It took Yuzuru Uchiha five full days to travel back to Konoha from the Land of Rice Fields.
He hadn't used Kamui for the journey.
The distance between the Land of Rice Fields and Konoha was simply too great—using Kamui over such a span would drain too much of his Dōjutsu Power.
There would be many occasions in the future when he'd need his eyes, and until he obtained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Yuzuru had no intention of wasting his strength on meaningless travel.
Still, once he neared the village, he used Kamui to transport directly into his own room.
After dispelling his shadow clone, Yuzuru immediately went to see Fugaku Uchiha.
At the time, Fugaku was busy writing at his desk, surrounded by stacks of documents.
"Fugaku."
Yuzuru tapped the table, pulling him out of his focus. "Yuzuru, you're back?"
"Have you settled on a relocation site?"
Yuzuru nodded. "Preliminary decision—Land of Rice Fields."
"Land of Rice Fields, hm…" Fugaku rubbed his chin. "That's actually a fine choice."
"And the clan head?"
"Father's health is failing. He's asked me to handle clan affairs in his stead."
Tarou Uchiha had suffered severe injuries in his youth. Though Tsunade's treatment had saved his life, the internal damage never truly healed.
Even if things followed the original timeline, the old clan head didn't have many years left.
Yuzuru didn't dwell on it and asked, "How's the preparation coming along?"
"All the ninjutsu scrolls and resources have been sealed and packed. Most clansmen are ready to move. We'll be able to initiate the transfer in about ten days."
Fugaku's face darkened. "When I checked our ledgers, I found that the Hokage's advisors have embezzled enormous sums from us over the years. Those parasites—!"
Yuzuru waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. We'll reclaim everything in due time."
"But since they're so fond of taking things, let's leave them a few surprises this time."
———
After finalizing details with Fugaku, Yuzuru left.
The current Uchiha clan was nothing like the one from the original history that had been annihilated.
They hadn't suffered decades of political suppression, nor had they been brainwashed by the so-called Will of Fire—or weakened by Fugaku's passive leadership.
So after Yuzuru presented his plans at the clan meeting, most members supported him wholeheartedly.
Better to leave than to live under constant surveillance.
Without Konoha, the Uchiha would still be a great clan in the shinobi world.
And without the Uchiha—what was Konoha, especially now that the Senju had vanished?
As for the few remaining pacifists…
Ever since Yuzuru killed Yashiro Uchiha, they'd scattered like headless flies, powerless to resist the tide.
While lost in thought, Yuzuru heard a cheerful young voice up ahead.
"Grandma Riko, let me help you cross the road!"
"Obito, dear, thank you, but I'm not actually crossing the road."
"Eh? Really? What a waste of a good deed…"
The boy's disappointed expression made Riko Uchiha chuckle as she gave his head a light tap.
"You silly child. Even if you want to help others, you should at least ask first."
Rubbing his head, the boy muttered, "Got it, Grandma Riko."
That familiar pair of goggles caught Yuzuru's eye, stirring a mix of emotions.
Who could have guessed that this innocent, well-meaning boy would one day bring so much chaos to the world?
Shaking his head, Yuzuru stepped forward. "Grandma Riko, I told you before—you should take a cane with you when you go out."
Riko smiled warmly. "You're right, Yuzuru. But seeing these lively young ones makes it hard to admit I'm getting old."
"Yuzuru?" The boy's eyes widened. "You're the Yuzuru Uchiha?"
Yuzuru reached out and ruffled his hair into a wild mess. "You mean, Yuzuru senpai."
"Ah—right! Yuzuru senpai!" Obito said, pouting as he stepped back, then shouted proudly, "My name's Obito Uchiha! Someday, I'll surpass you!"
Yuzuru regarded him coolly. "Words like that don't mean much coming from a kid like you."
Obito pointed to himself with a confident grin. "Tomorrow's my first day at the Academy! I'll become an amazing ninja—you'll see!"
Yuzuru blinked.
Tomorrow was the Academy's enrollment day?
So much had been happening within the clan that the village itself still seemed calm.
"Yuzuru senpai, are you listening to me?"
Yuzuru looked him over and said, "Don't be late tomorrow."
"I won't!"
———
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!"
"I'm late!"
Obito sprinted through the streets as fast as he could, but when he finally reached the Ninja Academy, the ceremony banner was already being taken down.
The entrance ceremony was over.
"How pathetic. If you can't even show up on time, you should give up on being a ninja."
The mocking voice came from ahead. Obito clenched his fists. "What'd you say, you dead-fish-eyed mask-wearing creep?!"
"Idiot."
Kakashi Hatake rolled his eyes and walked away.
"You can't be so slack! Youth must burn with passion!"
A voice called out from below.
A boy with a bowl haircut and green spandex walked past, doing a handstand.
The rest of the students passed Obito with smirks—some amused, some pitying, some gloating.
Soon, the training field was empty except for him.
"I messed up again…"
Obito lowered his goggles to hide the tears welling in his eyes.
He thought he'd have to wait another whole year.
Then—
A large hand rested gently on his head. "Crying won't solve anything."
"Here. This is yours."
When he looked up, Yuzuru was standing there, holding out an enrollment notice.
"L-Lord Yuzuru! How do you have this?"
"Because when I saw you yesterday, I could tell right away you were the type of kid who'd be late. So I came early to pick it up for you."
Obito stared at him, stunned, his nose stinging.
They'd only just met yesterday—yet Lord Yuzuru had gone out of his way to collect his admission form for him.
He nearly burst into tears again.
'He's too kind… way too kind!'