Keiji Uchiha was halfway through organizing his notes on the latest chakra-flow experiments when the familiar ding echoed across his consciousness—soft, crisp, and unmistakably from the System.
A translucent blue window slid into view.
> [System Notification]
Fate Altered: Chinoike Clan — Extinction Averted.
Result: The Chinoike Clan has successfully departed the Land of Lightning before extermination. With your intervention, diplomatic channels were redirected, and they have gained safe entry into the Land of Fire.
Additional Effect: Fire Daimyō has assigned them land adjacent to Uchiha and Hagoromo clans.
Warning: Presence of Chinoike Clan may alter political equilibrium. Proceed with caution.
Keiji blinked once.
Then twice.
"…Well," he muttered, "that escalated faster than expected."
Gengar, floating above his bed and flipping a wooden Pachisi piece in the air, paused mid-spin.
"Gengaaaar?" It tilted its head, sensing Keiji's sudden shift of mood.
Keiji didn't respond immediately. His mind was already racing.
He knew the Chinoike Clan—knew what the original timeline had planned for them.
Massacre. Tragedy. Betrayal.Exiled and later wiped out by internal conflict
Not here.
Not anymore.
And now they were moving directly between the Uchiha and Hagoromo territories.
A perfect buffer… or a perfect fuse.
Keiji exhaled slowly.
"Looks like today's going to be interesting."
---
The Arrival
The messenger hawk from the Daimyō arrived just before dawn, landing directly at the Uchiha compound's central post. Keiji arrived at the courtyard just in time to see His Father Madara unroll the scroll, flanked by his uncle Izuna, his grandfather Tajima, and several elders.
Keiji stood behind them, silent but attentive.
Gengar hovered at his shoulder, glowing faintly in the cool morning light.
His Father Madara's eyebrows twitched upward as he read.
"…The Chinoike Clan," he murmured. "Assigned land within our borders. Directly bordering us to the east."
His Uncle Izuna exhaled sharply. "The Daimyō didn't even bother asking our stance first?"
"Madara," His Grandfather Tajima growled, "the Daimyō is growing bold."
But His Father Madara's expression wasn't anger. It was calculation.
Keiji quietly murmured, "They're seeking stability. The Fire Daimyō wants clans that won't cause trouble."
His Father Madara shot him a brief, approving glance.
Before anyone could continue, the Uchiha watchmen cried out:
"They're here!"
Across the vast plains, a caravan approached—several wagons, guarded but orderly. Their banners fluttered: deep crimson marked with the Chinoike fan, a symbol associated with their famed ketsuryūgan.
His Uncle Izuna crossed his arms. "They got here faster than expected."
His Grandfather Tajima's voice thickened. "Let's see what sort of people have been placed on our threshold."
---
At the Border
The Uchiha Clan delegation met the Chinoike at the assigned boundary.
The Hagoromo Clan delegation arrived moments later from the opposite side, led by Gyoza Hagoromo and his sons Daigo and Daiki.
Keiji found himself positioned between the two clans—an unspoken mediator. Not by title, but by reputation.
The Chinoike leader stepped forward.
A tall man with maroon hair and pale skin, eyes faintly shimmering red even at rest.
"I am Raigo Chinoike," the man announced with a bow. "On behalf of our clan, we express gratitude to the Land of Fire and its Daimyō… and greetings to our new neighbors."
Tension hung in the air.
His Father Madara's gaze sharpened.
Gyoza's remained cautiously polite.
His Grandfather Tajima, however, looked ready to slice through any wrong move.
Keiji nudged Gengar lightly.
"Don't hiss at anyone," he whispered.
Gengar puffed up indignantly.
"Gengar!"
His Uncle Izuna leaned toward Keiji. "You expect trouble?"
"No," Keiji answered honestly. "But I expect misunderstandings."
That proved prophetic.
As Raigo began detailing the Daimyō's assignment of territory, His Grandfather Tajima stepped forward.
"You were nearly wiped out in your last homeland," the old patriarch said bluntly. "Tell us—what assurance do we have that you won't bring the same trouble here?"
Raigo stiffened.
His escort bristled.
Keiji stepped forward immediately.
"Grandfather," he said calmly, "the Daimyō authorized their movement. Our displeasure won't change the reality. What matters is how we handle what comes next."
His Father Madara's eyes flicked toward him again—thoughtful, appreciative.
His Grandfather Tajima snorted but didn't argue.
Gyoza Hagoromo chuckled. "The young Uchiha speaks more sense than the elders today."
His Grandfather Tajima glared at the Hagoromo patriarch. Daiki Hagoromo quietly hid behind his older brother.
