If we miss this chance, there won't be another.
Just as Hakushi was gathering his courage, wanting to tell Ruri about that matter, Ruri's voice reached his ears first.
"Let's leave here."
There was a kind of exhaustion and sorrow in her tone.
Huh?
Hakushi's expression froze for a moment.
What?
What is Ruri talking about?
"Leave here… as in where?"
"Konoha."
Ruri gave Hakushi a precise answer.
Hakushi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
This should have been something he brought up first, so why did Ruri mention it before him?
"I don't want to stay here any longer. This village, this clan, it's all just full of people who make me feel annoyed and bored."
After hearing this, Hakushi looked down and saw that Ruri had opened her eyes at some point, the dazzling red Sharingan shining like gemstones.
Hakushi held Ruri even tighter; he could feel her disappointment and helplessness toward this place.
This was a decision made out of utter desperation.
He didn't know what exactly Ruri discussed when she met with that elder from the four directions to make her suddenly come to such a decision.
"Did something happen?"
Ruri just squeezed herself into Hakushi's warm embrace without replying.
Hakushi gently patted her back and didn't press further.
Ruri leaving Konoha… or rather, her determination to get away from the clan, was very strong.
Hakushi could feel this clearly.
And he could understand.
With the incident involving Root and Sakumo, Ruri had already become completely disillusioned with the upper echelons of Konoha.
The only reason she still identified as a Konoha Ninja was because of the tangled fate between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.
The things in the past were also only endured because she was still a ninja of this clan.
But now, that patience had run dry.
"Ah, then let's leave together. Let's get away from this kind of place and start anew."
Only the soft sound of Ruri sleeping peacefully came from his embrace.
Hakushi scratched his head; maybe this counted as a pretty satisfying ending.
Even though he felt like he hadn't played any decisive role in it at all.
Still, it seemed Ruri knew about his determination to leave Konoha from the very beginning—she had contacts within the organization, after all.
After all, to propose leaving Konoha with him directly without any prior discussion… it was clear she'd realized something long before.
Forget it, it's better not to think about this.
If he had Ruri's Sharingan to assist, tomorrow night's operation would be even safer.
◎
The next day, also the day Hakushi was to execute his plan to leave Konoha.
Noon, twelve o'clock—
In Ruri's house, inside an inconspicuous secret room.
The Uchiha's fan insignia was engraved on the wall, flanked by three black Magatama on each side.
Ruri sat at the head seat, and in front of her sat a group of twelve people.
Three were Jonin, sitting at the very front, and the other nine were Chunin, seated just behind.
Ruri looked over each of their faces one by one, wasted no words, and went straight to the point, saying to them:
"I plan to leave Konoha. Whether you choose to stay or follow me is up to you—make your own decision."
After Ruri finished, the twelve Uchiha Ninja looked at one another. It was clear they all saw astonishment and hesitation in each other's eyes.
Even if they were to decide, the timing was frankly too sudden.
"Captain, leaving Konoha aside for the moment—if we really leave the village, where would we settle down?"
One of the Jonin asked hesitantly.
This was also what the others were concerned about.
"Don't worry about that. As for the retreat plan and resettlement, I've already arranged everything. There's already a sizable force at another location, one I organized myself. Even if all of you come over, there's still enough room left."
Ruri answered.
This eased their worries a bit.
Seeing the struggle and hesitation on their faces, Ruri understood their predicament—asking them to make such a decision all of a sudden.
"Whatever decision you make, just don't let yourself regret it. If you choose to come with me, report to me before three this afternoon. I'll arrange everything for you."
"Understood, Captain."
Just as Ruri was about to leave, another Jonin spoke up: "Um, Captain, may I ask a question?"
"You want to know why I'm leaving the village and the clan?" Ruri murmured, which was also an answer to the Jonin's question. "The reason is simple—because the radical faction can't tolerate me anymore. They're planning to seize the Hokage's seat next. Either we emerge reborn from the flames, or… like the Senju Clan, lose the name of the clan itself. Or worse, face an even more tragic end."
The group felt their hearts tighten.
The outbreak of this war—the radical faction really can't hold back any longer.
This is exactly the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they've been waiting for.
In the room next door, Hakushi waited for her, calmly sipping tea.
"Are you sure we don't need to take them with us? They might expose our operation."
"No problem. I trust them; I don't pick incompetent subordinates."
Ruri answered with absolute confidence.
She sat down next to Hakushi, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a sip.
"The action is at eleven tonight. How are your preparations?"
In answer to Ruri's question, pure water surged around Hakushi's body, slowly gathering.
"It's fine. This kid can't wait any longer."