Valley of the End.
Kaede stood atop the statue of Uchiha Madara, surveying the vast scenery stretching dozens of miles in every direction.
"Quite the majestic sight."
Gazing at the still-visible scars of battle, he could almost envision the legendary fight between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.
As the two most powerful shinobi in history, their strength alone could rewrite maps and obliterate nations.
And in the decades that followed their era, no one else had ever truly earned the title of "strongest."
But now... he had stepped into that realm.
Perfect Sage Mode. A fully-developed Mangekyō Sharingan...
Though he hadn't yet tested its limits in real combat, the figures of Madara and Hashirama felt closer than ever.
"I can't wait to meet an opponent worthy of my full strength."
Just then, a shout came from behind.
"Clan head!"
Naoto appeared instantly beside Kaede.
Without turning, Kaede asked, "Impressive, isn't it?"
"If I hadn't reached this level myself, I would have doubted this devastation came from just two people."
Naoto's eyes widened.
Did that mean... the clan head had already reached the level of Uchiha Madara?
He felt a rush of excitement. Kaede never exaggerated.
Kaede turned his gaze to him. "What is it?"
Naoto scratched his head awkwardly, clearly troubled.
"There's a bit of an issue that probably needs your attention."
"Last night, some of our clan members didn't evacuate immediately."
"When the fighting broke out, the elders gathered them and led them out quietly."
"But just now..."
The sudden eruption of battle last night had thrown the non-combatants into panic. Among them was a family living in the clan's central district—on their way out, they dragged along their neighbors.
One of whom was... Uchiha Mikoto.
This morning, once the elders revealed what had happened during the night, that family—furious and confused—outed Mikoto to everyone.
As the wife of the former clan head, and mother of the traitor Itachi, the elders didn't know what to do with her.
Especially since some had witnessed Fugaku helping Kaede fend off Itachi—and dying at Itachi's hand.
Kaede raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised that Mikoto had survived.
"A minor inconvenience, really."
He had completely forgotten to explain to the clan that Fugaku had only intercepted Itachi because he was under Kaede's Kagami no Genjutsu (Mirror Illusion Technique).
Without that context, the angry clansmen likely would have torn Mikoto apart.
"Let's head back."
Kaede vanished on the spot.
Naoto sighed and reluctantly began walking back to the hidden forest where the clan had relocated.
…
Kaede appeared in the center of the clan's new encampment, met instantly by hundreds of reverent gazes.
Word of Kaede's actions the previous night had spread.
Without him, they would have perished. The Uchiha would've vanished from history.
He nodded slightly in acknowledgement and headed directly to the elder's tent.
"Kaede, you're finally back," the elder sighed in relief.
"Naoto must have told you already. What do you think we should do?"
Kaede shook his head and took a seat where the elder motioned.
"No rush. Bring her in first."
"I'll speak with her alone."
The elder nodded and exited the simple wooden hut.
Not long after, Mikoto stepped in, alone.
Her eyes were vacant as she looked at Kaede. "Clan head..."
"Sit," he said, pointing to the chair before him.
Mikoto didn't resist. She sat obediently.
Seeing the despair radiating from her, Kaede muttered, "You look like someone who's given up on life."
Silence.
Her son had murdered his father. Her family shattered. Her future drowned in darkness.
"Do you know what happened last night?" he asked.
Pain flickered in her eyes.
"Itachi... betrayed the clan... and killed Fugaku..."
Kaede nodded and then, to her surprise, smiled faintly.
"Fugaku was under my genjutsu. I made him stop Itachi."
!!!
Mikoto looked up sharply, stunned.
Fugaku had been controlled? That's why he fought his own son?
"And do you think I should make that public?"
Mikoto opened her mouth, about to curse Kaede for his cruelty—
—but froze at his next words.
"If I reveal that, then both Fugaku and Itachi are traitors."
"You, your entire family, even Sasuke, will be exiled from the clan records."
"That would be your judgment."
He paused.
"But if I say nothing, then Fugaku remains the noble leader who chose the clan over his son."
"And Itachi's crimes won't stain your name or Sasuke's."
He stared into her shaken eyes.
"So... what will you choose?"
"Itachi... Sasuke..." Her voice trembled.
Both were her sons.
If she chose the truth, the clan would abandon them. She'd never face their ancestors again.
If she chose silence, Itachi would carry all the sins alone.
Though... wasn't that already his decision?
What mother wouldn't ache for her child?
She couldn't meet Kaede's gaze. Her hands trembled in her lap.
In this semi-feudal shinobi world, clan records meant everything. Especially to an ancient lineage like the Uchiha.
To be erased from them was to be erased from existence.
She couldn't bear to let Sasuke—still just a boy—suffer such disgrace.
"If it were you, Itachi... what would you choose?"
She had no answer.
Kaede stood up.
"Still torn? Then I'll choose for you."
He walked over and forcibly lifted her chin.
Staring into her fearful eyes, he spoke coldly:
"The Uchiha clan head cannot be a traitor."
"Itachi will be remembered as our greatest betrayer—an enemy of the clan."
"I'll capture him myself and bring him to judgment."
"And you…"
"You'll remain the clan head's wife."
"Itachi is a hated traitor. Fugaku is a martyr who died fighting Konoha."
"From now on, your life belongs to me."
Overwhelmed, Mikoto found she couldn't refuse. Deep down... she was even relieved.
She didn't have to make the choice anymore.
After a long pause, Kaede released her chin and turned to leave.
"Wait—what about Sasuke?" she called out.
Kaede didn't turn around.
"As long as Itachi lives, Konoha won't dare touch Sasuke."
"When the time is right, I'll bring him back."
"But his future... will depend entirely on how you raise him."
…
(End of Chapter)
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