Keiji felt the tension spike again.
And so he stepped forward once more.
"Let us escort the Chinoike Clan to their land. Observing them firsthand is wiser than assuming their character."
His Father Madara nodded. "Yes. We observe first. Judge later."
Keiji didn't miss the faint sigh of relief from Raigo.
---
Settling the Chinoike Clan
The next several hours were spent overseeing the Chinoike Clan settlement.
Their assigned territory was strategically placed:
A buffer between Uchiha and Hagoromo lands—preventing direct expansion or conflict, but also preventing one clan from flanking the other.
Gyoza muttered under his breath, loud enough for Keiji to hear:
"Daimyō plays shōgi with us."
His Uncle Izuna snorted. "He's terrible at it."
"Speak for yourself," Daigo muttered.
The Chinoike Clan began setting up their temporary structures—canvas tents, makeshift watchtowers, supply stations.
Their movements were disciplined, yet cautious.
Some Uchiha elders whispered among themselves.
"They're too quiet."
"I heard their blood can manipulate iron."
"They say their eyes curse anyone they glare at."
Keiji tuned it out.
He approached a small group of Chinoike children helping unload baskets.
"Need help?" he asked.
The youngest stared at him, wide-eyed.
Her eyes flashed momentarily with the swirling red of the ketsuryūgan.
Keiji smiled gently. "I'm Keiji Uchiha. Welcome to the Land of Fire."
The girl blinked twice.
"…Are you one of the big scary clans?"
Gengar snorted.
His Uncle Izuna, overhearing, looked personally offended.
"We're not scary," Keiji said diplomatically.
"We just look dramatic."
The girl giggled.
And just like that, some of the tension eased.
---
The Combined Clan Meeting
By late afternoon, all delegations gathered beneath a large pavilion erected between all three territories.
The atmosphere was… strained, to put it mildly.
His Father Madara sat at the head of the table, His Grandfather Tajima beside him.
Across from them sat Gyoza Hagoromo and his sons.
Raigo Chinoike sat slightly elevated as a guest.
Keiji and His Uncle Izuna sat between clans—neutral ground.
Gengar floated lazily behind Keiji, occasionally making funny faces at Daiki Hagoromo, who was trying very hard not to laugh.
The meeting began with formalities.
Then spiraled into concern.
His Grandfather Tajima spoke first. "We cannot ignore the history of the Chinoike Clan.Their clan was expelled from their previous nation for a reason before land of lightning."
Raigo stiffened, jaw tightening. Daigo muttered something about unfair assumptions.
Gyoza crossed his arms. "We cannot blindly accept them either."
Raigo responded tersely. "We seek only stability and a chance to survive."
His Father Madara's eyes narrowed. "Understand that your placement here changes the power structure among clans. The Daimyō's actions force us to adjust."
The discussion grew heated—slowly rising, simmering, inching toward conflict.
Gengar leaned toward Keiji.
"Gen…gaaaar…"
( Translation: This is going to explode soon.)
Keiji rubbed his temple.
"Yes. Yes, it is."
Then His Grandfather Tajima slammed his palm against the table.
"The Chinoike Clan could be spies for the Daimyō!"
Raigo jumped to his feet. "We are not—!"
"Enough."
Keiji's voice cut through the room like a clean blade.
Everyone froze.
Keiji stood slowly, expression calm but firm.
"Arguing gets us nowhere. The Daimyō placed them here. That fact cannot be changed. So instead of guessing at their intentions, why don't we do something simple?"
His Father Madara nodded slightly. "Speak, Keiji."
Keiji inhaled.
"We observe the Chinoike Clan. For weeks. Months if necessary. Let them show their conduct. If they seek trouble, we'll see it long before it escalates. If they are peaceful…"
He paused.
"…then we consider alliance."
Dead silence.
Gengar's eyes widened. "Gengar?"
His Uncle Izuna blinked. "Alliance? With them?"
Keiji nodded. "Yes. Because if the Chinoike Clan prove stable and loyal, then three clans unified under one stance will have something else."
His Father Madara's eyes sharpened.
"Support from the Fire Daimyō."
Gyoza Hagoromo leaned back. "…He would favor clans that cooperate instead of bicker."
Raigo Chinoike stared at Keiji, disbelief and faint hope shimmering in his eyes.
His Grandfather Tajima frowned deeply, clearly torn.
His Father Madara finally spoke.
"Keiji is right. Observation first. Judgment later. And alliances… if earned."
Gyoza nodded slowly.
"I agree."
Raigo exhaled, visibly relieved. "Then we will prove ourselves worthy of this new beginning."
---
End of the Chapter
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