Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others watched the Uchiha depart, their expressions complicated.
Hiashi Hyūga remained seated for a moment longer, observing quietly. There was admiration in his eyes—for Shuoye's resolve—but also unease about what the Hidden Leaf would become.
At last, he rose and left the chamber, already calculating how to shield the Hyūga in the storm that was coming.
—
Moonlight filtered through towering trees.
On a high platform overlooking the village, Hiashi and Hizashi stood side by side, gazing toward the Uchiha compound.
The night wind was cool.
It did nothing to ease the weight in their chests.
"We owe Shuoye a great debt," Hizashi said quietly, lingering fear still visible in his expression.
"The Uchiha have only just relocated. Instead of congratulating them, we nearly allowed the situation to turn against them."
Hiashi's gaze remained sharp, scanning the darkness.
"This time, we lost face," he said at last. "We must make amends."
"I understand."
Hizashi nodded.
If war was truly approaching, the Hyūga could not remain passive.
"We should send a gift," he suggested. "A gesture of support."
"A gift…" Hiashi repeated, thinking.
"Not merely a gift," he corrected. "A declaration of sincerity."
His voice grew firm.
"If the Uchiha can declare war with such courage, how can the Hyūga remain silent? If we do nothing, we appear weak."
Hizashi's hesitation vanished.
"You're right."
The two exchanged a faint smile.
The burden felt lighter.
—
Within the Uchiha compound, Shuoye had returned.
The territory was transformed.
Buildings stood tall and orderly, radiating renewed vitality. The compound no longer resembled the fractured remnants of the past—it symbolized resurgence.
Fugaku Uchiha stood beside him, emotion stirring in his chest.
There had been a time when this land was little more than ruin.
Now it thrived.
"Thanks to you," Fugaku said sincerely.
Respect filled his gaze.
Several elders approached, their expressions uneasy.
"Shuoye," one elder began carefully, "declaring war in the name of the Uchiha… was that wise? The Hidden Cloud is no minor enemy."
Shuoye's eyes burned steadily.
"The Hidden Cloud?" he said flatly. "When Madara was alive, they wouldn't have dared breathe too loudly."
"If not for Hiruzen's weakness, they would never have grown so bold."
The elders exchanged helpless glances.
Madara's era had passed.
Yet the confidence radiating from Shuoye was unsettlingly familiar.
"What preparations have you made?" another elder asked.
"You'll see," Shuoye replied. "I've prepared a gift for the Hidden Cloud."
His gaze shifted.
"Shisui."
"Take me to the Eight-Tails."
The elders stiffened.
The Eight-Tails?
Had he changed his mind?
Was he planning to surrender it?
No one could read his intent.
Shuoye's lips curved faintly.
"The Uchiha do not trade our people for peace."
—
Deep within a damp, sealed chamber—
Killer B sat chained against the wall, weakened.
Sealing chains pierced through him, suppressing chakra and movement alike.
The air shifted.
A suffocating pressure descended.
The space itself seemed to tighten.
"You…"
Killer B's voice trembled.
"What do you want?"
He swallowed.
"If you release me now… perhaps this can still be negotiated. There may still be room between our villages—"
Shuoye stepped into the light.
Tall.
Composed.
His dark cloak drifted behind him like a trailing shadow.
His gaze was deep and cold.
"You needn't concern yourself with that."
Before Killer B could react—
Shuoye raised his hand.
His Mangekyō Sharingan spun.
The tomoe rotated sharply, locking onto his target.
Killer B's pupils widened—
Then clouded.
His consciousness was seized instantly, dragged into the depths of Shuoye's genjutsu.
Unlock 100+ advance chapters on Patreon — every follow inspires me to keep going!
patreon.com/legacyverse1