A squad of Uchiha entered the valley and walked straight toward Mingxin Courtyard. On the way they met several clansmen, exchanging warm greetings.
Inside the courtyard they pushed open the door and said, "Call everyone back. Orders from the clan have arrived." Shadows flickered and several figures vanished instantly.
Soon thirty seven Uchiha had gathered, almost enough to rival some small clans. Pride filled their hearts at the sight of so many gathered together.
One of them handed a sealed scroll to Uchiha Min. He opened it in front of everyone, glanced at the contents, and said, "Squad leaders, inside with me. Everyone else stand guard."
The leaders entered the house and passed the scroll around. Min spoke calmly. "Since the clan has made its decision, we will execute it with everything we have. Here is the map our people scouted over the last two days. The most difficult target is here, the far left side of the valley. On the surface it looks like a merchant guild, but it is actually a Root branch that handles supplies and intelligence. Their numbers are unknown and there may be hidden passages. I, Sa, Ryo, and Kirito will take responsibility. We will draw men from each squad."
The meeting lasted over an hour. When the leaders emerged, every Uchiha outside carried a solemn expression. Min raised his voice. "The clan has spoken. The village has already given us a statement, but the clan has judged that this valley is also responsible for ambushing our squad. Therefore the valley will cease to exist. Everyone inside must be killed. The valley will be erased from the map."
The captains barked orders and squads assembled. Each leader laid out a battle plan.
Retsu and Yan were ordered to remain at Mingxin Courtyard, where the doctor and his daughter were spared. Two chunin and two flexible support squads stayed behind as reserve.
Renji at first was also told to remain, but he refused. He begged his uncle Kirito the twin-blade wielder, then pestered his two teachers, and finally managed to sway Ryo as well. In the end he forced his way into the assault team heading for Root's stronghold.
The battle began. The valley became a war zone with no escape. Renji charged in with his squad, staying behind several three-tomoe veterans, his own two-tomoe eyes spinning.
Though younger and less skilled, he proved useful. He threw up earth walls to cover allies, used wind to strengthen their flames, and darted across the battlefield lending support wherever needed. His energy and eagerness to avenge the clan won approving glances. A boy like this, adaptable and dependable, was easy to love.
The so-called merchant guild fell quickly. Many of its men and records had already been evacuated, but the Uchiha pressed hard. A hidden passage was uncovered. Two squads were left behind to sweep it while the rest moved to reinforce other fights.
Back at the valley mouth, the reserve squads shifted position, ready to intercept. Smoke and fire blanketed the valley as one squad after another returned victorious. Renji was awed. Not a single casualty. For the first time he grasped directly how terrifyingly strong the Uchiha truly were.
As they regrouped, someone suggested leaving a mark. Renji thought they meant a photograph, but instead thirty Uchiha lined up and unleashed torrents of fire together. Fireballs, fire dragons, streams of flame roared into the valley until it became an inferno.
Renji watched his clansmen laughing and shouting as the valley burned. For some reason it reminded him of children sneaking off to relieve themselves against a wall together.
The Uchiha marched home in triumph. Along the road, younger members kept challenging Renji to spar. He accepted every time, winning most matches and losing only a few. By the end he was undefeated. Friendships were forged, tricks were shared, and by the time they reached Konoha they looked like heroes returning from war.
At the village gates nearly the entire clan had gathered. Patrols had been called off. It looked as if Konoha had just won another great war. Parents swept up their children like kindergartners being picked up from school, laughing and chatting as they walked back to the compound.
Renji's father studied him carefully, certain his son had grown taller, older. His mother, Uchiha Lan, clutched his shoulder so tightly it seemed she feared he would vanish if she let go. Renji knew how worried she must have been.
At home he and his father ate lunch nervously, afraid to spark his mother's anger. Afterward Lan handed her husband a shopping list and sent him out with a basket. He shot Renji a look that said good luck, then slipped out.
Lan turned to her son. "Your father is a fool and always will be. Do not learn from him. His strength is decent, his heart is straightforward, but his political sense is like a newborn. While others scheme against us, he is still celebrating."
Renji assumed she meant the village leadership and nodded. "Father is simple, but yes, the high council was blatant this time."
Lan smiled. "Even my proud little Renji is still a child. Sometimes I forget and treat you like an adult, but you are still my treasure."
Renji blushed and looked at her expectantly.
She grew serious. "Your teacher Min once fought beside your uncle. Your team was formed at the suggestion of the Great Elder. The mission was taken by Min, and any mission is checked against intelligence. He knew what he was leading you into. That spy was real or false, but the valley was no ordinary place. It sits in the heart of the Fire Country. People call it a black market. In Konoha every bright and noble act has the Third Hokage's hand. Every dirty and ugly act is done by someone else. Who do you think that is?"
Renji frowned, thinking.
"They sent you youngsters into the valley as bait. Do you think the enemy would resist? Around the same time, too many Uchiha happened to be on missions nearby. We are the police force. It is rare for so many of us to be out at once. The timing was no accident.
"The moment news of your ambush spread, Root outposts and investigation squads heading for the valley were all struck. They knew every detail. Do you really believe they did not know the valley was compromised? No, the high council nearly overplayed their hand. They underestimated how hungry that old dog was. He sent far too many men."
Renji listened intently. He realized he had ignored this perspective before. His focus had always been on Konoha, never on watching his own clan's leaders.
Lan nodded when she saw he understood. "Destroying the valley afterward was simply to disgust the council and ruin one of that old dog's money pits. He was punished, but only with house arrest and handing over part of his men. It was nothing. Dangerous people like him always hide and wait.
"As for your reward, the same as before. Go to the Third and ask for jutsu. This time he will give you the next scroll. The rest goes to the clan. Do you see now, my little one?"
Renji lowered his head in thought. For the first time, the world of politics felt as dangerous as any battlefield.
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