Uchiha Yang sprinted through the streets of Konohagakure, trying to outrun his thoughts. His mind was clouded with grief and rage. Along the way, several Uchiha clansmen spotted him but didn't approach—everyone knew what had happened to his family. Instead, they exchanged uneasy glances, some cursing the "old witch" under their breath.
As Yang approached his aunt's home, he was met with a somber sight—white mourning lanterns hanging at the entrance, their glow flickering in the evening breeze, illuminating the path to the dead. He clenched his fists before stepping inside.
His uncle, Uchiha Kirito, sat silently in the courtyard, dressed in a formal black kimono. Uchiha Mei, his former kenjutsu instructor, stood beside him, similarly attired. Resting against the wooden porch were their sheathed tantō—three blades, two lives bound by duty.
Yang lowered his head in a respectful bow, trying to suppress the tremor in his voice. "Uncle… where is my mother?"
Kirito remained silent, merely gesturing toward the house behind him. Mei motioned for Yang to go inside without delay.
Steeling himself, Yang stepped into the dimly lit hall. His breath hitched at the sight before him. A framed photograph of his younger sister sat at the center of a small altar, surrounded by white chrysanthemums. Beside it lay her favorite toy, a wooden rattle, and a delicate comb once gifted by Uchiha Fugaku.
Tears spilled from his eyes. His hands trembled as rage boiled within him.
What is this? What is the purpose of all this training, all this strength, if we can't even protect our own?!
A furious snarl ripped from his throat. "Damn it! If I don't kill them, I'll never forgive myself!"
He spun on his heel and stormed outside, his bloodshot eyes locking onto his uncle. His voice cracked with raw fury. "Tell me, Uncle! What's the point of training in the way of the sword?! What is the purpose of our strength if we let our own die like this?!"
Uchiha Polan, his father, had just entered the courtyard. He halted at the sight of his son's grief-stricken face, momentarily frozen by the sheer intensity of Yang's emotions.
Before anyone could react, Yang turned and sprinted out the gate.
Kirito clenched his fists but remained silent. He exchanged a glance with Mei, who sighed. "He understands the weight of the Uchiha name, but he's still a child," she said. "Emotionally, this is unbearable for him. But remember, the real enemy here isn't within our clan. It's the ones who truly orchestrated this tragedy. If he intends to leave the village for vengeance… I can accompany him."
Polan, still staring in the direction his son had fled, muttered, "That boy… something is different about him now."
---
Yang didn't stop running until he reached the village gate. His breathing was ragged, but his mind was clear—he needed allies. He formed two shadow clones, sending them to Uchiha En and Uchiha Retsu's homes with a simple message: Meet me at the village entrance.
As he leaned against the massive wooden gates of Konoha, he looked over the village, his heart filled with resentment. The Will of Fire? Dedication to Konoha? Lies.
Hiruzen Sarutobi preached self-sacrifice, but it was always others who paid the price. Danzo, the old witch—Koharu Utatane—these people manipulated and sacrificed shinobi like disposable pawns. They hid behind their rhetoric while condemning those who truly suffered.
When En and Retsu arrived, Yang addressed the Uchiha guard stationed at the gate. "You've heard about what happened to my family," he said flatly. "I'm taking a walk with my brothers."
The guard frowned but nodded. "Understood. Be careful—things haven't been stable lately. I'll inform your family when my shift ends."
Yang inclined his head in gratitude. Without another word, the three slipped into the night.
By dawn, they found themselves at an abandoned rest stop near the border.
Yang spoke first. "I'm going to kill someone. That old hag, Koharu. I can't do it alone—not yet. Even if I succeed, I need to make it look like an external attack. I need your help… and foreign aid."
En smirked. "Honestly, I thought you'd charge in right after you left the house."
Retsu crossed his arms. "I won't pretend I don't have doubts. But your sister was like my own. If you want that old woman dead, count me in."
En sighed. "Let's just keep it simple—I've got your back. No need for the speeches."
Yang nodded. "Remember that scroll we looted from a Root operative a few years back? The one we never even opened?"
En's eyes narrowed. "Yeah?"
"That scroll contained intelligence… and 200 million ryō," Yang revealed. "Plus, a vial of Hero Water from Takigakure. I'm using that to hire an assassin."
Retsu scoffed. "And who do you think will take a job that dangerous?"
Yang smirked. "Kakuzu."
---
After using a transformation jutsu, Yang entered a discreet underground gold exchange—a hidden hub for bounty hunters. He approached the mission broker with a simple request.
"I want to post an assassination contract. The target: Konoha's former councilor, Koharu Utatane. Reward: 200 million. I will return here every day at this time until Kakuzu himself agrees."
With that, he left, his message delivered.
Returning to Konoha, Yang made a quick stop at his home, only to find it empty. He headed to his aunt's house instead.
His mother sat in the courtyard with his aunt, staring at the vacant swing in silence.
Yang took a deep breath. "Mother. I won't be home for a few days. I'm heading out with En and Retsu tonight. Let Father know."
Polan looked at him with quiet scrutiny. "Be careful," she warned. "Don't do anything reckless. There are things you can't undo once they're done."
His mother, however, let out a bitter chuckle. "Oh? And if you do it, make sure you clean up afterward." She blinked at him—her Sharingan, now fully formed, gleaming in the moonlight.
Yang felt his chest tighten. His mother already knew.
Damn it… I have to do this alone. If she gets involved, things could spiral out of control.
After all, even within the Uchiha clan, there were those who still clung to the Will of Fire.
---
On the fourth night, in the hidden meeting chamber beneath the gold exchange, Yang finally came face to face with Kakuzu.
The rogue shinobi leaned back with a calculating smirk. "Konoha's defenses are tight these days. Killing someone inside the village? That price is low."
Yang countered, "We'll handle entry and escape. You only need to eliminate obstacles. Plus, I have intelligence on Takigakure. That alone is worth more than money to you."
Kakuzu considered this for a moment before nodding. "Fine. When?"
Yang slid a small map across the table. "Tomorrow morning. Meet me here."
---
As planned, Yang's shadow clone stayed behind while his real body and his allies slipped out of the village. At the rendezvous point, Kakuzu transformed into Uchiha Rei—one of their fallen comrades.
When they returned to Konoha, passing through security was effortless.
Now, standing outside Koharu's residence, Yang examined the intelligence map detailing every guard rotation, every blind spot.
He glanced at his comrades. "Tonight… we end this."
The plan was set.