While Utatane Koharu was calculating her plans, the Uchiha clan district had also grown lively.
Yet within that bustle lingered a seriousness and solemnity not usually seen.
After repeated reminders from their parents both the previous night and early that morning, the Uchiha children left their homes unusually early.
Unlike before—
They no longer exited the clan compound separately through the gates belonging to their respective factions.
Instead, following the new arrangements, they gradually gathered along the wide main road.
Uchiha Yashiro, representing the Hawk faction, stood in dark clan attire, calmly watching the other end of the road.
Approaching from the opposite side was Uchiha Hazuki, representing the Dove faction, leading a group of children.
The moment their gazes met, both of them smiled knowingly.
Yashiro nodded.
"Hazuki-nee, let's go together."
"Alright."
Hazuki responded gently, the faint lines at the corners of her eyes deepening with warmth.
This had been the plan decided the previous night by Uchiha Anlan and Uchiha Mikoto.
Starting with the new generation, they would gradually dissolve the invisible barrier between the Hawk faction and the Dove faction.
Only then could the long-divided Uchiha clan truly unite into a single force.
Just as the two of them began guiding the children out of the clan gate together—
Uchiha Fugaku, having heard the news, hurried over with the children of the Clan Head faction.
The normally calm and composed Fugaku twitched almost imperceptibly when he saw Yashiro and Hazuki standing side by side.
The joint action of the Hawk and Dove factions had left the Clan Head faction behind.
As the elder-brother figure among the clan's younger generation, Fugaku felt a trace of dissatisfaction—and also a hint of melancholy.
The clan's development toward unity was certainly something to be happy about.
Yet the wave of change had not been led by him.
For someone who had always wished to restore the Uchiha's glory, the feeling left him momentarily lost.
But the confusion lasted only an instant.
He quickly cast it aside.
No matter what—
As long as the clan prospered, everything else was secondary.
"Yashiro, Hazuki—I'm late."
Fugaku stepped forward and greeted them with a steady voice.
Yashiro and Hazuki exchanged a glance, slightly surprised.
This operation had not been hidden.
Both the Hawk and Dove factions had made it public.
If the Clan Head faction had been paying attention, they could easily have joined.
They had expected the Clan Head faction's children to appear.
But they hadn't expected Fugaku himself to lead them—someone whose status was comparable to a young master.
They had expected Uchiha Yakumi instead.
"We arrived early, Fugaku-sama," Yashiro replied respectfully.
"Let's go together, Fugaku-sama," Hazuki added with a gentle smile as she stepped aside.
Seeing their attitude, Fugaku immediately understood the stance of the two factions.
His stern face relaxed slightly into a faint smile.
Behind them, the young Uchiha children quietly observed one another.
Their black-and-white eyes were filled with curiosity.
These children, who should have been familiar with each other, now appeared like strangers meeting for the first time.
Some even showed traces of hostility.
Many of them spoke less to fellow clan members than they did to classmates at the Ninja Academy.
An entire year might pass without them exchanging a single sentence.
The factional teachings instilled by parents and elders over many years—
Combined with the sudden change in attitude—
Left the children feeling as though their left brain and right brain were fighting each other.
However—
Children were at the age when their worldview was easiest to shape.
They were also the most energetic.
Their initial awkwardness gradually melted away as they walked together.
Led by the three figures at the front, their steps became more relaxed.
When the Uchiha children appeared on Konoha's streets in such a unified formation for the first time—
Every ninja along the road turned to look.
Especially the sight of the three leading representatives walking side by side—
The Hawk faction's capable officer, the Dove faction's elite, and the Clan Head faction's heir.
For members of other ninja clans, the scene was astonishing.
The news spread like wildfire.
By the time this unusual procession arrived at the Ninja Academy, rumors that the three Uchiha factions were about to merge had already spread throughout Konoha.
At the same time—
Inside the Hyūga clan compound, the reception room was filled with the fragrance of tea.
Yet the air still carried an invisible heaviness.
"For Elder Danzō to visit personally is a great honor for the Hyūga clan."
The Hyūga clan head knelt at the seat of honor.
His voice was calm like the surface of a mirror lake.
The pale eyes of the Byakugan revealed no emotion.
"However, members of the Main House must strictly follow clan rules and protect the secret of the Byakugan."
"They cannot leave the compound easily."
"As for the Branch House, the majority of them are already serving in various ninja forces."
"The few remaining members must stay to protect the Main House."
"Each has their own responsibilities."
"We cannot spare anyone to accompany Elder Danzō to the northeastern frontline."
"For this matter… the Hyūga can only apologize."
The words were polite, and the reasoning perfectly respectable.
Yet the refusal hidden within them was far more irritating than a direct confrontation.
Inside his sleeve, Shimura Danzō's thin fingers clenched until they turned pale.
On the surface, however, he merely snorted coldly.
Without another word, he abruptly stood up.
Then he turned and strode out of the hall.
The moment he stepped out of the Hyūga compound's solemn gate—
A Root ninja wearing an animal mask suddenly appeared before him, kneeling silently on one knee like a ghost.
"Lord Danzō."
The ninja spoke quietly.
"Latest intelligence."
"This morning, Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Hazuki, and Uchiha Fugaku led the children of the three factions to the Ninja Academy together."
"The Hawk, Dove, and Clan Head factions appeared together publicly for the first time."
"Their coordination was seamless."
"All the clans in Konoha have witnessed it."
"The inherently evil Uchiha…"
"Playing such tricks right before a war?!"
"What are they planning?"
"Do they intend to unite and rebel?!"
Danzō's curse slipped through clenched teeth.
The frustration from being turned away by the Hyūga—
Combined with the news of Uchiha unity—
Exploded together inside his chest like a lit explosive tag.
His already sinister face twisted even further.
He inhaled deeply, forcibly suppressing the raging anger within him.
Only the coldness in his eyes grew sharper.
"Move."
The word forced its way from his throat.
His figure turned into a gust of wind as he rushed toward the next clan compound.
His recruitment plan could not stop because of such setbacks.
After all—
Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him only one day.
But the Hyūga, who had refused him without giving face…
He would remember this debt.
Next on Shimura Danzō's list—
Was the secret technique alliance known as the Ino–Shika–Chō clans.
Within Konoha, these three clans were often viewed as a single cooperative family.
Their strength and status were second only to the Uchiha and the Hyūga.
Among them—
The Yamanaka clan represented the Boar.
They specialized in sensory abilities and mental techniques, responsible for detecting enemies and linking the minds of teammates.
The Nara clan represented the Deer.
With their Shadow Possession Technique and high intelligence, they handled strategy and battlefield control.
The Akimichi clan represented the Butterfly.
Their Yang Release expansion techniques made them the offensive powerhouse of the trio.
These three clans had maintained close ties with the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States era.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage, they received significant support.
They were considered the most loyal faction to the Hokage.
However—
Shimura Danzō arrived in high spirits.
And left in disappointment.
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