After giving his gifts, Renji headed to Konoha's main gate, where four Uchiha were waiting. They were Uchiha Duantian, Uchiha Retsu, Uchiha Yan, and Uchiha Xingye. Together with Renji, they formed a temporary squad. Their first stop was the Land of Grass to complete a mission, then they would travel to the Land of Smiths to forge new weapons.
The reason Renji had gifted his younger brother Fugaku his sword was because he found it no longer suited him. When channeling chakra into it, the flow felt sluggish.
Others had told him this meant it was time to change blades. He had also grown taller, and the sword felt short in his hands.
With his teacher Kenshi's approval, Renji passed the blade down to his brother as a form of inheritance. Still, he couldn't be without a weapon, so he borrowed another from Kenshi. Alongside that, he took on a delivery mission to the Land of Grass. His true goal, however, was to search for the legendary Grass Cutter Sword. That piece of intel had come from his uncle, who had traded for it with Orochimaru, and it seemed reliable.
So this training squad was formed. As they approached the rendezvous, Duantian walked over and whispered, "Everyone's in position." He even gave Renji a meaningful wink.
Xingye, on the other hand, felt uneasy. His own unit had no members, and unlike the others, he had been dragged into this squad against his will. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being set up. With a sigh, he prayed this mission would end safely.
After exchanging a few words, the team showed their travel permits and left the village. They walked for three days straight, nearing the border of the Fire Country.
There was a bridge nearby, along with a Konoha patrol outpost. The squad slowed down, deciding to rest there for the night.
As they approached, three patrol ninja emerged and barked, "Halt. Identify yourselves."
Renji stepped forward calmly. Being near the border, heightened vigilance was expected. "We are shinobi of Konoha, en route to the Land of Grass for a mission," he said, tossing them the mission slip.
The lead patrolman nodded after glancing at it, handed it back, and said, "You may rest nearby. The outpost is full, but we can provide food." He turned to head back.
Another patrol ninja sneered. "Uchiha, huh? Don't you usually hole up in the village like turtles? You don't look right to me. Could be enemy spies. A mission slip can be forged."
Renji smirked coldly. So that's how it was. "Ever seen the Hokage patrolling the border? Those with true skill are posted to important places. The trash gets stuck with small errands, cannon fodder no matter where they go. If you think we're enemy spies, don't just talk. Try to capture us."
Tension flared instantly. The patrol captain turned sharply. "Enough. The Hokage's documents are not fakes. We're one village, stand down."
Then to Renji, he added, "You can rest nearby, but stay away from the outpost. If you need food, send one man to fetch it."
Suddenly, a large unit of masked ninja surrounded them. From their masks, they were clearly Root operatives. A smile tugged at Renji's lips. Finally.
The Root leader announced, "Renji Uchiha, Retsu Uchiha, Yan Uchiha, and Xingye Uchiha. You are suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt on Elder Koharu. Lord Danzō requests you return to assist with the investigation."
The most shocked was Xingye. The other three were indeed involved, so their reaction was expected. But Xingye had no idea what was happening, and his face showed only confusion.
Another one unhappy with the order was Duantian. The squad had five members, yet they wanted to take four. What about him? What, not worth arresting? Looking down on him?
Renji laughed coldly. "Danzō is nothing but trash. We're not going."
Retsu stepped forward. "He suspects me? I suspect him. Maybe he had a love triangle with Koharu and Homura, and when it fell apart, he killed her in a rage. If I return to the village, maybe I should invite him to the Guard Division for questioning too."
The Root ninja drew short blades, his voice low. "So you refuse to cooperate. Don't blame us if our blades show no mercy."
The patrol captain blew the whistle at his chest, and eight more ninja appeared. He barked, "Are you trying to fight among yourselves right under our noses?"
Yan chuckled. "Captain, are you here to help us? This is like tossing a coin. Heads or tails. But you want to land it on the edge. Do you think either side will allow that?"
One border guard shouted, "I told you the Uchiha are traitors. They even dared assassinate an elder. And now they refuse Root's investigation. You think your parents can protect you here, little lord?"
Another joined in. "We've had enough of you Uchiha. If you're to be arrested, I'll gladly rough you up first."
Renji laughed wildly. "So you can't stand the sight of us? Then you don't need to look anymore. After all, corpses see nothing." His Sharingan flared to life.
At that moment, Uchiha Kuzan fired a signal. From all directions, more than twenty Uchiha emerged. Retsu's Sharingan spun as he said, "Well then, let's begin."
"Danzō, how's the investigation going?" Homura sat in the Hokage's office, turning to his old comrade.
Danzō lowered his head, thinking for a moment before replying, "No concrete results. But I suspect the Uchiha."
Homura sighed inwardly. Typical. For years, whenever Danzō failed to find proof, he blamed the Uchiha. But things were different now. Konoha needed to mend relations with them. "Danzō, the village is working to ease tensions. Baseless accusations will do no good."
Danzō's gaze sharpened. "Days before the incident, three Uchiha were leaving the village repeatedly. Afterward, they never left again. Those three were Renji, Retsu, and Yan.
And there was Xingye, wandering the streets, recruiting for his squad. But I believe he was scouting terrain. I've already sent men to bring them back."
The Hokage slammed the desk with his palm, his voice like thunder. "Danzō, do you know what you're doing? Do you not know that Jiraiya has already taken Fugaku Uchiha as his disciple, the young heir of the clan, the next head?
Do you not understand what message that sends? We are raising the next Uchiha Kagami, truly bringing the clan to our side. And you… you want to destroy all of it?"
Danzō stood, glaring at Hiruzen. "Destroy it? I'm doing what you want to do but lack the resolve for. The Uchiha have many geniuses. One Fugaku alone cannot suppress them all.
He may be called heir, but until he becomes clan head, he is nothing. One genius is enough for this generation. Everything I do is for Konoha."
"Enough. Recall your men at once. From this moment on, do not provoke the Uchiha any further," Hiruzen ordered.
Danzō turned to leave. At the doorway, he said, "You're the Hokage, I'll obey. But if the order arrives too late, and the men are already dead, there's nothing I can do." He walked out.
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