Hiashi spoke last. "Regardless, the Uchiha have now completely relinquished their former power."
"And Itachi has taken a large group with him. The village no longer has a reason to target them."
"Fugaku left us with such a parting gift. The Hyuga clan cannot be discourteous."
Hiashi paused briefly. "There are still a few Uchiha in the Police Force. Let them continue managing their own districts, and double their pay."
Then, his tone shifted. "Hizashi, besides Hinata, who else is entering the Academy this year? Is Neji among them?"
Hizashi thought for a moment. "Yes, Lord Hiashi. Besides Hinata, there is Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi..."
He recited the names of the children from the major clans, including Naruto.
"Neji is a year ahead of Hinata."
As a major clan, they would typically investigate the backgrounds of new students in advance to establish connections early and pave the way for the future.
Hiashi nodded. "Being a year ahead doesn't matter. They're in the same school. Have Neji get along well with Sasuke."
"Yes, sir!"
Ah, Hiruzen Sarutobi... I wonder if you will come to regret this?
...
Speaking of regret, the Third Hokage was indeed beginning to feel it.
He had witnessed the immense destruction firsthand and now truly understood the Uchiha's destructive power. While relieved that a true war had been averted, he was vexed, wondering why he hadn't treated the Uchiha better.
Now, the Uchiha were no longer willing to play his games.
He had received Fugaku Uchiha's resignation and letter of recommendation first thing in the morning. The resignation stated that he had failed as a clan head, leading to a clash of ideals with Itachi that caused the latter to leave Konoha. He was resigning to take responsibility and recommended Hizashi to take over the Police Force, declaring that no one else was suitable for the position.
In addition, there was a declaration of the Uchiha's relocation. Due to the damage to their compound, the Uchiha clan had decided to move five kilometers outside the village to rebuild.
This five-kilometer distance was significant. It was the maximum range of Konoha's detection barrier.
The Uchiha's message was clear: there was no need to "protect" them with the detection barrier anymore; they would be responsible for their own safety. But it also meant, "Stop monitoring us. We will be content on our own."
Since you haven't declared Itachi a rogue ninja, the Uchiha clan still belongs to Konoha. They just live a little farther away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the mountain of documents before him. He felt more exhausted than after a full day of managing village affairs. Fugaku hadn't just resigned himself; several high-ranking members of the Police Force had also resigned. Among them were the Third Elder, Takuya Uchiha, and the Fourth Elder, Yohei Uchiha, who had left the village with Itachi.
The Uchiha presence in the management level was now completely gone. Only a few Uchiha from branch families remained, holding low-level positions, and their numbers were scarce. They were likely left behind intentionally to look after the clan's assets.
In the past, the Third Hokage had gone to great lengths to confine the Uchiha to the Police Force and spread rumors to make the villagers suspicious of them, fearing that if the Uchiha grew too powerful and gained more authority, they would vie for the position of Hokage.
But now, the Uchiha had simply quit the game. You won't let the Uchiha hold power, Hokage? Fine. We no longer covet it. We give it all up.
As for Itachi Uchiha's departure, it was hard to say whether it was Fugaku's instruction or Kawasaki's scheme.
Because this move struck at Konoha's very core.
First, the Uchiha's public explanation was that someone had attempted to steal their precious Sharingan, forcing them to leave their home.
Second, they demonstrated their power, deterring all other ninja clans with the astonishing might of the Mangekyo Sharingan. It made everyone understand the high price of confronting the Uchiha.
Next, they reduced their own threat. Itachi's departure had taken a large number of the Uchiha's elite with him. The clan was no longer as numerous and powerful as before, giving them a ready excuse of "manpower shortages" to refuse any orders.
Furthermore, if anyone did decide to attack the Uchiha, the clan possessed at least three pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan to retaliate. More importantly, Itachi's whereabouts were unknown, and he could reappear at any moment.
Finally, there was the matter of timing. Konoha was currently negotiating a peace treaty with Kumogakure. If the Third Hokage sent the Anbu after the Uchiha at such a critical juncture, his own position of leadership would become precarious. As it stood, the Uchiha had merely "left home." If he forcibly turned them into traitors, the Cloud shinobi would likely come not to sign a treaty, but to declare war.
This was all Danzo's fault for his clever little scheme to steal Shisui's eye. Otherwise, things would never have escalated this far. After all, both Itachi and Shisui had been loyal to the village.
...
In a dense forest within the Land of Fire.
Thud, thud, thud...
Over a hundred Uchiha clan members moved swiftly through the trees.
At the head of the group was the Third Elder, Takuya Uchiha. Ever since witnessing the "future" in Kawasaki's genjutsu, he had become a firm believer and voluntarily assisted the Uchiha who were leaving. Although Itachi was a powerful combatant, he was still young and lacked experience. Takuya's assistance provided an extra layer of security.
The majority of these hundred-plus members were from the clan's hawkish faction. The rest were Uchiha with various unique talents. They had all been selected by Kawasaki and had their minds altered by Kotoamatsukami beforehand. Now, they were wholeheartedly devoted to Kawasaki Uchiha, striving to build the Uchiha's future.
These Uchiha were all shinobi—mostly chunin, with fewer jonin and genin. This group of over a hundred represented nearly half of the clan's total military strength. As for the nearly one thousand civilians and family members, they had not left with them. The plan was to establish a stable foundation elsewhere before considering moving their families.
Whether they stayed in the village or left, both groups of Uchiha faced their own unique challenges.
A figure leaped to Itachi's side, offering him a stick of three-colored dango.
Itachi accepted it with a blank expression. "You didn't need to follow."
Though his words were cold, he popped a dango into his mouth.
A gentle smile graced Izumi Uchiha's face. "If you left, there would be no one to eat dango with me by the river."
Ever since Itachi had invited her out that day, Izumi had finally understood his feelings. She decided to stay by his side, at least until the truth of the situation became clear.
The surrounding Uchiha acted as if they were deaf, even spreading out slightly to give the two of them space to talk.
Itachi remained silent for a long moment, his expression softening subtly. Finally, he let out a soft chuckle. "Senior Kawasaki's plans include many new foods. I'll treat you when they're ready."
Izumi responded with a sweet smile, her eyes fixed solely on Itachi.
Their journey was arduous. Their destination was the Land of Rice Fields, a small country on the outskirts of Konoha's territory. There was a small hidden village there: Otogakure, the Village Hidden in the Sound. The other personnel previously selected by Kawasaki were unable to make the journey on foot and had to find alternative routes.
Just then, Itachi seemed to sense something.
"Stop!"
Itachi Uchiha clenched his fist. The clan members behind him halted.
In the clearing ahead, space began to warp, and a masked ninja emerged from a swirling vortex.
Itachi watched him warily. "You're the one who was lurking around the shrine, aren't you?"
Obito chuckled. "I didn't expect you to be so perceptive. You noticed me even back then?"
Itachi's tone was cold and detached, indifferent and distant. He waved a hand behind him, and the other Uchiha wordlessly moved past the two, continuing on their way.
Only Itachi and Obito remained.
Obito made no move to stop the others from leaving. His target was Itachi. If he could bring Itachi to his side, his plans would proceed much more smoothly...