They had been watching since the night before, and finally, by dawn, their patience paid off. The worker from the fishball shop arrived, bringing a few others along with a cart full of goods. The bearded man climbed onto the cart, and they headed out of the village. The three of them straightened up with excitement—it was finally happening.
The cart traveled along the main road, heading north on Konoha's official path.
"They seem to be heading towards the Land of Hot Water. The cart is marked with the Hot Water symbol. From there, you can get to both the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water. All of them are ninjas. That fishball shop worker hid really well! He totally fooled me... They're splitting up," En said as he observed.
The cart came to a stop, and the bearded man got off, carrying a large box on his back. The young worker and the bearded man left the main group and headed into the forest.
"This is bad. We don't have enough people," Retsu said, sounding a little worried.
"We'll split up too," Haruki said decisively. "En, you're best at tracking. Follow the bearded guy and leave markers along the way. Retsu and I will attack the merchant convoy. Better to be safe than sorry.
I left a message with the guards at the gate. I told them if we didn't come back in an hour, they should go find my father, my teacher, or my uncle.
We also left Uchiha clan markers along the path. As long as we don't lose the trail, this big fish is ours!"
"No problem, you two be careful. And Haruki, you gotta watch out for Retsu. His brain sometimes runs out of steam," En joked, not even giving Retsu a chance to argue before running off after the bearded man.
Haruki grinned. "Let's move fast. Up ahead, there's a creek. I'll set up traps there. We'll wipe them out!" Retsu said confidently.
The two picked up their speed and, about 1500 meters ahead of the convoy, they began setting up traps. One hid underwater, while the other perched on a tree near the road.
Strangely, the convoy also seemed to pick up speed, rushing forward.
BOOM! An explosion tag went off, blowing the left wheel of the cart to pieces.
A storm of shuriken and shrapnel from the broken wheel scattered, hitting two of the workers who collapsed instantly, their fate unknown.
The carriage driver quickly pulled a large box off the cart—an exact replica of the one the bearded man carried—and, with two guards flanking him, sprinted towards the creek.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!""Uchiha Shuriken Projectile!""Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Claw Red!"
Two jutsu shot out from the water, and Retsu triggered the traps. Haruki, hidden in the trees, launched Phoenix Flower Claw Red.
The ambush managed to kill two more guards, but the man carrying the box was clearly of Chūnin level—his movements were sharp and precise. Within moments, Haruki and Retsu closed in, trapping the carriage driver between them.
"We're legitimate merchants from the Land of Hot Water, doing business in the Land of Fire. As Konoha ninjas, shouldn't you follow the Hokage's orders and protect those allied with the village? If you retreat now, we'll forget this ever happened and never return to the Land of Fire. How about it?" The carriage driver was still trying to negotiate.
"Why don't we follow the Hokage's orders? Because we're Uchiha!" Retsu answered with a grin. "Quit pretending. So, are you going to surrender, or do we have to help you along the way?"
Haruki didn't bother chatting. The moment Retsu started talking, Haruki began forming hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!""Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
This was a combo move Haruki had developed from memory.
He followed up with a "Manipulated Shuriken Technique."
The carriage driver finally stopped talking. "Water Style: Wild Water Wave!""Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!""Lightning Style: Earth Walk!"
The carriage driver sneered internally. These two brats are total rookies. Ambushing someone by the water without expecting Water Style? Hah.
"Water Style: Water Prison Technique!"
"Got him! Haruki, how did you know he would use Water Style?" Retsu asked excitedly.
Haruki smiled. "He was heading towards the Land of Hot Water. If you're going there, you're probably from either the Land of Lightning or the Land of Water. In places with water, both Lightning and Water Style are advantageous.
And you said we were Uchiha. Everyone knows Uchiha specialize in Fire and Lightning. If he didn't run to the water, where else would he go? Plus, I used my jutsu to push him right toward your clone's trap. Good thing you know Water Prison, or this would've been a lot harder."
