Chapter 18 The Merged Clan
Just as Koharu was making her plans, things were getting lively in the Uchiha clan compound.
However, amidst the noise, there was also a solemnity and gravity that was different from usual.
After their parents gave them repeated instructions last night and this morning, the Uchiha children left home early.
Instead of leaving their respective factions' designated areas within their territories as before, they followed a new arrangement and gradually converged along the wide main road.
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha, belonging to the hawkish faction, wore dark clan robes and calmly gazed at the other end of the road—
Hazuki Uchiha, also a representative of the dove faction leading a group of children, walked gracefully towards them.
The moment their eyes met, they both smiled knowingly.
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha nodded and said, "Sister Hazuki, let's go together."
"good."
Uchiha Hazuki responded softly, a gentle smile spreading across the fine lines around her eyes.
This is the plan that Uchiha Anlan and Mikoto finalized last night.
Starting with the new generation, the invisible divide between hawks and doves will gradually dissolve.
To truly unite the long-divided Uchiha clan into one force.
The two then called to the cubs and walked out of the clan's gate together.
Upon hearing the news, Fugaku Uchiha rushed over with the children sent by the clan head.
The usually calm and composed Fugaku's lips twitched almost imperceptibly when he saw Yashiro and Hazuki standing side by side.
The joint action of the hawks and doves, leaving the patriarchal faction behind, made Fugaku, the elder brother, somewhat dissatisfied and disappointed.
The fact that the clan is developing well is something to be happy about, but this wave of change is not led by him, which makes him feel lost, as he is determined to revive the Uchiha clan.
But this confusion was only momentary, and he quickly dismissed it from his mind. In any case, the well-being of his family was the most important thing; nothing else mattered.
"Yashiro, Hazuki, I'm late." Fugaku composed himself and greeted them loudly.
Yashiro and Hazuki exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Neither the hawks nor the doves concealed their intentions in this operation; if the patriarchal faction were willing, they could easily have followed suit.
They had anticipated that the children sent by the clan leader would come, but they did not expect that Fugaku, whose status was similar to that of the young master, would lead them instead of Uchiha Yakumi.
"We are too early, Lord Fugaku," Yashiro returned the greeting respectfully.
"Let's go together, Lord Fugaku." Hazuki smiled and stepped aside to make room for him.
Seeing the attitudes of the two men, Fugaku understood the stances of the two factions, and a slight smile appeared on his usually stern face.
The younger Uchiha clan members behind them were all sizing each other up, their clear black and white eyes filled with curiosity.
These children, who should have been familiar with each other, now seemed as if they were meeting for the first time, even showing a hint of hostility.
Many of them don't interact as well as their classmates in school on a daily basis; they might not even exchange a single word with each other throughout the entire year.
The long-standing factional teachings of parents and elders, coupled with sudden changes in their rhetoric, are like a battle between the left and right brains for children.
However, children are at the age when their values are most easily shaped and their personalities are most active.
The initial awkwardness and unease gradually melted away as they walked side by side, led by the three people at the front.
When the Uchiha cubs appeared on the streets of Konoha in such a neat formation for the first time, all the ninjas along the way couldn't help but take notice.
In particular, the scene of the three leading representatives—the hawkish henchmen, the doves' elite, and the patriarch's successor—walking side by side.
All the ninja clan members who witnessed this scene were shocked.
The message spread like wildfire.
When this special team arrived at the Ninja Academy, rumors of the impending unification of the three major Uchiha factions had already spread to every corner of Konoha.
Meanwhile, in the reception room of the Hyuga clan compound, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet it could not dispel the invisible solemnity.
"The Hyuga clan is deeply honored by the presence of Elder Danzo."
The Hyuga clan leader knelt in the main seat, his voice as calm as a mirror, his fair eyes revealing no emotion.
"However, the members of the main family must abide by the clan rules and guard the secret of the 'White Eye' and cannot leave lightly."
"The vast majority of the branch family members are in various ninja armies, while the remaining few members are responsible for protecting the main family."
"With their own duties to fulfill, they are unable to spare any members to accompany Elder Danzo to the northeastern front. Hyuga is truly unable to help with this matter."
These words were polite and considerate, and the reasons given were also quite plausible.
But that silent refusal infuriated Danzo Shimura even more than a direct confrontation.
His thin fingers clenched white in his sleeves, but he only gave a cold snort and stood up abruptly without saying another word.
Then, without looking back, he strode away from the hall, which was filled with an atmosphere of "soft fist" with hidden sharpness.
The moment he stepped out of the solemn gates of the Hyuga clan's territory, a Root ninja wearing an animal mask appeared like a ghost, silently kneeling before him on one knee.
"Lord Danzo."
The ninja reported in a low voice, "Breaking news. This morning, Uchiha Hachiro, Uchiha Hazuki, and Uchiha Fugaku led children from three different factions to the Ninja Academy."
"For the first time, the Eagle, Dove, and Clan Chief factions have openly coexisted in harmony, and all the clans of Konoha have witnessed this."
"The inherently evil Uchiha clan actually pulled this stunt before the big battle...!"
"What are they trying to do? Are they planning a rebellion?"
Danzo spat out curses through clenched teeth, the anger in his chest like a lit detonation tag, almost breaking through his usual gloom.
The frustration of being turned away by the Hyuga clan was intertwined with the news that the Uchiha clan was showing signs of unity.
This made his already sinister face even more twisted and ferocious.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging anger in his heart, leaving only his eyes, which grew increasingly cold and piercing.
"Walk!"
He practically forced the word out of his throat, his figure transforming into a gust of wind as he sped towards his next target territory.
The plan to recruit soldiers must not be halted by this setback; Hiruzen Sarutobi only gave him one day.
But Hinata, who didn't appreciate the favor... he'll remember this debt.
Next, Shimura Danzo visited the Ino-Shika-Cho clan, a secret family bound by blood and bound by an oath made with earrings.
Within Konoha, the three clans are often regarded as a united and mutually supportive family, second only to the Uchiha and Hyuga in strength and status.
in--
The Mountain Clan, represented by the "Pig," excels in perception and mind control, and is responsible for sensing targets and connecting the thoughts of three people in battle.
The Nara clan, represented by the "deer," possesses the ability to mimic shadows and is extremely intelligent. They are responsible for the squad's tactical planning and core control.
The Akimichi clan's representative, "Butterfly," possesses the Yang Release secret technique, Expansion Technique, and serves as the attacker initiating attacks for the team.
The three clans had been on good terms with the Sarutobi clan since the Warring States period. After Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage, they received a lot of support and were staunch supporters of the Hokage faction.
However, Danzo Shimura arrived full of enthusiasm but left disappointed!
End of this chapter...