“Understood.” Fugaku did not ask another question.
From the moment he decided to leave Konoha with Shinsuke, he had already entrusted the future of the Uchiha to this young man.
There was no longer any room for doubt.
Shinsuke raised his eyes and looked over the elite members of the clan before calmly assigning their tasks.
“Uncle Ye, Uncle Tekka, take ten Jonin level clan members and scout the surrounding area.
Map the terrain and eliminate any potential threats you encounter.” “Uncle Tōka, Elder Setsuna, take everyone at Chunin rank and above.
Secure the perimeter, establish defensive positions, and set up warning barriers.
Nothing must be allowed to threaten the elderly, the women, or the children.” “Everyone else, follow the Clan Head and build a temporary base.” The moment the orders were given, every clan member moved without the slightest hesitation.
The younger ninja grabbed their weapons and kunai before following Fugaku deeper into the forest.
Their Sharingan swept across the towering ancient trees, instantly identifying suitable timber.
With each clean swing, massive trunks as thick as several people embracing them crashed to the ground with precision, scattering barely a splinter.
The women gathered the children and cleared open ground for the camp.
They raised simple tents, built windproof cooking stoves, and neatly organized the rations, cookware, and medical supplies they had brought.
Before long, the once silent forest was filled with the warmth of rising cooking smoke.
Uchiha Ye and Tekka departed with ten Jonin, their figures turning into blurs as they shot toward the four directions before vanishing into the depths of the forest.
Tōka and Uchiha Setsuna also split up with their teams.
Their Three Tomoe Sharingan rotated slowly as powerful perception spread outward, placing everything within several miles of the camp under surveillance.
The Barrier Squad had already knelt on the ground.
Chakra flowed from their fingertips as intricate patterns spread across the earth, forming an early warning barrier with flawless precision.
Shinsuke did not join the others.
With a single leap, he landed atop a giant boulder towering more than a hundred feet high.
Facing the salty sea breeze, he looked toward the depths of the island.
The Eyes of Indra slowly turned.
His immense perception spread outward like a rising tide, passing over endless ancient trees, rolling hills, and finally reaching the white waves crashing against the island’s distant shore.
The island was even larger than he had expected.
The area he could clearly sense alone was already more than a hundred times the size of Konoha.
That did not even include the regions still hidden beyond the mist.
After making a rough estimate, Shinsuke concluded that the island possessed fertile land and abundant fresh water.
Supporting all thirteen thousand members of the Uchiha Clan would be effortless.
Even if their population increased tenfold to one hundred thousand people, this island would still have more than enough resources.
Back in Konoha, they had been trapped inside the clan compound behind walls.
Above them were the constant eyes of Konoha’s leadership.
Around them lurked Danzō’s hidden fangs.
Even leaving the village required layers of approval, and the slightest unusual movement would earn them accusations of rebellion.
Every step had been filled with caution.
Every day had demanded restraint.
Now, however, the vast land beneath their feet belonged entirely to the Uchiha.
There were no schemes.
No suspicion.
No spies watching their every move.
Shinsuke gently rubbed his fingertips together as a relieved smile appeared on his lips.
From the day he began planning the Uchiha’s escape from Konoha, he had never intended to merely survive.
He wanted to find a place where the Uchiha, a clan cursed for centuries, could finally take root and flourish.
This isolated island would become that place.
Next, they would build an impregnable settlement.
They would learn the laws of this world.
They would break the curse of blindness within their bloodline.
And they would ensure that the name Uchiha would no longer be remembered as the so called Evil Clan of the shinobi world, but as a true powerhouse standing proudly upon this vast sea.
He looked toward the horizon where the ocean met the sky.
The sea breeze fluttered his clothes as a sharp light flashed through his eyes.
Whether it was the Grand Line or the New World…
Whether it was the Four Emperors, the Marines, or the World Government…
None of them would stop the rise of the Uchiha.
From the moment they set foot upon this land…
A new era for the Uchiha had already begun.
“Uncle, I’ll leave everything here to you.
I’m planning to head out.” A short while later, Shinsuke found Fugaku, who was organizing the layout of the temporary base.
Crouching on the ground, Fugaku used a flattened tree branch to carefully sketch the camp’s blueprint into the dirt.
Residential areas.
Permanent guard posts.
Storage warehouses.
Even the locations of every barrier node were marked with meticulous precision.
Hearing Shinsuke’s voice, Fugaku looked up and stopped drawing.
“What is it?” he asked with a slight frown.
“Did you find something?” “Nothing unusual.” Shinsuke shook his head.
“This world revolves around sea routes.
I want to check the coastline and see if any ships pass nearby.
It’ll also give me a chance to learn more about the surrounding waters.” Fugaku remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.
“I see…
that’s fine.” “Take Yakumi and Yashiro with you.
They’re both elite Jonin.
You’ll have someone to watch your back, and it’ll put my mind at ease.” “Alright.” Shinsuke nodded before adding, “One more thing, Uncle.
This island is more than enough for us to recover and rebuild.” “Use our supplies carefully.
They’ll easily last us a year.” “Once the camp is complete, have the clan’s ninja clear the surrounding land and let the civilians begin farming.” “We need to establish a solid foundation first.” “Once we’ve had time to recover and understand this world’s rules, we’ll decide our next move.” “I know.” Fugaku looked at him steadily.
“Go.
And be careful.” “Alright.” Watching Shinsuke disappear into the forest, the branch in Fugaku’s hand slowly lowered.
He let out a quiet sigh.
Hesitation and deep contemplation filled his eyes.
He was wondering whether it was finally time…
To pass the position of Uchiha Clan Head to Shinsuke.