That afternoon,
In order to gather enough building materials, Ryunosuke Uchiha set off with two clansmen.
The three of them traveled quietly through the forest.
By evening, after setting some basic traps and seals around their resting spot, they gathered around a small campfire to rest.
In the darkness, high in the trees, several ninjas clad in gray armor and wearing animal masks observed them silently, barely moving.
These were tracking ninjas dispatched by Sarutobi Hinata.
Although it wasn't Chiye who had left the village this time, the vigilant Sarutobi still felt uneasy. He sent these covert operatives to shadow Ryunosuke and his companions, ensuring their movements were monitored at all times.
Fortunately, until now, Ryunosuke and his companions behaved entirely normally.
Night passed without incident.
At sunrise, they ate a simple breakfast and set off once again.
Not long after, the tracking ninjas resumed their pursuit.
What they didn't notice was that in the area where Ryunosuke and his companions had rested, a seemingly inconspicuous small stone lay hidden.
On the stone, faint black runes were etched.
Buzz~
The stone trembled subtly, and a ghostly figure emerged from it.
Qianye bent to retrieve the stone, and as soon as he held it, he glanced at the shadowy figures trailing them. A sneer curled across his lips.
As long as a mark was left outside the village, he could move freely and undetected.
…
Two days later, Ryunosuke returned with a group of carpenters.
They immediately began work alongside the village carpenters.
Chiye suspected that Sarutobi would exploit this opportunity to infiltrate the workforce, embedding some of his own men and installing surveillance devices to monitor the construction.
In response, Qianye significantly expanded the Uchiha clan's oversight force—tenfold.
Every move of the carpenters would be watched carefully, ensuring that no one could act without being observed.
Over time, new homes rose in the village. Remarkably, no surveillance devices were discovered, which caused Sarutobi great unease—but there was little he could do.
…
Finally, a month later, the construction was complete.
Satisfied, all clansmen moved into their new homes.
In the Uchiha clan's conference room, the atmosphere was tense.
"Elder Ryunosuke, did you locate the item I requested?" Qianye asked gravely.
"We Uchiha are not skilled in sealing techniques," Ryunosuke began. "Even if knowledge has been passed down for generations, only a handful of sealing jutsu remain."
"But fortunately, I have found the shielding detection-class sealing jutsu you requested!"
Ryunosuke hesitated.
"If my understanding is correct, the requirements to use this technique…"
Qianye prompted.
"Yes. At least two shinobi of Shadow-rank strength are required. But…"
Ryunosuke's thoughts immediately went to Fugaku—the only Shadow-rank powerhouse in the clan. Clearly, that alone was insufficient.
Unless… help from someone outside the clan could be obtained.
Yet, finding another Shadow-rank ninja willing to cooperate was uncertain. Moreover, the seal was to protect the clan, making this an extremely critical matter. Recruiting an outsider would inevitably invite suspicion.
"Then I shall join first," a sudden voice declared.
Qianye looked up, shocked. "Uncle Fugaku!? You've returned from seclusion?!"
"Yes. This retreat has greatly strengthened me." Fugaku's presence radiated more power than ever.
"I did not expect the clan to have changed so much in my absence," Fugaku said, relieved, glancing at Qianye. "I am more convinced now that choosing you as patriarch was the right decision."
Ryunosuke sighed. "Fugaku, your return is welcome, but there remains a problem."
Fugaku smiled. "A problem? How so? There are two, are there not?"
Ryunosuke froze, then stared at Qianye incredulously.
"No… impossible," he muttered. "It's simply impossible!"
Not that he underestimated Senye's abilities, but three months ago, Senye was still a shinobi. Even with immense talent, achieving middle-level mastery in just three months seemed improbable.
Fugaku patted Ryunosuke's shoulder, smiling. "Do not underestimate our patriarch. He has more hidden strengths than you realize."
…
That evening, in the northern and southern borders of the Uchiha territory:
"Uchiha Cloud Flow Array!!"
Two luminous curtains of chakra rose from the north and south, curving inward until they merged above the center, forming an inverted dome that enveloped the entire clan lands.
—