Chapter 27

With that Kakashi left 

Danzo Shimura's mind raced as he processed the gravity of the information Hiruzen had shared. 

He had always suspected that Mikoto Uchiha might still be alive. 

But the revelation of another Uchiha, particularly one wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan, was unexpected and troubling.

Danzo's thoughts churned with possibilities. 

The Mangekyō Sharingan was a power he knew well—its abilities were legendary, and its potential for both destruction and manipulation was immense. 

If this new Uchiha had obtained such power, it could threaten the existing power structures and destabilize the careful balance he and others had worked so hard to maintain.

He had to act swiftly. Danzo's mind was already calculating the best course of action. 

If there was indeed another Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan, then securing it—or eliminating the threat—was paramount. 

He needed to ensure that his interests, and those of his Root organization, were protected before the Uchiha's presence attracted unwanted attention or provoked other factions.

he left the hokage building as he did a root ninja arrived in front of hin kneeling, Torune Aburame, who had been waiting for further instructions. "Torune, prepare the most capable team from Root. 

I want them to investigate and locate this new Uchiha. We need to find out who they are, what their abilities are, and most importantly, ensure that the Mangekyō Sharingan does not fall into the wrong hands."

Torune nodded, his expression serious. "Understood. I will assemble the team immediately."

Danzo continued, his voice low and intense. "We cannot afford any mistakes. Ensure that they are discreet and thorough. We must secure the Mangekyō Sharingan or neutralize the threat it represents before it becomes a major issue."

As Torune left to execute the orders, Danzo's thoughts were consumed by a growing sense of urgency. 

He had seen the impact of the Uchiha clan's power firsthand and knew that the existence of another Mangekyō Sharingan user could disrupt everything he had planned.

Jiraiya, having been located and brought back to the village by Kakashi, was among the last to arrive. His usual jovial demeanor was replaced by a serious expression as he took his place beside the Hokage.

"What's the situation, sensei?" Jiraiya asked, his voice low.

Hiruzen handed him the intelligence report. "We've received credible information about the existence of two Uchiha who survived the massacre—one of them possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as he skimmed the report. "This changes everything," he muttered. "Do we know who they are?"

Hiruzen shook his head. "Not yet, but Danzo has already begun an investigation. We need to act swiftly. We don't know who they are enemy or friend."

Danzo, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "We must assume the worst. If these Uchiha are alive, they could pose a significant threat. We need to secure them—or eliminate them—before they can do any damage."

Kakashi, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "Hokage-sama, with your permission, I would like to lead a team to investigate this personally. If there's any chance that these Uchiha can be persuaded to come back to the village, we need to try."

Hiruzen nodded "Very well, Kakashi. Assemble a team and begin the search immediately you will go with jiraya. But be cautious—this mission will be dangerous."

He paused for a second "And You know what to do if things does not go as planned"

As the meeting concluded, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on all present. 

Back in the small city, Pakura finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with a confusing mix of emotions—guilt, longing, and a growing connection to Hiro.

Morning came all too quickly, and the group was soon back on the road, the city fading into the distance behind them. As they traveled, the tension between Pakura and Hiro eased somewhat. Mikoto, ever perceptive, kept a close eye on them, silently supporting Pakura in her struggle.

But as they moved forward, the shadow of Konoha loomed ever larger. Unbeknownst to them, forces were already at work.

As the group traveled through the harsh, frozen terrain toward the Land of Snow, they maintained a careful pace, ensuring they left behind as few traces as possible. 

They were aware that numerous forces might be trailing them, but with each passing day, the distance between them and their pursuers grew wider.

After a month of traversing the unforgiving landscape, Hiro, Mikoto, and Pakura finally reached the outskirts of the Land of Snow. 

The biting wind greeted them as they entered a small, secluded village nestled deep within the snow-covered mountains. The village was quiet and remote, offering the perfect place for them to find refuge and rest.

They found a modest, vacant house on the village's edge and decided to settle there for a time. The locals, accustomed to the harsh weather and the occasional traveler seeking shelter, paid them little attention. 

The trio could finally relax, knowing they had put significant distance between themselves and their pursuers.

Meanwhile, in the forests far from the Land of Snow, Kakashi and Jiraiya had been on the trail of Hiro, Mikoto, and Pakura. 

However, as the snow deepened and the tracks grew faint, the trail became increasingly difficult to follow. The harsh weather and challenging terrain slowed their progress considerably.

Kakashi crouched down, examining the remnants of a campfire. "They were here, but it's been ..weeks. They're heading north, towards the Land of Snow."

Jiraiya nodded, his expression serious. "We're falling behind, but if they're going to the Land of Snow, we know where they're headed. We'll keep moving, but we need to be cautious. We can't afford to rush in blind."

Kakashi stood, pulling his cloak tighter against the cold. "Agreed. We'll need to make contact with the village when we get there—see if anyone's seen them. But it'll take time."

As the two continued their journey, they were unaware that other forces were also piecing together the same clues.

Back in the Hidden Sand Village, the Jonin leader of the Sand shinobi studied a map of the Land of Snow, a frown creasing his brow. 

His team had been following the faint trail left by Pakura and the others, but the snowy conditions had made it difficult to track them accurately.

"They're headed for the Land of Snow," he said, his voice filled with determination. "It's the only place that makes sense given their route. We'll send word to our contacts there and prepare for a long journey."

His team prepared for the trek ahead, knowing it would take time to reach their destination. But they were committed to finding Pakura and particularly two Uchiha's.

 ...

Konan, moving through a network of informants, also received word that the trio was likely headed toward the Land of Snow. She stood on a cliff, her paper butterflies fluttering in the wind as she contemplated her next move.

"So, the Land of Snow…" she whispered to herself. "We'll see if you can hide there."

She began her journey northward, her paper butterflies scattering to gather more information.

Back in the small village, Hiro, Mikoto, and Pakura were unaware of the forces converging in the general direction of the Land of Snow. For now.

//

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