Outside Kusagakure.
With a flicker of motion, Uchiha Yuan appeared within a sparse grove of trees.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Accompanied by several bursts of wind, ten Konoha shinobi blinked into existence around him.
Yamanaka Mokuno spoke first.
"Lord Yuan."
Yuan asked calmly, "What happened? Why did the main camp issue an urgent summons?"
Mokuno replied, "Our scouts have detected large-scale troop movements from Iwagakure at the front. Headquarters fears the Stone forces may be preparing an offensive."
Yuan rolled his neck. A series of crisp popping sounds echoed as his joints loosened.
Then, a wild, arrogant smile curved his lips.
"I've already tested my strength against the Raikage's taijutsu. I wonder if this time I'll have a chance to cross hands with the Tsuchikage himself."
Mokuno chuckled.
"I've heard the Tsuchikage is an old man. He probably couldn't withstand even one strike from you, Lord Yuan."
Konoha Forward Camp
Uchiha Yuan finished reporting everything he had accomplished while stationed in Grass Country to the Supreme Commander, Mitarashi Shishō.
Shishō nodded in satisfaction.
"Captain Yuan, this was all thanks to you. For quite some time now, our logistics squads haven't encountered a single enemy raid.
"I never imagined Kusagakure would cooperate so thoroughly. You've stabilized our rear completely."
Yuan snorted disdainfully.
"The Grass ninja are nothing but chickens and dogs in my eyes. Having an Uchiha governing them is their honor.
"Anyone who refuses to obey—hmph—I'll simply beat them into submission."
Soon after, Yuan exited the command tent.
Shishō turned to Yamanaka Inoichi, who stood nearby.
"Uchiha Yuan truly deserves his reputation. One man alone suppressed an entire hidden village."
Inoichi smiled wryly.
"With that, the Uchiha name will only grow more formidable. I just worry he may grow too proud and stir resentment below."
From his seat, Shishō replied, "Judging by Mokuno's attitude, he seems very loyal to Yuan."
Inoichi nodded.
"Mokuno witnessed Yuan's battle with the Fourth Raikage firsthand. He was completely overwhelmed."
Shishō let out a sigh.
"I truly wish I could've seen that fight. The Fourth Raikage… that man is a legend of the shinobi world."
Inoichi's expression grew complicated.
"I was deeply worried when I heard about Iwa's movements. But today—when Yuan returned—I felt strangely at ease."
The atmosphere throughout the camp grew tense as reports of Iwagakure activity spread.
Uchiha Yuan walked toward his own tent. Along the way, Konoha ninja whispered among themselves.
"Another of Shisui-sama's clansmen…"
"Tch. Another annoying Uchiha."
"Wait—that's the kid from the Cloud front line, right? I thought he'd already left."
Yuan ignored them completely, maintaining a cold, aloof expression.
Suddenly—
"Hey, brat. Where did you crawl out from? Why haven't I ever seen you before?"
A figure leapt down, blocking his path.
It was a burly, bald shinobi, massive in build, his face full of coarse flesh. He eyed Yuan mockingly from head to toe.
Yuan stopped and glanced at him once—then shifted his gaze behind the man.
There stood several ninja, their clothing clearly marked with clan crests:
Sarutobi, Shimura, Mori, Ise—all lesser clans closely aligned with the Hokage faction.
Yuan looked back at the bald man, his voice cold.
"Move aside. Your stare displeases me. The consequences of angering me are not something you can afford."
The bald man reached out, sneering.
"Brat, you think being an Uchiha means I'll fear you? Ignorant trash."
His massive hand clamped onto Yuan's shoulder and squeezed.
He was already imagining Yuan begging in agony—
—but the next instant, his expression changed drastically.
It felt as though he had grabbed a slab of solid steel.
Smack!
Before he could react, a thunderous slap smashed into his face.
The bald shinobi spun through the air, tumbling several times before slamming heavily to the ground.
"Damn you! Die!"
His left cheek was grotesquely swollen; teeth scattered as he roared in fury, face twisted with rage.
He lunged back toward Yuan, throwing a heavy punch.
In the next instant—
Yuan casually caught the fist.
Then the world spun again.
The bald shinobi slammed into the ground once more.
Before he could rise, a foot pressed down coldly on his chest.
Yuan looked down at him without emotion, slowly increasing pressure.
"Yūzō!"
Several voices cried out. Multiple Konoha ninja glared at Yuan, ready to intervene.
"Bold fool—how dare you disrespect Lord Yuan!"
A booming voice echoed.
A massive figure landed in front of Yuan—it was Akimichi Kai.
A Shimura clan ninja shouted angrily,
"Akimichi Kai, this has nothing to do with you! We're teaching this brat respect."
Kai sneered.
"The one lacking respect is you. Lord Yuan repelled the Raikage himself."
"What?!"
Shock rippled through the crowd. Doubt filled their gazes.
"That's impossible!"
Yūzō screamed from the ground.
Yuan stared down at him coldly.
"Trash. Tell me your name. What gives you the right to insult an Uchiha?"
"Let him go first."
Six shinobi stepped forward—one from the Sarutobi clan spoke.
Yuan's gaze swept over them.
Instantly, fear rose in their hearts, freezing them in place.
Kai glanced at Yūzō, then said to Yuan,
"Lord Yuan, his name is Kazematsuri Yūzō. He's a special-duty ninja of the village."
Yuan frowned slightly.
"Kazematsuri… isn't that a vassal clan of the Senju?"
Kai laughed.
"Yes. Kazematsuri and Ise are both minor clans aligned with the Senju."
Yuan looked back at Yūzō.
"You're fortunate. I have a friend from the Senju. For his sake, your punishment will be reduced by three tenths."
Suddenly—
The air warped.
A figure appeared directly in front of Yuan as if he had always been there.
"Yuan. What's going on here?"
"Shisui… long time no see."
Yuan looked calmly at the newcomer, though inwardly he sighed.
Incredible.
That Body Flicker speed—based on timing alone—it surpassed even the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release movement.
Even more terrifying was the near-invisible chakra fluctuation.
It meant Shisui's chakra control had reached an astonishing level of precision.
Some people die…
but never entirely.
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