"Is it all resolved?"
In the quiet chamber of the Uchiha clan estate, Uchiha Fugaku stood over the fallen body of Uchiha Yan, his expression unreadable. He closed his eyes briefly, then spoke in a low voice.
A moment later, the silence was broken by the soft steps of a figure approaching from behind.
"It's done, Patriarch," said Uchiha Jun, her voice calm, almost too calm. Despite the intensity of what had just occurred, her appearance was unruffled. "I didn't expect Uchiha Akira to be a double agent."
Fugaku didn't answer immediately. "What's his status?" he asked coldly, referring to Akira.
Jun's smile faded, her tone turning more somber. "He couldn't withstand my genjutsu. He resisted until the end."
There was a pause. Fugaku looked down at Yan's still form.
"I see... It's always our own blood," Fugaku murmured. "We're bleeding ourselves dry. Is it truly worth it?"
He wasn't just speaking to Jun. He was speaking to himself.
As the leader of the Uchiha, Fugaku had always seen it as his duty to protect the clan, but lately, the price of that protection had grown steep. Still, in a time of conflict—on the battlefield and within the village—hesitation could be fatal.
He took a deep breath and clenched his fist. No more wavering.
With practiced efficiency, Fugaku reached into his robe and withdrew a kunai. Without hesitation, he finished the job, silencing Uchiha Yan for good. He didn't spare another glance.
"Clean up here," Fugaku said as he turned to leave. "I'm going to check on Kai."
"Yes, Patriarch," Jun replied, casting a glance at the bloodied floor. "Is something wrong with him?"
Fugaku paused at the doorway, but didn't look back. "No... If anything, he may be more dangerous than I am. He's the one who hides the deepest."
Jun blinked, surprised. That kind of praise from Fugaku was rare.
A smile flickered at the corners of her lips. Perhaps that was for the best. For a clan as divided as the Uchiha, they needed someone like Kai in their corner—someone who could match cruelty with cunning, and strength with subtlety.
Meanwhile...
"This… this chakra…"
Uchiha Osamu stared ahead, his Sharingan spinning wildly as he gazed upon the half-formed, obsidian chakra avatar looming behind the flames.
It had ribs. An arm. And it radiated power that pressed down on his chest like a mountain.
"Susanoo," Osamu whispered. "No… It can't be. That's only supposed to appear with the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
From the smoke and fire, a figure stepped forward.
"You look surprised," said Kai Uchiha, his voice calm, almost casual. "You said it yourself. Only those with the Mangekyō can summon Susanoo…"
Kai's eyes gleamed—but not with the kaleidoscope pattern Osamu was looking for. Just a normal, three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Impossible," Osamu muttered. "No Mangekyō… yet Susanoo? How?"
"Does it matter?" Kai replied, letting the skeletal arm of his Susanoo settle beside him like a shield. "You're not walking out of here."
Osamu gritted his teeth, gripping his sword. "You're strong… stronger than I expected. But I've prepared for this."
Kai shrugged. "So have I. You think I didn't plan for a rat like you? This is war, Osamu. Blood, betrayal—it's all part of the game."
Osamu charged, slashing with his blade, but Kai was faster. His kunai clashed with the sword, and the spectral arm of his Susanoo came crashing down. Osamu substituted at the last second, reappearing across the room, breathing hard.
But Kai didn't let up. Lightning crackled in his hand, surging down into his kunai as he hurled it forward. Osamu dodged—but Kai was already there, flickering into view with a second kunai in hand.
Kai stomped his foot down, kicking up the kunai he'd thrown. Catching it mid-air, he closed the distance again, and this time Susanoo's fist struck home.
Osamu tried to counter, driving his sword toward Kai's chest—but it clanged uselessly off the ribcage of Susanoo. At the same time, Kai drove his kunai into Osamu's arm, the lightning release stunning him completely.
Osamu collapsed to his knees, body trembling from the electric shock.
"Is that it?" Kai said, almost disappointed. "You're finished."
"You—" Osamu growled, glaring at the blade lodged in Kai's armor. "I'll—"
"You'll do nothing," Kai cut him off. "Your message? Never left this place."
Osamu's eyes widened. "No… that can't—my men—"
Footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Osamu's heart leapt—reinforcements? But when the door slid open, all hope died.
Uchiha Fugaku stepped in, his eyes scanning the room with grim satisfaction.
"It seems you've already handled things," he said quietly.
"Yeah. He's done," Kai replied.
Fugaku looked down at Osamu, who now saw clearly: this had been a trap all along.
Fugaku turned back to Kai. "He wasn't the only one plotting."
Kai nodded. "I'm sure. But it's over now."
Fugaku's voice was barely above a whisper, but the words carried weight. "Our clan cannot afford weakness. Not anymore."
Osamu's head dropped, the last flicker of resistance fading from his eyes.
And then there was silence.