The search of Uzushio Village's ruins and the rescue efforts lasted a week.
Among the ruins of Uzushio Village, they rescued a few villagers and shinobi who were still clinging to life—just over a dozen people in all.
"Master Nao, we haven't found any survivors in three days. Let's head to Konoha!"
Uzumaki Nao understood by now that there would be no more survivors.
His pale face gave a nod. "All right, Master Naraku."
The two Uzushio Village shinobi who had led the Uchiha team there were both jōnin from Uzushio Village. Their names were Uzumaki Nao and Uzumaki Qu, and they specialized in Fuinjutsu.
Stricken with grief at the destruction of their home, the Uzumaki survivors all looked pale, clearly unable to accept that their village had been destroyed.
"You can't stay in Uzushio Village any longer. Those forces may come searching here often. Come with us to Konoha!"
Naraku said to Uzumaki Nao.
For a great clan with a thousand years of history to vanish just like that made the Uchiha, another ancient clan, feel the sorrow of watching a fellow clan fall.
Of the clan's several thousand members, only a handful remained. It was practically the same as being wiped out.
Uzumaki Nao nodded without replying. In silence, he led the shinobi and villagers they had rescued from the ruins, following behind the shinobi unit.
"Once we reach our post, you can rest for a few days. Then I'll escort you to Konoha. It's about time for the guard rotation anyway."
"Master Naraku, thank you very much."
Though Uzumaki Nao wasn't in the mood to talk, he still had to respond politely.
Uzumaki Nao wasn't in the mood to talk, but Naraku was, and he probed for information.
"I've heard your clan's Fuinjutsu is unmatched. Perhaps the unknown shinobi attacked you for that very reason. You won't have to worry about this anymore once you're in Konoha."
"The Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu was passed on to Konoha long ago. Now that we're moving to Konoha, there's no reason for anyone to covet it."
Uzumaki Nao said blandly. At the same time, he pulled a scroll from his pocket and tossed it to Naraku.
"The Uchiha are also an ancient clan, but I've never heard of any famous Fuinjutsu of yours. This is a scroll of the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu. See if you're interested, Master Naraku."
Naraku caught the scroll, feeling rather pleased. Uzumaki Nao was quite thoughtful. He knew the Uchiha weren't well liked in Konoha.
The so-called Land of Whirlpools Style Sealing Technique was controlled by the Hokage faction. The Uchiha had never even heard of it in Konoha, let alone seen it.
"In that case, thank you. I've indeed wanted to study and learn more about Fuinjutsu."
Having received the gift, Naraku's impression of Uzumaki Nao improved. This guy knew how to handle things. He was someone worth getting along with.
The Uzumaki and the Senju Clan of Konoha had been friends for generations. Now that the Senju Clan had gone into seclusion, their ties had extended to Konoha and Uzushio Village.
Uzumaki Nao knew that Uzushio Village had long ago passed its Fuinjutsu on to Konoha. By giving a copy to Uchiha Nara now, he was currying favor with one of Konoha's great clans without passing the knowledge outside the village. Either way, it would be Konoha shinobi learning Fuinjutsu.
The Uchiha had also saved the Uzumaki Clan. Since their benefactor was interested, giving him a copy of Fuinjutsu that had already spread through Konoha was a way to build a personal bond.
As the foremost clan in Konoha, the Uchiha were a good clan for Uzumaki Nao to befriend. It would probably make life in Konoha easier for them.
With the guard rotation on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, Naraku's squad escorted the Uzumaki survivors to Konoha.
Konoha
Hokage Building
Third: "I'm sorry. We sent shinobi to Uzushio Village as soon as we received your plea for help. I hope there were survivors.
"You'll settle in Konoha from now on. Uzushio Village and Konoha have been friends for generations. Perhaps you should have come to Konoha long ago."
Sarutobi Hiruzen comforted Uzumaki Fei, who had brought the orphans here. He took a puff from his pipe and sighed.
"Thank you for taking us in, Konoha." After coming to Konoha and meeting the Hokage, Uzumaki Fei was overcome by the sorrow of losing his country.
Combined with Sarutobi Hiruzen's warm, approachable manner, it made Uzumaki Fei lower his guard and burst into tears.
"Go on, child. I've arranged land and houses for you. From now on, you're members of Konoha.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the flames will burn. The Will of Fire will continue to light the village and let new leaves sprout.
"Your new leaves have come to Konoha. They'll take root and grow."
Seeing that Uzumaki Fei could barely contain his grief, Sarutobi comforted him. He also took the opportunity to spread the Will of Fire and encourage those who had lost their home and country.
"Yes! I'll make sure the Uzumaki seedlings take root and grow!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still young at this point, known as the Shinobi Hero, but the warm, kindly manner he would later become known for was already showing.
After leaving the Hokage Office, Uzumaki Fei felt at ease. After meeting the Third, he even began to feel that perhaps they could build a better life in Konoha.
They might not have felt that way after meeting Shimura Danzō.
Land of Rain
Shimura Danzō sneezed, feeling a little puzzled. He was usually in excellent health, so why had he suddenly sneezed? Was it Sarutobi Hiruzen?
Danzō shook his head.
Night
Naka Shrine, Uchiha Clan Compound
Though the Shinobi World was in the middle of the Second Shinobi World War, that didn't stop the Uchiha from holding a clan meeting.
After the Senju went into seclusion, the Uchiha became Konoha's foremost clan. They controlled the Konoha Military Police Force and were a powerful, prestigious clan.
"All right, those who support Uchiha Nara becoming clan head, raise your hands."
More than half of the hundred-plus shinobi raised their hands, most of them members of the Police Force.
"All right, those who support Uchiha Fugaku becoming clan head, raise your hands."
Again, close to half of the hundred-plus shinobi raised their hands.
"All right, the votes are in. Uchiha Nara has 55 votes, and Uchiha Fugaku has 56."
"Wait, we old-timers haven't voted yet."
The elderly shinobi seated in the elders' section spoke up.
Both Naraku and Fugaku were a little nervous. They were young standouts in the Uchiha Clan, rising stars who represented the clan.
Their vote totals were close. Fugaku had thought he'd won by a narrow margin, but now there was an unexpected twist.
Naraku stared intently at the old man who had spoken, hoping that he and the others would vote for him.
"You're both promising young men, and I think highly of you both. How about this? The two of you can fight, and we old-timers will give our votes to the winner."
Choosing a clan head wasn't the same as choosing a fighter. Strength mattered, but so did a person's standing among the clan.
The clan's votes were separated by just one, showing that many members held both of them in high regard.
Fugaku was 17, four years older than Naraku. A shinobi's strength grew rapidly between the ages of 12 and 16, and Naraku was only 13, not yet fully grown.
Fugaku, meanwhile, was fully grown and tall, giving him a considerable advantage.
Naraku nodded at the elder's suggestion. Without the chance to compete, he would have already lost. The Great Elder held greater prestige among the clan members.
The contest wasn't entirely fair, but Naraku still had a chance to fight.
Uchiha Nara was known as Copy Ninja Naraku, while Uchiha Fugaku was known as Fugaku of the Fierce Eyes. Both were Uchiha elites who had earned their reputations after just two battles.
Konoha had quickly assigned the Uchiha to posts far from the front lines to guard against threats, so the two wouldn't gain any more merit.
"Naraku, you're no match for me. Give up. I'll make you my right-hand man."
Fugaku said calmly. Uchiha Fugaku had matured early and was powerful. If Naraku hadn't come out of nowhere, no one would have been able to rival him.
"Big Brother Fugaku, that's just what I was about to say."
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