The three had kept their eyes on the target all night. By dawn, their patience was rewarded. The fish shop boy returned, bringing several men and a cart full of goods. The bearded man jumped aboard, and the wagon rolled out of the village.
Renji's team stiffened. At last.
The cart moved steadily along the northern trade road.
"They're headed toward the Land of Hot Water," Yan whispered. "The wagon has the Hot Water insignia. From there, they could reach the Land of Lightning or even the Land of Water. Those men aren't ordinary workers, they're shinobi. That fishball boy hid his identity well. Even I almost believed him."
The wagon stopped. The bearded man hopped down, carrying a heavy chest. He and the shop boy split off from the group, heading into the forest.
Retsu frowned. "This is bad. We don't have enough people to split up."
Renji made the call. "Then we divide anyway. Yan, you're best at tracking, follow the bearded man. Leave markers along the way. Retsu and I will strike the caravan. Kill first, ask later.
I already left word at the village gate. If we don't return within an hour, they'll alert my father, Kenshi, or Uncle Nobunaga. We've also been leaving Uchiha markers along the trail. As long as we don't lose the trail, this catch is ours."
Yan gave a firm nod. "Got it. But be careful. Renji, you may be younger than us, but you're the one who keeps a clear head. Watch Retsu, sometimes his brain leaks water. I'll handle the bearded man." He darted away before Retsu could even argue.
Renji turned to Retsu. "We'll get ahead of the caravan. There's a stream up ahead. Perfect ambush spot."
"Kill them all," Retsu said with a dangerous grin.
They sprinted forward, setting traps near the stream. Renji hid in the trees. Retsu submerged himself in the water.
Moments later, the wagon thundered into view.
"Boom!" An explosive tag tore apart the left wheel, flipping the wagon on its side.
Shuriken and shrapnel rained down, felling two guards instantly.
The driver, quick to react, leapt from the wreck, clutching a chest identical to the one the bearded man carried. With two guards, he sprinted toward the stream.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!""Uchiha Shuriken Barrage!""Fire Style: Crimson Claw Flame!"
Renji and Retsu attacked in unison.
Two more guards fell, but the driver and his chest pressed on, shielded by one remaining companion with jonin-level skill.
The driver shouted desperately, "We are merchants of the Land of Hot Water! We have papers with the Hokage's seal! You are Konoha shinobi, why violate your leader's orders by attacking allies? Stand down, and we'll forget this happened. We'll even leave Fire Country forever. How about it?"
Retsu sneered. "Why ignore the Hokage's rules? Because we're Uchiha. Enough lies. Either surrender, or we end this now."
While Retsu toyed with him, Renji was already weaving signs.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball!""Wind Style: Gale Burst!"
A combination jutsu, the fireball roared forward, magnified by the sudden gust of wind. Renji's hands moved again. "Manipulated Shuriken Technique!"
The enemy shinobi countered swiftly."Water Style: Violent Wave!""Earth Style: Earth Wall!""Lightning Style: Ground Runner!"
The driver smirked. Foolish kids. Ambushing at a stream? Did they really think we wouldn't have water release?
"Water Style: Water Prison!"
But the moment the dome of water closed, Retsu was there, grinning. "Caught you. Renji, how did you know he'd use water release?"
Renji's eyes narrowed. "They were headed north. That meant Lightning or Mist. In water terrain, they'd use either lightning or water. And once you told him we were Uchiha, of course he'd try to counter fire with water. I drove him straight to you."
Retsu chuckled. "Don't expect me to use Water Prison every time. This works only in water. So, do we kill him now or ask questions first?"
"Look again," Renji muttered.
Inside the water sphere, the enemy shinobi convulsed and coughed blood. His head slumped. He had bitten his tongue and killed himself.
"They'd rather die than talk…" Retsu cursed.
Renji's face hardened. "Then we move. Yan's alone. If they're this committed, it's already beyond us. Our real job is to buy time until reinforcements arrive."
They bolted into the forest.
Meanwhile, Yan shadowed the bearded man and his companion. Both carried heavy crates but moved with the speed of trained shinobi. Just as Yan left another marker, a group of over a dozen men appeared ahead.
The bearded man handed his crate to one of them. The lid opened, and a girl was pulled out, slung onto a shinobi's back. Five ninja whisked her away immediately.
Yan's eyes widened. So they weren't smuggling goods, they were smuggling people.
The fish shop orphan girl was there too. She climbed into the now-empty crate, disguising herself. The bearded man and several shinobi split off in one direction. The others followed the team carrying the girl.
Yan hesitated, then quickly carved Uchiha trail markers, the general Konoha symbol for the enemy group, and the clan's unique marks for his squad's private code. Then he pursued the group carrying the girl.
Back in the Uchiha compound, a young clansman bowed before Takuma, handing him a sealed letter.
"Lord Takuma, this is from your son Renji and his squad. They left the village about an hour ago. Here's the message."
Takuma grinned at first. "That brat skipped home last night and ran off to play outside? His mother will kill him when he comes back. Hah!" But his expression hardened as he read the letter.
"Go find Kenshi," he ordered grimly. "First Division, assemble at the village gates."
Moments later, he was at his brother Nobunaga's side. "Something's happened. I've already ordered First Division to gather. Look."
Nobunaga scanned the letter. His expression darkened. "Star, take this to the Great Elder. Tell him Takuma and I are taking the First Division out. He will guard the clan while we're gone."
A kunoichi nodded, seized the message, and disappeared in a blur.
At the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to an ANBU kneeling before him.
"Lord Hokage, reports confirm that Uchiha Clan Head Nobunaga has gathered a full division and left the village."
A chuunin entered. "Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Great Elder requests an audience."
"Send the ANBU away," Hiruzen said. The masked shinobi vanished. The door closed, and an old man entered. Uchiha Sora, the clan's Great Elder.
Without a word, Sora handed the Hokage Renji's letter.
"Impulsive youths," he said coolly. "They seek merit and glory, and have rushed headlong into trouble. But the Clan Head himself has gone to support them. Lord Hokage need not worry, our Police Force will not allow outsiders to run wild. Please wait patiently for the results."
Hiruzen read the message, then exhaled smoke from his pipe. "Good. The youth of Konoha should have such spirit. With the Clan Head himself on the move, nothing should go wrong. Elder, you need not worry too much."
Sora bowed slightly. "I thank Lord Hokage for his understanding. I will not disturb you further."
He left silently. Hiruzen watched his back disappear down the hall, then whispered under his breath as smoke curled from his lips.
"Uchiha…"
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