The night was as thick as ink, and the abandoned watchtower at the edge of the Uchiha Clan Compound loomed like a silent beast, crouching in the massive shadow cast by the Hokage Rock.
Long since reclaimed by weeds and vines, its wooden structure exuded an air of decay—a corner that even the patrol squads couldn't be bothered to inspect closely.
It was a quarter to two in the morning.
Uchiha Shao Yu led Shisui, the two of them sweeping onto the second floor of the crumbling tower like two wisps of smoke.
The view here was relatively open, offering glimpses of Konoha's scattered lights in the distance, yet it was cleverly obscured by rock walls and trees, making it an excellent temporary meeting point. Inside the tower, dust lay thick, and the air was stagnant.
Shisui pressed close to his brother, his small hand still clutching the corner of Shao Yu's clothes. By the dim moonlight filtering through the broken window, he surveyed his surroundings with both curiosity and wariness.
He kept his breathing very light, demonstrating excellent stealth skills, but a slightly quickened heartbeat still betrayed his inner tension.
Shao Yu gently patted his back, wordlessly offering reassurance.
Regarding Shisui, Shao Yu could only think that he truly lived up to the name of the future 'Shisui of the Body Flicker.' Even at only six or seven years old, his Body Flicker Technique was already quite proficient, and his Chakra reserves had reached the level of a Chunin—an absolute genius.
Minutes passed by. In the forest, there was only the rustling of night wind through pine needles and the occasional, faint sounds of night training or patrols in the distance.
Finally, a few minutes before the appointed time, the first figure appeared on a branch outside the tower like a ghost, then landed lightly and flipped into the tower in a few bounds.
It was Uchiha Renka.
Dressed in dark, form-fitting gear, he carried a bulging but neatly tied tactical backpack. His Ninja tool pouch at his waist was full, likely packed with many supplies. His eyes were sharp as he immediately locked onto Shao Yu's position and gave a slight nod.
Immediately after, a second and third figure flashed into view. Two Uchiha Jonin arrived almost simultaneously: Uchiha Mikka, cold-faced with a long blade on his back, and Uchiha Chikage, steady in demeanor with Chakra threads wrapped around his fingers.
Their presence was restrained, and their movements were clean and efficient.
Truly worthy of being Jonin of the Uchiha Clan; they were significantly stronger than other Jonin of the same rank.
Seven Chunin followed.
Uchiha Rei, a specialist in Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, had changed into a purple, form-fitting combat suit suitable for movement, with her long hair tied back neatly.
Uchiha Mei, skilled in tracking and reconnaissance, was small and agile, her eyes appearing exceptionally bright in the darkness.
The other male Chunin also took their positions, each well-equipped. Aside from their necessary travel bags, they carried no extra burden.
Over a dozen people gathered on the cramped and dilapidated second floor of the watchtower.
No one spoke; there was only the rustling sound of slight adjustments to breathing and equipment. The air was thick with a mixture of tension, determination, and a faint hint of excitement.
Moonlight occasionally swept across young or resolute faces. Those pairs of Sharingan, glowing faintly in the dim light, were like crimson stars lurking in the darkness.
Shao Yu's gaze slowly scanned everyone. Good, no one was late, no one had fallen behind, and everyone was well-prepared.
His gaze lingered briefly on Shisui. The little guy was trying hard to straighten his back, attempting to make himself look more reliable.
He patted Shisui's head.
"Everyone is here."
Shao Yu spoke, his voice not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Check your final equipment and confirm communication methods. We are about to embark on a journey with no turning back. The road ahead is fraught with danger: Konoha's pursuers, obstacles along the way, and even the unknowns after arriving at the Hidden Cloud Village all await us."
He paused, the Mangekyo Sharingan in his left eye swirling slightly. Those strange bands of light seemed to absorb the moonlight, giving his words more weight.
"But remember, we are not stray dogs fleeing in panic. We are warriors who have actively chosen a new life, carrying the pride and future of the Uchiha! Every step we take is for ourselves, for each other, for our clansmen behind us who cannot join us, and to ensure the name Uchiha is never trampled upon again!"
The breathing of the group quickened slightly, and the crimson in their eyes grew even more intense.
The reason Uchiha Shao Yu had consulted Setsuna instead of defecting alone with Shisui was entirely because if there were only the two of them, Shao Yu estimated he would be captured by that ambitious Third Raikage to be used as breeding stock.
After all, with only one or two Uchiha bloodlines, breeding would be the best method for them. In ten or twenty years, a host of powerful shinobi with Bloodline Limits would appear in the Hidden Cloud Village.
For the Hidden Cloud Village, male shinobi with Bloodline Limits were much better than females.
After all, a female shinobi with a Bloodline Limit can only give birth once a year, while a male can keep producing.
However, with over a dozen people going together, combined with Uchiha Shao Yu's Kage-level combat power, they would be a small Ninja clan upon arrival. Even the Third Raikage would not underestimate them, and they would receive the respect they deserved in the Hidden Cloud Village.
"Now," Shao Yu took out the secret passage scroll given by Elder Setsuna from his robes and slowly unrolled it.
It was a finely drawn map, marking several extremely hidden underground passage exits outside the Uchiha Clan Compound, some of which even utilized loopholes in early Konoha defensive works.
"Our first objective is to use the secret passages to quietly leave the range of Konoha's Barrier and enter the border forests of the Land of Fire."
"Renka, you lead the scouting team in front; Tekka, Chikage, you two are responsible for the rear and erasing any traces we might leave; Rei, keep an eye on everyone's physical condition; Mei, watch for movement from the rear and flanks. The rest of you, maintain a defensive formation and protect the core. Shisui," he looked at his brother.
"Stay close to me. Do not move more than ten steps away from me at any time."
"Yes, Brother!" Shisui nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Lord Shōba!" everyone responded in a low chorus.
Shao Yu pointed out the key parts of the map to Renka and the others, then carefully tucked it away.
"Commit the route to memory. Once we set out, everything will proceed according to plan, but be prepared to adapt. In case of an emergency, my orders take highest priority. Understood?"
Ninjas have excellent memories, and in just a short moment, these people had memorized the map.
"Understood!"
"Then," Shao Yu took one last look at the hazy silhouette of Konoha in the distance. It was the place where they had lived for over a decade, with familiar training grounds, the eaves of the clan compound, and countless suppressed memories and impending conflicts.
But having Transmigration there, his feelings weren't particularly deep. His eyes held no trace of attachment, only a cold determination.
"Move out."
The moment the command was given, thirteen figures shot out from the abandoned watchtower like arrows released from a bow. There was no earth-shattering noise, only the faint whistle of clothes cutting through the wind and the slight friction of feet hitting the ground.
They merged into the night, following their established formation and swiftly stealthing toward the first secret passage entrance marked on the map, located at the outermost edge of the Uchiha Clan Compound near the Forest of Death.
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808