Preparation

Elder Setsuna grew more animated as he spoke. His aged frame seemed to straighten a little.

"Renhuo! Did you hear that? This isn't a blind flight. It's a path to rise, with a clear goal and a plan we can carry out! Shaoyu doesn't just possess the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan—he also has the intelligence and vision to match that power!"

"I trust you to follow him! The Uchiha blood won't grow cold, and it won't be extinguished. On new soil, it will burn even more fiercely!"

"Yes, Elder Setsuna! Shaoyu!"

Led by Lianhuo, the ten Uchiha elites answered in unison. There was no hesitation left in their voices, only burning determination and eager anticipation for the future.

They looked at Shaoyu with complete trust and a firm resolve to follow him.

Uchiha Setsuna watched them with relief, then solemnly placed the scroll containing the secret passage map back into Shaoyu's hands.

"Keep the map safe, and be careful. When you reach Kumogakure... look for me, and tell me whether the lightning there really is more full of life than Konoha's fire."

He paused, his voice lowering with the weight of his parting words.

"Survive, and grow stronger. The future of the Uchiha rests with you."

Shaoyu gripped the scroll tightly and nodded. "I won't let you down."

Moonlight spilled through the gaps in the stone window, falling across a row of determined young faces.

The shadow of their defection still loomed, and the road ahead would surely be strewn with thorns.

But at that moment, in the dim stone room, a seed called "rebirth" had broken through the oppressive soil, its Uchiha pride and resolve guiding it toward the distant sky, where thunder rumbled without end.

"Shaoyu really has grown up."

In Setsuna's memory, Uchiha Shaoyu had always been exceptionally gifted, unmatched by anyone in the entire Uchiha Clan. Even Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader's son, fell short of him.

Perhaps because of his overwhelming talent, Uchiha Shaoyu had been impatient and reckless, acting without considering the consequences. That was why Danzo's trick had so easily provoked him into angrily attempting to assassinate Bunpuku, the One-Tail Jinchuriki.

"Maybe he figured some things out while standing between life and death."

Uchiha Setsuna sighed inwardly. Looking at the calm, perceptive Shaoyu, whose gaze seemed to reach far into the distance, he felt that this brush with death, perilous as it had been, had unexpectedly brought out the brightest brilliance in the uncut jade.

He could never have imagined that the person standing before him was now an entirely new being, one who had fused with a soul and memories from another world.

Shaoyu received Elder Setsuna's undisguised relief and trust with a clear mind. After a brief pause, he spoke.

"Elder Setsuna, the plan is settled, but there are countless details involved in defecting. We still need to prepare carefully."

Setsuna nodded.

"Shaoyu, once you get back, make your preparations as quickly as you can. Don't delay."

Elder Setsuna gave his final instructions, his concern plain in his eyes.

Shaoyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over Lianhuo and the others. His voice was steady, with a note of resolve that allowed no argument.

"Everyone, return to your homes at once and make only the most essential preparations, as I said earlier. Bring only your weapons, ninja tools, necessary supplies, and personal jutsu scrolls."

"Meet in two hours, at two in the morning, beneath the abandoned watchtower at the southeast corner of the Third Training Ground, behind Kage Rock."

"Yes, Lord Shaoyu!"

The ten answered in unison, though a hint of confusion crossed their eyes. Shaoyu hadn't mentioned what he himself would be doing.

"Elder, there's one more person I need to take with me."

Shaoyu turned to face Setsuna, his voice clear and firm.

"My younger brother, Shisui."

The air in the stone room grew still. The Uchiha elites present all knew the name Uchiha Shisui.

He was Shaoyu's younger brother, born to the same mother. Though only six or seven, he had already shown remarkable ninja talent and maturity. More importantly, he adored and relied on his older brother.

Elder Setsuna pondered for a moment.

"That child, Shisui... His talent is truly astonishing, and he has a good heart. But he's so young, and the road ahead will be perilous. Taking him along..."

But as a seasoned elder of the Uchiha Clan, Setsuna understood the clan's fierce devotion to younger brothers. He didn't refuse Shaoyu.

"Because the road ahead is dangerous, I can't leave him behind in Konoha."

He didn't want to leave such a powerful weapon behind for Konoha. Kotoamatsukami was so absurdly powerful, and he didn't even know whether he might fall victim to it.

Besides, what if he wanted to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan someday...

Though he didn't have to worry about going blind.

"Shisui is an Uchiha, and he's my brother. The Konoha High Command's suspicion and suppression of the Uchiha will only grow worse. If I leave on my own, what will happen to Shisui if he stays here?"

"Will he be watched, manipulated, used—or slowly smothered by the increasingly oppressive environment, like the rest of our clan? I can't accept that possibility."

He looked at Lianhuo and the others.

"Taking Shisui will certainly be an added burden, but he's sensible and won't hold anyone back. Besides..."

Shaoyu paused briefly.

"His potential may be far beyond what we imagine. The future of the Uchiha shouldn't rest only on those of us here. The next generation matters just as much."

Lianhuo was the first to speak up, nodding.

"Shisui's a good kid, and he's clever. We can take turns watching over him on the way. One more family member means one more source of strength."

Uchiha Shaoyu would be their leader from now on. In an unfamiliar village, only with someone like Shaoyu at the helm could they be sure they wouldn't be swallowed up. So Lianhuo supported him completely.

The other Uchiha chimed in as well. Under the shadow of their defection, family ties and bonds of blood felt especially precious. Taking one more Uchiha child with them meant preserving one more piece of hope.

Seeing their reaction, Elder Setsuna no longer objected. He only sighed.

"You're right. I didn't think it through. That child, Shisui... Going with you may be his best chance. But how will you persuade him? He's so young. Can he handle such a sudden upheaval?"

"Shisui trusts me."

Shaoyu spoke with confidence.

"He's more perceptive than most children his age, and he understands what 'leaving' means better than they do. I'll explain it to him, at least in part. Time is short. I have to get back at once."

With the original owner's memories, he understood the bond between Shisui and himself.

He turned to Lianhuo and gave his order in a low voice.

"Lianhuo, coordinate everyone's preparations to leave and make sure nothing goes wrong. In two hours, I expect to see everyone beneath the watchtower, including Shisui. No exceptions."

"Yes! You can count on me, Lord Shaoyu!" Uchiha Lianhuo stood straight, his eyes filled with absolute obedience.

Shaoyu bowed deeply to Elder Setsuna one final time. "Elder, please take care of yourself in Konoha. We'll... meet again."

"Travel safely." Elder Setsuna waved, then turned away, no longer looking at Shaoyu, as if afraid his eyes might reveal too much.

Shaoyu didn't hesitate. His figure flickered and melted into the night like a phantom, racing toward his home.

He moved incredibly fast. His Sharingan glimmered faintly in the dark as he deftly avoided the patrolling Anbu and Military Police Force, like a fish gliding through the shadows.