Two days later.
Konoha's White Fang arrived at the frontlines, instantly boosting the morale of the shinobi troops.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ye was seen by others as simply lucky, having been assigned to return to Konoha for a period of rest with Tsunade's squad.
Back when they graduated, the top three students — Uchiha Ye, Senju Nawaki (Shinju), and Namikaze Minato — had all been assigned to teams under the Third Hokage's disciples as their Jounin instructors.
"Brat, hurry up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Throughout the journey, Tsunade had been unusually irritable — likely due to the confidential scroll Ye had handed over two days prior.
Still, in her prime, with twin golden ponytails swaying behind her, Tsunade was undeniably fierce and dazzling.
Uchiha Ye marched with a vigilant expression, eyes scanning their surroundings. The whole squad moved at top speed toward Konoha.
[Perfect Version – Onikirimaru Technique (鬼芽罗之术)]
Right now, sealed within Ye's mind was a forbidden jutsu — one that should not even exist at this point in the timeline. Not just any forbidden jutsu — a perfect-grade one.
He had earned it back in his previous life, during his free time as a top sales rep, when he dumped his first recharge into a game. Who would've thought he'd get isekai'd with it?
"It's insanely powerful, but just as insanely dangerous — especially in its perfected form."
Only by living in the real Shinobi World did Ye understand how terrifying forbidden jutsu truly were.
This one allowed him to devour and assimilate bloodline limits, enhancing his abilities. But every absorption required long recovery periods for full integration.
"To make it work… I'll need gene-stabilizing compounds and high-tier synthesis meds."
Ye's gaze flickered toward Tsunade, and a sly smile tugged at his lips.
Wasn't there a perfect source of high-level medical knowledge walking right beside him?
Unless something unexpected happened, he'd need Tsunade's help the moment he used this jutsu for the first time.
After all, relying solely on his knowledge of medical ninjutsu… who knew how long it'd take to create the necessary formula?
More importantly, those reagents were absurdly expensive.
A few days later, Konoha.
The Senju Clan Compound.
"Grandma Mito, whether the intel is true or not, we have to ensure Nawaki's safety!"
After reporting in at the Hokage Building like any standard mission returnee, Tsunade made her way home and found Uzumaki Mito waiting at the Senju compound.
Her expression was stormy.
Uzumaki Mito, now clearly aged, wore deep lines across her face. Even the Yin Seal on her forehead could no longer slow the march of time. She was nearing her end.
But upon hearing Tsunade's report, her usually warm face grew grim.
"That old bastard Setsuna… he has changed."
"Looks like he's finally learned to use subterfuge — probably got smarter after all those years locked up."
The first thing Mito thought of was how different Uchiha Elder Setsuna had become. Now he was scheming in the shadows instead of agitating openly.
"Grandma, Nawaki—"
Tsunade's voice was laced with urgency, but Mito simply snorted.
"Rushing in like this… how will you ever accomplish anything?"
Tsunade, who could rage at anyone else in the village, could only sigh helplessly in front of her grandmother.
Mito closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke quietly:
"Nawaki's safety must be taken seriously. But if someone dares to plot something even with Orochimaru watching over him… Tsunade, you must understand how deep this goes."
Tsunade's expression turned somber as she nodded.
"Orochimaru is among the strongest Jounin in the village — few can surpass him in raw strength. And his sense for danger is razor-sharp. If someone still wants Nawaki dead… then unless Nawaki never leaves the village, there's no way to keep him safe."
You can guard against a thief for a day, but not for a lifetime.
Tsunade's face twisted with fury.
"Damn it. Do they think the Senju Clan no longer exists?!"
But Mito only fell silent — her eyes soft and distant as she sighed deeply.
For all her high status, as the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Mito had always been treated as a weapon of war.
In the end… what was the difference between her and a prisoner?
"Tsunade. I'm old. I don't have many years left. If this threat is real… maybe it's time to send Nawaki away while we still can."
Tsunade froze, staring at her grandmother in shock.
But Mito only shook her head with another sigh.
"You might be able to protect him this time… but what about the next?"
"Konoha doesn't need the Senju anymore."
Those words hit Tsunade like a blow to the chest.
After a long silence, she finally muttered:
"I understand."
Yes… Konoha was no longer the village where the Senju reigned.
"Finally home!"
Soaking in the Konoha sunshine, Uchiha Ye looked blissful.
After weeks in the Land of Rain — with its never-ending drizzle and gloom — this was pure heaven.
The Uchiha clan might be marginalized, but they hadn't yet been pushed to the outskirts. Their compound was still located in Konoha's bustling heart.
"Ye, welcome home."
Just as he stepped through the door, a gentle voice greeted him, and his body froze.
"M-Mikoto-neesan?!"
Inside the house stood Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in casual gear and wearing a long Uchiha-style katana on her back. Her soft smile, however, carried a strange… off-kilter aura.
Ye's expression grew visibly stiff the moment he saw her.
Mikoto approached smoothly, as if used to this, and without hesitation, cupped his face in both hands.
Ye panicked.
"M-Mikoto-neesan, wait! I'm not—"
Before he could finish, she pried open his eyelids, peering closely. Her warm smile remained serene as she said sweetly:
"Still no Sharingan, hmm? Ye-kun… you are a little failure."
A little failure.
Ever heard someone say such cruel words… while smiling so sweetly?
That's just how the Uchiha were.
After all, awakening the Sharingan almost always involved emotional trauma. Those who awakened it were often unstable, volatile, temperamental, and easily agitated.
Especially during the early days after unlocking or evolving the Sharingan, most Uchiha experienced surges of emotional instability. They needed outlets — healthy ways to vent.
Ye's eyes instinctively dropped to Mikoto's pupils — two crimson tomoe spun slowly.
As expected…
Uchiha Mikoto's Sharingan had evolved.
The Sharingan is tied to powerful emotional stimuli — often grief, rage, or loss. It surges with chakra that alters the brain, destabilizing the mind.
"...Mikoto-neesan."
Just as the door clicked shut—
Ye's entire demeanor shifted. With a growl, he suddenly slammed Mikoto to the floor, his expression dark and serious… and drew out the whip he'd hidden in the house long ago.