Bidding farewell to Meiji and the Hellhounds, the three returned to Eagle Head Peak with joy in their steps.
They recounted the entire adventure to their companions, and excitement spread through the group. Renji pushed hard to persuade them that such a discovery deserved more than a quick signing. They should return to the clan and hold a grand ceremony. The scale, the spectacle, would shake the whole village.
No one argued. Forget the trip to the Land of Smiths, that could wait. All they wanted now was to rush home. They carried the Uzumaki father and daughter on their backs by turns to keep up the pace. If they walked step by step, it would have taken weeks.
At last they reached a secluded village near Konoha. The people seemed simple and honest, so they settled Chuta Uzumaki and his daughter Feihua there. Renji left them with money, built them a simple house, and gave Chuta an Uchiha family token. "If any ninja troubles you, show them this." He also warned the village chief, telling him these were important guests.
With that handled, the squad ran straight for Konoha, as if chased by an enemy army.
When they reached the gate, their clan brothers on watch spotted them and quickly raised the alarm. But when Renji and the others arrived, dusty and grim, they burst out laughing instead. The guards stared, confused.
Yan finally said, "Brothers, this week we'll need a clan assembly." Then they left without another word.
At the fork leading to the Uchiha compound and the Guard Division, the squad split. Yan and Retsu went to inform the elders and Teacher Sa. Duantian went to notify Teacher Ze. Xingye hurried off to find Captain Kenshi. Renji himself sprinted to the Guard Division to see his uncle, the clan head. They agreed to meet later at the Naka Shrine.
Renji practically kicked the office door open. The guard Uchiha Xing was startled. What on earth had happened?
Inside, Nobunaga Uchiha was watering his plants. Seeing his nephew storm in, he thought the worst. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Renji just laughed. "Good news, Uncle, only good news. Come back to the compound with me at once. The others are already calling everyone." As they walked, he told his uncle about the entire journey.
They hadn't even reached the compound when someone called out behind them. It was the handsome uncle, Kenshi.
"Renji, did you cause trouble again? Xing told me you returned in a rush. Did something happen?" he asked.
Renji thought, when have I ever caused trouble? Nobunaga waved his hand. "We'll hear the details at the clan compound."
Together they hurried to the Naka Shrine. The others were already waiting with elders and teachers in tow.
Renji wasted no time. He formed hand seals, slammed his palm down, and with a puff of smoke a giant hound appeared. The beast spoke. "Master, do you require me?"
The Uchiha gasped. A massive black hound that spoke like a man.
Renji blinked. "Where is Meiji? Who are you?" He had expected the three-headed Hellhound, but only one beast had arrived.
The hound grinned, baring fangs. "I am Blackclaw. You didn't use enough chakra. To summon Lord Meiji, you'd need far more. But since you called his name, he sent me. I'm the strongest of our tier."
Renji smiled. "Then Blackclaw, explain to my clan. Tell them of your people, how contracts are made, and what your powers are."
"Gladly. We are a branch of the Hellhound Clan, descended from ancestors who came here long ago and bred with the ninja hounds of this realm.
Our high chief is Roxy, and the leader who entered your world is Meiji. Your kin must have Renji's permission to form individual equal contracts with us.
Our contracts bind through the soul. Only those with eyes like yours can survive it. Without them, both hound and human will die.
All our kin can speak your tongue. We are born of wind. Those who awaken may grow into three-headed hounds like our chief, or else into larger forms able to wield Wind Release. The unawakened are stronger than normal dogs but cannot sign contracts."
The clan listened with rapt attention.
Renji patted Blackclaw's head. "Thank you. Return for now. Tell Meiji that soon we will invite your clan here for a great signing."
The hound licked Renji's face once before vanishing back to the Summoning Realm.
Renji turned to the elders. "That is our harvest. Not only did we gain a fine blade, we also secured a summoning scroll. The Hellhounds have agreed to allow us contracts. Most of our clan carries fire affinity. With their wind, our strength doubles.
Our scouting, too, will be greatly enhanced. But only those with awakened eyes may sign."
The elders flushed red with excitement. Nobunaga's eyes shone. Kenshi laughed aloud, clapping Renji's shoulder. "With these hounds, we can even strengthen bonds with the Inuzuka. We'll be united as one village."
Renji spoke boldly. "Think further. Imagine each awakened Uchiha paired with a hound. Together they would form tracking and assault teams, specialists in reconnaissance, genjutsu breaking, and assassination.
And those with three tomoe—if they contract powerful hounds—they become wolf cavalry. Imagine a squad of Sharingan wolf riders, charging across miles, striking down enemy leaders in the heart of their armies. Unstoppable."
No one scolded him for speaking out of turn. The vision was too vivid. The dream of Uchiha glory stirred every heart.
"Elders, teachers, Uncle. The next step is a clan assembly. We must hold a Great Summoning Ceremony.
Though the contracts need Sharingan, there are other strong-willed clans. We must claim this power for ourselves before anyone else."
"Agreed. The assembly will be called at once. Every clansman must attend."
"Tomorrow morning, the Summoning Ceremony will be held. By dawn, Konoha will witness Uchiha brilliance."
Renji confirmed with Meiji through their soul-link. Nearly a hundred clansmen had awakened Sharingan. They would need at least a hundred hounds, plus several awakened beasts like Blackclaw.
The answer was yes. It could be done.
The Uchiha scoured the village, gathering every blank contract scroll they could find, hundreds in total. Some joked they should stockpile extras for future generations.
Renji summoned Blackclaw once more, sending scrolls back to the Summoning Realm to prepare. The hounds would sign and return by morning, ready for the ceremony.
The news spread like wildfire. Many Uchiha didn't sleep that night. Awakened eyes gleamed red in the dark, heading toward Naka Shrine. Even those without Sharingan stayed awake, their eyes red from exhaustion and excitement, eager to witness history.
At dawn, the Sharingan clansmen stepped forward before the whole clan. Each took up a scroll and signed their names.
The elders and clan head spoke, voices full of pride. "From this day forward, the Uchiha and Hellhounds are one. Live together, fight together, die together, rise together."
Renji stood at the front, leading the rite. "Today is sacred. From now on, the Uchiha shall have loyal, faithful, and fierce companions.
These are not pets. These are comrades. They are part of our strength. We will share triumph and glory as one."
He raised his hand. "Now, before summoning, link your souls with your partners. Learn their names. Speak to them. When the bond is formed, we begin."
The clansmen closed their eyes, connecting across the spirit. Renji waited, then gave the signal. "Prepare. Summoning Jutsu."
Puff. Puff. Puff. Puff.
Smoke erupted everywhere. When it cleared, the shrine grounds were filled with hounds. The beasts roared together, "Awooo!"
The Uchiha stared in awe. Some of the beasts were larger than houses, the smallest still taller than a man.
A roar of pride erupted from every throat. "Aaahhh!"
The Uchiha clan had become something new, something unstoppable.
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