The setting sun bathed the western hills in red, casting a brilliant glow across half the sky and gilding the clouds along the horizon with shimmering gold.
At the mountaintop, amid a sea of clouds—
A black gravestone stood solemnly at the edge of a cliff. Under the glow of the evening light, it shone with quiet radiance. Though this was a desolate, remote mountain, not a single weed grew around the grave.
Etched on the stone was the Uchiha clan crest, and below it, the name: Uchiha Nanako. This was the resting place of Uchiha Aki's sister.
Uchiha Aki stood silently before the grave, the wind brushing through his long, waterfall-like black hair. His bangs hung low over his eyes, hiding any trace of emotion.
Buried here was the one woman he could never let go of—his unwavering obsession, immovable by anything in this world.
He said nothing, simply stood there. The entire mountain was steeped in silence, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind—yet at that moment, even that seemed deafening.
Any words of sorrow or grief would only seem trite. Meaningless.
He would prove everything through action. His starting point would be the fall of the Third Hokage's head—after that, he would fulfill the dream and ambition they once shared.
Aki took out a jug of sake, took a deep swig, then placed it in front of the grave. Staring at the tombstone bathed in sunset, memories flooded his mind—
A few years ago.
Under a starry sea, in a small courtyard.
"Nan-nee, you're already so strong. Why do you keep training so hard?" A young boy sat under the eaves, glancing sideways at the woman beside him.
Despite his youth, his demeanor and those deep, steady eyes hinted at a maturity far beyond his age.
The woman paused, then pulled the boy into a hug, smiling gently. It was a soft, graceful smile. "Of course… to protect my little Aki."
"Ugh, that's so cheesy," the boy groaned, feigning disgust.
The two played around for a while.
"Aki, remember this—born into this chaotic world, only strength decides everything. Without it, you'll lose even the people most important to you." Her voice carried a trace of sadness as she held the boy tightly.
When he was just two years old, both of their parents had died in battle against Kirigakure.
The boy fell silent.
"I'll become stronger," she whispered, gently ruffling his hair. "Strong like the Hokage, so no one can ever hurt you. I may be weak now… but if anyone wants to harm you, they'll have to step over my dead body first."
In that moment, something stirred deep inside the boy's calm heart.
Years later, her words came true.
"If only all shinobi could understand one another… then there would be no war, and no one would have to lose the ones they love."
"That was my only dream," she laughed self-mockingly, "A foolish dream I've had since I was a child. I know how naive it sounds, coming from someone like me."
"Then… my dream," he said quietly, "is to fulfill that foolish dream of yours."
Thunder cracked across the sky like a dragon's roar. A bolt of lightning snaked down through the clouds.
Dark clouds rolled overhead. Rain began to fall, soft at first, then heavier.
Uchiha Aki slowly opened his eyes. His Mangekyō Sharingan, carved with strange and beautiful patterns, glowed ominously, and its immense power blanketed the land.
Tomorrow… the day of vengeance.
He turned to leave. Tomorrow, I'll send Hiruzen Sarutobi to hell. Nan… you'll never have to see that old bastard's face again.
After all… you're in heaven now.
Uchiha Aki's figure slowly faded into the mist until it vanished completely.
No one knew when it happened—but a lone umbrella had been set atop the gravestone, shielding it from the rain.
The sun blazed in a clear blue sky.
...................................................................
Land of Fire. Konohagakure.
Dressed in a black kimono, Uchiha Aki stood atop the Hokage Rock. A sinister-looking sword hung at his waist. His three-tomoe Sharingan glinted coldly as he gazed down at the village with aloof disdain.
"It's been years… but this village hasn't changed a bit. Still so naive. So utterly unprepared."
This so-called peace was built upon the suffering of countless lives.
"It's just a boring game of pretend among 'family'. True peace can only come from…" Uchiha Obito stared at the sunlit village below, a flash of disgust in his eyes.
A village that abandoned Rin… deserves to be destroyed.
"Let's begin," Aki said, withdrawing his gaze. He glanced sideways at Obito, smiled faintly, and added, "Try not to slow me down, Lord Madara."
"Tch." Obito snorted coldly. This brat sure knows how to hold a grudge.
Just because I played a trick on him once, now he thinks he's the boss? If not for your usefulness, I'd have taken those Mangekyō eyes of yours already. Laugh while you still can. We'll see who gets the last word!
"Let's go." With that, Obito activated Kamui. The space around him twisted like a whirlpool until he vanished completely.
Aki watched him disappear, eyes narrowing. That guy has no intention of truly fighting. He's probably planning to take the opportunity to capture the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
If he weren't so valuable, I'd eliminate him now. But no matter. Let's see who laughs in the end.
Aki leapt from the Hokage Rock, forming hand seals midair. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom! White smoke burst forth, blanketing the area. Several massive summoned beasts emerged, crashing down upon the village. The ground cracked. Buildings collapsed.
The sudden assault shook the entire village.
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Office—
A masked ANBU agent knelt on one knee, reporting solemnly, "Lord Hokage, the ninja Danzo dispatched days ago have all been killed by the S-class rogue ninja, Uchiha Aki."
"That old Danzo still hasn't given up on those eyes…" said a white-haired old man seated in the Hokage's chair. He wore a ceremonial cloak bearing the characters for "Third Hokage," and beneath it, a sleek black combat suit. He puffed a few times on a long-stemmed smoking pipe.
Though he looked like a worn-out elder, a sharp, sword-like aura radiated from his body—proof of a lifetime of bloody battles.
He was the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Lord Hokage, I advise we eliminate him now," the ANBU said respectfully. "If we allow Uchiha Aki to continue growing, he may become another Itachi. In the past few years, many of our shinobi have already died at his hands."
Hiruzen remained silent, his eyes thoughtful. He exhaled a cloud of smoke, a glint of steel flashing in his aged eyes.
"It's time to settle this."
"Relay my orders—Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai are to form a temporary Jōnin squad. Their mission: hunt and eliminate the S-class rogue Uchiha Aki!"
He raised his arm in command. His voice was low, but thunderous with resolve.
The Uchiha clan, once driven to extremism, had become a serious threat. They must be eradicated—root and branch—before they brought disaster to the village.
Anyone who dared to stand against the village… would be destroyed!
"Yes!" The ANBU bowed. Just as he was about to vanish using the Body Flicker Technique—
Rumble...
The ground trembled. The entire Hokage Office shook violently.
"What is this chakra? What's going on?" Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he turned toward the window.
Outside, enormous beasts rampaged through the streets, crushing everything in their path.
Who was bold—and foolish—enough to attack the village head-on? Especially now, when Konoha was at its peak!
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