Chapter 72: The Eve of the Retreat
The atmosphere in the courtyard had changed. Fugaku knew that the clan was now largely in agreement. The extremists were a minority. Most were not so stubborn as to ignore the reality of their situation. The survival of the clan was paramount. Revenge could wait.
He looked at the eight elders. Most of them met his gaze and nodded.
He had made his decision.
Itachi's death had changed him. He was no longer the indecisive man he had once been.
"I see that the Cloud is sincere," he said, his voice ringing with a newfound authority. "This is a momentous decision for our clan, but under the circumstances, we cannot hold a full assembly. Therefore, it will be decided by the elite of the Uchiha, here and now. All those in favor of leaving Konoha and joining the Hidden Cloud, raise your right hand."
Shisui was the first to raise his hand.
One by one, the others followed.
It was unanimous.
"Go back to your homes," Fugaku commanded. "Tell the others to pack their things. We are leaving Konoha. Take only what is necessary. Everything else is to be abandoned."
The retreat of two or three thousand people would not go unnoticed. They would have to travel light.
"We cannot wait until everyone is ready," Fugaku said to the remaining elders and Shisui. "The women, children, and elderly will leave first. Gen'seki, Kaseki, you will lead them. Ten of our elite Jōnin and half of our chunin will go with you as an escort. Shisui, you know the barrier's password. They should be able to get out undetected. You will have two or three hours to get them to a safe location."
"The second group will be the rest of our able-bodied members. They will carry the food supplies. Shisui and Hachidai, you will lead them."
Me? Shisui thought. But I have the Mangekyō. I should be the one to stay behind.
"The last group," Fugaku said, his voice firm, "will be led by me. We will cover your retreat."
He had already accepted his fate.
"Fugaku-sama," Shisui said, his Mangekyō spinning, "the purpose of these eyes is to protect my comrades. I cannot allow you to do this."
"Shisui," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I have led this clan for nearly fifteen years, and I have led them to ruin. This is my responsibility. This is my atonement. The future of the clan must be in the hands of the young. I believe you will be a better leader than I. I must ensure your safe retreat."
"At a time like this, living requires more courage than dying, Shisui," one of the older elders said. "If we do not make it out, the burden of the Uchiha will fall to you."
"But..."
"Don't worry, Shisui," Yugito said, stepping forward. "Neji and I will remain in Konoha to assist your clan head. The rear guard may be in danger, but it is not a suicide mission."
Shisui looked at her, and then, after a long moment, he nodded.
In the early hours of the morning, at Hiruzen Sarutobi's residence, the three elders had gathered to discuss how to deal with the Uchiha.
"I suspect Fugaku was behind the Nine-Tails' attack," Danzō said, breaking the silence. "He's been hiding his Mangekyō all this time."
"That doesn't make any sense," Koharu replied. "Why would he wait five years to act? And not just Fugaku, but Shisui has a Mangekyō as well. They are both on the must-kill list. But the one behind the Nine-Tails' attack... he is an even greater threat."
"Then it must have been Shisui," Danzō snarled.
"He was only eleven or twelve at the time," Homura said. "He wouldn't have had the means or the motive."
Hiruzen knew that Danzō's accusations were baseless. But now was not the time to argue about the past.
"Fugaku and Shisui's Mangekyō are a serious threat," he said, his expression grim. "How should we deal with them?"
"We should strike now, before they can act," Danzō said. "Gather our forces and crush them."
But Hiruzen shook his head. "That would be too costly. We cannot be the ones to fire the first shot. But if they do, we can rally the other clans and crush them with the full might of the village."
"You're underestimating them, Hiruzen," Danzō warned. "They are united now. This is not the same Uchiha as before."
"And that is precisely why we must be more cautious than ever," Hiruzen replied, his voice firm. "I will not act until I have the support of the other clans."
"Hiruzen," Danzō said, a strange look in his eye, "I now possess both the Sharingan and the Wood Release. Give me the Jinchūriki. I will forge him into the ultimate weapon."
But Hiruzen would never hand Naruto over to him. The Nine-Tails was an even greater threat than the Uchiha. In Danzō's hands, it would be a disaster.
"Naruto is with Kakashi now, Danzō. You will not touch him."
Homura and Koharu immediately voiced their agreement.
Danzō fell silent, but a sinister thought crossed his mind. The Jinchūriki is with Kakashi... perhaps this is an opportunity.
The Uchiha clan was a flurry of activity. The news of the planned exodus had been met with a mixture of anger, fear, and anxiety. The elders and Jōnin worked tirelessly to convince the dissenters, analyzing the risks and benefits, appealing to their love for their families and their clan.
Fugaku found Mikoto and told her of his decision to stay behind.
"I have not been a good clan head, nor a good husband," he said, a look of deep regret in his eyes. "When you get to the new village, find a good man."
"Whatever you decide, Fugaku, I will always support you," she replied, her own eyes filled not with sadness, but with love.
He held her hand and looked at the sleeping Sasuke. "When he is older, Mikoto, tell him... never to forget what they have done to us."
Back at the inn, Yugito finally understood Neji's plan. "You're going to use the Uchiha's escape as a diversion," she said, "to sneak into the Hokage's office and steal the Scroll of Seals, and then to kidnap the Jinchūriki."
"Clever," Neji said with a grin.
He took the Kohaku no Jōhei from a storage scroll and handed it to her. "We'll split up. I'll get the scroll. You get Naruto. After that, we'll rendezvous with the Uchiha."
She nodded.
"And it's time Darui and Karui knew what was going on," he added. "When the time comes, they'll retreat with the Uchiha."