Konohagakure, Uchiha Clan Grounds.
Uchiha Kimei, Iori, and Daichi, who were advancing, saw the signal flares rise in the sky. They immediately halted in place, then swiftly retreated in the opposite direction.
In a secret chamber within the Uchiha Clan Grounds, as the warning flares shot into the air, two clan members had already received the message.
One of them pressed his hand onto the instrument in front of him.
A white light lit up, and a Kagura Bell floated into the air.
The other Uchiha immediately infused chakra, causing the white light to spread outward instantly.
One after another, warning flares rose within the clan, illuminating the sky above the Uchiha territory in bright red.
The clan grounds weren't far from the newly developed food street. The fireworks exploding in the sky were clearly visible from the street.
Many people didn't understand what it meant, but a sense of unease had already settled in.
Two Uchiha elite jonin dropped what they were doing and immediately rushed toward the clan grounds.
All the Uchiha shop owners turned pale but remained calm, they were trained for this.
If the signal flare was from Scenario 3, non-Three Tomoe clan members were strictly forbidden to return for support.
They could not cause panic, otherwise, civilians could get hurt.
They only informed the villagers that an enemy had appeared within the clan grounds and that the shops needed to temporarily close.
They began to evacuate the villagers in an orderly fashion.
Although the villagers didn't know the details, the continuous firing of Uchiha signal flares made it clear that the situation was far from simple.
As residents of Konoha, everyone had a certain level of crisis awareness and began to evacuate the food street in an orderly manner.
The moment Sasuke saw the signal flares, he instantly stood up. "Something happened! Naruto, let's go!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke ran toward Konoha.
Fugaku had told him, if fireworks like these ever appeared from the clan grounds...
He must not return home. And if Naruto was with him, he must take Naruto and escape.
Because whoever came, they were definitely here to capture Naruto!
They must not return to the clan, as going back would only make them easy targets or potential hostages.
Sasuke's greatest growth over the years was that he no longer acted recklessly out of pride.
He had been educated countless times over the past few years.
When the fireworks rose, Naruto also felt tense. He knew these were the Uchiha warning flares, but didn't know exactly what they meant.
All he could do was follow Sasuke and run toward Konoha.
Several Anbu behind them immediately surrounded Naruto.
Sasuke and Naruto glanced at them. The leader explained immediately, "Naruto, Sasuke, don't be afraid. We're sent by the Third Hokage to protect you."
Sasuke and Naruto didn't ask a single question, as if they had long anticipated their presence, and simply ran toward Konoha without saying a word.
---
At the moment he saw the flares, Fugaku stood up and rushed outside.
He advanced toward the area where the flares had been fired.
Head-on, he encountered Kimei and the others retreating.
By then, a wave of white light had already swept over them, spreading outward.
Kimei immediately shouted upon seeing Fugaku, "Clan Head! Enemy confirmed as Scenario 3 Target! Outfit matches exactly! Suddenly appeared within the clan grounds, matches space-time ninjutsu characteristics!"
Fugaku passed through their team without stopping, "Execute Scenario 3 Plan! Kimei, locate Sasuke and Naruto and assemble the medical team."
"Iori, go to the summoning platform, be ready to summon at any time!"
"Daichi, follow the plan, gather the clansmen, then come over."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison and immediately began executing their tasks.
"Clan Head, catch!"
As Fugaku passed by Daichi, Daichi directly unstrapped his ninja tool pouch, sword, and two sealing talismans, throwing them to Fugaku.
Fugaku caught the equipment with one hand, wrapped the two sealing talismans around his hands, and without turning his head, continued to sprint forward.
Signal flares continued to shoot into the sky. Many Uchiha clansmen were retreating in an orderly fashion toward the clan's shelters.
Fugaku had already activated his Mangekyou Sharingan and was leading the charge toward the outskirts of the clan grounds.
Several members of the Uchiha Barrier Team followed behind him.
They continuously reported the intruder's position, "Intruder is moving northward along the edge of the clan grounds."
"He has now stopped moving."
Fugaku passed through the forest, and from afar, saw Obito, dressed in a flame-patterned cloak, wearing the whirlpool mask.
Fugaku waved his hand, and the Barrier Team members immediately retreated behind him.
Obito spoke mockingly, "Didn't expect Clan Head Fugaku to prepare such a grand welcome for me."
Fugaku's face was grim. He knew this person was the culprit behind the Nine-Tails Incident, but he wasn't in a rush, he was still waiting for reinforcements.
Seeing Fugaku remain silent, Obito shrugged. Anyway, he was stalling for time, so Fugaku not acting was even better.
Within less than thirty seconds—
Swish! Swish! Swish! Over a dozen elite jonin arrived at the scene.
All of them possessed the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Those with slightly weaker abilities had been ordered by Fugaku to stay within the clan grounds for safety.
Once everyone had arrived, Fugaku didn't waste a single word and charged at Obito.
Since he had just arrived and had waited for his teammates, more than a minute had already passed.
There were just over three minutes left, if they couldn't capture Obito, they would have to summon Shisui or Itachi.
Unable to use Kamui, Obito steeled himself. Looks like today he couldn't hold back, or he'd surely die here.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Before the Uchiha could even get close, countless shuriken were thrown.
Obito was forced to dodge everywhere, getting several cuts on his body.
Seeing the enemy drawing closer and closer—
Just a little closer...
Fugaku narrowed his eyes and suddenly waved his hand, "Retreat!"
All the Uchiha members retreated without hesitation.
Obito's expression sharpened. Raising his sleeves, he knew this was his only chance, pouring a massive amount of chakra into his attack!
Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!
With the sound of fabric tearing, countless branches shot out from Obito's hands.
As they flew, the branches grew thicker and larger, stabbing toward the Uchiha at incredible speed.
So fast!
Fugaku's expression hardened. He had long known Obito possessed Wood Release, but didn't expect it to activate so quickly.
Fugaku drew his sword, continuously severing the branches stabbing toward him.
Although the other Uchiha clansmen hadn't advanced too deeply thanks to Fugaku's earlier warning, the branches' speed was too fast, they could only barely avoid fatal blows.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The branches stabbed into the ground, making deafening noises.
"Ugh… gah…"
Along with suppressed groans of pain, the others were struck by Wood Release. Several were even pierced through their thighs or arms, blood quickly gushing out.
"Rokunin!"
"Oura!"
Yoki cried out in grief! Rokunin's back had a long gash, with white bone faintly visible.
Oura's leg was pierced right through, the bone was surely broken.
On the Uchiha side, besides Fugaku, only six people were still standing.
After releasing this Wood Release, Obito was somewhat out of breath.
This jutsu had consumed a massive amount of his chakra, he couldn't sustain it for long.
Damn it... If only I had Kamui, I could've empowered this jutsu even further. And there are still six of them left!
After casting Wood Release, seeing that Fugaku had managed to block it, Obito felt uneasy and quickly fled toward the side.