Back when he was still in Konoha, Seigen had already thought carefully about this problem.
Looking across the Naruto world, the Land of Fire possessed the largest territory and the best living conditions.
Its only drawback was its location.
Sitting at the center of the continent, it could easily become the target of multiple hidden villages during wartime.
That was why Konoha had maintained good relations with Sunagakure, allowing their “little brother” to hold back Iwagakure while Konoha focused on defending its northern border against Kumogakure.
The Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Rivers all lay at the intersection of the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind.
If the Uchiha established their new homeland in any of those places, survival would be extremely difficult.
The ideal location was the Land of Rice Fields.
Although it bordered the Land of Fire, it was strategically positioned—easy to defend and just as easy to launch attacks from if necessary.
Besides, the only ninja village there was the obscure Hidden Sound Village founded by Orochimaru.
[Congratulations, Host.
Mission Complete.]
[Reward Obtained: Wood Release.]
While Seigen was still planning the construction of the Uchiha’s new homeland, the system’s voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[New Mission Issued: Establish a new stronghold and found a new hidden village.
Restore the Uchiha Clan to its former glory.]
[Reward: Hashirama Senju’s Sage Body.]
At first, Seigen had imagined himself wielding Wood Release with the same overwhelming power as the First Hokage.
Now, however, he understood.
Wood Release only reached Hashirama’s terrifying level when paired with his Sage Body.
As for the Wood Release he possessed now…
It would probably be around Yamato’s level.
Still…
The system was surprisingly considerate.
Even the rewards came as a complete set.
“Clan Head, Itachi.”
“We should pick up the pace.”
“Konoha has probably already discovered that the clan has left.
They should be sending pursuit forces after us soon.”
“…Agreed.”
Fugaku nodded before raising his voice to the clan.
“Everyone!”
“Move faster!”
“Konoha’s pursuers won’t be far behind!”
Meanwhile, back in Konoha…
“Those damned Uchiha!”
Inside the Hokage’s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist onto the desk in frustration.
Earlier, he had personally led most of Konoha’s elite ninja to reinforce Danzo.
As a result, the ANBU assigned to monitor the Uchiha Clan had all been killed by the clan members.
Taking advantage of the chaos engulfing the village, half of the Uchiha had escaped.
The half that remained consisted mostly of elderly civilians and ordinary clan members.
As for those who had genuinely planned to stage the coup…
Most had already been killed by Itachi.
In other words…
Not a single awakened Sharingan user remained within Konoha.
The Uchiha Clan had completely severed ties with the village.
“Classify the entire Uchiha Clan as rogue ninja.”
“Issue an S-rank mission.”
“Have the ANBU begin pursuit immediately.”
“Yes, Hokage!”
The Jonin and ANBU present accepted their orders and quickly departed.
Hiruzen quietly smoked his pipe.
His thoughts drifted back to his younger days…
…to the years he had spent beside his old friend, Danzo.
“Danzo…”
“Was I…
wrong?”
Several days later…
After a long and exhausting journey, the Uchiha Clan finally crossed into the Land of Rice Fields.
“Clan Head.”
“You should probably meet with the Land of Rice Fields’ Daimyo.”
“We’ll need his recognition and permission if we’re going to establish a new hidden village here.”
Seigen looked toward Fugaku.
Fugaku nodded in agreement.
“Everyone.”
“I’ll negotiate our future settlement with the Daimyo.”
“While I’m away, follow Itachi’s and Seigen’s instructions.”
He then selected several of the clan’s strongest young shinobi to accompany him to the Daimyo’s residence.
After all…
Establishing a new hidden village required the Daimyo’s official approval.
Without it, even if they settled down and built a village, they would still be nothing more than a group of rogue ninja in the eyes of the world.
Seigen didn’t particularly care about the financial support a Daimyo could provide.
However, if the Uchiha wanted to establish a stable foothold, maintaining a good relationship with the Daimyo was still essential.
Once the new village received official recognition, the other great hidden villages would no longer be able to openly attack the Uchiha without consequences.
As for whether the Daimyo might refuse…
No one had even considered that possibility.
Not just the Land of Rice Fields—
Any nation would gladly welcome the Uchiha Clan with open arms.
To be honest, Seigen wouldn’t have minded joining another hidden village.
Home was wherever they could survive.
Of course…
That had only been before the system issued its mission.
Besides…
The Uchiha were far too proud for that.
The Uchiha: A true man should stand tall between heaven and earth.
How could he willingly live under another’s rule?
There was another advantage to settling in the Land of Rice Fields.
They could recruit Orochimaru.
Looking across the entire ninja world, only the Snake Sannin truly possessed its cutting-edge scientific expertise.
Unfortunately, growing up in the ninja world had caused everyone to label him as a dangerous and evil criminal.
But when you thought about it…
Orochimaru simply wanted to devote himself to research.
Being a ninja had never been the life he truly desired.
“Uh…”
“Brother…
Mom…”
“Where are we?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Sasuke slowly woke up on Itachi’s back.
The unfamiliar surroundings and the countless Uchiha gathered around him left him utterly confused.
He clearly remembered returning home after school.
His father and the older brother he hadn’t seen in so long had been discussing something…
And after that…
His memories ended.
Itachi gently set Sasuke down and rubbed his little brother’s head.
“We’ve already left the village.”
“We’re in the Land of Rice Fields now.”
“As for everything that happened…”