"What about you, Tsunade?" Uchiha Su asked, turning his attention toward her.
Tsunade stretched her arms lazily as she looked around the busy streets of the capital city. Her golden-brown eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I'm planning to walk around the capital for a while," she said cheerfully. "After that, I want to visit the royal palace and meet the Daimyo."
She paused for a moment, frowning slightly as if trying to remember something important.
"He seems to be my… relative somehow."
A puzzled expression appeared on her small face. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, clearly trying to figure out the complicated relationships within her family.
"Actually… I'm not even sure what I should call him," she admitted. "Is he my uncle? Or maybe a distant cousin? Hmm… I really don't know."
Uchiha Su blinked.
The explanation didn't make much sense at all.
But then again, this was Tsunade. Somehow, her confusing answer felt completely natural when it came from her.
He nodded slowly.
"That sounds… reasonable," he said, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.
Tsunade grinned, clearly unconcerned about the details.
"Well, whatever the relationship is, he's still family," she said casually. "So it shouldn't be a problem for me to visit the palace."
The two of them continued chatting for a short while longer before eventually going their separate ways.
Tsunade happily disappeared into the bustling streets of the capital, eager to explore every corner of the city.
Uchiha Su watched her go for a moment before turning in the opposite direction, lost in his own thoughts.
Konoha Village
Two nights after the Sarutobi team had left the village, Konoha was unusually quiet.
Inside the Uchiha Clan compound, a tense atmosphere lingered in the air.
Outside the compound, shadows flickered silently across the rooftops.
From time to time, dark figures flashed through the night before disappearing into the darkness again.
These figures were members of the Anbu.
Hidden within the shadows, they carefully observed every movement inside the Uchiha district.
"The Uchiha clan has been behaving strangely lately," a ninja wearing a white fox mask said in a cold voice. "The Second Hokage has ordered us to investigate the situation."
Another Anbu ninja standing nearby glanced toward him.
"Baku," he said cautiously, "are you sure this order comes directly from Hokage-sama?"
The ninja known as Baku nodded confidently.
"Of course," he replied.
His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"From now on, the Hokage Guard Platoon will operate under my command."
He crossed his arms proudly.
"With my leadership, we will definitely discover what the Uchiha clan is secretly planning."
Baku's confidence wasn't without reason.
After all, his teacher was none other than the Second Hokage himself.
Senju Tobirama was widely known as the person who understood the Uchiha clan better than anyone else in the village.
As Tobirama's disciple, Baku believed he had inherited that same understanding.
The other Anbu ninjas exchanged brief glances with each other.
None of them voiced any objections.
Clearly, they trusted Baku's abilities.
Naka Shrine
Deep within the Uchiha clan's territory stood the ancient Naka Shrine.
Inside the dimly lit hall, numerous figures knelt silently.
At the very front sat Uchiha Setsuna.
His posture was straight and dignified as he knelt upon the stone seat reserved for clan elders.
Below him, rows of Uchiha clan members knelt respectfully.
In the darkness, their eyes glowed faintly red.
The Sharingan.
Three tomoe spun slowly within many of those eyes.
Setsuna's own Sharingan rotated rapidly as he spoke.
"This time," he said with burning determination, "we will follow Lord Uchiha Madara."
His voice echoed throughout the shrine.
"We will leave Konoha."
The declaration caused a ripple of excitement among the gathered clan members.
"This village has never treated the Uchiha fairly," Setsuna continued, his voice filled with conviction.
"Therefore, we will abandon this place."
His tone grew more passionate with every word.
"We will travel to a new land."
"There, we will establish a new home."
"A new Uchiha clan!"
The Uchiha members below him raised their heads, their eyes shining brightly with determination.
"We will establish a new Uchiha!" they shouted together.
Their voices echoed powerfully within the ancient shrine.
Another Corner of Konoha
Elsewhere in the village, a gentle breeze rustled through a peaceful courtyard.
Leaves drifted slowly through the air before settling softly on the ground.
Standing beneath a large tree was the First Hokage.
Senju Hashirama.
Known throughout the ninja world as the God of Shinobi, Hashirama wore his usual warm smile.
His expression was relaxed and welcoming.
Across from him stood another legendary figure.
Uchiha Madara.
Hashirama's smile widened slightly.
"Madara," he said warmly, "you haven't visited me for quite a long time."
His voice carried genuine happiness.
"If I had known you were coming, I would have prepared something for you."
