The battle ended quickly. Several Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan had joined, though those with such eyes couldn't remain outside the village for long without raising suspicion. Still, there were some exceptions.
One of them was Renji's mother, the Crimson Spider Lily, Uchiha Ran.
As the Uchiha worked to clear the battlefield, the Root bodies were carried away, the outpost was staged as having been attacked, corpses burned and faces destroyed.
Ran placed her hand gently on her son's shoulder. "Do not burden yourself with guilt. Those patrol shinobi may not have been as innocent as they seemed. That captain who told you to keep your distance, he was really trying to ensure Root clashed with you, not them."
Renji smiled faintly. "You think too much, Mother. I feel no guilt. They came to seize me, so of course I resisted. As for the patrol, they brought it on themselves by mouthing off. If they hadn't provoked us, Root likely would've waited until we moved on."
After the scene was cleaned, he bid farewell to his mother, and the squad pressed on toward the Land of Grass.
Clink — Danzō's teacup hit the table. "An entire unit, gone? Vanished without a trace? What about the Uchiha? Any movement? What of the agents we planted on the border? And those children, where are they?"
The kneeling shinobi reported, "The unit and the spies are all unresponsive. The Uchiha show no unusual activity. Their elites still take missions and return on schedule. As for those youngsters, a message from Grass says they've arrived at Kusagakure."
"Useless. Send more to the border. I want answers. Alive or dead, bring me proof. As for those Uchiha brats, forget them," Danzō ordered darkly.
The squad delivered their message to the client, completing the mission. Since it was their first time in Kusagakure, they decided to look around before searching for the Grass Cutter Sword.
Walking through foreign streets, Renji felt a touch of homesickness. Then he noticed a red-haired girl helping her father sell wares by the roadside. Both shared the same crimson hair. The girl was tending a wounded puppy. She pricked her own finger and let a drop of blood fall into the pup's mouth, glancing around nervously to make sure no one saw.
Renji's eyes narrowed. He recalled another red-haired girl—Karin Uzumaki. Judging by her age, this one must be Karin's mother. The man beside her was her grandfather.
He stepped forward quickly. "Your kindness could get you killed. My name is Renji Uchiha. Greetings, Uzumaki clan."
The father's eyes sharpened with suspicion. He saw the Konoha forehead protector, but trust did not come easily.
Renji continued, "I saw your ability. I'll keep your secret, but not everyone here would. This is Kusagakure, a place steeped in corruption. Their shinobi dissect foreign jutsu and steal what they can. With your gifts, they won't hesitate to lock you in a lab. Old man, you'll die there. Your daughter will be reduced to a tool, a breeder or a medical specimen."
The man's face tightened. "What do you want? We have nothing left to offer Konoha. Please, leave us be."
Renji laughed. "No. I can't watch you die. I'll help you. Tell me your names and come with me. This isn't a request. If you refuse, you already know the outcome."
Fear filled their eyes, but they had no choice but to follow him.
When they reached the lodging, the squad was already gathered. Yan was setting food on the table when they noticed the red-haired pair behind Renji.
Xingye frowned. "Renji, your talent is rare in the clan. The elders will never allow you to be with an Uzumaki girl. Best give up now."
Retsu added, "He's right. The purer the Uchiha bloodline, the greater the chance of awakening the eyes. Do you want your children to be born blind to our power?"
Yan chuckled. "You two think too much. He probably just realized they're Uzumaki and wants to take them back to the village."
Duantian eyed the girl and smirked. "Renji has good taste." Whether he meant her looks or something else was unclear.
Renji sighed at his teammates' assumptions. "I plan to take them back to the Fire Country, but not to Konoha. Any suggestions?"
Retsu said, "If not the village, then head for the Fire Country itself."
Xingye offered, "Take them to Tanzaku Town. Crowded, chaotic, easier to stay hidden."
Duantian said, "There are small villages near Konoha. Hardly anyone goes there. That's safer."
Yan said, "Why not the Fire Temple? It's secure, and the monks are friendly."
Renji turned to the father and daughter. "You heard them. Where do you want to go? And earlier I asked your names."
The man finally replied. "I am Uzumaki Chuta. This is my daughter, Uzumaki Feihua. I think the small village near Konoha would be best."
"Fine. We have other business first. Travel with us, then we'll see you safely there," Renji said.
The next day, the squad set out in search of the Grass Cutter Sword.
"It should be this cliff. The eagle-shaped peak," Retsu said.
Renji gazed up. "Looks right. This is Eagle Head Peak. Duantian, Retsu, and I will descend. The rest of you keep watch." He gave them a hand signal.
The three tied ropes and descended the cliff. At the bottom lay a pool of water. They dove in, swam to the center, and found a submerged tunnel. Renji placed a weighted shuriken to anchor their rope, then they dove deeper, threading the line through before swimming inside.
They emerged into another cavern, surfacing to find a massive stone statue. Climbing onto it, they discovered a hidden lever behind its ear. Pulling it revealed a passage in the shoulder.
Inside, murals lined the walls. At the top of the stairs stood three sword boxes and a massive scroll. Before them was a stone stele that read:
"Here I slew Yamata no Orochi. I command the Hellhound clan to guard this place for all generations. He who takes my blade shall bind his clan to deathly loyalty."
Retsu eagerly opened the boxes. Two were empty. Only the left box held a blade. He reached for it, but his hand passed through. Duantian tried as well, even activating his Sharingan, but found he couldn't even touch the box itself.
Renji closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged on the dais. He recalled the calm of fishing with his grandfather, his mind like still water. He sensed it was a test. Rising suddenly, he drew with empty hands at his waist. "Iai, Cut the Void. One Sword Style, Godspeed." He moved, blade or not, his strikes cutting through the air.
He ran through his full kata, then blindfolded himself and practiced basic sword drills until his breathing steadied.
Finally, he said, "Let's go. I've taken it." He pulled his hand downward, and a blade materialized in his grasp. With a heavy thud, a scroll dropped to the ground before him.
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