Near noon, the Uchiha compound.
After returning, the clan head did not head back to his residence. Instead, he walked straight toward Naka Shrine. At the same time, several figures dispersed with his orders, moving swiftly across the compound.
Meanwhile—
Inside Ren's home.
In the underground training room, a faint blue glow of chakra flickered in the air.
Uchiha Ren sat cross-legged, hands forming seals. Chakra flowed through his fingertips as he traced out a summoning array on the ground—one that did not belong to this world.
The lines of the formation flickered unevenly.
Unstable.
Still experimental.
His consciousness gradually emptied as he tried to sense what the Summoning Technique described—
The "spirits" that existed between heaven and earth.
Gods.
Nature spirits.
Even the souls of the dead.
To become a true summoner.
But this pursuit of emptiness and stillness was dangerously close to the state required for senjutsu.
Which brought a risk—
Unconsciously absorbing natural energy.
And turning into stone.
That lingering concern prevented him from fully immersing himself.
Again and again, just as he approached success—
He fell short.
"Can summoning and senjutsu be cultivated together?"
"Or… like Jiraiya's toads, should I find some kind of spirit or ghost to assist me?"
"Toads are easy enough to find… but spirits and ghosts don't even have a trace."
"And even if they did… trust would be a problem. The benefit might not even be worth it."
In this world, those who mastered senjutsu were rare.
Those who reached Kage-level—
Even rarer.
"So… could I summon the will of nature itself?"
"Like controlling elemental spirits… or even binding something like the Ryūmyaku of Rōran to myself?"
Ren opened his eyes.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"Step by step."
"Thinking about that now… is just chasing illusions."
Unable to fully settle into training, he stood and walked to the desk.
Pulling the Summoning Technique manual closer, he began writing notes—refining his understanding.
Time passed quietly—
Until the soft chime of a wind bell at the doorway rang out.
His pen paused.
He set it down calmly, blowing lightly over the ink to dry it.
Then he rose and walked toward the door.
The lights in the room dimmed.
And in the final moment before darkness swallowed the space—
On the open page, a line of foreign script flashed briefly in the fading light—
Uchiha Clan · Mangekyō Members · Summoning Registry
Madara.
Izuna.
Setsuna…
"Ren-sama."
Uchiha Yashiro stood at the entrance, speaking concisely.
"The clan head has returned. All members are to gather at Naka Shrine immediately."
Ren nodded.
Konoha's leadership had always been pragmatic to the core.
In times of pressure—
They would never hesitate to make decisions that cost them nothing.
Even when dealing with the Uchiha.
Ren adjusted his collar and stepped forward.
"Let's go."
"It's time to witness the turning point of the Uchiha."
"We'll open a new era—by our own hands."
Yashiro raised his hand at an angle, his expression both solemn and excited.
"Yes, Ren-sama!"
—
Elsewhere, in the intelligence coordination room.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a golden sheen across the room.
Uchiha Mikoto sat at her desk, her figure outlined in soft light.
Several scrolls lay open before her—reports of escalating border conflicts.
Kumogakure.
Iwagakure.
Both advancing step by step.
Her brows furrowed slightly as her fingers traced a line detailing Kirigakure's suspected vanguard movements.
A knock sounded.
"Enter."
A young shinobi from the dovish faction stepped inside and bowed.
"Mikoto-sama, urgent order from the clan head. All three-tomoe jōnin are to assemble at Naka Shrine immediately."
Her hand paused mid-motion.
She looked up, a trace of gravity in her eyes.
"So… it's finally here."
She spoke softly, then gathered the scrolls and stood gracefully, smoothing her clothing.
"Notify Hazuki. Have her assemble our people."
She paused.
Lowering her voice slightly—
"I'll go find Ren on the way."
—
In another part of the compound, at Fugaku's residence—
The sound of cutting air rang sharply.
In the courtyard, Uchiha Fugaku trained bare-chested. Sweat traced the lines of his back, running down along well-defined muscles.
His blade moved in arcs of silver, each strike precise and powerful.
Again and again, he repeated the same fundamental motions—
Perfecting them.
Pushing his reactions to their limits.
Hints of wind-based sword techniques flickered within his movements.
Uchiha Yakumi stood under the eaves, watching quietly.
For nearly twenty years, Fugaku had trained without pause.
A man who gave everything to the clan.
The Uchiha had never lacked talent.
Fugaku.
Ren.
And even Shisui, who would shine even brighter in the future.
What they lacked—
Was a leader who could unify them.
And lead them forward.
As Fugaku finished his final strike, Yakumi stepped forward.
"Fugaku-sama. Emergency assembly at the shrine."
Fugaku sheathed his blade with a smooth motion, his breathing steadying almost instantly.
He wiped his face with a cloth and nodded.
"So… it's decided."
His gaze sharpened, carrying the resolve of a man stepping onto the battlefield.
"Bring my clan attire."
A servant presented the neatly folded garments. The Uchiha fan crest stood out vividly against the deep blue fabric.
As he stepped outside, Fugaku glanced toward the sky.
Then spoke quietly—
"Let's meet up with Ren."
Yakumi paused—
Then his eyes lit up.
"Yes, Fugaku-sama!"
—
Soon after—
From different corners of the compound, three groups began to move.
They merged along the stone-paved paths, forming a unified current—
All heading toward Naka Shrine, deep within the forest.
High above, on a distant terrace—
Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Hokaku stood side by side.
Watching the gathering force.
They exchanged a glance.
And smiled.
"You've got a fine granddaughter."
"And you've got a fine grandson."
"Hahaha!"
"Drink!"
The two elders raised their cups, laughter echoing into the open sky as they drank deeply.
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