Konoha Notes

Chapter 182 Lurking
The masked man claimed to be Uchiha Madara.

Under the gaze of the Mangekyou Sharingan, any doubt seemed futile. At least for this moment, until another Madara Uchiha with the Mangekyou Sharingan appeared, whatever this person said he was, that's what he was.

Uchiha Enjin retracted his previous words, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke again: "What do you want to do?"

"Let's break this false peace and create a world that truly belongs to the Uchiha."
-
In the Hokage's office in Konoha Village.

Tsunade looked at Uchiha Enjin, who was slightly travel-worn but remained unusually calm. Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi stood to the side, also watching him.

After the Anbu activated the emergency contact method he left behind, Uchiha Enjin appeared within the specified time limit and responded to the summons.

News also came back from Uchiha Shisui's side that everything was normal in the Fire City and that there were no unusual movements from the members of his Uchiha squad.

"How is the investigation into the Sharingan going?" Tsunade asked.

"There are no new discoveries yet," Uchiha Enjin replied.

This is reasonable, considering that they were only gone for such a short time.

However, such a short time is not enough to investigate information about the Sharingan, but it is enough to accomplish other things, such as simply meeting with a certain person.

“According to the latest intelligence received by the village, the theft of the Sharingan may be related to some kind of special infiltration ninjutsu,” Tsunade said, recounting the old intelligence. “You can start your investigation from there.”

“Yes, I understand,” Uchiha Enjin replied without asking any questions. At Tsunade’s signal, he turned and left the office.

After the door closed, the three people in the office all confirmed one thing.

“He definitely has a problem,” Tsunade said with certainty. She looked at Kakashi and Itachi.

Kakashi nodded. Although the connection between the stolen Sharingan and a special infiltration ninjutsu was known, the village's urgent recall of him and the "new" direction would normally prompt a ninja on a mission to at least inquire about more specific details or show some interest in the source of the information.

Uchiha Enjin didn't. His overly calm reaction itself became suspicious. Someone who volunteered to search for the Sharingan shouldn't be so indifferent to specific clues.

Tsunade issued the order: "Send an additional ANBU squad, consisting of members of the Hyuga branch family, to conduct a second round of surveillance."

Then, she turned her gaze to the silent Uchiha Itachi: "Itachi, you need to pay more attention to the movements within the Uchiha clan territory."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Itachi replied softly.
-
In the mountains outside Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) in the Land of Lightning.

Shuji's wooden clone returned to the location where the abnormal barrier had been discovered before. He first collected the tree seeds that had fallen when he dispelled the wooden clone last time.

Then, they carefully examined the surrounding area. Apart from a few traces left earlier, they found no other signs of anyone else on the ground.

This means that after he accidentally triggered the barrier last time, it did not attract any guards or investigators.

This barrier is very likely neither set up by the Hidden Cloud Village nor owned by any other ninja clan in the Land of Lightning. Otherwise, it's impossible that the barrier remained unchecked for so long after it was triggered.

Having confirmed this, Shuuji focused all his attention on the invisible barrier itself. Barrier techniques are closely related to sealing techniques and spell seals. He had been studying sealing techniques for quite some time and had a certain understanding of barrier techniques.

After careful perception and analysis, he discovered that this was not a purely defensive or warning barrier, but rather a heuristic barrier used for "concealment".

The purpose of the person who set it up was to cover something up.

In this situation, the most likely explanation is that the entrance is hidden. In a different context, Shuji might possess ninjutsu capable of activating or destroying the barrier. However, this location isn't too far from Kumogakure, and even if the barrier has nothing to do with Kumogakure, making too much of a commotion could easily attract unnecessary attention.

Therefore, we can only try gentler, more covert infiltration methods.
-
"Weasel?"

The gentle call brought Itachi Uchiha back to his senses. He turned his head and saw Izumi Uchiha standing beside him.

She tilted her head slightly, her face showing concern: "Is Itachi... not in a good mood?"

"Hmm." Itachi neither denied it nor offered any further explanation.

The plan promoted by their predecessors is already addressing the issue between the Uchiha clan and the village in a relatively mild manner.

However, the existence of radicals is a reality. Even with various means of suppression and diversion, this group and the ideologies they represent remain stubbornly entrenched, like an invisible barrier between the village and the clan.

The Fifth Hokage did not show any particular opinion or take any extreme action against the entire Uchiha clan because of Uchiha Enjin's abnormality.

But Itachi, being an Uchiha, couldn't help but ponder the undercurrents beneath the surface. Would the discontent and prejudice within the clan be reignited by some unforeseen event?

"Is it about the mission?" Izumi took a step closer, lowering his voice.

"Hmm." Itachi responded, then casually asked, "Has there been any particular discussions within the clan lately?"

Being in the Anbu, he focused more on observing his squad members and guarding the Hokage Building, and was less aware of the daily public opinion within the clan than Izumi, who was often active in the clan.

Quan thought about it seriously for a moment, then counted on his fingers, "Besides the fact that the police force has added new teams..."

"There's also a discussion about when the Ninja Academy will recruit teachers again."

"Some people speculate that there might be other departments in the village that will be open to us."

"besides……"

She tried hard to recall what she could think of, hoping to provide information that would be useful to Itachi.

Itachi listened quietly.

Most of the tribe members are still concerned with these matters that are closely related to their daily lives. In the past, the tribe was invisibly isolated and lacked other options, so their focus was naturally limited to the world of the police force.

Now, the situation is indeed different.

The roads are being widened, and there seem to be more choices now.

But will Uchiha Enjin, and those who share similar thoughts, see this? Will they sympathize with the ordinary members of their clan who simply yearn for a peaceful life and seize the opportunities at hand?

Can they understand the intention behind the gentle approach taken by their predecessors to avoid direct conflict?
If not, what if they insist on going their own way, and the resulting conflict could affect and destroy everything we have now?

Seniors, Lady Tsunade, Shisui... In order to properly resolve the long-standing problems of the Uchiha clan, will everyone's efforts and hard work come to nothing?

If the elder were still here, what choice would he make in the face of this potential crisis within the clan, given his consistent practice of taking the initiative and controlling problems?

(End of this chapter)