Pursuers—Continued

As Uchiha Yo and Uchiha Retsu lay in ambush, Uchiha En slowly followed the bearded man and the young clerk. The two moved quickly. Even carrying a large wooden crate on his back, the bearded man moved with swift, steady strides. He had to be an expert. Just as En had finished marking down the route, more than ten people appeared ahead. The bearded man handed the crate on his back to one of them. A ninja then took a girl from the crate and carried her on his back, after which five ninjas hurried away. The girl who had delivered the fish was also among them. Judging by their builds, she was about the same size as the girl from the crate. She jumped into the box, while the bearded man and several ninjas headed in the opposite direction. A few other ninjas continued in the direction the earlier squad had gone.

"Are they kidnapping people?! Looks like I'll have to give up on the bearded man." Uchiha En muttered to himself. He left a conspicuous mark in the direction the bearded man had gone, using the kind of markings Konoha ninjas commonly used. In the directions of the other two groups, he set up Uchiha-specific markers and the squad's unique code, then gave chase.

"Are you Lord Ieyasu? I'm Uchiha Kuzan. Your son and his two teammates left a letter for you. Also, they left through Konoha's gates about an hour ago." A young man dressed in Uchiha attire spoke respectfully to a handsome middle-aged man and offered him the letter with both hands. "Oh, a letter from little Yo. That brat stayed out all night and still dared to run off and cause trouble outside. His mother will definitely be furious when he gets home. Heh heh." The handsome man wore a lecherous grin. "Thanks for the trouble. You're Aokiji's boy, right? Come drink with your father and me sometime." "Yes, Uchiha Aokiji is my father. Then, sir, I'll take my leave." With that, he bowed and departed at an unhurried pace, handsome as a flower boy. After reading the letter, the handsome man's expression turned grim. He said to a clansman beside him, "Send someone to find Ming. Also, have the First Brigade assemble at the village entrance."

"Brother, something happened. I've already had the First Brigade assemble at the village entrance. Take a look." As he spoke, he handed the letter to Uchiha Nobunaga.

Uchiha Nobunaga took the letter and quickly read through it. "He, take this letter to the Grand Elder. Tell him that Ieyasu and I have already set out with the First Brigade. He'll be in charge of the village." A beautiful Uchiha woman took the letter, used the Body Flicker Technique, and left.

"Report, Lord Hokage. Three minutes ago, the Uchiha Clan Head assembled a brigade and left the village." An ANBU was reporting to the Third Hokage. "Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan's Grand Elder requests an audience." A chunin opened the door and announced. Hiruzen Sarutobi waved the ANBU away, and the ANBU vanished. He then nodded to the chunin, who closed the door and left. Before long, an elderly man pushed the door open and entered. He was the Uchiha Clan's Grand Elder, Uchiha Sora. Uchiha Sora did not waste words. He directly handed the letter to the Third Hokage, then said, "Young people are eager to earn merit. I fear they have made Lord Hokage laugh. The Clan Head has already led people to provide support. We certainly will not allow anyone to cause trouble before the Guard Force. Lord Hokage need only await news." After reading the letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Uchiha Sora, "Konoha's young people should have this sort of drive. Since the Uchiha Clan Head has personally gone, there should be no issue. Grand Elder, you need not worry too much either." "Thank you for your consideration, Lord Hokage. I imagine you have many affairs to attend to, so this old man will not disturb you further. Farewell." With that, he turned and left. The Third Hokage watched the Grand Elder's departing back, lit his pipe, took a puff, and exhaled three words: "Uchiha Clan."