Two days later, Konoha White Fang arrived at the front lines, boosting the morale of the Konoha shinobi. Among outsiders, Uchiha Ye appeared fortunate to have returned to the village with Tsunade's squad for rest and recovery. In truth, he, Nawaki, and Namikaze Minato—graduates of the same academy—were the top students, each assigned to the Third Hokage's apprenticeships as jonin.
"Kid, keep up," Tsunade called, her voice edged with impatience.
"Yes," Ye replied, moving quickly alongside the group. Over the last couple of days, Tsunade had been unusually tense, likely influenced by the intelligence scrolls she had studied. Yet, even in her prime, with her golden ponytail glinting in the sunlight, she radiated a heroic aura that demanded respect.
Ye maintained a determined expression, his eyes constantly scanning for potential threats as the group advanced toward Konoha at top speed.
At this moment, Ye sealed a forbidden jutsu in his mind—a technique that shouldn't even exist in this era—and did so perfectly. It was a skill he had earned in his previous life as a top gamer, a rare acquisition from a virtual game world that had unexpectedly manifested in this reality.
"While this forbidden technique is powerful, perfect-level mastery is extremely difficult," Ye thought. Only by stepping into the real ninja world could one appreciate just how dangerous forbidden techniques were. Using it allowed him to plunder and consume bloodlines, steadily strengthening himself. However, each absorption required substantial time for his body to fully integrate the power.
"To properly use this forbidden jutsu, I'll need a genetic stabilization potion," Ye mused, his peripheral vision flickering toward Tsunade. A small smile tugged at his lips. If all went as expected, he would rely on her after the first use of the technique. Relying on his own medical ninjutsu to concoct such a potion would be uncertain and time-consuming—and these potions were exorbitantly expensive.
A few days later, the group finally returned to Konoha. Tsunade, as usual, first went to the Hokage Building to report on their mission before heading to the Senju clan compound. Upon her arrival, she found Mito Uzumaki, her grandmother, frowning. Time had clearly begun to take its toll: the Yin Seal between Mito's brows no longer prevented aging, marking her as nearing the end of her life. Yet, upon hearing Tsunade's intelligence report, Mito's kind expression grew solemn.
"That old man, Setsuna Uchiha, has truly changed," Mito remarked. "Perhaps he has finally grown wiser, or maybe his years of suffering during imprisonment taught him how to hide in the shadows." Her thoughts lingered on the elder Uchiha's scheming nature and cunning mind.
"Grandma! Rope Tree!" Tsunade interjected anxiously.
Mito's response was cold. "You cannot achieve greatness if you act impulsively."
Known for her fiery temper, Tsunade remained unusually restrained in front of her grandmother, sighing helplessly. Mito, in turn, paused before continuing seriously. "Nawaki's safety must be taken seriously. Yet someone is secretly plotting under Orochimaru's supervision. Tsunade, you must understand the gravity of this situation."
Tsunade's expression hardened. "Among Konoha's jonin, few can surpass Orochimaru. His vigilance is unmatched. If someone intends to harm Nawaki, he won't leave the village." She clenched her fists. "A thief can steal for a thousand days, but no one considers a thief's defense!" Her fury flared.
Mito remained silent, exhaling deeply. Despite her noble lineage and status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she was ultimately a weapon for the village. What difference did her imprisonment in Konoha make? "Tsunade, I am old. My time is short. If this is true, perhaps you can use this opportunity to send Nawaki away safely," she said softly.
Tsunade froze. Mito continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "You can defend him this time, but what about next time? Konoha today no longer needs the Senju Clan of the past."
Tsunade's heart sank at her grandmother's words. The Senju Clan, once the pride of Konoha, had diminished in influence. After a long silence, she finally nodded. "I understand."
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ye, basking in the sunlight after the constant rain of the Land of Rain, relaxed for the first time in days. Though the Uchiha Clan had been marginalized, they still occupied prime land in the heart of Konoha, not yet relegated to the outskirts.
"Ye, welcome home," a voice called as he opened the door.
Inside, Uchiha Mikoto stood with a standard Uchiha sword. Her gentle smile contrasted with the strange unease in her eyes. Ye's expression froze as she stepped forward, cupping his cheeks with her hands.
"Mikoto-sama! Please… I'm still—" Ye began, but she interrupted him, pulling his eyelids open. Her smile remained soft, yet her words were sharp. "Still haven't opened your eyes? Ye-kun, you're such a little brat."
Her combination of gentle demeanor and harsh words was quintessentially Uchiha. Ye noticed two blood-red magatama in her eyes: her Sharingan had evolved. The opening and evolution of the Sharingan were always triggered by intense emotional experiences—loss, pain, or the threat of losing someone precious.
Ye could feel the surge of chakra emanating from her, stirring her spirit and destabilizing her emotions. Newly awakened or evolved Sharingan users were highly volatile; proper guidance was essential.
"Sister Mikoto!" Ye exclaimed, his voice sharp.
As the door closed behind them, he shoved her to the ground—not out of anger, but to regain control—and drew a whip he kept at home, ready for the unusual situation. Mikoto's Sharingan shimmered ominously, but her gentle smile never wavered, her Uchiha spirit fully on display.
Ye knew instinctively: this was the true power of the Uchiha, and only by facing it could he measure his own strength. The room crackled with tension, a mix of familial familiarity, rivalry, and the latent danger of unrestrained power.
Despite the peaceful afternoon sun outside, inside, the Uchiha compound brimmed with unresolved emotion, the clash of wills, and the subtle dance of power and control. Ye braced himself, understanding that the true test of his abilities—and his bonds—had just begun.
The return to Konoha, the warnings of his grandmother, and Mikoto's mysterious behavior all converged into a storm that promised to reshape Ye's understanding of strength, loyalty, and the fragile balance between family and power.