Preparation

Uchiha Setsuna grew more animated as he spoke, his aged frame seeming to straighten by a few inches.

"Renhuo! Did you all hear that? This is not a blind flight; this is a path to rise with a clear goal and a viable route! Shaoyu not only possesses the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, but he also has the mind and vision to match that power!"

"Following him, I am at ease! The blood of the Uchiha will not cool, nor will it be extinguished; it will burn even more fiercely on new soil!"

"Yes! Elder Setsuna! Shaoyu!"

Led by Renhuo, the ten Uchiha elites responded in unison. There was no longer a shred of hesitation in their voices, only a burning fighting spirit and a strong anticipation for the future.

The looks they cast toward Shaoyu were filled with absolute trust and a determination to follow him.

Uchiha Setsuna watched this scene with gratification, once again placing the scroll containing the secret route solemnly into Shaoyu's hands.

"Keep the map safe and act with caution. When you reach Kumogakure... see for me if the lightning there is truly more vibrant than the fire of Konoha."

He paused, his voice dropping low, heavy with entrustment.

"Survive and grow strong. The future of the Uchiha rests on your shoulders."

Shaoyu gripped the scroll tightly and nodded heavily. "I will not fail the trust placed in me."

Moonlight filtered through the cracks in the stone window, spilling onto one determined young face after another.

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

But at this moment, in this dim stone room, a seed named "rebirth" had already broken through the oppressive soil, carrying the unique pride and resolve of the Uchiha, and aimed itself at the distant, thunder-filled sky.

Shaoyu has truly grown up.

In Setsuna's memory, although Uchiha Shaoyu had peerless talent—none in the entire Uchiha clan could compare to him, not even the clan leader's son, Uchiha Fugaku, who was a notch below him—perhaps due to that immense talent, Uchiha Shaoyu had been impetuous and reckless. That was why he had been so easily provoked by Danzo's scheme, going in a fit of rage to assassinate the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Bunpuku.

Perhaps it was between life and death that he figured some things out.

Uchiha Setsuna felt a surge of emotion in his heart. Looking at the calm, wise, and far-sighted Shaoyu before him, he felt that this brush with death, while extremely perilous, had unexpectedly polished this uncut gem into its most dazzling luster.

He could never have imagined that the person standing before him was already a brand-new existence, one who had fused with the soul and memories of another world.

Shaoyu received the undisguised gratification and trust in Elder Setsuna's gaze, his heart clear. He pondered for a moment and spoke.

"Elder Setsuna, the plan is set, but the matter of defection is complex and still requires meticulous preparation."

Setsuna nodded.

"Shaoyu, once you return, prepare as quickly as possible. Do not delay."

Elder Setsuna gave his final instructions, his eyes filled with undisguised concern.

Shaoyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over Renhuo and the others, his tone steady and carrying an unchangeable resolve.

"Everyone, return to your respective homes immediately. Follow what I just said and make the most minimal preparations. Bring only weapons, ninja tools, essential supplies, and personal ninjutsu scrolls."

"Two hours from now, at 2:00 AM, gather under the Abandoned Watchtower at the southeast corner of the Third Training Ground behind the Hokage Rock."

"Yes, Lord Shaoyu!"

The ten men responded in unison, though a trace of confusion flashed in their eyes, as Shaoyu had not mentioned his own arrangements.

"Elder, I still need to take one more person with me."

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

"My younger brother, Shisui."

The air in the stone room grew slightly heavy. Uchiha Shisui—this name was not unfamiliar to the Uchiha elites present.

He was Shaoyu's biological brother. Although he was only six or seven years old, he had already displayed extraordinary talent as a ninja and a precocious temperament. More importantly, he adored and relied on his older brother immensely.

Elder Setsuna pondered for a moment.

"Shisui... his talent is indeed astonishing, and his nature is pure. But he is too young, and the path of defection is exceptionally dangerous. Taking him with you..."

However, as a veteran of the Uchiha clan, Setsuna understood the clan's tendency to be protective of their younger siblings, so he did not refuse Shaoyu.

"It is precisely because the road ahead is dangerous that I cannot leave him alone in Konoha."

He did not want to leave such a powerful weapon for Konoha. Kotoamatsukami was so broken that he didn't even know if he might fall victim to it himself.

Besides, what if he needed to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in the future...

Even though he had no risk of going blind.

"Shisui is a child of the Uchiha, and he is my brother. The suspicion and suppression of the Uchiha by Konoha's top brass will only deepen. If I leave alone and Shisui stays here, what will he face in the future?"

"Will he be monitored, guided, and used, or will he, like other clansmen, gradually suffocate in an increasingly oppressive environment? I cannot tolerate that possibility."

He looked at Renhuo and the others.

"Taking Shisui will indeed add some burden, but he is very sensible and will never drag everyone down. Furthermore..."

Shaoyu paused slightly.

"His potential may far exceed our imagination. The future of the Uchiha should not be pinned solely on us; the next generation is equally important."

Renhuo was the first to express his stance, nodding.

"Shisui is a good kid, and he is very smart. Take him with us, and we will take turns looking after him on the road. An extra family member is an extra source of strength."

From now on, Uchiha Shaoyu would be their leader. In a strange village, only by having a leader like Shaoyu could they ensure they wouldn't be devoured, so he supported Shaoyu's words one hundred percent.

The other Uchiha echoed his sentiment. Under the shadow of defection, the bonds of blood and family appeared exceptionally precious. Taking away one more seed of the Uchiha meant preserving one more shred of hope.

Seeing this, Elder Setsuna no longer opposed it, only sighing.

"You are right. It was my oversight. Shisui... following you may be the best path. But how will you convince him? He is so young; can he withstand such a sudden, massive change?"

"Shisui trusts me."

Shaoyu's tone was full of confidence.

"He is more perceptive than most children his age and understands the meaning behind 'leaving' better. I will explain it to him, at least in part. Time is tight; I must return immediately."

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

He turned to Renhuo and ordered in a low voice.

"Renhuo, you are responsible for coordinating everyone's evacuation preparations to ensure nothing goes wrong. Two hours from now, under the watchtower, I want to see everyone, including Shisui—not a single person missing."

"Yes! You can count on me, Shaoyu!" Uchiha Renhuo straightened his back, his eyes filled with absolute obedience.

Shaoyu bowed deeply to Elder Setsuna one last time. "Elder, please take care of yourself within Konoha. We shall... meet again."

"Take care on your journey." Elder Setsuna waved his hand and turned away, not looking at Shaoyu again, as if afraid that the emotions in his eyes would leak out too much.

Shaoyu did not hesitate. His figure flickered, blending into the night like a phantom as he sped toward his home.

He moved with extreme speed, his Sharingan glowing faintly in the darkness, precisely avoiding the patrolling Anbu and the Military Police Force like a fish swimming through the shadows.