Inside the shrine's main hall, the lamps burned brightly.
The deep twilight outside had been replaced by the flickering glow of candlelight, illuminating every Uchiha face—each filled with solemnity and anticipation.
The old clan head stood before the Uchiha fan crest.
Though his body bore the weight of age, his eyes swept across the hall like those of a hawk.
The entire hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
"After final discussions with the Hokage,"
the old clan head began, his voice powerful despite his years,
"the Uchiha clan will independently form a ninja army. In the coming days, we will march to the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire to confront Kirigakure."
When his words fell, no disturbance followed.
Instead, the silence grew even tighter.
Every gaze remained fixed on him, waiting for the next announcement.
"This battle concerns the honor of our clan."
"And it also concerns our future."
With his hands behind his back, the old clan head suddenly raised his voice, the tone stirring memories buried deep within Uchiha blood.
"Therefore, I have decided to revive the glory of our clan—just as our ancestors did during the Warring States era."
"The Uchiha Red Guard shall be reborn!"
The moment the words Red Guard were spoken, many of the older Uchiha in the hall had their eyes ignite with fiery light.
That was a glory they had heard about since childhood—a legend passed down by their parents.
"According to the clan's current numbers, the Red Guard will initially consist of two hundred members."
The old clan head scanned the crowd as he continued.
"All members will be elite warriors of the clan."
"Every selected member must be at least a chūnin and must have awakened the Sharingan."
He paused briefly, then turned his gaze toward the younger leaders standing below.
Finally, it stopped on Uchiha Anlan.
"After deliberation within the clan and consideration of wartime needs—"
"the following appointments are made."
"Uchiha Anlan!"
The old clan head's voice carried unquestionable authority.
"I appoint you as the Commander-General of the Red Guard, responsible for all military affairs."
"You shall hold the authority of life-and-death decisions in battle."
Even though he had already been prepared for this, Anlan's heart still stirred.
A burning heat rose within his chest, only to quickly settle into something far more solid.
When Xiang Yu once led eight thousand warriors from Jiangdong into battle…
Did he feel this same mixture of weight and exhilaration?
A heavy sense of responsibility pressed upon his shoulders.
Under the intense gaze of his clansmen, Anlan stepped forward slowly.
His expression remained calm.
The candlelight danced in his dark eyes, yet not a ripple could be seen.
It was as though he had matured in an instant.
"Anlan… accepts the command."
The old clan head stared at him, his gaze blazing with expectation.
"The two hundred elites of the Red Guard will be personally selected by you."
"From this day forward, the future of the Uchiha rests in your hands."
Anlan bowed slightly.
His handsome face carried firm resolve as he responded clearly,
"I will not fail the clan."
Nearby, Mikoto gazed at the spirited young general.
Her eyes flowed like water, filled with tenderness she could barely restrain.
But she quickly suppressed the emotion and returned to her usual dignified composure.
Only the softness and brightness in her eyes remained.
The old clan head nodded solemnly and turned to the other side.
"Uchiha Fugaku!"
Fugaku, who had narrowly missed the position of commander, stepped forward.
His back was straight as steel.
Yet there was no disappointment on his determined face.
As a proud warrior of the Uchiha, he possessed his own sense of honor—
Victory brought joy.
Defeat brought composure.
"I appoint you Vice Commander of the Red Guard."
"You will assist the commander, maintain discipline, and supervise the army during battle."
"Fugaku accepts the command!"
His voice rang firmly through the hall.
He glanced at Anlan and nodded slightly, signaling his full support.
Finally, the old clan head turned toward the gentle yet resolute figure standing nearby.
"Uchiha Mikoto!"
Mikoto stepped forward gracefully.
"I appoint you to oversee intelligence and logistics for the Red Guard."
"Reconnaissance, supply distribution, and medical treatment of the wounded—all will fall under your authority."
"You will serve as the army's eyes, ears, and lifeline."
"There must be no mistakes."
"Mikoto accepts the command."
Her voice was clear.
She glanced at both Anlan and Fugaku, her eyes filled with complete trust and support.
"I will not fail the clan."
Meanwhile…
Inside a bustling town somewhere in the Land of Fire.
Within a noisy underground gambling hall.
The air was thick with the smell of tobacco and sweat.
Dim hanging lamps swayed above, casting yellow halos through the smoky haze.
The clatter of dice cups, the crash of gambling chips, and the gamblers' hoarse screams and curses merged into a suffocating roar.
The entire place was soaked in frenzy and decay.
Three ANBU agents, disguised using the Transformation Technique, walked in like ordinary gamblers.
They split up immediately.
Their sharp eyes scanned every corner—
Drunk men at the bar.
Gamblers screaming at the tables.
Couples whispering in dark corners.
Yet they could not find the most obvious target—
A woman with brilliant blonde hair and a legendary reputation.
The ANBU captain subtly signaled his team.
Focus on solitary women.
Or anyone with abnormal posture.
Suddenly, a burst of loud shouting caught their attention.
At a nearby gambling table, a middle-aged woman stood on a chair, waving her arms wildly.
Her messy hair clung to her sweaty forehead, and her bloodshot eyes were locked onto the dice cup.
"Open it! Hurry up!"
"This round I'll definitely win it all back!"
She shoved the gambler beside her aside.
Her calloused hand slammed heavily onto the table.
Her entire body radiated the madness of someone on the brink of collapse.
Her hysterical behavior was no different from any other gambler who had lost everything.
The ANBU members glanced at her briefly—
Then dismissed her.
A crazed gambler like that had nothing in common with the legendary female ninja they were searching for.
"No target found," one of them reported quietly through encrypted communication.
The captain scanned the smoky gambling hall one final time before signaling withdrawal.
Not long after the ANBU left—
The middle-aged woman suddenly exploded in anger.
She kicked over a table and cursed loudly.
Under the greedy gazes of gamblers who had just spotted a perfect victim, she staggered toward the back exit, swaying as she walked.
In a corner where no one was watching—
A faint puff of white smoke appeared.
The middle-aged woman's body rippled like water.
Then vanished.
In her place stood a stunning beauty with golden hair and a green jacket.
Tsunade.
She brushed her dazzling blonde hair back and glanced toward the direction the ANBU had disappeared.
A mocking laugh escaped her lips.
"Can't stay in this place anymore."
"Maybe I'll head south with Shizune."
Tsunade weighed the nearly empty money pouch in her hand.
Then her figure flashed away toward the next place she might "earn" some money.
Only a soft sigh lingered in the wind.
"War… heh."
Her voice carried mockery.
Weariness.
And a deep, unmistakable hatred.
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