"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
"Target captured! Kairen, how did you know he'd use Water Release?" Uchiha Retsu asked excitedly, his voice echoing over the rippling surface.
Kairen smiled faintly. "A ninja heading toward the Land of Hot Springs wouldn't be from the Wind or Land of Earth, even if they split their forces. That means they're either from the Kumogakure or the Kirigakure. On water, both Lightning and Water Release users have the upper hand.
"Especially after you revealed we're from the Uchiha clan. Most Uchiha favor Fire and Lightning Release — where else would he run but into the water? Besides, my jutsu already forced him straight toward your clone. Lucky thing you can use the Water Prison, or this would've been a lot messier."
Retsu chuckled sheepishly. "Heh, this Water Prison only works in water, so don't count on it too often. Anyway — should we kill him straight away, or ask questions first?"
"No chance for either. Look." Kairen pointed toward the water sphere.
Inside the shimmering globe, the captured ninja had already coughed up blood — dead by his own hand.
"Finish it," Kairen said quietly. "We need to move — and find Honō. Whatever these people are hiding, they're willing to die for it. I don't think this is something we can handle on our own anymore. Your birthday gift might have to wait." Retsu frowned, his tone heavy with worry.
Kairen exhaled sharply, brow furrowed. "If my timing's right, the patrolling clansman should've already called for reinforcements. What we need to do now is stay close, track their direction, and, if necessary, intercept or delay them. Come on. Mark the area — we're going to support Honō."
Even as he turned, his expression tightened further. He had to get there — fast.
---
While Kairen and Retsu were springing their ambush, Uchiha Honō was quietly tailing the bearded man and his two companions. Both moved swiftly — especially the bearded one, who carried a huge wooden crate on his back yet ran as if the weight meant nothing.
Definitely no ordinary smuggler.
Honō had just finished leaving his markers when a group of more than ten figures appeared ahead.
The bearded man handed the crate to one of them. That ninja opened it — and inside was a young girl. He slung her over his shoulder, and five ninja immediately dashed off with her.
Among them was the same girl who'd been selling fish earlier. Judging by her build, she was about the same size as the girl now being carried away. She jumped into the empty crate herself, while the bearded man and several others headed in the opposite direction. A few remaining ninja followed after the group that had just left.
"So they're... abducting someone?" Honō muttered. "Guess I'll have to give up on the bearded guy."
He left a brightly visible mark in the bearded man's direction — the standard tracking signal used by Konoha ninjas. In the other two directions, he planted Uchiha-specific marks along with their team's private codes, then moved to pursue the two diverging squads.
---
Meanwhile, back in the village —
"Yasuyuki-sama? I'm Uchiha Danten. Your son and his two teammates left this letter for you. They departed from the Konoha gates about an hour ago," said a young man dressed in the Uchiha clan uniform, respectfully handing over a folded letter.
"Oh? A letter from that rascal Kairen?" The man — a handsome, easygoing uncle type — grinned. "Off gallivanting outside instead of coming home — his mother's gonna tan his hide for this, haha!"
He smirked mischievously, then clapped the messenger on the shoulder. "You're Uchiha Achi's boy, aren't you? Tell your old man we'll have a drink together sometime."
"Yes, sir. My father is indeed Uchiha Achi. Then, Yasuyuki-sama, I'll take my leave."
He bowed politely, departing with the calm grace of a born aristocrat.
As Yasuyuki finished reading the letter, his expression hardened. Turning to a nearby clansman, he said, "Find Ankoku. Also — gather First Division at the village gate."
Moments later, his brother arrived.
"Something's wrong, brother. I've already assembled First Division at the gate. Here, take a look." He handed the letter over.
Uchiha Nobunaga quickly skimmed it, his eyes narrowing. "Hoshi — take this to the Great Elder. Tell him Yasuyuki and I are leading First Division out. The village is under his command until we return."
A beautiful Uchiha woman took the letter, nodded, and vanished in a flicker — the Body Flicker Technique.
---
In the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat behind his desk as an ANBU operative finished his report.
"Hokage-sama, three minutes ago, the Uchiha Clan Leader mobilized an entire division and left the village."
A chunin entered, bowing. "Hokage-sama, the Uchiha Clan's Great Elder requests an audience."
Hiruzen waved a hand, dismissing the ANBU, then nodded at the chunin. The door shut quietly behind him.
Moments later, an old man stepped into the room — Uchiha Kū, the clan's Grand Elder.
Without preamble, Kū handed the letter to the Third Hokage. His voice was calm but firm.
"Some of our young ones acted rashly, eager to earn merit — I must apologize for the disturbance, Hokage-sama. The Clan Leader has already gone to provide support. Rest assured, we will not allow any disorder in front of the Konoha Military Police Force. Please, Hokage-sama, wait for word — all will be handled."
Hiruzen read the letter, then gave a genial smile. "It's good to see such spirit among Konoha's youth. Since your Clan Leader himself is involved, I'm sure it will be resolved. You needn't worry, Elder Kū."
"Thank you for your understanding, Hokage-sama. I know you must be busy — I'll take my leave."
He bowed slightly and left.
The Third Hokage watched the elder's retreating back, then silently lit his pipe. After a long pull, he exhaled a single word, low and heavy:
"Uchiha…"