Chapter 89: The Village Is My Everything
"Normally, when a shinobi loses contact with the village, they make every effort to re-establish it immediately. But Uchiha Han vanished for months. We presumed him dead.
As for how he survived, and why he never sought to reconnect with Konoha… we never truly figured it out."
Faced with Nan's inquiry, Orochimaru reluctantly withdrew his greedy gaze from Nan's eyes. He smoothed his expression, adjusted his tone, and once more put on the act of a wise mentor. Patiently, he explained the misunderstanding that had led to the premature report of Han's death.
But he hadn't given up on steering Nan toward his own path. Uchiha Han had slipped through his fingers—he couldn't afford to lose such a promising "student" as well.
Nan feigned confusion, glancing around.
"Then… where is Han now? Where did he go?"
"He's already left," Hiruzen sighed.
"Why? He'd already returned—so why leave again?" Nan pressed, deliberately showing anxiousness.
Hiruzen did not answer directly. Instead, he asked:
"Nan, what kind of person was Han in daily life? Could you share with us in detail?"
Nan froze for a moment before donning a thoughtful expression. The truth was, Uchiha Nan's own memories before his father's death were blurry at best. There was little useful he could recall.
According to his mother, Han had once been gentle and kind—caring toward his family and warm with his friends.
But after their father's sacrifice, Han's personality flipped completely. He became distant, withdrawn, spending all his time training as though carrying some invisible burden on his shoulders. It was then that he awakened his Sharingan—through relentless, almost excessive discipline that baffled those around him.
This change happened when Nan had only just begun forming lasting memories. To him, Han had always been that cold, solitary figure. The two brothers had never been especially close.
And yet… Han had awakened the Mangekyō only after Nan's death. That alone suggested their bond was far deeper than Nan himself could understand. Perhaps some emotions were simply beyond the reach of memory.
Nan carefully recounted these details to Hiruzen—omitting, of course, what had truly transpired between them afterward.
The Third Hokage absorbed the account silently. His mind recalled what Tobirama Senju had once taught him: the Sharingan awakens through the birth of a special chakra triggered by intense emotions. It suddenly made sense.
Uchiha Han must have awakened his Sharingan upon their father's death. The grief altered not only his eyes, but his entire character. Then, when their mother too perished, the suppressed power erupted fully, twisting Han's nature beyond recognition.
As for why he hadn't defected immediately, and only vanished months later—clearly, something else had transpired in that interval, something unknown even to them.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he posed another question:
"Nan… what do you know of the Mangekyō Sharingan? Han's battle with Shukaku—his overwhelming power—surely that came from this legendary Uchiha dojutsu. Do you know how he awakened it?"
Nan lowered his gaze, feigning thought.
"I don't know much. I've only ever heard the elders mention it in passing. The Mangekyō hasn't appeared in decades. Even the clan head doesn't seem to know the true method of awakening it.
As for Han… when he killed Pakura just now, he muttered something—that it was tied to Mother's death."
Hiruzen's suspicions solidified.
So it was true: the Mangekyō Sharingan was born when the Uchiha's special chakra, driven by extreme emotional turmoil, surged violently enough to transform their eyes. The loss of a loved one could indeed trigger such a change.
But surely it wasn't that simple. After all, the Uchiha were shinobi—most had lost family in war. If grief alone were enough, half the clan would possess the Mangekyō, and they'd have conquered the world already.
No… it must require more. Only those who had already reached the peak of the three-tomoe Sharingan, with exceptionally strong ocular power, and who bore profound feelings for someone close, could awaken the Mangekyō.
Understanding this, Hiruzen began to piece together Han's defection.
Tobirama's warning echoed in his mind: the Uchiha's love, when lost, inevitably curdled into hatred.
Perhaps, when Han's mother died, his love for family and for the village had collapsed inward, transmuted into bitterness toward the very village he once served.
At first, he might not have realized the full extent of his Mangekyō's power. But in battle, as he discovered the terrifying truth of his own strength… the seed of betrayal had taken root.
During his time away, Uchiha Han had become more familiar with his newfound powers. Only then did he decide to return and seek vengeance on Sunagakure's Pakura for killing his mother.
But this sudden surge of overwhelming strength may have distorted him, inflating his ego. He not only dared to challenge a Tailed Beast but even seemed unwilling to spare his comrades. Moments ago, Han had nearly resolved to kill all three of them—only abandoning the thought because his condition had worsened.
Hiruzen shared his speculations about Han's defection with Nan, watching as the boy's expression grew dim. Placing a hand gently on Nan's shoulder, the Third spoke with quiet empathy:
"I understand the pain of knowing someone you love is out there in this world, yet being unable to see them.
Don't worry, Nan. Though Uchiha Han has left the village, he hasn't done anything truly harmful to it. So long as he wishes to return one day, Konoha will always welcome him back."
Nan brushed away nonexistent tears, feigning strength.
"I understand, Lord Third. I believe he will come to his senses and return one day.
And even if he doesn't, I still have Orochimaru-sensei, my teammates, and so many friends in the village. They are all my family."
He paused, then added with firm resolve:
"If that day ever comes when Han threatens the village, I won't hesitate—I'll end him with my own hands.
Because for me, the family I have here in the village is what matters most."
Though Konoha may have lost a wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan, it had gained a young shinobi with an unshakable Will of Fire. To Hiruzen, that was worth far more.
The Mangekyō Sharingan, after all, carried a dangerous reputation and could easily become an unstable force for the village. But Nan was different. Gifted, steadfast, and loyal—if he grew into his full potential, he would be far more valuable than any pair of eyes.
After a moment of thought, the Third asked:
"Nan… do you wish to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan yourself?"
Nan blinked, startled. What's he playing at? He didn't need another pair of eyes—he already possessed two Mangekyō. Still, for any Uchiha, such a power was the ultimate dream. So after a moment's hesitation, he nodded.
Satisfied, Hiruzen shared his own deductions about how the Mangekyō was awakened. Normally, he would never reveal such knowledge to an Uchiha. If the clan knew, they might turn on each other in pursuit of power, a disaster both for themselves and for Konoha.
But Nan was different. Hiruzen trusted him to choose the right path.
Nan was quietly astonished. So the Professor of Ninjutsu has actually figured out the secret of the Mangekyō? As expected, his understanding of jutsu—and even bloodline techniques—runs deep.
Feigning joy, Nan quickly shifted his expression into mock dismay.
"To think the Mangekyō requires something so cruel and horrifying to awaken… then it's better never to open it at all.
My parents are already gone, and Han has defected. For me to awaken it, I'd probably have to destroy the whole village, hah!"
He laughed it off with exaggerated relief.
Seeing that Nan held no deep obsession with the Mangekyō Sharingan, Hiruzen's heart grew lighter. A warm smile crossed his face.