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Twisting and turning through narrow alleys, Akira followed the map in his mind.
Finally, he found the Uchiha clan territory tucked away in one of Konoha's most remote corners.
Back then, the village leaders, in league with the other ninja clans, had cornered the Uchiha. Their ancestral lands had been prime real estate once, but they'd been forced out to this desolate stretch.
No wonder the Uchiha rebelled in the original story! They were one of Konoha's founding families, yet denied the power they deserved—and constantly pushed aside. Of course they'd snap!
But the result? Pathetic. Uchiha Itachi had been tricked, manipulated into letting Hiruzen Sarutobi wipe out the clan without lifting a finger.
From Akira's perspective now, it seemed almost laughable. Any Uchiha with half a brain and a little foresight wouldn't have let a thirteen-year-old Itachi take on the whole clan alone.
And Itachi himself… letting the Third Hokage manipulate him so easily? Ridiculous! Maybe the "Will of Fire" really was that strong if it could brainwash even a ninja at the Kage level.
No matter how absurd the original clan massacre was, Akira—armed with the full power of his victorious Indra's attribute—would never let anything like that happen again.
With that resolve, he stepped into the Uchiha territory.
Meanwhile, in a narrow alley somewhere inside the clan grounds, three figures loomed.
"Speak! Tell me where that bastard Itachi is! I'm gonna make him pay!"
"That's right. This time, the three of us are prepared—we won't let that sneaky bastard get the upper hand again!"
"Hmph. That day, Itachi dared humiliate us like that. Let's see how he likes being helpless for once!"
Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Yashiro, and Uchiha Inabi—they were seething with anger, cornering Uchiha Izumi in the alley.
"P-please… calm down! Itachi-kun… he's such a kind person… he wouldn't just hurt a clanmate. There must be some misunderstanding!"
Izumi trembled, clearly scared. She was only thirteen, after all. But even in fear, she tried to defend Itachi. She couldn't bring herself to believe he'd strike his own people.
"A misunderstanding? Are you kidding me?! Do you see these wounds? Are they fake?!"
Inabi's face twisted in rage. With a roar, he ripped off his shirt, revealing his upper body wrapped in bandages, now stained red with dried blood. His injuries were severe.
"See this? All of this—Itachi did this to me!"
Izumi clasped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide in disbelief.
"No… that's not possible. Itachi-kun is so gentle… I believe he wouldn't hurt our clanmates for no reason. So…"
She hesitated, then swallowed her fear and spoke up.
"Surely… you provoked him first. That's why he… taught you a lesson!"
It sounded like blind loyalty, but her guess hit closer to the truth.
These three were the original story's Uchiha who doubted Itachi after Shisui's death. They came charging to intimidate him, thinking that sheer numbers would give them the upper hand.
The result? Thirteen-year-old Itachi had easily beaten all three.
"Damn it! And you, you little brat, still defending that bastard! He's a traitor to our clan. Shisui… he killed him!"
The truth was out, brutally undeniable. Uchiha Yashiro's temper flared. His eyes burned crimson as he activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Enough talk! Tell me where that traitor Itachi is, or don't blame me for what happens next!"
"I… I really don't know where he is!"
Terrified, Izumi instinctively stepped back.
"Don't play dumb with me!"
They advanced, radiating a terrifying aura.
"I really… I really don't know!"
She was on the verge of tears. These three were terrifying. And even if she did know, she wouldn't betray Itachi. She refused to let him get hurt because of her.
"Fine, if you don't know, forget it."
Izumi relaxed—just a little. But Tekka wasn't done.
"I hear you and that traitor Itachi are… close. Childhood friends, right? That guy must care about you a lot."
"Exactly. So if we take you, the traitor will come to us himself."
Inabi's eyes lit up.
"Good idea, Tekka! Heh heh heh. Miss Izumi, we hope you'll cooperate—don't bother resisting."
"Yeah, Izumi. Just cooperate… and once Itachi shows up, we'll let you go safely. No unnecessary harm!"
Yashiro chimed in, his gaze sweeping over her. Even though she was only thirteen, she had a surprisingly developed figure.
Itachi had humiliated them… so taking a little "interest" in his girlfriend was only fair. And it would sting him at the same time—revenge and humiliation. A perfect two-for-one.
The three didn't need to speak; they understood each other's intentions perfectly. Grinning wickedly, they advanced on Izumi.
"No… you can't do this!"
Izumi panicked. She hadn't expected it to turn out like this. Seeing the raw malice in their eyes, she knew that if they caught her, there would be no happy ending.
She had to save herself—whatever it took.
"..."
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