A day passed, and the group made camp half a day's journey from the Land of Rivers.
"Clan Head, Fujimoto doesn't have to follow a fixed route. We do, and every time he changes direction, we have to adjust our course.
"By now, he's probably reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.
"The Land of Rivers has difficult terrain. It's always been a gathering place for Mercenary Ninjas and the Underground Black Market, not to mention the notorious Bounty Stations.
"The Land of Fire is Konoha's home ground, so finding someone there is easy. But the Land of Rivers lies beyond Konoha's patrols. With Fujimoto's abilities, hiding there would be effortless," Aida said.
"Clan Head Fugaku, Aida is right. Once Fujimoto enters the Land of Rivers, finding him will be like searching for a needle in a haystack," Dan Katō said.
Fugaku shook his head. "Fujimoto won't do that. Rogue Ninjas want one of three things: fame, profit, or freedom.
"He could have all the profit he wanted among the Uchiha. Once he leaves that behind, only fame and freedom remain. Whether he wants a great reputation or true freedom in the future,
"he'll choose to fight us. That way, Konoha won't casually send shinobi after him again.
"That's how Fujimoto has always operated: he plans before he acts. Since he dared to defect, he must already be prepared to face me.
"I'm curious myself. What trump card does he have that made him willing to abandon everything in Konoha and become a Rogue Ninja?"
Surprise showed on everyone's faces, though Fugaku's reasoning made sense. As Uchiha Clan Leader, he was immensely powerful, with an astonishing record. He could even take on an entire village alone.
Every Uchiha Senior Official had much to lose.