"We should buy some vegetables and fruit. Shizuka and the others are still growing—living on nothing but flatbread and meat isn't healthy."
"Alright."
"And we should get books, paper, and pens too. Just talking isn't enough; they need written material to study properly."
"There's still plenty left in the clan compound. The ANBU didn't haul everything away."
"Then go back and quietly retrieve some. You run a bookstore yourself—how did you not think of this earlier?"
"I just didn't. What do you want me to do about it?"
Uchiha Ran and Uchiha Izumi walked side by side through the streets, chatting in voices low enough that only the two of them could hear.
At the same time, they remained highly alert, ready to flee the instant they sensed anything wrong.
As they walked, fragments of conversation drifted into their ears—comments from ordinary villagers about the Uchiha.
In the past, because of the Military Police Force, even if people harbored resentment, they never dared speak too loudly. They feared provoking those "red-eyed" Uchiha and inviting retaliation—despite the fact that the Uchiha had never actually done such things.
Now that the Uchiha were gone, everyone finally felt free to speak openly.
"Good riddance! Those bastards should've died ages ago!"
"Always acting so superior just because of their bloodline. Give me the Sharingan and I'd do better than them!"
"I heard they were planning a coup. It's a good thing they're all dead—those people were way too dangerous."
"To think they were wiped out by one of their own. Guess they weren't united at all."
"Doesn't matter how—what matters is that they're dead!"
Throughout Konoha, every street and alley echoed with voices condemning the Uchiha.
Ran's expression remained calm.
Izumi, however, was clearly affected.
"…Was the clan really hated this much?"
"Don't let outsiders' words sway you," Ran said quietly.
"Don't forget—the conflict between the clan and the Village was deliberately pushed by the higher-ups. Some clansmen had bad tempers, sure, but this wasn't entirely the Uchiha's fault."
"I know…" Izumi murmured.
"It's just… it suddenly feels like the whole world hates the Uchiha."
"If you really can't stand it," Ran said, "then let's go somewhere that doesn't hate the Uchiha."
"Huh? You mean…"
"Leave Konoha. Go somewhere else. There has to be a place that can accept people like us. Even within the Land of Fire, there's somewhere suitable."
"It sounds like you've already thought this through."
A spark of light appeared in Izumi's eyes.
"I have some ideas," Ran nodded.
"The Capital of Fire would be a good option."
"The Capital of Fire… you mean the Daimyo?"
Izumi was sharp. After a brief moment of thought, she immediately understood.
"Exactly. The Daimyo could become the Uchiha's backing. If you go, you'd definitely receive his protection."
"That's impossible," Izumi said reflexively.
"The Daimyo and the Kage are basically one entity. If we sought refuge with the Daimyo, he would only—wait. Why did you say us? What about you?"
She suddenly stopped walking, turned around, and stared straight at Ran.
"Let me answer your first question first," Ran said calmly.
"The Daimyo and the Kage aren't truly one entity. Think of it like the relationship between the Village and the Uchiha."
"Consider this: the Daimyo is the supreme ruler of the country, yet there's a group of ninja under him who don't fully obey his orders. If you were in his position, could you accept that?"
"I… I couldn't," Izumi admitted.
"They'd all be unstable factors. But I've never heard of any conflict between the Daimyo and the Kage."
"Even if there is one, it wouldn't be public," Ran replied.
"The Daimyo needs the Kage for military strength. As long as Konoha doesn't cross the line, he can only endure it—unless he finds the chance to strike decisively and replace them."
"…I understand."
Izumi thought it over and found the logic hard to refute.
When you're weaker, you lie low. Once an opportunity appears, the Daimyo would absolutely want to bring the entire ninja system firmly under his control.
"Then what about what you just said earlier…?"
"I'm staying," Ran said simply.
"I need to keep an eye on Konoha and look for a chance at revenge."
"Then I'm not leaving either," Izumi replied without hesitation.
"I'll stay here with you."
The wavering she'd felt after hearing the villagers' words vanished instantly, replaced by firm resolve born of hatred.
"What about Shizuka and the others?" Ran asked.
"They're still children. They can't keep living like this."
"They have to bear it," Izumi said coldly.
"They're Uchiha too. Uchiha blood flows in their veins. Their parents and families were killed—so they must seek revenge against the murderer!"
"…I really didn't expect this," Ran said dryly.
"You're actually more ruthless than I am when you get serious."
"Hmph. This isn't ruthlessness," Izumi replied.
"It's called firm resolve."
"Alright, alright—firm resolve. You're absolutely right."
"Besides," Izumi continued, "life won't be too hard going forward, will it? I've been observing your Shadow Space. It's still expanding, and the inside is practically a world of its own. Other than lacking sunlight and plants, living conditions aren't bad at all…"
She looked at him with open curiosity.
"I'm really curious—what exactly is this ability? You promised you'd tell me. Don't lie."
Ever since awakening her Mangekyō Sharingan, Izumi had been able to perceive many things she couldn't before.
The more she observed the Shadow Space, the more incredible it felt. She'd asked about it several times already, but Ran had always brushed it off.
That only made her more curious.
A few days ago, he'd dodged her again—but today, Izumi had decided she wouldn't let him evade the question.
Ran smacked his lips, realizing it really was time to reveal something.
"You could think of it as a special application of space–time ninjutsu," he said slowly.
"Using natural energy as the framework, then filling it with Yin Release chakra to construct a brand-new space within shadows…"
It sounded simple.
But in truth, the Shadow Space was something he'd created using the power of Recognition, imitating a certain "shadow realm."
Put plainly, it replaced spiritual particles with chakra and used the nature of Yin Release to "give form to nothingness."
If he were asked to create another one now, he couldn't.
Maybe after awakening the Mangekyō someday—but he hadn't even awakened his basic Sharingan yet. That was far too distant.
If he truly wanted to do it again, he'd have to rely on the power of Recognition once more—and that required an extremely long accumulation process. It had taken him a full two years to create the current space.
Unless the speed of collecting Recognition increased dramatically, he would never waste it like that again.
Izumi listened with growing fascination, her eyes shining. She even looked like she wanted to try it out on the spot.
Ran immediately reached out and stopped her.
Was she joking?
This was a public street—he was terrified someone would notice something abnormal.
"Buy the things first," he said quickly.
"We'll talk about everything after we get back."
He grabbed her hand and shot her a meaningful look.
Izumi instantly understood and stopped herself.
Only then did she realize Ran was holding her hand.
Her face flushed slightly red.