"Shuoye may be talented," Danzō Shimura said, his tone edged with disdain, "but against a tailed beast, even he would be nothing more than an insect trying to stop a cart."
The words were harsh—yet not entirely unreasonable.
The room fell silent. The weight of the battle ahead pressed down on everyone present.
Then—
A shinobi rushed in, shattering the tense quiet.
"Report, Lord Hokage! Lord Shuoye has returned. He is currently at the Uchiha clan compound."
The air froze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged stunned looks with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Returned?
At a time like this?
Did that mean—
He had fled?
"What? How could he return so quickly? Unless…"
Hiruzen's brows tightened. An ominous feeling crept into his chest.
Danzō, however, looked almost pleased.
"As expected. The boy cannot be relied upon at critical moments. He must have run."
His voice grew colder.
"He must be punished severely. An example must be made."
He rose at once, clearly intending to move on the Uchiha compound.
In his mind, the pieces were already shifting into place.
If handled correctly—
This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for.
The group hurried toward the Uchiha district.
Along the way, whispers followed them.
Confusion.
Shock.
Why would Shuoye abandon the front lines at such a crucial hour?
The night over the Uchiha compound was deep and star-strewn.
Moonlight washed over ancient stone paths and dark wooden structures, casting long shadows across the clan's solemn architecture.
Inside the council hall—
Shuoye sat in a high-backed wooden chair.
Composed.
Sharp-eyed.
Before him stood several clan members delivering reports on "Edge."
Uchiha Xuanjing.
Uchiha Rin.
Their names lingered in his thoughts.
Both had pushed their Busoshoku Haki to extraordinary levels—nearing Kage-class combat strength.
He pictured them cutting through enemies like descending tigers.
A faint, satisfied smile touched his lips.
"Thirteen have awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan," a clan member reported, unable to hide his excitement.
"They are already elite jōnin. Their Fire Release has reached near-perfection. In combat, they suppress opponents swiftly and decisively."
Shuoye nodded.
The pride in his chest expanded quietly.
The Uchiha future stood before him.
Young.
Sharp.
Burning with potential.
He studied their faces, seeing not merely warriors—but foundations.
The clan would not wither.
Not under his watch.
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Measured.
Heavy.
Shuoye's gaze sharpened slightly.
"My lord—the Third Hokage has arrived."
The messenger hesitated, tension clear in his posture.
Shuoye raised a hand, stopping him.
"I know."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"It seems the Hokage has misunderstood something."
He rose smoothly.
"Very well. I shall go clarify matters personally."
Outside the Uchiha district—
The night wind cut sharply.
Danzō stood at the forefront, Root shinobi arrayed behind him like silent blades.
Opposite them—
The elite of the Uchiha.
Fugaku Uchiha stood beside several elders, their expressions calm—almost amused.
"Hmph."
Danzō's voice rang out.
"At a critical moment, Shuoye dared abandon the battlefield."
"A disgrace to the Hidden Leaf Village."
Each word fell like a hammer strike.
He surveyed the Uchiha ranks with thinly veiled triumph.
Hiruzen stood beside him, frowning deeply. He did not openly agree—but the tension in his eyes betrayed his dissatisfaction.
The atmosphere thickened.
On the brink of eruption—
Footsteps approached.
All eyes turned.
Under the moonlight, a young man stepped forward.
Calm.
Unhurried.
Moonlight glinted across his features.
Shuoye Uchiha.
A faint smile rested on his face.
His gaze shone with quiet confidence—like the brightest star against the night sky.
"Well now," he said mildly.
"What a wonderfully written script, Lord Danzō."
His voice was not loud—
Yet every syllable carried clearly.
There was mockery in it.
And certainty.
The gathered shinobi stiffened.
Danzō.
Hiruzen.
The Uchiha elders.
All stared.
"You…"
Danzō's eyes widened.
"You dare return?"
He had not expected Shuoye to appear—
Let alone with such composure.
And certainly not with that smile.
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