Clansmen

Fugaku Uchiha looked over the eleven members of his squad. Four were new, so everyone introduced themselves again to help the newcomers get acquainted.

That would help them work together on future missions.

Jonin Inuzuka Maru came from Konoha's Inuzuka clan. At his side was a large ninja dog he had raised since it was a pup. The dog could scout and assist in combat, though the Land of Rain greatly diminished the Inuzuka clan's tracking abilities.

Yamamoto Isuke shared a surname with the murdered Elder Yamamoto, but the two were unrelated. He specialized in Water Release. Looking at Isuke's youthful face, Fugaku guessed he was about his own age and had probably been promoted to Chunin at short notice.

Aida Maki was a veteran Konoha Chunin who had held the rank for years and completed many dangerous missions. Among Chunin, he counted as an elite. He specialized in Fire Release and Earth Release.

Harada Tongze had been promoted to Chunin two years earlier. He specialized in Wind Release and Inherited Swordsmanship.

"The squad's been reorganized," Fugaku Uchiha said. "Some of you may never have fought in a war. You might not be used to combat this intense. But given the situation, we don't have time to ease into it.

"We'll receive a mission within days. I want you to make an effort to get used to your teammates and the tension. Use the time we have left to train together near the camp. With luck, you'll develop some rapport."

The situation had been relatively stable of late. Though the fighting in the Land of Rain was brutal, the Wind, Earth, and Fire Countries had yet to commit fully. Each nation had sent only one powerful figure to oversee the war.

The Naruto World was one where the Five Great Nations coexisted, and the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water had yet to make a move.

The three countries were holding back partly to test one another and gather intelligence, and partly because they were wary of the two great nations still on the sidelines. None wanted another nation to profit from their fighting.

Konoha and Kumogakure had been allies since the last war, but Konoha remained wary of a sudden intervention by Kumogakure. When a village's interests were at stake, an alliance was just a scrap of paper.

Just over twenty Uchiha clansmen had been assigned to the Forward Camp. At present, only four remained there, Fugaku included.

A few days earlier, Uchiha Jin had compiled a list of the Uchiha clansmen at the Forward Camp, complete with names and tent numbers. Every Uchiha clansman had a copy.

It was something Konoha's Great Families tended to do to make it easier to stay in touch. Hyuga Ning, Aburame Nozawa, and Inuzuka Maru all had lists showing where their own clansmen were stationed in the Forward Camp.

Fugaku did not know the other three Uchiha clansmen particularly well. They came from the Security Force, though, and had always treated him courteously.

What those three thought would reflect the views of at least some Uchiha clansmen. Learning what his clansmen truly wanted would help him lead the clan in the future.

Strength mattered, but so did winning people over. Madara Uchiha had once stood above everyone in the Shinobi World; only the First Hokage could match him.

Yet most of his own clan had opposed him. To lead the clansmen well, Fugaku would have to win most of them over to his vision.

Fugaku took out the list of Uchiha at the Forward Camp. Tent 25 housed Maeda Uchiha, a clansman with the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. Fugaku lifted the flap and looked inside.

Three ninja were chatting in the tent. When they saw Fugaku Uchiha at the entrance, Maeda stood and headed outside.

"He's here for me," Maeda told his two teammates. "He's from the Uchiha clan. I'll be back in a bit."

Maeda seemed delighted that the clan head's son had come to see him in person.

The two stepped out of the tent. Light rain pattered around them as they began to talk.

"Fugaku, does the clan need us to do something?"

"Not right now," Fugaku said. "I just wanted to talk to the clansmen still at the camp. How are you settling in?"

Maeda smiled. "Don't laugh, but I'm pretty nervous. This is my first war. Still, I can't disgrace the clan, so I've managed to keep my composure these past couple of days.

"I've been watching the others, too. Most of the ninja haven't been to war before. A lot of them are nervous."

Fugaku nodded. "I was nervous when I first arrived, too. After one mission, I'd completely adjusted."

Maeda smiled. "Don't worry about me. We have Konoha's strongest Kekkei Genkai, after all. I won't disgrace the clan in front of outsiders. If it comes down to it, I'll give my life to uphold the Uchiha clan's honor."

Fugaku saw the sincerity in Maeda's eyes. Here was someone who valued his clan's honor more than his own life.

He had been chatting happily with his teammates at the tent entrance, able to keep his pride to himself and get along with them. Yet when it mattered, he would sacrifice his life for the clan's honor.

Fugaku did not know how many clansmen were like Maeda. If he guided them well in the future, they could make a real difference.

He talked with Maeda a little longer about the Land of Rain and shared a few tricks he had picked up on his missions there.

Fugaku hoped Maeda would survive the war and become an outstanding Uchiha clansman.

After parting with Maeda Uchiha, Fugaku went to Tent 36.

The clansman in Tent 36 was Uchiha Ueno, a Konoha Jonin with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. His natural aptitude, however, was not particularly strong.

Ueno was thirty. He had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at twenty-seven, after his father's sudden death.

"Fugaku, what brings you here?" Uchiha Ueno said. "You're a busy man. I hardly ever see you. But you've done the clan proud.

"You're the only thirteen-year-old Jonin leading a squad in the Forward Camp. Plenty of youngsters in the clan look up to you."

"You're too kind, Ueno," Fugaku said. "I've spent the past few days getting my squad working together and haven't had a chance to visit."

"No need to be so formal with me," Ueno said. "When I first joined the Security Force, I served on the Clan Head's squad. He taught me a great deal."

Fugaku was taken aback. Ueno had served under his father. No wonder he was so friendly.

"Fugaku." Ueno's expression turned serious. "The Clan Head and I both fought in the last Shinobi World War. We only caught the end of it, but I can still see how terrible it was.

"The fighting in the Land of Rain is only the opening stage, with each side testing the others. You and I are different. I'm thirty now, and my strength won't improve much more.

"If I die on the battlefield fighting for the Uchiha clan's honor, that will be reward enough for me. You have a great future ahead of you. Of all of us, you're the one most likely to lead the Uchiha clan to greatness."