The morning sun spilled its light across the Uchiha compound, setting the air aglow in a faint amber hue. The faint cries of sparrows echoed from the rooftops, and the smell of wet earth mingled with the faint scent of burning incense. I stood there, in front of my chamber door, wearing my dark battle attire — armor that looked too big for someone my age, but my body had long since earned the right to wear it.
Today was the day. My first step onto the battlefield.
For six and a half years, I had trained relentlessly — through pain, blood, and sleepless nights. I had carved my body and will to steel, and yet, this moment… felt heavier than any kunai I'd ever lifted.
I took a deep breath, adjusting the sword strapped to my back. Just as I began to move toward the courtyard—
"Brother!! Wait for us!!"
The high-pitched voice made me pause mid-step. I turned just in time to see two small figures running toward me — their footsteps loud, their faces glowing with excitement and mischief.
Madara and Izuna.
My brothers.
Madara, with his wild, spiky hair and sharp little eyes that burned like a spark about to become fire, sprinted toward me with his usual reckless energy. Izuna followed just behind him, his movements graceful and careful, like he was afraid to crush the grass under his feet.
Before I could say anything, Madara jumped at me and latched onto my leg."You big devil!" he shouted, his face puffed up in anger. "Why didn't you tell us you're leaving for the battlefield today?!"
Izuna arrived a moment later, panting softly, his hands clasped before him. "Brother… you should have told us. We wanted to see you off."
I blinked, both amused and touched. "Oh? And what would you two have done, hmm? Followed me to the battlefield and scared the enemy with your cuteness?"
Madara immediately pouted and puffed out his cheeks. "I'm not cute! I'm strong!"
I laughed, crouching down and pinching his cheek. "Strong, huh? The only thing strong about you is that attitude. You're like a little thundercloud—loud, flashy, and gone in a second."
"Hey!" Madara protested, swatting my hand away. "I'll be stronger than you one day! Just wait!"
"Ahh, yes, yes, the great Madara-sama, future hero of the Uchiha," I teased, ruffling his messy hair until it stuck up even worse. "And you, Izuna—tell me, will you be the one to stop him from blowing up the clan house with his temper?"
Izuna smiled shyly, glancing at his older brother. "I'll try, Brother. But sometimes Madara doesn't listen to anyone."
Madara crossed his arms, glaring at Izuna. "Hey, don't talk like that, traitor!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You two are hopeless."
I pulled them both into a hug, one on each side, feeling their small frames pressed against me. Their warmth… it was something indescribable. In a world filled with war, hatred, and endless death, these two were my light — my reminder that there was still something pure left in this blood-stained world.
"Listen, you two," I said softly, holding them close. "I have to go now. Many of our clansmen are fighting out there — some of them have already fallen. I need to do my part."
Madara's expression fell. "But… you'll get hurt."
His voice trembled a little. He tried to hide it, but I could hear it.
"I might," I said honestly, smiling. "But that's why we train, Madara. That's why we get stronger — to protect others, not just ourselves."
I pulled back slightly and looked both of them in the eyes. "Remember this, both of you. If you gain courage because a thousand people stand behind you, you can win a war. But if a thousand people gain courage because you stand in front of them… you can change the world."
There was silence for a moment. Even Madara, with all his fire, seemed frozen — eyes wide, trying to process the meaning behind my words.
"Change… the world?" Izuna whispered.
"Yes," I said. "Strength isn't about power alone. It's about what you use it for."
Madara tilted his head. "Then what will you use your strength for, Brother?"
I smiled. "To end the cycle of hatred. To make sure you two can live in a world where brothers don't have to fight each other anymore."
Madara frowned, clearly not understanding the depth of my words. "You talk weird sometimes."
I chuckled. "You'll understand someday."
He huffed and kicked my shin lightly. "We'll both get strong too! Then we'll protect you, okay?"
"Ow—hey, don't go making promises you can't keep yet, shorty," I said, flicking his forehead.
Madara groaned dramatically and fell backward, pretending to faint. Izuna giggled. I reached over and helped him up, shaking my head with a smile.
"You two… always making a scene."
"Indra, my dear, what's happening?"
The soft, melodic voice made me turn. Standing near the doorway was my stepmother — Madara and Izuna's mother. She looked pale, her once-bright complexion dulled by her lingering illness. Her long black hair was neatly tied up, and her gentle eyes held both warmth and worry.
"Mother," I said, bowing slightly.
She walked toward us, her steps slow but steady, and gently placed her hand on my head. "I heard these two ran off again when they found out you were leaving. They're impossible without you."
Madara grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Mother…"
Izuna bowed his head. "We just wanted to see Brother off."
Her gaze softened. "I know, my loves. But Indra needs to focus now. The battlefield is no place for children's worries."
I looked at her face — the faint lines of fatigue, the sadness buried beneath her gentle smile. Even though she was not my birth mother, she had never treated me as less than her own. She had bandaged my wounds, scolded me for skipping meals, and told me bedtime stories when I was younger.
She was, in every way that mattered, my mother.
"I'll be fine, Mother," I said softly. "You don't need to worry."
"I can't help it," she said, tears glimmering faintly in her eyes. "You're still just a boy… you shouldn't have to carry the burdens of men."
I took her hand gently in mine. "Sometimes, Mother, we don't get to choose when we must grow up."
She smiled through her tears. "Always saying such wise things for your age. You sound more like your father every day."
"Let's hope I keep the good parts of him," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
She chuckled softly, then reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, simple necklace — a cord with a hand-carved wooden pendant shaped like a small flame.
"I made this for you," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "It's not much, but it's my blessing. As long as you wear it, know that there's someone praying for your safe return."
I felt a lump form in my throat. Carefully, I took the necklace and slipped it over my head. The pendant rested against my chest, warm from her touch.
"Thank you," I whispered. "I'll treasure it."
She reached out and pulled me into a hug, tighter than I expected. For a moment, I felt her heart beating against mine.
"Come back, Indra," she whispered. "No matter what happens, promise me you'll come back home."
I hesitated. "I promise."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't a certainty either. In this world, promises were fragile things — easily broken by a single blade or an unlucky strike. But I would do everything I could to keep it.
As I stepped out of the compound gates, the sunlight bathed the path ahead in gold. Behind me, I heard small footsteps. I turned.
Madara and Izuna stood there, waving at me with both hands.
"Bring back a trophy, Brother!" Madara shouted.
Izuna smiled shyly. "Come home soon!"
I smiled and raised my hand, waving back at them. "I'll bring something better — peace."
Madara squinted. "Peace? What can you eat that?"
I burst out laughing. "You'll know one day, you little glutton!"
The wind carried my laughter back to them as I turned and walked away. Each step echoed softly on the dirt road, blending with the distant rustle of leaves and the quiet song of cicadas.
With each footfall, memories of their faces — Madara's fiery grin, Izuna's calm smile, and my mother's tearful eyes — sank deeper into my heart.
I adjusted the sword on my back and touched the pendant at my neck.
"I'll come back," I murmured to myself. "No matter what it takes."
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting my shadow long across the path. The cries of my brothers faded behind me, replaced by the sound of the wind.
And so, with the weight of love, hope, and destiny upon my shoulders — I stepped forward into the fading light.
The road ahead was drenched in gold and blood, but for the first time in a long time…I wasn't afraid.
Because I finally understood what I was fighting for.
For them.
Please Support me with power stone