Two weeks. That was all it took for the village to begin standing again. The fires were gone; the screams had quieted. And in their place, came movement.
Every clan had answered the call
The Hyuga Clan stood watch across the village, their Byakugan scanning constantly day and night ensuring no threat went unseen. The Inuzuka Clan reinforced the outer perimeter, their ninken running patrols beyond the walls, tracking anything that didn't belong. The Aburame Clan spread their insects like a living net. surveillance stretching far beyond what any patrol could cover.
And the Uchiha. They were everywhere, checkpoints, patrol routes, rapid response units. Led from the front. By their new clan head. Shinji.
Where there had once been whispers, now there was presence. And slowly the village began to accept it.
Present
Minato Namikaze stood at the head of the room. To his side Hiruzen Sarutobi And across Shikaku Nara. Shinji stood among the clan heads. No longer new.
Shikaku stepped forward. "Iwa is getting too bold," he said plainly. "Border skirmishes have increased," he continued. "Small units at first. Testing patrol response times." "Now they're pushing deeper."
Murmurs spread.
"They're probing for weakness," Shikaku added.
Minato's gaze hardened slightly. "Expected."
Shikaku nodded. "They're escalating."
The implication was clear.
Minato crossed his arms slightly. Thinking. "We reinforce the border," he said.
Several heads nodded immediately.
Shinji stepped forward slightly. "We can't send too many men," he said. "As Shikaku sensei stated before, that signals fear."
Shikaku's eyes flicked toward him with slight approval.
Minato tilted his head slightly. "Then what do you suggest?"
Shinji didn't hesitate. "A small unit," he continued. "Highly mobile. Capable of responding quickly without escalating tension."
Minato considered it. "the village may not have such a force readily available."
Shinji stepped forward fully now. "Then allow me to lead it." "I may be a clan head," he continued, "but I am a shinobi first." "I'll take responsibility for the mission." "I ask only that I handpick the team."
Minato's eyes locked onto his. "How many?"
"Four."
Minato held his gaze for a moment longer. "Approved, name your squad."
Shinji exhaled slowly "Shisui Uchi—"
He stopped. A chuckle was heard.
"Uchiha-dono."
Shinji froze. Just slightly. Because that tone... he knew it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood there. A faint grin on his face. "Still trying to run off to war without your teacher?" Hiruzen added lightly.
A few in the room blinked.
Shinji stared at him. "You're kidding."
Hiruzen's smile didn't fade. "In the last war," he said, voice shifting just slightly more serious, "I showed Iwa mercy."
"They repay that mercy with shameless aggression." "That is… disappointing. I will lead this unit."
Even Shikaku raised an eyebrow slightly.
Minato looked at him. "Lord Third"
Hiruzen waved him off gently. "The same squad Shinji will name," he continued. "But I will go."
The room was stunned. A former Hokage. A legend. Going to the front lines.
Shinji blinked once. Then a grin broke through. "Hell yeah." It slipped out before he could stop it.
A few heads turned.
Minato exhaled quietly. "You're serious."
Hiruzen nodded once. "Completely."
Then Minato smiled faintly. "Then I'll trust your judgment."
Shinji crossed his arms slightly. Still grinning. "Guess I'll pick the rest then."
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "Try not to pick anyone too reckless."
Shinji shot back immediately. "That eliminates half the village."
A few quiet laughs broke the tension.
Later Shisui caught up to Shinji. "So," he said. "You picked me first, right?"
Shinji smirked. "Obviously."
"Good," Shisui replied. "Would've been awkward otherwise."
"Kakashi?" he asked.
Shinji nodded.
"Yeah."
Another pause.
"And the fourth?"
Shinji's expression shifted slightly. "Still thinking."