Madara lifted his gaze and looked at his old friend.
For a brief moment, a complicated emotion flickered across his eyes.
He could clearly tell that Hashirama was truly happy to see him.
"Yeah," Madara replied quietly.
"It has been a long time."
He looked around the courtyard thoughtfully.
"I rarely leave the clan compound these days."
Memories surfaced in his mind.
More than ten years ago, he had believed he would become the Second Hokage.
At that time, he had thought the position was already his.
But reality had proven otherwise.
When the vote was held, neither the village's ninjas nor its civilians supported him.
Instead, they had chosen Senju Tobirama.
Madara lowered his gaze slightly.
Just then, a leaf drifted down and landed gently on the stone table between them.
Madara picked it up.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Hashirama," he said suddenly.
"What do you think a true dream is?"
Using his finger, he poked a small hole through the leaf.
Then he lifted the leaf toward his eye.
Through the tiny hole, his Sharingan gazed outward.
For a brief moment, he seemed to see something from the distant past.
Two young boys standing beside a river.
One with messy hair and a bright smile.
The other with wild hair and fierce eyes.
Hashirama looked at him quietly.
"Didn't we already achieve our dream?" he asked softly.
"We created this village together."
His voice carried a hint of nostalgia.
Madara smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
He placed the leaf into his pocket.
Then he stood up and began walking toward the exit.
When he reached the doorway, he waved casually over his shoulder.
"Goodbye, Hashirama."
Hashirama suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.
"Madara…"
He felt as if something important was slipping away.
Something he couldn't stop.
Yet he didn't know how to reach out and hold onto it.
The Next Day
The following afternoon, Uchiha Su approached the gates of Konoha.
The familiar walls of the village appeared in his line of sight.
He quietly calculated the time in his mind.
If everything went according to plan…
Tonight would be the beginning.
The group entered the village and soon separated.
Each person returned to their own home.
When Uchiha Su arrived at his house, he found Uchiha Madara inside.
Madara was carefully polishing his armor.
The legendary Gunbai war fan rested quietly on the nearby table.
"Uncle," Su said calmly, "has the plan changed?"
Madara glanced at him briefly.
"The plan remains the same."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"However… our Hokage may have already guessed what we intend to do."
He finished wiping the armor clean and stood up.
"Su."
"Help me put this on."
Su stepped forward and assisted him.
Once the armor was secured, Madara stood tall.
He looked powerful and imposing.
His eyes carried the familiar arrogance that had once shaken the entire ninja world.
Su hesitated before speaking again.
"If the Hokage already suspects us… shouldn't we adjust the plan?"
Madara chuckled softly.
"Suspicion is only suspicion."
He looked at Su calmly.
"Do you think Tobirama would dare to come directly to my door and ask…"
"'Is the Uchiha clan planning to defect?'"
Madara's lips curved slightly.
"Would he dare to take that responsibility?"
His meaning was clear.
If someone accused the Uchiha clan of treason without proof, the consequences could be disastrous.
"Alright," Madara said finally.
"Go pack your things."
Su bowed respectfully.
Just before leaving, he asked one more question.
"Should I say goodbye to my teammates?"
Madara glanced at him thoughtfully.
"If you don't say goodbye properly," he said quietly, "you might regret it in the future."
Su paused.
Then he turned back slightly.
"Did you say goodbye to Hashirama?"
Madara smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Even if I forgot everything else… I would never forget to say goodbye to Hashirama."
Packing for Departure
Back in his room, Uchiha Su prepared to gather his belongings.
But after looking around the room, he stopped.
There wasn't much to take.
His Kusanagi sword.
His ninja tools.
Shuriken.
Military rations.
Most of these were already stored inside his ninja tool pouch.
At that moment, a voice sounded outside the door.
"Young Clan Head."
It was Uchiha Setsuna.
"Please come in," Su replied.
Setsuna entered respectfully.
"Young Clan Head," he said, "is there anything you would like us to take with us?"
"I have already contacted the Nekomata clan."
"They will help transport items that are difficult to carry."
Su glanced around the room one more time.
Then he shook his head.
"There's nothing I need."
He paused before asking another question.
"Have the ninjutsu scrolls been sent away?"
Setsuna nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"The ninjutsu scrolls were the first items transported."
"Several clan members left with them as well to ensure their safety."
Su nodded slowly.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
Tonight…
The fate of the Uchiha clan would begin to change.