The lights in the Hokage Office burned late into the night.
Kagami Uchiha stood before the desk, having just finished his observation report on the temporary Uzumaki camp.
His voice was steady and clear as he detailed everything, from the camp's layout and the residents' condition to the events surrounding the "Oath of Revival."
"...By the time Elder Long Yi led the clan members in their final oath, their emotions had largely stabilized.
"Clan Head Shui Yuan is seriously injured, but his spirits are holding up."
Kagami bowed slightly. "That is the general situation."
Nangō Kumoi leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the desktop.
After hearing the report, he nodded, but his gaze did not linger on the report itself.
"The Uzumaki Clan..." he began slowly, his voice especially distinct in the quiet office.
"They lived alone overseas. They were called allies, but in truth, they should have long been family.
"Now that their homeland has been shattered and they have come to us, if Konoha sees them only as 'allies living here as guests,' then we will have failed in our duty."
He paused and looked up at Kagami.
"Just like the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha in the past—on the surface, both belonged to one village, but in reality, it was more like a military alliance bound by a contract.
"The compound formed its own district, the police force operated independently, and even its educational system retained considerable autonomy."
Kagami's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
This topic was far too sensitive.
Ever since Madara Uchiha's defection, the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha had remained the most delicate string within the village.
The previous Hokage had either avoided the matter or deliberately downplayed it. No one had ever laid it bare so directly in