When Fuguki Suikazan and his group staggered back along Kirigakure's hidden markers, dawn was already approaching.
To avoid Konoha's retaliation, the new camp had been established in a concealed mountain hollow. Campfires flickered weakly in the fading darkness.
Jūzō Biwa sat with several subordinates around a map.
When the outer sentries signaled—
His heart tightened.
He stood up.
And froze.
Fuguki walked into the hollow.
Soaked in blood and mud.
A deep wound split open across his back, flesh exposed.
His steps were unsteady.
Behind him—
Hoshigaki Kisame.
And behind them—
More than eighty wounded Kirigakure ninja.
Broken.
Terrified.
Barely standing.
This was not a returning army.
It was a group of survivors.
"Fuguki?"
Jūzō stepped forward, grip tightening on his sword.
"What happened?"
"At Infinite City—what happened?!"
"How did you escape?"
His questions came rapidly.
His eyes swept across the group.
A bad feeling rose.
The scouting squads he had sent—
Never returned.
He had assumed these people were either dead—
Or would remain prisoners for life.
Yet here they were.
Alive.
Fuguki wiped mud from his face.
Ignored every question.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto Jūzō.
"Enough."
His voice was hoarse.
"Infinite City is a death trap."
"The fact that I'm standing here is already a miracle."
He inhaled heavily.
"Listen carefully."
"Gather your troops."
Jūzō's expression darkened.
"For what?"
"To kill someone."
Fuguki's lips curled.
"Konoha advisor—Koharu Utatane."
"She's heading here."
"Tomorrow evening at the latest."
Jūzō almost laughed in disbelief.
"…You've lost your mind."
"We just suffered a crushing defeat."
"Our losses are severe."
"And now you want to attack a Konoha delegation inside the Land of Fire?"
"If the Uchiha and Konoha attack together—"
"We die."
"Then don't be a ninja if you fear death!"
Fuguki stepped forward.
His massive frame radiated pressure.
"And besides—who would expect it?"
"Have you forgotten the Bloody Mist?"
"If we return without results—"
"The Mizukage will deal with us."
He sneered.
"Though I suppose… you're not worried."
"You're still here."
"Which means you succeeded."
"So stop wasting time."
Then—
The ultimatum.
"First. We go together."
"Kill Koharu."
"The credit is ours."
"Second. Refuse—"
"I execute you."
"Third."
"You give me part of your forces."
"And we go separately."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Their gazes collided.
Killing intent flickered.
Behind Fuguki—
His survivors tensed.
Behind Jūzō—
His men gripped their weapons.
Kisame stood quietly.
Watching.
Unmoving.
Jūzō looked at Fuguki.
At the madness in his eyes.
Then—
At the men behind him.
If this continued—
They would fight each other first.
"…Look at yourself."
Jūzō spoke through clenched teeth.
"And look at them."
"How much strength do we have left?"
"Reinforcements are coming."
"Why not wait?"
"Reinforcements?"
Fuguki laughed coldly.
"When they arrive—whose glory will it be?"
"And whose disgrace remains?"
"Enough."
"Choose."
Silence again.
Campfires crackled.
Faces flickered in orange light.
Finally—
"…Fine."
Jūzō gave in.
"I'll give you half."
"But the mission is yours."
"We won't support you."
"That's enough."
Fuguki turned away.
Immediately began dividing troops.
Rough.
Direct.
Jūzō stepped aside.
Watching.
His eyes—
Already saw a dead man.
At the same time—
A decision formed.
This place was no longer safe.
The scouts he sent—
Mostly dead.
Encirclement.
Pressure.
This meant—
Konoha forces were near.
If they stayed—
They would be wiped out.
And Fuguki…
Felt wrong.
Not just reckless—
Desperate.
A man at the edge.
Willing to burn everything.
Enemy.
Ally.
Everything.
Jūzō turned.
Face grim.
"Pack up."
"We move to the coast."
"Avoid the mainland."
"We wait for reinforcements."
The camp split.
Two forces.
One followed Fuguki west.
The other followed Jūzō away.
Soon—
Only dying embers remained.
The forest at dawn was silent.
Wind.
Water.
Nothing else.
High above—
Uchiha Shisui lay hidden among the rocks.
Perfectly still.
Only his three-tomoe Sharingan rotated faintly.
Behind him—
A Hyūga shinobi observed with the Byakugan.
"They've split."
Shisui nodded.
"The General needs this immediately."
"Send it."
"Yes."
A message was written.
A ninja cat departed.
Toward Infinite City.
Eastern Land of Fire.
A delegation of over thirty Konoha ninja moved along the road.
Led by—
Koharu Utatane.
Ahead—
Carriages approached.
Four of them.
Luxurious.
Golden.
Heavily guarded.
Koharu raised a hand.
The group halted.
She stepped forward.
Voice calm.
"Those ahead—are you from Infinite City?"
"I am Koharu Utatane, advisor to the Hokage."
"May I ask your destination?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice from within the main carriage.
"…Advisor Utatane."
Flat.
Distant.
A steward rode forward.
Glanced at the Konoha ninja—
With disdain.
Until—
He noticed the Uchiha crest.
His expression shifted.
He dismounted.
Bowed slightly.
"Our lords carry a petition."
"Signed by the eastern populace."
"They request the Uchiha continue guarding the region."
"It will be presented to the Daimyō."
Koharu's thoughts stirred.
Uchiha.
Petition.
Daimyō.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Her gaze lingered on the carriages.
Who was inside?
"I see."
"Official business."
"Then we won't delay you."
The convoy moved on.
Koharu watched.
Eyes thoughtful.
A petition?
Is this Uchiha influence…
Or something deeper?
If they root themselves in the east—
What then?
She suppressed the thought.
Better to see it firsthand.
At noon—
The group rested.
Under soft autumn light.
Leaves drifting.
The air calm.
Obito dropped onto the grass.
"This mission is boring!"
"I thought this would be exciting!"
Rin sat beside him.
"Obito, this is an escort mission."
"Not a trip."
She glanced at Kakashi.
He leaned against a tree.
Eyes closed.
Rin placed sweets beside him.
"Kakashi."
"…Thanks."
Meanwhile—
Obito stared expectantly.
Rin handed him—
A simple rice ball.
His face lit up.
"Rin is the best!"
"Unlike Kakashi!"
Kakashi ignored him.
Obito chewed happily.
Then—
"I wonder what Minato-sensei is doing…"
"He didn't take us…"
"Kushina won't tell us anything either…"
"Hey, Kakashi!"
"What was that 'petition' earlier?"
"And why did the advisor look so serious?"
Kakashi opened one eye.
"…No idea."
Rin spoke softly.
"The east is unstable…"
"Is it safe for us to go?"
Obito puffed his chest.
"I'm an Uchiha!"
"I'll protect you!"
Kakashi replied calmly.
"The force is mostly chūnin and genin."
"It's for minor threats."
"With the Uchiha at Infinite City…"
"Kirigakure wouldn't dare act."
Obito grinned proudly.
Nearby ninja glanced at him—
Then looked away.
Rin tugged his sleeve.
"Don't say that."
"Your clan sacrificed a lot."
Obito's confidence deflated.
"…Oh."
Soon—
They moved again.
Toward Infinite City.
Not far away—
In shadow—
A figure emerged.
Black.
Silent.
Watching.
Its gaze locked onto Obito.
And smiled.
"Obito-kun…"
"Wait for me."