The next morning—
As intelligence from the night gradually returned to the Red Armor Army camp, Uchiha Hazuki, who had taken over the latter half of the night shift, sorted the key reports and placed them neatly on the table.
She blew out the candle and stretched lazily.
Just as she reached for her ration—
"Hazuki, why eat rations at this hour?"
A soft, slightly lazy voice sounded.
"Daiju and the others should have breakfast ready. Hot food tastes better."
Sunlight streamed in through the window as Uchiha Mikoto slowly sat up. A few strands of hair fell along her pale neck, her expression still carrying the faint haze of sleep before sharpening into clarity.
Gentleness and sharpness coexisted in her gaze, like polished jade reflecting the morning light.
Hazuki smiled, still picking up the ration.
"The clan's rations are already far better than Konoha's."
She added lightly,
"I'll just eat something simple and rest. The important reports are all on the table."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Mikoto nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear.
She stepped forward, quickly reviewed the reports, then donned her armor and walked out into the morning light.
Her crimson armor gleamed.
Dark hair fluttered.
Graceful.
Sharp.
Radiant.
"Lady Mikoto."
Clan members greeted her as she passed.
Soon, her eyes landed on Ren—already seated in the temporary mess hall.
Beside him—
Daiju.
Staring intently at… a strange egg.
"What is that?"
"A rather powerful summoning beast's egg," Ren replied casually, wiping his mouth.
"It just needs the right conditions to hatch."
He nudged Daiju away before the cat could start imagining recipes.
"Don't get any ideas. Bring another breakfast."
—
Soon, Fugaku, Yashiro, Yakumi, and the others arrived.
As they ate, Mikoto relayed the latest intelligence.
Ren held the Digi-Egg in one hand, summarizing calmly.
"Danzo's northeastern force has been battered by the Raikage."
"Heavy losses. A request for reinforcements should already be on the Hokage's desk."
"The northwest remains in stalemate with Iwagakure."
"Minato will have to act."
"As for Sunagakure—they've retreated, but they're still lingering. Waiting."
Everyone nodded.
Then Mikoto added,
"Inabi and Hizashi have confirmed the Mist's movements."
"The commanders are Kisame Hoshigaki and Momochi Zabuza."
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
So those two…
He remembered well—
The Seven Swordsmen.
Once shattered by Might Duy.
Now—
Still dangerous.
"Tell Inabi to remain cautious. No unnecessary risks."
"With the Byakugan, ambush is unlikely," Fugaku added.
Then he turned to Mikoto.
"A group of bounty hunters left Infinite City after accepting the 'Kill Mist Order.' Will they interfere?"
Most present looked confused.
Mikoto answered calmly,
"A side measure arranged by the General. No need to worry."
Ren nodded.
"I'll send a shadow clone to Infinite City."
"The rest—focus on your roles."
"Soon…"
"The real battle begins."
—
Outside Infinite City—
A massive caravan moved along a wide road shaped by Earth Release.
Carts filled with goods stretched endlessly.
Each marked with the Ginza Consortium's emblem.
Tsunade and Shizune stood by the roadside, watching.
Tsunade crossed her arms, eyes narrowing slightly.
So the Uchiha are bringing their own supplies…
Not bad.
She wasn't interested in Konoha anymore.
Didn't want to be.
But at least—
The Uchiha weren't tearing the village apart.
That alone improved her mood.
Shizune, sensing the moment, spoke carefully.
"They say this consortium controls everything here."
"If we can connect with them…"
"Our expenses might be covered."
Tsunade shot her a look.
"I'd rather starve than rely on the Uchiha."
Then—
She grinned.
"Come on."
"Let me show you how it's done."
"I'll win it all back!"
—
"Big! Big! Come on—big!"
"This round—small! All in!"
"Take the house deed! Bet it!"
—
Moments later—
The two stood outside the casino.
Broke.
Completely.
"…Tsunade-sama… do we still get lunch?"
Shizune asked weakly, clutching Tonton.
Tsunade glanced at the pig.
Tonton froze.
Then—
A dangerous thought crossed her mind.
"Shizune…"
"Do you think… the Uchiha might have some… shady dealings?"
"…Huh?"
"Decided."
"Tonight—"
"We raid the Uchiha."
—
On a rooftop nearby—
A small cat licked its paw.
Watching.
Silently.
—
Elsewhere—
Inside a luxurious estate—
Ren sat at the head of the hall.
At his feet—
A noble.
Gasping.
Drooling.
Lost in illusion.
In his mind—
He was a pig.
Feeding happily.
Filth dripping from his mouth.
Ren didn't even look at him.
The city's nobles—
Would all fall soon.
And with full surveillance—
There was no need to hold back.
"Everything's accounted for," A-Yan said softly, leaping into Ren's lap.
"All stolen wealth—returned tenfold."
The black cat added coldly,
"The goods are ready for transport. What about the estate?"
"Burn it," Ren replied calmly.
"Let it fall with the others."
"No need to waste effort."
"And the imprisoned children?"
"As usual."
"Yes, my lord."
—
Outside—
Ten young figures knelt.
Uniformed.
Disciplined.
Alive.
Survivors turned soldiers.
One by one, they entered.
One by one, they faced the Sharingan.
One by one—
They passed.
"No disappointments," the black cat muttered.
"Prepare."
—
Then—
A gray cat rushed in.
Urgent.
"Meow—!"
The black cat froze.
Then turned sharply.
"Tsunade… has entered the city."
—
Back at the camp—
Ren received the report.
His first thought—
Was not her.
But—
The corpse in his possession.
The limits of bloodline.
The possibility of evolution.
The future of the Uchiha.
Then—
He made his decision.
Two shadow clones—
Sent to the city.
Tsunade, in her current state—
Was no threat.
The question was—
How to make her useful.
He paused.
Then smirked faintly.
If persuasion fails…
Then control will suffice.
His fingers brushed the Digi-Egg.
Another thought surfaced—
Kisame.
His betrayal.
His future.
And suddenly—
A new possibility began to take shape.
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