to join. We had to test them."
Despite being five, Bali easily lifted the ten-year-old Saroshi. "You can join, but you cannot tell anyone what we do. Understood?"
"Yes, Boss!"
After Saroshi was taken away by a maid, Setsuna returned to business.
"Tell me your complete plan."
Bali stood and began pacing like an adult strategist.
" First - find our secret location. Island or coastal area with fresh water and defensive positions."
"Second - collect resources. Medicine, seeds, storage scrolls, techniques from other clans."
"Third - before Shisui awakens his Mangekyo Sharingan, we take it from him by any means necessary."
Setsuna's eyes sharpened. "Shisui, he is our Uchiha talent? Why him specifically?"
"Danzo will steal his eyes if we don't act first. He will tell his mangekyo sharingan to Hokage but didn't tell to our Uchiha, he is full traitor,
But he but naive, we will Poison his tea"
"Fourth - use Sharingan illusion to identify every loyal Uchiha. Note the entire population."
"Fifth - retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan. Uchiha power shouldn't belong to outsiders."
"Sixth - stop working as mercenaries for the village. We're born kings, not hired muscle."
"Seventh - prepare transportation. Horses, vehicles, anything for quick evacuation."
"Eighth - when village boundaries collapse in the future, we'll be ready to establish our own kingdom."
Setsuna wiped sweat from his forehead and slapped himself lightly.
"This is... Really five years old "
As Bali and Raigen prepared to leave, they walked with the comfortable ease of a loving grandfather and grandson.
Behind them, Setsuna watched with amazement.
"The boy switches between strategic genius and normal child seamlessly," he murmured.
After they left, Setsuna called his most trusted operative from the shadows.
"Shadow, what's your assessment of that boy as our next leader?"
The elderly ninja emerged, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning slowly.
"His presence feels more like Uchiha madara," Shadow reported. "My instincts tell me to surrender to his authority."
"And his plans?"
"Ambitious but logical. Why should we serve as village dogs when we have the power to rule?"
Shadow's expression darkened. "I'm concerned about what he said , Uchiha shuishi, He's Kagami's grandson - too loyal to the village."
"You think he'd betray the clan?"
"I think he'd choose the Hokage over his family. Just like his grandfather did."
"Then we follow the boy's advice. Take Shisui's eyes before it's too late."
Setsuna nodded grimly. "Gather our most loyal members. We have preparations to make."
"And if the boy's visions are wrong?"
"Then we'll have created a backup plan for nothing. But if he's right..."
"We'll be the only Uchiha left alive."
That night, Bali sat in his mental space, reviewing the meeting.
"Setsuna believes the techniques come from the Six Paths Sage," he noted with amusement. "Better than him knowing the truth."
He organized his plans into priority levels:
Immediate: Begin academy charade, identify loyal members.
Short-term: Locate secret territory, begin resource collection.
Medium-term: Acquire Shisui and Kakashi's Sharingan.
Long-term: Full clan evacuation and kingdom establishment.
"The foundation is set," he concluded. "Now the real work begins."
Outside his window, stars twinkled in the night sky.
Soon, he would draw power from them all.