The Uchiha Clan Flees en Masse

Uchiha Du Yang controlled the complete Susanoo, causing massive explosions in several parts of Konoha. The Konoha High Command should have immediately organized a rescue effort.

But he had no time to worry about anything else.

The struggle for power was often the most important thing.

Konoha's situation had now become dire. The village was in complete disarray, with no one in charge.

The two most powerful men in Konoha were the Hokage and Danzo.

The Hokage was dead, and before dying, he had accused Danzo of colluding with the Hokage clan and launching a surprise attack that killed him.

So when Danzo urged everyone to pursue the fleeing Uchiha, it came across as a transparent attempt to cover something up, plunging most of Konoha's ninja into confusion.

Besides, the Hokage was dead. Danzo wasn't the Hokage, so what gave him the right to issue orders?

Danzo's version of events didn't match what Lord Hokage had said. Why should anyone believe him?

The two sides faced off, and for a while, neither could prevail in the argument.

One side supported Danzo. Most were members of Root or ninja who admired him.

The other side believed Lord Hokage's words and thought Danzo really had colluded with the Uchiha Clan.

Konoha descended into chaos.

In truth, Du Yang had counted on Tsunade and Jiraiya's inability—and unwillingness—to take control of the situation.

At the edge of Konoha's barrier.

At the No. 7 emergency drainage outlet to the southeast.

The final cover team, led by an Uchiha elite jonin, watched the distance tensely.

They had held their position for nearly an hour, turning back three scattered groups of scouting ninja.

The large-scale manhunt they had expected never came. The fires in the distance grew brighter, and faint cries of panic reached them. They understood what had happened.

Konoha had truly fallen into chaos...

"It's time."

The Uchiha glanced at the Ink Jade Talisman in his arms. Its light was fading.

It was a communication tool left by the clan leader, Zhao. When its light went out, it meant all the escape routes had been closed—and that the clan leader had completed his mission.

The Uchiha Clan had escaped successfully.

Suppressing the stirring in his heart, he said quietly,

"Follow the plan. Erase the traces. Move out."

The team sprang into action, using Explosive Tags to stage a cave-in and block their pursuers.

Once they were done, the Uchiha elite jonin took one last, lingering look at Konoha, where he had lived for decades. Then he turned resolutely and disappeared into the dark, damp underground passage, racing toward the distant rendezvous point.

Deep down, he felt no attachment to Konoha.

The people here had long since decided they had no place for the Uchiha.

Fifteen miles west of Konoha's main gate, in a secluded mountain hollow.

Dozens of Uchiha who had successfully left the village in small groups using forged documents waited anxiously.

Most were scholars and craftsmen from the clan, along with some noncombatants.

A composed Uchiha jonin led them.

Three enormous mushroom clouds from the explosions slowly spread across the distant horizon. Even here, they could feel the ground trembling faintly.

Then the Ink Jade Talismans in their arms went dark one after another.

"The clan leader's signal. The routes are closed." The lead jonin's voice was hoarse, and elation surged across his face. "We did it. Konoha hasn't sent anyone after us."

After a brief silence, someone began to sob. It was a mother clutching her young daughter tightly.

Then more shoulders began to shake, and tears streamed down faces.

They couldn't believe they had really made it.

"We... really got out?"

"We're free... We're free!"

They embraced one another, patted each other on the shoulders, and checked that everyone was safe.

Sunlight filtered through the morning mist and fell upon them, as if gilding the clan members who had just broken free of their cage with the gold of a new beginning.

"Gather your things and head for Rendezvous Point One." The lead jonin wiped away his tears, his voice firm and strong once more. "The clan leader and the people holding the rear guard must be waiting for us."

At the secret waterway exit downstream on the Naka River, several inconspicuous flatboats carrying the last group to flee by water quietly glided into the broad channel. They followed the current, quickly leaving Konoha's borders behind.

The ninja on the boats rowed with all their strength. The women and children huddled in the cabins, listening to the flowing water and feeling the boats pick up speed.

When the Ink Jade Talismans went dark and they confirmed that no pursuers had appeared along the banks, someone finally let out a long breath.

It was as if that breath carried away the last of the weight in everyone's hearts.

"It's over. It's all over." An elderly Uchiha elder wept openly. "We've finally left that place."

The young ninja straightened their backs and looked at the scenery rushing past on either side, their eyes filled with hope.

They knew the road ahead would be hard, but at least, for the first time, their fate was truly in their own hands.

"Pick up the pace. The clan leader is waiting for us." The elite jonin in charge of the boats spoke sharply, but there was a trace of lightness in his voice.

The flatboats shot through the morning mist like arrows, heading toward an unknown shore... one full of hope.

When the sun had fully risen and chased away the last of the night, Konoha remained shrouded in grief, suspicion, fear, and confusion.

Only then did Konoha's ninja realize that the Uchiha Clan, who had once lived along the Naka River, had vanished without a trace.

Their clan compound stood eerily empty and still in the morning light.

Only the wind swept through the deserted streets, stirring the wind chimes beneath the eaves that no one had had time to take down.

More than a hundred miles from Konoha, at the designated first rendezvous point, the Uchiha who had escaped gathered from every direction.

When they saw familiar faces, confirmed that entire families were safe, and learned that the elite rear guard had also returned one after another, smiles spread across every face.

Uchiha Du Yang's parents, Uchiha Tenchi and Xia Hong, as well as his younger brother Izumi, were all safe and sound.

One of the gathering points lay close to a mountain valley.

Deep in the valley, a natural cave had been cleverly expanded into a temporary meeting hall.

Uchiha Du Yang sat on a flat boulder, his face still somewhat pale.

Seated before him were several figures.

On his left sat Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Fugaku.

They were the only two other members of the Uchiha Clan who had reached Kage Level combat strength.

On his right sat three Uchiha elders: Uchiha Fumihiko, who oversaw the clan's records and history; Uchiha Ryusuke, who had handled some of the clan's external supply channels and knew a great deal about the Shinobi World's geography and economy; and Uchiha Toyo.

These three ninja could barely be considered weak Kage-level fighters.

The atmosphere in the cave was solemn. Only the faint sound of a waterfall could be heard.

One Super Kage, two Kage-level ninja, and three weak Kage-level fighters made for an impressive top tier, but there was a huge gap below them.

With strength like theirs, trying to found a village would be a pipe dream.

But a goal was one thing; surviving was another.

"We've completed an initial headcount," Uchiha Toyo said first. "Aside from the twenty-seven elderly and infirm who volunteered to stay behind and draw attention, and the nine brave warriors confirmed killed while holding off the pursuers, the remaining 2,143 clan members have all reached the three designated rendezvous points safely. They're making their way toward this valley."

"The injured have received preliminary treatment. We're still checking supplies. We don't have much, but there's enough to sustain us for half a month of travel."

Everyone nodded slightly. It was a far greater success than they had expected.

Itachi Uchiha continued, "Konoha is in serious turmoil. Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead, and Shimura Danzō has been publicly accused and lost all credibility. They won't be able to organize an effective pursuit anytime soon."

"Jiraiya and Tsunade are both shaken. Neither has any desire to become the next Hokage. The major clans and factions in Konoha are keeping their distance, and none of them dare act rashly."

"But in the long run, Konoha won't let this go. Once they've stabilized things internally, they'll pursue us relentlessly."

"We need a new home." Uchiha Fugaku looked at the rough map of the Shinobi World laid out before them. "Konoha's Anbu and Root have far-reaching networks. Ordinary small nations and border regions may not be safe, and we could easily be caught up in the ambitions of the great powers."

"Where that home should be is a question worth discussing."