Cloud Village fulfilled their promise.
The day after the instructional battle ended, Konoha shinobi were permitted using the village's external backup training ground number eleven. The venue possessed complete facilities in a secluded location, very suitable for undisturbed training.
After witnessing the squad leader's displayed power, Konoha genin's training enthusiasm obviously increased considerably. At least when sweating profusely, the gloom from team competition defeats seemed somewhat diluted.
As for opponent Darui, he probably was not greatly affected.
At least in Shuji's view, this was so.
On training's first day near conclusion, as Konoha members prepared returning to lodging, Shuji noticed one person standing in shadows around the training ground's perimeter. It was Darui. He did not approach, merely standing there quietly.
"Raikage-sama said I am very fortunate." Darui's voice came, less of the usual laziness, more calmness. "Being able to encounter a sufficiently powerful, worthy-to-chase target when needing to clarify paths."
"Thank you for your instruction, Shuji-san."
After speaking, he turned and departed.
Afterward, surroundings of Konoha's temporary lodging became noticeably quieter. Those Cloud shinobi who previously appeared intermittently with scrutinizing gazes almost no longer appeared.
When genin training entered proper tracks, Shuji redirected partial attention back to that matter temporarily shelved due to Chūnin Exams.
After submitting detailed action reports noting predetermined routes, stopping points, plus emergency contact methods, Uchiha Enblade finally obtained village departure permission, beginning solo execution of the so-called "tracking stolen Sharingan" mission.
Initially, he proceeded along Fire Country's southeastern direction according to submitted action plans.
Seemingly just seeking stolen Sharingan leads.
Behind him, one ANBU squad followed from afar, ensuring Uchiha Enblade's whereabouts remained under control. At least the initial stage proceeded this smoothly.
Uchiha Enblade's travel route basically matched his reported plans. Perhaps slight deviations occurred midway due to intelligence gathering needs, but all within reasonably explainable scopes.
However, this "smoothness" did not last long.
Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade received emergency intelligence transmitted back through summoning beasts. Uchiha Enblade, after entering one terrain-complex forested area, lost his trail.
The tailing ANBU squad conducted emergency searches but failed finding any effective traces he left, as if evaporating into thin air.
Soon, summoned Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi simultaneously appeared in the office.
Tsunade placed the intelligence scroll on the desk, hands crossed supporting her chin.
"The scene shows no battle traces. ANBU are further investigating possibilities of him being taken away through special methods." She stated known information. "However, if evidence supporting this speculation cannot be found, then Uchiha Enblade has defection suspicions."
Kakashi pondered briefly before proposing different views. "If he truly planned defecting, actually no need repeatedly submitting applications, awaiting this formal duty opportunity."
Uchiha Enblade served in Police Force for years, plus possessed three-tomoe Sharingan. Wanting to defect and leave the village proved not that troublesome for him.
"I believe he perhaps precisely chose departing under formal mission pretenses for subsequently having reasonable explanations, smoothly returning to the village."
"Therefore, contact methods he left must enable contacting him. Otherwise, even if ultimately he has many seemingly appropriate reasons, prolonged unreasonable loss of contact means wanting to return to the village again requires strict interrogation and review."
"By that time, his true action trajectories and purposes outside the village prove even harder hiding."
"Therefore, might as well try activating emergency contact plans he left, conducting one probe. This perhaps lets us confirm whether he remains within controllable ranges or at least obtain some clues," Kakashi proposed.
After contemplating, Uchiha Itachi said, "Matters Enblade must leave the village accomplishing are few."
"Excluding circumstances where his trip's main purpose truly seeks stolen Sharingan, then another greater possibility is he needs contacting someone outside."
He paused before supplementing. "Or, contacting certain people currently not in the village."
Kakashi thought of Uchiha who had been external since last year, saying, "Fire Capital. Shisui leading Uchiha squads executing daimyo protection missions outside."
"These are groups closely related to Uchiha Enblade, but as long as he does not leave the village, he cannot directly contact."
Those currently monitored by Shisui, Uchiha radicals.
Moreover, at jōnin travel speeds, distances from village to Fire Capital could completely achieve rapid round trips within one day. This meant even if the village now urgently activated contact methods he left, Uchiha Enblade could respond within stipulated time limits, if he wished.
Hearing this, Tsunade frowned. Radicals losing influence contacting other radicals executing external missions. Just thinking about this, one knew this probably would not produce positive results.
"Immediately do two things." Tsunade swiftly decided. "First, dispatch people notifying Shisui, having him heighten vigilance, especially noting movements of Uchiha members in his squad. Report any abnormalities immediately."
"Second, have ANBU activate emergency contact plans Uchiha Enblade left, transmitting information: the village has grasped some new leads regarding Sharingan theft. He needs replying immediately."
"You are not Madara-sama."
Facing that man wearing spiral tiger-striped masks with long hair, Uchiha Enblade stated with certainty.
When that bizarre pitcher plant creature calling itself "Zetsu" soundlessly appeared in his home, his first reaction was spewing flames to burn it.
However, one item the other party produced made him suppress this thought. One well-preserved Sharingan belonging to his deceased comrade.
Messages Zetsu brought regarding the Uchiha clan's current state and future, regarding Konoha leadership's "conspiracy," indeed touched anxieties and unwillingness deep within his heart.
Though doubting the identity of that "Uchiha Madara-sama" Zetsu mentioned, to explore possible paths for the clan or at least clarify the other party's true purposes, Uchiha Enblade decided risking leaving the village for one meeting.
Upon seeing this masked man at first glance, he could almost confirm this person was not Uchiha Madara.
Because Uchiha Madara did not need wearing masks, hiding head and tail.
"Whether is or is not, use your eyes to confirm, Uchiha Enblade."
A low voice came from beneath the mask.
Next moment, that sole eye's pupil form abruptly changed.
Uchiha Enblade widened his eyes.
This was... Mangekyō Sharingan...
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild