The message Uchiha Min sent out from the valley spread fast. Patrol teams, mission squads, anyone within reach dropped what they were doing and began converging.
On the third day after Renji's squad released the signal, three Uchiha arrived at the valley. Unlike before, they made no attempt to conceal themselves. They wore standard Leaf uniforms with the clan crest proudly displayed on their backs. They followed the marks to the Myoshin Institute.
One Uchiha, carrying twin blades across his back, spotted Min waiting in the courtyard. Yan was on a rocking chair, hooked up to an IV but still sunbathing. When he noticed fellow clansmen arriving, he pushed the door open. Retsu came out next, his arm in a sling.
The three newcomers froze, then immediately flared their Sharingan. The swordsman growled, "The message came from you? Who died? Was it Renji? Who did this?"
Min raised a hand calmly. "Don't get worked up. Renji's only injured. He's fine and already walking around outside. The ones who struck were Danzo's Root. Come inside, I'll explain."
Hearing that no one had died, the three eased down, closing their eyes and stepping into the house.
Before long, seven more Uchiha arrived one after another. Eighteen in total now filled the small valley. The locals quickly understood something serious was happening. Some quietly left. For them, so long as it had nothing to do with them, the safest choice was to stay out of it.
Renji returned at his own pace. At the gate he paused. Four Uchiha stood there, one of them familiar. Dropping his transformation, Renji walked up and bowed.
"Master Sa. You came too. That's a relief."
It was indeed Uchiha Sa, one of his instructors. His face, however, was dark. The message had mentioned a dead clansman. If it was not Renji, then it must have been one of the others. His tone was heavy. "Renji. Who was it?"
"Who? No one. Our squad ran into a Root ambush on a mission. We barely made it out alive. Every one of us was seriously injured, and we were certain at the time we wouldn't survive. That's why the message was sent. But we're all still here."
Sa let out a breath and waved them deeper into the valley.
Inside the Myoshin Institute, Renji was struck by the sight. Counting his own team, there were now eighteen Uchiha gathered. He had always known his clan spoke often of family, but he hadn't realized how real that bond was until now. One message and they had all come.
The swordsman walked up, looked Renji over, then placed a hand on his head with a rare smile. "Renji. The moment I got the word, I rushed here. Seeing you safe is all I needed."
He leaned closer, voice cold. "We already passed the news back through special channels. Listen well. Since the day our clan was founded, no one has ever dared touch an Uchiha and walked away without consequence. Whoever did this will pay." His Sharingan spun slowly, crimson tomoe gleaming.
Renji grinned. "Revenge on the same day. I like it. Uncle, you made it just in time. Honestly, I've been worried. If the enemy got here before you, we'd be in real trouble."
The twin-blade Uchiha chuckled. "They won't be arriving. Because they are already dead."
The room filled with quiet, cruel laughter.
Renji's eyes widened for a moment, then he laughed too. So this was the clan's temper. Learn who the enemy is, then strike them down without hesitation. Truly Uchiha.
A clan like this, he thought, is worth everything. I'll protect them, no matter what. His chest felt warm.
Back at the Uchiha compound, the elders and leaders were gathered. Normally in conflicts with the Hokage's faction, some would argue for negotiation or compromise. But not this time. Even Uchiha Takuma, who usually pushed for dialogue, now wished he could personally cut down Danzo.
The three elders who favored compromise were shouting the loudest, demanding the annihilation of the Shimura clan. Even such a minor house was being dragged onto the stage. The Great Elder, however, remained calm. This was exactly what he had hoped for.
This was the point of forming Renji's squad from the beginning. If the Leaf leadership never made a move, then there would always be voices inside the clan calling for peace. That was natural. But the moment anyone dared strike, it became all or nothing. One tug on the thread and the entire clan rose together.
For that, the elder thought, thank you, Shimura Danzo.
At the clan council, the Uchiha leader, Nobunaga, tried to play mediator. But the hall had devolved into a shouting match, a trial against Danzo in all but name. Still, decisions had to be made. Amid the fury, strategy was set and orders given.
Even ordinary villagers noticed something strange. The streets were empty of Uchiha. In fact, hardly any ninja at all could be seen. Shops closed their doors, pedestrians hurried home. The air was thick with tension.
In the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura berated Danzo. Koharu tried to smooth things over. Danzo ranted about Uchiha betrayal. Orochimaru was lost in thought, Jiraiya napped in his chair.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed calmly on his pipe. When the bickering dragged on, he cut in. "Danzo, you went too far. The Uchiha will not see this as your action alone. They will believe it was decided by the entire leadership. Some things can be done, but you cannot allow the victims to knock on our door. We are one village. Enough talk of treason. What Uchiha want right now is an explanation. Show enough sincerity, and this will be settled."
An ANBU appeared. "Lord Hokage. The Uchiha clan head and the Great Elder are here. Outside the building there are also over a dozen jōnin."
An hour later, the Uchiha departed. The village streets once again echoed with the steps of the Police Force.
At the Uchiha compound, Nobunaga sat across from the Great Elder.
"This time we achieved at least some gains," Nobunaga offered.
The elder sneered. "Gains? A true clan head does not wag his tail for scraps. You sent Min's squad into the valley, gave them missions in the Land of Waves, and dangled them right in front of Danzo. With his nature, of course he'd bite. We had our people nearby, ready to strike at any Root that moved. That was the plan. And what did we get? A little money, a few promotions to jōnin, some token compensation. Pathetic.
"For nearly killing your own nephew and my grandson, all Danzo received was confinement and an order to hand over half of Root. Half. Who decides the number? Who checks? It is nothing. The punishment does not match the crime. This is not over."
Nobunaga flushed red, but he couldn't refute his grandfather. He bowed his head and said, "Then let's go further. Since we claimed it was rogue missing-nin in the valley, let's wipe out the valley itself. Burn Danzo's money pit to the ground."
The Great Elder's stern face finally cracked into a grin. "Yes. Hit him where it hurts. Slap him hard."
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