Unlike the three elders waiting for "a signal arrow piercing the clouds, sharpening their blades for pigs and sheep," and unlike the tense atmosphere inside the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.
In the director's office on the top floor of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters, the three youths who held the Uchiha Clan's present and future in their hands each had their own affairs to attend to.
The setting sun slanted through the windows. Uchiha Fugaku stood silently before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window with his arms folded, gazing at the Hokage Building in the distance, its outline blurred by the twilight.
The man's brows were tightly furrowed, his gaze heavy.
As time passed, the restlessness and unease mounted, gradually increasing the pressure on him and leaving him plagued by doubts.
If we hadn't been so impulsive, if we'd used a more prudent approach...
Could the clan and Konohagakure's upper ranks have avoided the worst outcome?
Countless what-ifs surfaced in his mind, and Fugaku felt as if his head were about to explode.
But as a proud Uchiha, the clan's other banner, he could only ever show composure to the outside world.
It's come to this. Stop overthinking!
Look at Ren and Mikoto. Fugaku, pull yourself together. Don't embarrass yourself!
The Uchiha Clan are no cowards!
Fugaku stared at his own faint reflection in the glass, at the hesitant and uneasy man he could barely make out. He clenched his teeth and asked himself from the depths of his turbulent heart—if he became clan head, would he truly have the ability to lead the clan well?
Uchiha Mikoto sat upright in the office chair. One hand gathered a loose strand of raven-black hair that had fallen over her forehead and tucked it behind her ear, while the other flipped through the intelligence files spread across the desk.
The lingering sunset cast a soft halo over the girl's delicate, focused face. Accompanied by the rustle of turning pages, it could not help but soothe the mind.
The Konoha Military Police Force's intelligence naturally fell within Mikoto's responsibilities as well. Whether a war broke out or not, the work ahead still had to be done.
Because the more she came into contact with the clan and the more she understood Konohagakure, the more firmly she believed in Ren.
Between people and between factions, conflict was an eternal melody.
She had watched her beloved summon clan members from outside, strengthen the clan, cultivate himself and manage his household, steadily improve his abilities, and develop his own foundation.
Then the Hawk Faction and Dove Faction had merged, carrying along the wavering Clan Head Faction and pushing the clan into unity against Konohagakure's upper ranks.
Now, Konohagakure had powerful enemies outside and was hollow within. The Uchiha Clan possessed the right time, place, and people. Under Ren's leadership, they would definitely win!
Mikoto's lashes lifted slightly, and her gaze passed over the edge of the file toward the figure on the sofa, bathed in light.
But has this little brat been setting his sights on me from the very beginning?
Mikoto, who had drawn the target after shooting the arrow, suddenly spotted the blind spot. The corners of her lips rose as her gaze returned to the files.
Uchiha Ren did not notice his fiancée watching him. He lounged comfortably against the broad leather sofa, his expression relaxed as he looked out at the magnificent clouds ignited by the sunset, blazing like a raging fire.
They discussed matters in the morning and arrested people in the afternoon.
As laughable as it sounded, such swift and decisive action was actually the Uchiha Clan's first collective decision since Uchiha Madara's departure!
The operation had been filled with recklessness, like the actions of brainless brutes. There had been no need to consider the consequences or think about the future. They had simply made a decision on the spur of the moment and charged ahead!
No one knew whether the final result would be good, but it had felt damn good!
No longer were they like before, when the Hokage's slap landed across their faces and the clan could only have its head issue a few pale, inconsequential protests.
That stifling humiliation had finally been vented freely and thoroughly today.
And while everyone else enjoyed themselves, Ren enjoyed it too.
Next, I need to consider how to land smoothly. Time is on my side.
After this, the first time will be unfamiliar, the second time routine. I'll test the Hokage's bottom line step by step, reverse the offensive and defensive positions, and seize the initiative.
As Ren considered the various possibilities, he glanced at Fugaku, who stood by the window and seemed lost in thought.
Fortunately, this guy was not like Uchiha Itachi. He would not stab his father in the back right before the battle.
The Konoha Military Police Force has Fugaku and me, two Kage-level fighters, along with no fewer than twenty clan members at the Three Tomoe and jonin levels.
At the clan compound, there are three elders and a fully organized Uchiha Shinobi Army.
In the worst-case scenario, no matter which side Sarutobi Hiruzen attacks, there will be enough strength to hold out until the other side can provide support.
Besides, with Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament of growing more formidable with age, he does not have the nerve to completely tear relations apart with the clan before securing the agreement of the other shinobi clans.
Ren reviewed every possibility in his mind. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was utterly calm.
Soldiers would come, generals would block them; water would come, earth would dam it.
There was nothing to fear.
Just as the final rays of the setting sun were about to be swallowed by the horizon, the director's office grew increasingly dim. As the room lights came on, clear and hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock came at the door, followed by Uchiha Yashiro's steady yet slightly tense voice through the door panel.
"Lord Ren, Lord Fugaku, Lady Mikoto. The Hokage... the Third Hokage has arrived at the main entrance of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters with the heads of the Hyuga Clan, Nara Clan, and others!"
The news was like a stone cast into a still lake, breaking the silence in the room.
By the window, Fugaku saw the Hokage's group and lowered his folded arms. His expression seemed even graver in the shadows.
But the hesitation in his black eyes was gone—at worst, they would fight a bloody battle!
Behind the desk, Uchiha Mikoto closed the file in her hands with elegant speed.
She raised her eyes and looked at Ren again. In the meeting of their gazes was trust and support that required no words.
Upon hearing this, Ren merely raised a brow. The leisurely look on his face receded like the tide, replaced by a deep calmness.
He slowly rose to his feet, straightened the lapels of his dark, high-collared clan uniform, and spoke unhurriedly.
"Let's go."
"Our guests are already at the door. As hosts, how could we not go greet them?"
Ren strode toward the door.
Fugaku and Mikoto followed close behind.
Fugaku's steps carried the weight of a man prepared to sink or swim, while Mikoto's remained calm and measured.
The three left the director's office. Outside, more than twenty Uchiha led by Uchiha Yashiro, Hazuki, and Yakumi had long been standing solemnly at attention.
Without any unnecessary words, Uchiha Ren took the lead as the group silently passed through the corridor and descended the stairs.
Their footsteps echoed through the empty Konoha Military Police Force headquarters, answering the faint clamor drifting in from outside.
By the time Ren reached the first-floor hall, twilight had fully descended, while the plaza before the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters was brightly lit.
Konohagakure's upper ranks and representatives of the major clans, led by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, were silently confronting the Uchiha Police Force members blocking the entrance. The atmosphere was taut as a drawn blade.
Ren's gaze passed over Shisui ahead and fell upon the old man in Hokage robes and a conical hat.
"Lord Ren!"
Without slowing, he walked directly through the clan members who automatically parted and greeted him in low voices. Reaching the front of the group, he gave a slight nod. His voice was calm and even, yet it rang clearly across the plaza.
"Lord Hokage, you honor us with your presence. Forgive us for failing to welcome you properly. May I ask what matter has brought you and the clan heads personally to this humble Konoha Military Police Force?"
Before you continue