If we miss this opportunity, there won't be another one.
Just as Hakushi mustered up the courage to tell Ruri something, Ruri's voice reached his ears first.
"Let's leave this place."
There was a tone of exhaustion and sadness in her voice.
Eh?
Hakushi's expression momentarily froze.
What?
What is Ruri talking about?
"Leave this place...where do you mean?"
"Konoha."
Ruri gave Hakushi a definitive answer.
Hakushi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
It should have been him who brought this up first, why did Ruri bring it up first?
"I don't want to stay here any longer. This village, this clan, it's just filled with people who make me feel annoyed and bored."
After listening, Hakushi looked down, noticing that at some point Ruri had opened her eyes, her bright red Sharingan shining like a gem.
Hakushi held Ruri tighter, he could feel her disappointment and helplessness towards this place.
This was a decision made out of desperation.
He didn't know what Ruri talked about with the four elder, that could make her suddenly decide on this.
"Did something happen?"
Ruri just snuggled into Hakushi's warm embrace without answering.
Hakushi gently patted her back, not pressing further.
Ruri's determination to leave Konoha, no, to leave the clan was strong.
Hakushi could clearly feel it.
And he could understand.
Regarding the Root and Sakumo incident, Ruri had long been thoroughly disappointed with the Konoha higher-ups.
The reason she still identified as a Konoha Ninja was because of the entangled relationship between the Uchiha Race and Konoha.
In the past, she endured because she was a ninja of this clan.
And at this moment, her patience had run out.
"Ah, then let's leave together, leave this place and start anew."
In his embrace, only Ruri's gentle sleeping breaths could be heard.
Hakushi scratched his head, thinking this could be considered a relatively satisfying conclusion.
Even though he felt like he didn't have any decisive role in this.
However, Ruri must have known his determination to leave Konoha from the beginning, after all, she had her own informant in the organization.
She directly proposed leaving with him, it was obvious she had sensed something.
Forget it, it's better not to dwell on it.
If they had Ruri's Sharingan's assistance, tomorrow night's operation would be more secure.
◎
The next day, the same day Hakushi was preparing to plan the escape from Konoha.
Twelve o'clock noon——
In a nondescript secret room in Ruri's house.
The walls bore the fan symbol of the Uchiha, flanked by three black Magatamas on either side.
Ruri sat atop the highest seat, and in front of her, twelve people were seated.
Among them, three were Jonin, sitting at the front, and the other nine were Chunin, sitting a little further back.
Ruri glanced over each of their faces and got straight to the point, saying to them:
"I intend to leave Konoha, whether you plan to stay or choose to follow me, you can decide for yourselves."
After Ruri spoke, the twelve Uchiha Ninjas looked at one another, seeing the surprise and hesitation in each other's eyes.
Even if they were to make this decision, the timing was too abrupt.
"Captain, setting aside the question of leaving Konoha, if we were to truly leave the village, where would we settle down?"
A Jonin asked hesitantly.
This was a concern shared by the others as well.
"Don't worry, I've already made proper arrangements regarding the retreat plan and subsequent resettlement. There's a substantial force where we're going, which I've organized. Even if all of you joined, there would still be plenty of space for you."
Ruri replied.
This was meant to allay their concerns.
Seeing the struggle and hesitation on their faces, Ruri understood their difficulties in making such a sudden choice.
"Whatever decision you make, just make sure you won't regret it. If you choose to continue with me, report to me by three o'clock this afternoon. I'll make all the arrangements for you."
"Understood, captain."
Just as Ruri was about to leave, one of the Jonin spoke up: "Um, captain, may I ask a question?"
"You want to know why I chose to leave the village and the clan?" Ruri murmured to herself, which was also an answer to this Jonin's question: "The reason is simple, because the radicals can't tolerate me anymore. Their next move is to seize Konoha's Hokage position, either they'll rise from the ashes, or end up like the Senju Clan, losing their title as a clan. Or, face an even more tragic fate."
Their hearts were all struck with a chill.
This sudden war outbreak, just as expected, the radicals couldn't hold themselves back any longer.
They had been waiting for such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Moving to the adjacent room, Hakushi was waiting there, calmly sipping tea.
"Is it alright not to follow them? They might expose our plans."
"No problem, I have confidence in them, I don't seek out incompetent subordinates."
Ruri said with confidence.
Sitting down beside Hakushi, she poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip.
"The operation is set for eleven o'clock tonight. How is your preparation coming along?"
Confronted with Ruri's question, Hakushi's body began to emit clear water, slowly forming.
"No worries, this child can't wait any longer."