After several rounds of detailed discussion and the issuance of orders, the black cat and silver-spotted cat departed one after the other.
Mikoto, acting as both head of intelligence and Anlan's chief secretary, neatly recorded every key point and pending task. Only after everything had been clearly organized did she gently set her brush aside.
She gathered her thoughts, then lifted her gaze toward Anlan, her expression turning slightly grave.
"Anlan, the current war situation is extremely unfavorable for Konoha."
"Other than Orochimaru's forces on the southwestern front… every other direction is reporting bad news."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"This instability… I'm afraid it will only continue to worsen."
"If the balance between the nations collapses…"
"…then what follows may no longer proceed according to anyone's expectations."
Her concern was well-founded.
The Uchiha had already begun undermining the authority of the daimyō. Whether the rulers of the Five Great Nations could still restrain their hidden villages had become uncertain.
And once war escalated beyond control—
No one could predict how it would end.
"When the old order shatters, no one can predict where its fragments will fall."
"Chaos breeds ambition…"
"And ambition gives rise to new rulers."
Anlan rested his chin on interlaced fingers, his gaze calm and unfathomable.
"What we must do…"
"…is ensure that in this inevitable upheaval, the Uchiha always stand in the most advantageous position."
"Hold the greatest power."
"Stand upon the firmest foundation."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"And when the storm passes—"
"We will not merely endure."
"We will become the mountain that reshapes the world."
He paused.
Then began issuing orders.
"First—intelligence."
"Spread the news across Konoha: 'Kirigakure's second wave will invade the eastern Land of Fire tomorrow.'"
"Fast. Wide. Urgent."
"Create pressure."
"Second—force display."
"Have the clan send another hundred Red Guard troops."
"But reduce their equipment quality."
"Include the elderly, the injured… the visibly weak."
"Let Konoha see that the Uchiha are willing to sacrifice everything to defend the eastern front."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"That will also prevent the Hokage from forcing us to deploy elsewhere under the banner of 'protecting the village.'"
"Third—recruitment."
"Konoha is already unstable."
"Under pressure, loyalties become clear."
"Any clan willing to stand with us—accept them."
"Fourth—Kirigakure."
"The prisoners we hold are sufficient."
"Organize them."
"Form the 'Kirigakure Defection Army.'"
After laying out all four points, Anlan's gaze returned to Mikoto.
"Have Fugaku accelerate the handling of Jūzō Biwa and Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Capture them again."
"As for Jūzō…"
A faint, knowing smile appeared.
"I have my own methods."
"With those three—"
"The Defection Army will not be a rabble."
"They will be its backbone."
"And more importantly…"
His voice turned cold.
"They will become a thorn in Kirigakure's heart."
"A warning to the entire ninja world."
"Those who follow me…"
"Will prosper."
"Those who oppose me…"
"Will perish."
Mikoto's heart trembled.
Deep within her gentle eyes—
A spark ignited.
Burning.
Brilliant.
It reflected Anlan's calm, commanding figure.
And within her—
Something long buried stirred.
The pride of the Uchiha.
The ambition of the Uchiha.
Yes…
This was the man she loved.
Not someone who compromised.
Not someone bound by rules.
But someone who would tear apart the old world—
And redefine it.
The intensity of his presence swept away all hesitation.
Leaving only—
Certainty.
And joy.
"I will carry out your orders immediately."
Her voice was firm.
"The entire ninja world will witness the Uchiha's undying glory."
With the orders issued—
The ninja cat clan.
The Ginza Merchant Guild.
Infinity Castle.
And the three major armies—
All began moving at once.
Anlan summoned Uchiha Hazuki.
He handed her the newly obtained Peach of Grace.
For the same reason as before.
One successful case was not enough.
Without certainty—
He would not risk Mikoto.
Hazuki accepted the jade-like fruit.
She said nothing.
Only bowed.
Then—
Under their gaze—
She consumed it.
Energy surged through her body.
Clear.
Cold.
