Throne Of The Uchiha

Return to the Village

After crossing the border of the Land of Earth, the dense forests near Bird Pass offered natural concealment. Fugaku and his four companions did not dare slow down. This region, though neutral, was still too close to Iwagakure's patrol zones. Pursuers could cross the border covertly at any time.

They pressed on for nearly an entire day before detecting no signs of pursuit. Only then did they ease their pace slightly, though vigilance remained high.

They took shelter in a cave near Tori no Kuni—a narrow buffer zone near the Land of Wind. Though technically neutral, its proximity to Sunagakure made it politically sensitive. A misstep could provoke unwanted attention from the Sand Village.

Fugaku observed Yamashiro Kiyokawa closely. His chakra had dimmed noticeably, and his complexion was pale. Pushing on without rest might worsen his internal injuries—possibly rupturing his chakra pathways or leading to infection.

Within the dimly lit cave, four figures lay or sat quietly, conserving chakra and bandaging their wounds. Fugaku, sitting upright near the entrance, opened his eyes as Gekkō Shūichi returned from his reconnaissance.

"What's the situation outside?" Fugaku asked quietly. "Any signs of movement from Sunagakure?"

At his words, the others stirred slightly. Gekkō Shūichi crouched beside him, brushing dust from his travel cloak.

"I made a round near the Sand's outer patrol routes," he reported. "There's activity, but nothing directly aimed at us. No signs of Iwa-nin either. It's as if they've vanished."

Fugaku nodded thoughtfully. "The incident in the capital of the Land of Earth can't be hidden. Each nation has informants in key cities. With tensions already high, no one's a true ally."

He looked to Hyūga Ning. "You and Shūichi will monitor the perimeter. The Sand may not act immediately, but we can't afford to underestimate them. Their puppet brigades are silent and deadly."

They shifted locations to a more concealed cave the following day. During that time, several squads of elite Suna-nin swept the area around Tori no Go. Whether they were seeking Iwa operatives or simply reacting to the growing unrest was unclear. But thanks to Shūichi's Byakugan-like surveillance and Ning's sensory skills, they avoided contact.

Over the next three days, the team moved only a short distance each day—enough to mislead any trackers. Fugaku ordered deliberate pauses to ensure Yamashiro's injuries stabilized. By the fourth day, color had returned to Kiyokawa's face, and his chakra signature was stable.

They resumed travel, this time entering the Land of Rain.

Although Amegakure was a battlefield for proxy wars, its very chaos granted a kind of protection. Here, alliances were irrelevant. Any unfamiliar ninja was a potential enemy. But the lack of unified search efforts also meant Fugaku's team could blend into the storm.

---

Meanwhile, in the Tsuchikage's Office – Iwagakure

Tsuchikage Ōnoki hovered behind his desk, his expression stormy. The silence in the room was finally broken as he slammed his palm down.

"Nothing for days. Not a single trace! Withdraw the trackers. We're wasting shinobi and rations."

He ground his teeth. Despite his meticulous deployment, Fugaku's group had slipped through twice—once in the Land of Earth, and again at the border.

Ōnoki no longer expected results from the teams near Tori no Kuni.

A senior Iwa-nin stepped forward. "Lord Tsuchikage, has the Daimyō responded regarding deployment into the Rain Country?"

At the mention of the Daimyō, Ōnoki's scowl deepened.

"He's withholding approval. The Nagai clan refuses to surrender control over the logistics network. Other noble families in the capital are also maneuvering for influence."

He exhaled sharply. "Selfish fools. They argue over coin while our forces bleed."

He paused, then added bitterly, "Send masons and craftsmen to the capital. Repair everything—at Iwagakure's expense. We must appease the court."

The damage caused by the Rock-nin's failed suppression of Fugaku's raid—particularly the deaths of civilians—had been a public embarrassment. Ōnoki had been forced to apologize personally, a rare humiliation.

---

Konoha – Hokage's Office

Before the wooden doors of the Hokage Tower, the five returned shinobi straightened their posture and knocked.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up as they entered. His sharp eyes flickered with faint surprise before he composed himself.

He had already received reports from the Fire Daimyō's office and Konoha's intelligence division regarding the chaos in the Land of Earth. But to see Fugaku's team return—alive, intact—was beyond expectation.

Uchiha Fugaku had reportedly not only evaded multiple Iwa pursuit teams but had seriously wounded a prominent Iwa jōnin, Hōgan (Yellow Rock), known for his Earth Release suppression tactics.

The Sandaime offered a rare smile. "Excellent work. I've seen the reports. You're wounded—head to the hospital immediately."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," they answered in unison.

Hiruzen did not overpraise them. In wartime, even successful missions were just pieces in a much larger puzzle. Still, in his mind, he made a note: Fugaku's abilities are growing faster than expected.

---

Outside the Hokage Tower

As they exited the building, a presence approached—cold and oppressive.

Danzo Shimura.

His aura was unmistakable: stern, martial, and exuding command. His right eye remained wrapped in medical bandages, a souvenir from an ambush in the Second Great Ninja War. On his back was a short tantō, his posture perfectly upright.

Fugaku inclined his head slightly. "Danzo-senpai."

The others followed with respectful nods.

Danzo's eye narrowed slightly as he scanned them.

Just as they were about to pass, he paused.

"Uchiha Fugaku," he said abruptly. "Have you ever considered joining Root?"

Fugaku didn't flinch. The question was expected. Danzo had extended similar offers to other elite genin and chūnin, but rarely in person.

"To be invited by you is an honor," Fugaku replied calmly. "I would welcome the chance to serve. However, my current responsibilities may delay this for six months to a year."

Danzo gave a slight nod. "Understood. Your record will be reviewed."

He said no more and continued into the Hokage's office.

As silence returned to the corridor, Fugaku thought to himself: Understanding Root from within might be the only way to protect the clan from its shadow.

---

Konoha Hospital

At the hospital, their wounds were redressed. Fugaku, still in fighting condition, was cleared to leave, but the others were asked to remain for several days to ensure full recovery.

Fugaku stepped outside and looked toward the Uchiha district. The journey back to Konoha was over—but the path ahead was only getting more complicated.

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