"Renji, are you serious about reorganizing the Guardian Twelve? Restructuring them isn't a problem, and letting White Fang lead the process is fine. But if you wipe out Yama Valley, that means declaring war on Danzō. Will the clan really agree to that?" Retsu asked, worry in his voice.
Renji smirked.
"You're right about one thing. Yes, it means war with Danzō. But not with the Uchiha. It'll be the Guardians. The Guardians formed by White Fang. If this works, the Hokage faction will be too busy fighting themselves."
Yan's eyes lit up. "That's perfect. Let them clash while we watch."
Duantian leaned forward.
"We should bring in the Hyūga. They're an ancient clan, with an estate here in Fire Country and close ties to many nobles. They respect the daimyo. Even if they don't openly oppose the Hokage faction, at least they won't just sit on the sidelines."
Retsu crossed his arms.
"And the Uzumaki. Invite them too, if only to disgust the Hokage faction. Let the whole country remember how Konoha abandoned them."
Xingye joined in, his grin sly.
"Then add the Inuzuka. They're already following our lead closely. No reason to leave them behind."
The five of them bounced ideas back and forth until they returned to the Uchiha estate. They reported everything to the Second Elder, then summoned their giant hounds, sending word back to the village through the summoning realm.
Meanwhile in Konoha, the Hokage's office was deep in debate.
"The daimyo wants Sakumo to reorganize the Guardians. What do you all think?" Hiruzen asked, his tone calm.
Jiraiya picked his nose lazily.
"If the daimyo wants it, let him have it. Sakumo leading the effort doesn't mean he'll be one of them. Doesn't bother me."
Orochimaru leaned against the wall, sounding detached. "The Guardians' job is to protect the daimyo. Whoever organizes them, it changes nothing."
Koharu nodded. "Better we appoint them than the daimyo doing it himself."
Danzō said nothing. Neither supporting, nor opposing.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, then nodded.
"So be it. Summon Sakumo when we're done here. He'll take the task."
Hatake Sakumo returned home with the Hokage's orders, but before he could even plan, the Uchiha and the sword clans arrived together.
Uchiha Nobunaga spoke first, not wasting words. He laid out the situation, then placed a signed document on the table. A roster. A declaration of support.
It bore the seals of the Uchiha, the sword clans, the Inuzuka, the Uzumaki, and even the Hyūga.
"Every clan on this list stands behind you," Nobunaga said firmly. "This isn't only about reorganizing the Guardians.
We believe in you, Sakumo. You've earned the daimyo's trust. The next step… may not be far away."
Sakumo felt the weight of their support. He clasped his hands together.
"You honor me. The new Guardians will depend on all of you."
The room filled with laughter and relief.
By the next day, Sakumo had drafted his roster:
Uchiha Renji, Uchiha Duantian
Hyūga Tenrai, Hyūga Harushō
Inuzuka Shū
Moonlight Baixiaosheng
Oda Yoshinobu
Uzuki Hatsuhito
Uzumaki Zhiyuan, Uzumaki Meitoku
Hatake Yasuo
Kūmyō of the Fire Temple
He handed the list to Hiruzen.
"The daimyo personally requested Uchiha, Uzumaki, Hyūga, and the Fire Temple. I've spoken to them; they accepted gladly.
The others mostly volunteered. Their strength is reliable. Except for the monk, every one of them is a Konoha shinobi."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Well done, Sakumo. Proceed."
Sakumo bowed. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As Sakumo departed, Hiruzen studied the names. He had expected the Uchiha and the sword clans. But the Uzumaki, clinging to survival, made sense.
The Hyūga, however, gave him pause. Their stance would need watching. He exhaled smoke.
Are you rushing too far ahead, Sakumo?
The daimyo himself examined the roster. For a moment, he was stunned. The boy had done it in a single day. Hyūga, Uzumaki… all that was missing was Senju, and the four great clans of the Warring States would be assembled again.
His grip on the parchment tightened.
"Excellent," the daimyo said, smiling broadly. "This list covers all sides. Don't think I'm blind, I know what each of these clans brings."
Renji stepped forward, his voice strong.
"You may rest easy, Daimyo. Each clan will establish a residence here in the capital. Though we are twelve Guardians, we represent eight clans and the Fire Temple.
"The Uzumaki will set protective barriers around your palace. The Hyūga and Inuzuka, along with the Uzumaki, will form a triangular shield around your estate.
Kūmyō of the Fire Temple will reside here with you. The rest of us will be stationed nearby, with rotating squads and hidden posts.
"And our hounds will guard your palace day and night. You will be protected on all sides."
The Guardian Twelve were officially reformed. Even the remnants of the Uzumaki, now just a dozen souls, seemed filled with hope. For them, this was better than wandering as tools.
Renji naturally wore the captain's insignia. The strongest led. Kūmyō, though powerful, was a monk.
He had no desire to command shinobi, only to continue his practice.
Renji had expected the Hyūga to make noise, but they surprised him. The clan chose to flow with the tide, sending branch members to serve quietly.
Why risk exposure when you could ride the strongest current?
The new Guardians divided into three rotating squads. The Hyūga and Uzumaki took turns staying overnight in the palace.
Each clan placed hidden sentries around the estate. And the Uchiha hounds circled the daimyo's mansion at all hours.
The Guardian Twelve had been reborn.
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