Chapter 94 - 24

Chapter 24: Multiple Wives, Multiple Blessings! The Aftermath of the Extermination, Part 2!The sky outside the window changed from deep black to deep blue, then to a pale, fish-belly white.A new day had begun.For Konoha, this was the first day after the Uchiharebellion had been suppressed.For the survivors, this was the first day of having lost everything.For Naruto, this was the first day of knowing part of the truth and resolving to change everything.And for those Uchiha who had already "died"...This was the first day of a new life....The same morning, in the deep mountains of the Land of Rivers, at Shelter No. 3.Fifty-three Uchiha survivors gathered in the underground hall.Most of them looked dazed; some still had bandages wrapped around them, with the bloodstains not yet dry.Uchiha Shisui stood at the front."Everyone." His voice echoed through the hall, "From today on, the name Uchiha has become history. We will have new names, new identities, and new lives."Low sobs arose from the crowd."But our bloodline remains." Shisui's voice became forceful, "Our totem remains, and our heritage remains. We are not just scraping by to survive; we are... preserving the spark."He looked at the young people, the children, and the elderly:"Here, you can live safely, cultivate, study, marry, have children, and let the Uchiha bloodline continue. The Suzaku Group of 'Aoi' will provide everything we need: food, medicine, textbooks, and training equipment.""What is the price?" asked a middle-aged man, who was a retired Chunin of the Uchiha, "Do we have to risk our lives for 'Aoi'?""No need." Shisui shook his head, "We only need to do one thing: live, and live better. Wait for the day when Konoha no longer needs to sacrifice us to maintain peace, and wait for the day when the person who can change everything truly grows up..."He paused, his voice becoming distant:"...Our descendants may one day be able to walk in the sunlight again, under the name of Uchiha, without having to worry about being suspected, ostracized, or sacrificed."The hall fell silent. After a long while, someone asked softly, "How long will we have to wait?""Five years, ten years, twenty years... I don't know." Shisui said honestly, "But as long as we are alive, as long as we live, there is still hope."In a corner of the training ground, a few children had already started practicing shuriken throwing. Their movements were still clumsy, but their eyes were serious.In the medical room, Izumi's older brother lay on the hospital bed, and the vital signs monitor emitted rhythmic ticking sounds.A medical Ninja wearing a Suzaku mask was recording data."The condition is stable." She said to the assistant beside her, "He should wake up within three days.""Team Leader Shisui said that once he wakes up, we must report it immediately.""Understood."Outside the hall, logistics personnel wearing Suzaku masks were transporting supplies. Rice, flour, medicine, books, Ninja tools... everything needed for daily life was being continuously transported in through the secret passage.On the highest lookout tower of the shelter, Shisuistood alone, looking toward the direction of Konoha.The wind blew through his hair.Izumi, Sasuke, and everyone in Konoha...Please wait a little longer.Wait until we are strong enough, wait until that child is mature enough.By then...His gaze turned toward the distant east, where the morning sun was slowly rising.The darkness will eventually pass.And once the spark is lit, it will never be extinguished again.On the same day, in the Hokage Buildingconference room.The meeting had already been going on for two hours.Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two Advisors, Danzo, Minato, Kakashi, and others sat around the long table, the atmosphere heavy."...In summary, the Uchiha radicals have been completely wiped out, and the core members of the moderate faction have basically died in battle or gone missing." Homura Mitokado finished reading the last part of the report, took off his glasses, and rubbed his brow, "However, including Shisui, there are actually over fifty missing persons."Danzo's single eye swept over everyone present: "I suggest we investigate this until the truth is revealed! Better to kill the wrong person than to let a single one escape!""Except for Shisui, the other missing persons are the elderly, the weak, the sick, and women and children." Minato said calmly, "I don't think there is any need to wipe them all out!""Womanly benevolence!" Danzo sneered, "Fourth Hokage, surely you haven't forgotten that the Uchiha stood by and watched during the Nine-Tailed incident? This clan has never been a friend of Konoha.""That was the idea of the radicals." Kakashi spoke up, which was rare, his voice lazy but sharp, "According to our investigation, there was disagreement within the Uchiha during the Nine-Tailed incident. At least one-third of the people advocated for joining the battle, but it was suppressed by Fugaku."Danzo's face darkened."Enough." Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe, "The price is already too high! Do not pursue this any further! However, we must pay attention to Uchiha Itachi!"He looked at Minato: "Fourth Hokage, what are your suggestions for the division of the functions of the Uchiha Police Force?"Minato was prepared and took out a document: "I suggest merging patrol and security functions into the regular patrol team, assigning interrogation and investigation functions to the Anbu, and handing over file management to the Administration Department. As for specific personnel arrangements..."The meeting lasted another hour.When everyone finally left the conference room, it was already ten o'clock in the morning.In the corridor, Danzo stopped beside Minato."Minato Namikaze." His voice was very low, audible only to the two of them, "Do you think you've hidden it well?"Minato's expression remained unchanged: "I don't understand what you mean.""Uchiha Shisui." Danzo stared at him, "There were no bodies at the scene, no signs of battle, and they just... disappeared.""Perhaps they were all burned to ashes; why don't you go back to those ruins and ashes and look again?" Minato said calmly, "The scene was so chaotic, anything is possible."Danzo stared at him for a long time, finally let out a cold snort, and turned to leave.Kakashi walked out of the shadows and stood beside Minato."He's suspicious.""I know.""What should we do next?""Danzo is someone who prioritizes the interests of Konoha above all else! He will not go to war with 'Aoi' head-on for the sake of those who escaped." Minato looked out the window, toward the direction of the Ninja Academy, "Send more people to protect them."The sunlight shone into the corridor, casting long shadows of the two.One bright, one dark.One light, one shadow.But in the end, both pointed in the same direction.