Though Yuhara also thought that training in the middle of the night was kind of insane, he simply couldn't sleep.
Too much had happened since he got back—too much to process in one go.
First, he'd run into his old teammate Kotoha Nara, who had subtly advised him to run away while he still could.
Then he had a brief and strange encounter with Naruto, whom he casually teased.
And finally, he'd been dragged into a heavy discussion with Uchiha Sō—saying far more than he'd originally intended.
It was a lot for one day. And aside from Naruto, every part of it demanded serious thought.
Besides, he'd already planned on doing some training tonight. Now that he couldn't sleep and Shisui happened to be around, Yuhara figured—why not drag him along as a sparring partner?
"Good for bonding, and I get to test my new abilities. Win-win."
Muttering to himself, Yuhara made his way to Training Ground Three.
Due to the late hour, the grounds were completely empty. Moonlight spilled across the terrain, lending the area an eerie tranquility.
But the moment Yuhara stepped into the clearing, he frowned. Something felt off.
He wasn't a sensory-type ninja, but with fifteen years of battle experience—much of it life or death—he had a sixth sense for danger.
He stopped walking and began scanning his surroundings. He was curious who might be sneaking around trying to ambush him.
"Uchiha? Doubtful. As tense as things are, no one would be stupid enough to act out of line like this."
"Konoha operatives? I haven't provoked them… wait."
A thought struck him. He had interacted with Naruto today, hadn't he? Just a passing comment, but…
"Could the village really be this paranoid? Or is their hatred for the Uchiha already this deep?"
"Come out," Yuhara called, his voice calm but cold. "Stop skulking around like sewer rats."
He was already preparing to fight. Anyone who followed him in secret like this definitely wasn't here with good intentions.
But there was no answer. No sound. No movement.
Yuhara narrowed his eyes. Maybe his senses were off after all?
Still, he wasn't about to let it go. He took a deep breath, pulled out several kunai, and with a flash, his eyes turned crimson—Sharingan active.
Sweeping his gaze across the terrain, he began identifying potential hiding spots.
Thanks to his Sharingan, it only took moments to lock onto several suspicious areas. Without hesitation, he flung the kunai toward them.
He didn't bother with fancy tricks—this was Konoha, after all. He couldn't go all out.
Clang, clang, clang—
The sound of metal striking metal rang out as sparks flashed in the moonlight.
Moments later, several figures leapt out of hiding. The sight of them confirmed Yuhara's suspicions.
They all wore black tactical gear, silver chest armor, and had animal masks concealing their faces.
"Anbu?" Yuhara asked aloud, though he wasn't entirely convinced. He was fairly sure this was connected to his brief contact with Naruto earlier.
"Uchiha Yuhara. Come with us," the leader said coldly, voice like a machine—emotionless and icy.
Yuhara frowned. "If you want me to go with you, shouldn't you at least tell me who you are?"
"And maybe a reason while you're at it?"
"We don't need a reason to act."
The masked man's reply was chilling—sharp as a winter wind. "You have two choices: come quietly, or we'll take you by force."
For a moment, Yuhara was stunned by the bluntness. Then he laughed.
Now he understood who these people were.
He knew Shisui well—and he was familiar with the real Anbu's operating procedures. They never acted without concrete evidence. They always provided a reason.
But there was one group in Konoha that didn't need any reason at all.
A group that killed without explanation, claiming only that the target "threatened the village's safety."
No accountability. No transparency. No justice.
Danzo.
The very name made Yuhara's blood boil.
A sanctimonious, power-hungry hypocrite. Always preaching ideology while chasing personal gain. The kind of man no one could truly respect.
And now his hounds had come for Yuhara.
He didn't waste another word. He shifted into a combat stance, fully prepared to fight.
He couldn't know these were Root agents—but since their identities weren't officially known, he could easily pretend they were impostors impersonating the Anbu.
"Clearly, you didn't do your homework," he said coldly. "I've got friends in the real Anbu."
The tomoe in his eyes began to spin rapidly as his chakra surged.
"The Anbu doesn't operate like this. I don't know why you're here, but impersonating the Anbu is a serious crime."
"So you won't come with us willingly?"
The leader remained unfazed. He said it more like a statement than a question.
Then he raised a hand slightly.
"In that case—kill him."
There was no hesitation. The masked figures lunged at him as soon as the order was given.
Yuhara narrowed his eyes.
There would be no peaceful resolution tonight.
He already hated Danzo. Now that hate had found a new outlet.
"If you want to throw your lives away on his behalf… don't blame me."
The tomoe in Yuhara's eyes spun even faster, his chakra crackling with intensity.
He smirked.
He ignored the charging enemies completely and spoke softly.
"You pathetic insects… Tonight, I'll show you the true power of the Uchiha!"
In that instant, the three tomoe merged together.
And the dark, overwhelming chakra of the Mangekyō Sharingan erupted.
[If you like this story, please don't shy away from adding to the collection, giving a power stone, and leaving a review.]