Retsu chuckled. "Yeah, but I can only use Water Prison in the water. Don't count on it anywhere else. So... should we kill him right away or ask questions first?"
"No chance. Look," Haruki said, pointing at the Water Prison.
The ninja inside had already coughed up blood and killed himself.
"Better finish him off. We need to get to En quickly. If they're willing to die for this secret, it's definitely bigger than we thought. Your birthday gift might have to wait," Retsu said with a worried expression.
"By now, that Uchiha guard should have sent for backup. Our job is just to keep tracking them and provide directions. If necessary, we stall and delay. Come on, leave a marker and let's go back up En," Haruki said.
Even though his words sounded calm, the worry was obvious on his face as he turned away. They had to get to En, and fast.
While Haruki and Retsu were engaged in their ambush, En was quietly following the bearded man and the shop worker. The two moved quickly—especially the bearded man, who carried that massive wooden crate yet walked with ease. He was definitely not ordinary.
En had just marked their trail when a group of ten or more people appeared up ahead.
The bearded man handed the wooden crate to one of them, who opened it and carried out a little girl, placing her on his back. Five of the ninjas then moved off quickly.
The fishball shop worker was among them. Judging by her size and build, it was the same orphan girl they had seen before. She jumped into the now-empty crate, and the bearded man and a few others headed off in a different direction. Some of the ninjas followed the original group that left.
"They're smuggling people?! Looks like I'll have to give up on the bearded guy," En murmured to himself.
He left a clear marker where the bearded man went—using the common signals of Konoha ninjas. For the two other groups, he left special Uchiha symbols and team-specific codes before hurrying after the larger group.
Back in Konoha, a young Uchiha man in traditional attire approached Haruki's father. "Lord Ieyasu, I am Uchiha Danten. I have a letter for you from your son and his teammates. Also, they left the village gate about an hour ago."
"Oh, a letter from Haruki. That kid... running off all night. His mother's going to blow her top. Haha!" Ieyasu laughed, clearly amused. "Thank you, Danten. You're Ajisai's kid, right? Tell your father we should drink together sometime!"
"Yes, Lord Ajisai is my father. I'll take my leave now," Danten replied respectfully, bowing before leaving gracefully.
As soon as he finished reading the letter, Ieyasu's face turned serious. "Send someone to find Mei. Also, gather the First Division at the village gate."
"Ieyasu, there's trouble. I've already sent word for the First Division to gather at the village entrance. Take a look at this," he said, handing the letter to Nobunaga.
Nobunaga quickly skimmed the letter. "Hoshi, take this letter to the Great Elder. Let him know that Ieyasu and I are leading the First Division out, and the village is under his care," he ordered.
A female Uchiha took the letter, nodded, and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, listening to the report.
"Report, Lord Hokage. Three minutes ago, the Uchiha Clan Leader gathered a squad and left the village," an Anbu reported.
"Lord Hokage, the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan is here to see you," a Chūnin announced as he opened the door.
Sarutobi waved the Anbu away, and the Anbu vanished. He nodded to the Chūnin, who bowed and exited, closing the door behind him.
Moments later, the door opened, and the Uchiha Great Elder stepped in. He didn't waste any time and handed Sarutobi a letter.
He spoke calmly, "Young people are eager to make their mark; forgive them if it brought any trouble. The clan leader has already taken men to provide support. Rest assured, no one will cause trouble under the Police Force's watch. Please, Lord Hokage, just wait for the good news."
Sarutobi read the letter, then looked up at the Great Elder. "Young ninjas with spirit are what Konoha needs. Since the Uchiha Clan Leader himself is handling it, I'm sure there's no cause for worry. Great Elder, you need not be concerned."
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Hokage. I know you must be busy, so I won't take up any more of your time. I'll take my leave," the Great Elder replied with a slight bow before turning and walking out.
Sarutobi watched him leave, then took a long drag from his pipe, blowing out a cloud of smoke. He stared at the lingering smoke for a moment, then murmured three words: "The Uchiha Clan."