Homura and Minato, their faces etched with shock and frustration, left the Raikage's office. Megumi's refusal had been a stinging diplomatic defeat.
The Raikage looked at Uzumaki Megumi, who still stood tall despite the emotional ordeal. "I can promise you one thing," he said, his voice dropping to a serious, almost intimate tone. "Our activities might make us look like villains to other villages, but I can assure you of this: I will protect your clan as if it were a core part of Kumogakure."
Uzumaki Megumi's expression softened, and a genuine smile touched her lips. "The rumors?" she asked gently.
The Raikage scoffed. "No need to worry. I will address them personally."
True to his word, a day later, the Third Raikage made a public announcement. He declared that the rumors were baseless, that the Uzumaki Clan had no ill intentions toward the village, and that they were now officially part of Kumogakure. Ichigo, witnessing the announcement, felt a wave of relief. The cloud of suspicion had been cleared, at least for now.
Following the public statement, Uzumaki Megumi gathered the families who had joined the clan—a total of five to seven families. She explained the tasks, the procedures, and the steady source of income the clan had been allocated, ensuring stability for their new lives. As time went on, Kumogakure began to forget the issue, integrating the new clan into their society.
The same, however, could not be said for Konoha.
Konoha, at the Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was visibly disturbed by the report. He faced Homura and Minato, his disappointment palpable. "So, it seems we couldn't bring them back," he said, taking a slow puff from his pipe.
"We tried to appeal to their sense of historical partnership," Homura explained, his voice flat with failure. "But she wouldn't budge. More importantly, the rumors we spread were ineffective; they didn't falter at all."
"It seems another war might be starting," Hiruzen muttered, the weight of the future pressing down on him. "What about the other part of your mission, Minato?"
Minato stepped forward. "There was an orange-haired boy named Ichigo who seemed to play a vital role in the Uzumaki family's decision. He accidentally encountered the family, and that's how they ended up in the Cloud's orphanage program."
As soon as Minato finished, Hiruzen spoke with finality. "A kid, huh? Minato, I will take care of this further. Just inform this to Kushina." He dismissed his student, and Minato left, already dreading the conversation he would have with his wife.
No sooner had Minato left than Danzo spoke up, his one visible eye glinting with cold calculation. "We need to take care of that kid and the Uzumaki clan. We can't allow Kumo to gain this upper hand."
Homura quickly voiced his agreement. "I agree with Danzo. Kumo already has some of the best Tailed Beast control techniques. Now they have the Uzumaki Clan's sealing expertise. They will become unstoppable."
Hiruzen nodded, his mind already formulating a strategy. "Yes. We will monitor them first." After a brief, intense discussion, Danzo and Homura left the room.
Hiruzen turned toward the towering faces of the past Hokage carved into the mountain, a puff of smoke curling from his pipe. As he looked at the stone faces, what he saw made his expression turn grim.
On the face of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, there were clear signs of vandalism. Painted black lines turned his face into a grotesque caricature, with huge canine teeth protruding from his mouth, a massive red tongue lolling out, and beneath all the mischief, the distinct symbol of the Uchiha Clan. It was a clear, brazen accusation, portraying Tobirama Senju as a metaphorical "Uchiha Blood Sucker."
Hiruzen immediately called his Anbu and gave a high-priority order: find the culprit and bring them to his office.
Konoha at the Uchiha Clan Household
In the Uchiha Clan Head's room, Uchiha Fugaku sat with his head in his hands, utterly mortified. Across from him sat a small girl with long hair tied into a spiky ponytail. Her skin was notably darker than that of most Uchiha, a result of her father being a clan member and her mother a civilian.
Uchiha Yoruichi, the girl, looked at Fugaku with a cool, unimpressed gaze. "Clan Head, what's the matter?"
Fugaku looked up, his face stern. "Yoruichi, why did you paint Lord Second's face like that? You need to apologize to the Hokage immediately."
Yoruichi sighed, briefly closing her eyes. She had been caught. Ever since she had transmigrated into this world with the complete skillset and rebellious spirit of the legendary Yoruichi Shihōin and into the Uchiha clan, she had grown tired of the village's subtle yet continuous discrimination against her people. In a defiant act of retaliation, she had pulled the prank on the person she believed started it all: the anti-Uchiha Tobirama Senju.
"Fine," Yoruichi conceded with a shrug. "I will apologize to the Hokage."
Fugaku looked at her, a profound worry in his eyes. Her actions are even more hawkish than our current hawks, he thought. For the sake of the Clan, we need to convince her to put aside this rebellious attitude. He stood up, determined to mitigate the damage.
With a heavy heart, Fugaku left the room, bringing the young, disruptive genius with him to the Hokage's Office.