Resonating with her spirit.
Her life—
Had never been simple.
Defying her clan for love.
Enduring judgment.
Losing her husband.
Awakening the Sharingan through grief.
Raising her daughter alone.
Returning to the clan—
And standing once more.
Love.
Loss.
Rebellion.
Return.
Pain.
Protection.
All of it—
Carved into her soul.
And now—
That soul responded.
A new power was born.
Drawing Return Through Lingering Will.
"Anlan-sama. Mikoto-sama."
Hazuki's voice remained steady.
"Please observe."
She picked up a cup.
Lightly brushed it.
A faint purple mark appeared—
Imprinted with her chakra.
"I've placed a Return Mark."
"As long as the mark exists…"
"I can summon it back."
She threw the cup out the window.
It vanished into the distance.
Falling toward the bustling plaza below.
Then—
She raised her hand.
Palm upward.
The air rippled.
And instantly—
The cup reappeared.
Resting in her palm.
The mark flickered once—
Then vanished.
"This is the core ability."
"As long as the mark remains, I can sense and recall the object."
"But each recall consumes the mark."
She paused slightly.
"Range, weight, barriers… living targets…"
"Further testing is required."
Anlan smiled.
A rare, genuine smile.
A spatial ability.
Simple in appearance.
Limitless in potential.
Transport.
Extraction.
Ambush.
Evacuation.
Even—
Relocating the entire Uchiha clan.
Compared to the teleportation array—
This was superior.
Flexible.
Hidden.
Self-contained.
For a moment—
He felt it.
Fate.
"This…"
"…is the miracle of countless worlds."
His gaze sharpened.
"Hazuki."
"Set aside your duties."
"Return to Konoha immediately."
"You understand the relocation plan."
"Your task—"
"Master this ability."
"Mark every clan member."
"Prepare."
"For what comes next."
"Yes, Anlan-sama!"
Hazuki left without hesitation.
The office fell silent.
Mikoto blinked.
Then looked at Anlan.
Her expression softened.
A hint of grievance appeared in her eyes.
Clear.
Obvious.
I want one too.
Anlan raised an eyebrow.
Leaning back, relaxed—
He gestured toward her.
A subtle.
Intimate.
Teasing motion.
Mikoto froze.
Then—
Blushed instantly.
Her composure shattered.
She glared at him.
Half embarrassed.
Half amused.
"I'm going to work!"
"With Hazuki gone, the intelligence department will be overwhelmed!"
She left quickly.
Graceful—
But hurried.
The door closed.
Cutting off the sound of Anlan's low laughter.
Outside—
Mikoto leaned against the door.
Letting out a soft breath.
Honestly…
She was flustered.
But with work piling up—
It was better this way.
Inside—
Anlan stored the final Peach.
Tomorrow—
He would give one to Mikoto.
And after that—
It would be time.
To build—
A true elite force.
But his focus remained unchanged.
Others becoming strong—
Was not the same—
As becoming strong himself.
Later—
He arrived at the Kirigakure prisoner compound.
Uchiha members sparred with captives.
Relentlessly.
Breaking them.
Crushing their will.
Planting a single truth:
The Uchiha—
Were invincible.
After observing briefly—
Anlan gave an order.
Jūzō Biwa was brought forward.
Under the Sharingan—
Even a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—
Would bow.
Soon—
Jūzō was taken away.
To be "reborn."
Beside him—
Uchiha Inabi hesitated.
Then stepped forward.
Voice lowered.
"…General."
"Tekkai is already leading troops."
"What about me?"
Worrying your brother suffers is one thing.
Worrying he succeeds—
Is another.
Inabi had earned his merit.
He refused to fall behind.
Anlan smiled faintly.
"Why the rush?"
"Reinforcements are on the way."
"When they arrive…"
"You'll have your chance."
Inabi's eyes lit up.
All hesitation vanished.
"Yes, General!"
"I, Uchiha Inabi—"
"Will give everything for you!"
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