Afternoon sunlight filtered through the treetops, scattering dappled shadows across the stone path. The harsh heat of noon had faded, leaving only a gentle warmth behind.
After the clan assembly, Uchiha Ren and Mikoto walked side by side along the path.
"Excluding genin, the clan currently has fifty-eight three-tomoe users, thirty-two jōnin, and five hundred eighty chūnin."
Mikoto spoke softly, reciting a number that would shock any of the Five Great Nations.
Yet a trace of regret flickered across her delicate features.
"My grandfather once said that during the Warring States era, there were at least a hundred three-tomoe users in the clan. That was how the Uchiha dominated the Land of Fire."
Her gaze lowered slightly.
"Now, although our total numbers have grown… the proportion of top-tier shinobi has declined."
Seeing the unspoken lament written across her face, Ren chuckled.
"Back when you learned how the Sharingan awakens, wasn't there someone who wished no one in the clan would ever have to go through that?"
"And now you're saying—"
"Ren—"
She cut him off, cheeks puffing slightly.
"That was then. This is now."
Glancing around to confirm no one was nearby, she slipped her arm through his, tilting her face up with a rare hint of playful annoyance.
"This time, we're facing an entire great village alone. No matter how strong we are, there's always a limit."
"Relax."
Ren slowed his pace, glancing at her calmly.
"A large army fights one way. Elites fight another."
"When the enemy advances, we retreat. When they settle, we harass. When they tire, we strike. When they withdraw, we pursue."
"The Uchiha will fight a guerrilla war."
"Maximize individual strength. Use the depth of the Land of Fire. As long as we pull Kirigakure into our rhythm… they're nothing."
"Thousands of their shinobi will just become stepping stones for our name."
Mikoto's eyes brightened.
"That's true… Kirigakure lacks strong reconnaissance. As long as we move fast and avoid encirclement, they can't pin us down."
Small units could be devoured.
Large forces—
Would never catch the Crimson Guard.
But then, she frowned slightly.
"Kirigakure isn't a puppet. They won't just follow our pace."
"What if they advance steadily, forcing a direct confrontation?"
"That would be troublesome."
"Then we won't deal with it."
The answer caught her off guard.
Her eyes widened slightly, confusion plain on her face.
The expression earned her a light flick on the forehead.
"Mikoto, remember one thing."
"The Uchiha are not Konoha's subordinates."
"And Konoha has no right to treat us as expendable."
Ren smiled faintly.
"And you're forgetting something."
"There are still Konoha's regular forces on the eastern front."
"They receive the Land of Fire's support—so the main battlefield is their responsibility."
"Large armies fight large armies."
"That's true," Mikoto replied, nudging his arm lightly with her forehead. "But Ren… don't flick your elder sister's head~"
Her tone carried mock displeasure, but her expression soon turned serious again.
"The eastern army has at most two thousand shinobi. They can't hold off Kirigakure's main force alone."
"If the line collapses… what then?"
Ren looked at her, lowering his voice.
"We stand aside."
"And watch."
She froze.
Lips slightly parted.
"Think about it carefully."
"If Kirigakure pushes deep into the Land of Fire—"
"Who should be most worried?"
Understanding dawned quickly in her eyes.
"Konoha as a whole… every clan, every stakeholder… will be forced to act."
"Exactly."
Ren nodded.
"Only when everyone's interests are threatened does the machine truly move."
"We just act at the right time."
Mikoto accepted his reasoning—
But her brows still knit slightly.
"Konoha is already fighting on multiple fronts."
"If we don't hold Kirigakure back… can it really endure?"
"After all… our home is still there."
Ren placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, a faint, knowing smile appearing.
"Come over tonight."
"I'll show you something interesting."
"You're trying to trick me again."
She shot him a sidelong glance, eyes shimmering with mild reproach.
"If you're going to say it, say it now."
"Not here."
He straightened slightly.
"There are people nearby."
Then his tone shifted, returning to calm analysis.
"The four great villages were never unified."
"In the last war, even the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage killed each other."
"They'd rather lose themselves than let others gain."
A faint trace of mockery curved his lips.
"If Kirigakure truly gains momentum in the east—"
"The first to react won't be Konoha's clans."
"It will be the other villages watching from the sidelines."
"No one will allow a rival to swallow what they believe should be theirs."
Mikoto nodded slowly, deep in thought.
Her fingers slipped gently from his grasp.
She walked ahead a few steps—
Then turned back with a soft smile, giving him a quick, playful glance before continuing on.
Ahead stood a residence of white walls and blue tiles, glowing warmly in the sunlight.
Two glass lanterns hung at the entrance, each etched with the Uchiha crest.
A bronze wind chime chimed softly beneath the eaves.
Over the doorway, a wooden plaque bore four bold characters—
Uchiha Residence.
From within—
Laughter drifted out.
Bright.
Unrestrained.
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