While Utatane Koharu busied herself with her calculations, the Uchiha district had already grown lively.
Yet beneath the noise lingered an unfamiliar weight—solemn, restrained.
After repeated instructions from their parents the night before and that very morning, the Uchiha children had all left their homes early.
But unlike before—
They no longer exited through the separate gates assigned to each faction within the clan grounds.
Instead, following new arrangements, they gathered along the main road—merging step by step into a single stream.
Uchiha Yashiro, clad in dark clan attire, stood calmly at the front of the hawkish group, his gaze fixed ahead.
From the other end of the road, leading a group of children of her own, came Uchiha Hazuki—representing the dovish faction.
The moment their eyes met, both smiled knowingly.
"Hazuki, let's go together," Yashiro said with a slight nod.
"Of course," she replied gently, warmth softening the fine lines at the corners of her eyes.
This was the plan Ren and Mikoto had finalized the night before—
To begin with the new generation.
To gradually dissolve the invisible barrier between hawks and doves.
To bind the long-divided Uchiha into a single force.
As the two groups came together and moved toward the clan gates—
Another group hurried to join them.
Uchiha Fugaku arrived, leading the children of the clan head's faction.
Normally composed and steady, Fugaku's expression faltered for just a moment when he saw Yashiro and Hazuki standing side by side.
The joint movement of the hawks and doves—leaving the clan head's faction behind—stirred a trace of dissatisfaction… and something closer to melancholy.
The clan was improving.
That much was undeniable.
But the change was not led by him.
For someone who had once resolved to restore the Uchiha's glory, that realization carried a quiet sting.
Still—
The feeling passed in an instant.
No matter what, the clan's prosperity came first.
Everything else was secondary.
"Yashiro. Hazuki. Seems I'm late," Fugaku called out, stepping forward.
The two exchanged a brief glance, mildly surprised.
Neither faction had concealed this plan. If the clan head's faction wished to follow, they easily could.
They had expected the children to come—
But not Fugaku himself, standing in a position akin to a young lord.
"We arrived early, Fugaku-sama," Yashiro replied respectfully.
"Please, join us," Hazuki added with a small smile, stepping aside.
From their attitudes, Fugaku understood immediately—
Both factions were willing to include him.
A faint smile appeared on his otherwise rigid face.
Behind them, the young Uchiha began to study one another.
Curiosity flickered in their black-and-white eyes.
Children who should have been familiar instead felt like strangers.
Some even carried faint traces of hostility.
Many of them—
Spoke less to one another than they did to their classmates at the academy.
A year might pass without a single conversation.
Years of factional influence from their elders, combined with this sudden shift in direction—
Left them feeling as though their thoughts were being pulled in opposite directions.
And yet—
Children were adaptable.
At an age where their values were still forming, where their spirits were lively—
The initial awkwardness began to fade.
Step by step, walking side by side—
Led by the three figures at the front—
The distance between them quietly dissolved.
When the Uchiha children appeared on Konoha's streets in such a unified formation for the first time—
Every passing shinobi turned to look.
Especially at the front—
Where the hawks' rising force, the doves' elite, and the clan head's heir walked side by side.
The sight alone was enough to shock every clan that witnessed it.
The news spread like wildfire.
By the time this unique procession reached the academy—
Rumors of the Uchiha's three factions unifying had already swept through the entire village.
—
Elsewhere, in the Hyūga compound's reception hall—
The scent of tea lingered in the air, unable to dispel the invisible tension.
"Elder Danzo's visit honors the Hyūga," the clan head said calmly, seated in the place of honor.
His pale eyes revealed nothing.
"However, members of the main house must uphold clan law and guard the secret of the Byakugan. They cannot leave lightly."
"As for the branch family, the majority are already deployed within the ninja forces. The few who remain must protect the main house."
"With duties assigned as they are… we are unable to spare personnel to accompany you to the northeastern front."
"On this matter, the Hyūga regretfully cannot assist."
The words were polite.
The reasoning flawless.
But the refusal—calm and absolute—burned far more than open defiance.
Danzo's withered fingers clenched inside his sleeve, turning pale.
Outwardly, he merely snorted coldly, saying nothing more as he rose to his feet.
Without another word, he strode out.
The hall behind him retained that soft, suffocating pressure—like the Gentle Fist itself.
The moment he stepped beyond the Hyūga gates—
A Root operative appeared soundlessly, kneeling on one knee before him.
"Danzo-sama."
The masked shinobi spoke in a low voice.
"Latest report. This morning, Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Hazuki, and Uchiha Fugaku led children from all three factions to the academy together."
"Hawks, doves, and the clan head's faction moving openly in unison. All clans in Konoha have witnessed it."
Danzo's expression twisted.
"That inherently evil Uchiha clan… pulling this stunt right before a war…"
"What are they planning?"
"Uniting to rebel?!"
The words were forced through clenched teeth.
The frustration from being rebuffed by the Hyūga, combined with the news of Uchiha unity—
Ignited the anger within him like an explosive tag on the verge of detonation.
He drew a sharp breath, forcibly suppressing the surge of rage.
Only the cold in his eyes deepened.
"Move."
The word came out like a blade scraping his throat.
His figure vanished into motion, heading toward the next clan.
Recruitment could not stop here.
Hiruzen had given him only one day.
And as for the Hyūga—
He would remember this.
His next destination—
The tightly bound alliance of secret technique clans.
The Ino–Shika–Chō.
Within Konoha, the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans were often regarded as a single, united entity—second only to the Uchiha and Hyūga in influence.
Among them—
The Yamanaka represented the "Ino," specializing in sensory and mental techniques.
The Nara represented the "Shika," wielding shadow techniques and unmatched intellect.
The Akimichi represented the "Chō," using Yang Release expansion techniques as the primary offensive force.
Since the Warring States era, they had maintained close ties with the Sarutobi clan.
After Hiruzen became Hokage, they had received consistent support.
They were, without question, a core pillar of the Hokage's faction.
Yet—
Danzo arrived in high spirits—
And left in disappointment.
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