Uzushiogakure, within the Uzumaki clan compound.
When Shamrock and Uta saw their father, Shanks, pinned to the ground just a few meters away from them by a black rod, both of their minds went blank. For a moment, the world seemed to fall into a suffocating silence. Shamrock's Mangekyou Sharingan awakened in that instant of grief and shock, his vision trembling as reality itself felt distant.
Finally, Uta registered what had happened.
"No!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking as it tore through the air. Almost subconsciously, she activated Kotouta—her Mangekyou Sharingan ability. Rage surged through her like wildfire. She wanted to kill every single one of the enemies present here… and even if she couldn't, she would do everything in her power to take revenge. I'll make them pay… no matter what.
As soon as Uta used her ability, Kotouta, her surroundings warped, and she appeared in a dimensional space. It was engulfed in darkness—thick, suffocating darkness—broken only by the violent glow of lava spreading endlessly below. Streams of molten rock bubbled and roared, casting flickering orange light across scattered patches of land floating above the inferno. Heat pressed against her skin, the air itself trembling.
Clearly, this dimension formed according to Uta's will. And right now, her will was consumed by rage. The entire space had turned into a raging volcano, a reflection of the storm burning inside her heart.
But then—
What she saw next made her freeze.
A shock ran through her, followed instantly by confusion. The people she had expected to appear in this dimension were the attackers—the ones who had assaulted the Uzumaki clan, their home, Uzushiogakure.
But instead…
Standing before her were her uncles, her aunts, and her cousins.
All of them.
Every single one of them—already dead.
Uta was confused, and at the same time, she noticed that the children and everyone present here looked uncomfortable because of the dimension around them. This volcanic world was not just an illusion, nor some decorative projection—it was real. The heat radiating from the lava was real. The air itself burned. A scorching sensation pressed against their skin, making it hard to breathe, and everyone could feel it.
Seeing this, Uta's expression shifted. Without hesitation, she immediately changed the scenery.
The raging volcano melted away, replaced by a serene, peaceful landscape. Soft green grass spread beneath their feet, cool and soothing. A clear waterfall cascaded behind them, its gentle roar replacing the violent rumble of lava. Mist hung lightly in the air, and a calm breeze brushed past them, carrying a refreshing chill. The oppressive heat vanished as if it had never existed, leaving behind a tranquil atmosphere that eased their discomfort.
But even then, Uta's confusion did not fade.
And she wasn't the only one.
Shamrock, who had been pulled into her dimension the moment Uta's voice entered his ears—because Kotouta's ability dragged anyone who heard her voice into this space—looked around sharply. Only those with immense strength could resist it; the rest had no way to escape once caught.
Realization flickered in his eyes as he looked at Uta. This was her ability.
Then, turning fully toward her, his expression hardened with anger.
"Sister, what is happening?" Shamrock demanded, his voice tight, barely containing the fury within. "Why did you manifest uncle and aunts here? Let me be free. I am going to kill those bastards who have killed our parents… and our uncles and aunts. I don't have time for these petty illusions."
His fists clenched, trembling. I won't let them get away with this.
Hearing him, Uta turned toward Shamrock, her brows furrowed, confusion clear on her face.
"I also don't understand, Onii-san," she said, her voice unsteady. "Because only those who hear my voice can enter this space. Why are uncle, aunt… mother, cousins—everyone is present here?"
Her gaze shifted across the familiar faces, unease creeping deeper into her chest. This shouldn't be possible…
Just at that moment—
A deep voice echoed through the space.
"Both of you, calm down," it said, firm and commanding. "And Uta… release your ability."
As soon as they heard it, both Uta's and Shamrock's bodies trembled.
That voice—
It was their father's voice. Shanks Uzumaki.
Without hesitation, Uta released her Kotouta. The dimension shattered like fragile glass, collapsing into nothingness. In the next instant, she found herself back outside, her eyes darting around.
The carnage—
It was gone.
Her uncles, aunts, and cousins stood around them, alive. Some looked curious, some smiled softly, others held pride in their eyes. Their mother stood among them, a tear glistening at the corner of her eye.
For a moment, Uta couldn't breathe.
Then she saw Shanks.
She ran forward without a word.
She crashed into him, hugging him tightly, burying her face in his chest as her shoulders trembled. Shamrock stepped beside them, concern evident.
"Father… are you all right?"
Uta only cried silently, clutching him tightly.
Shanks gently patted her back. "I'm sorry, you two. This is all my fault. I created a realistic illusion… so that both of you could awaken your Mangekyou Sharingan."
"And thankfully… you both did."
"What?!"
Uta pulled away, eyes wide. "Was this all your doing?"
"It was necessary," Shanks replied calmly.
Uta immediately gave a light punch to his chest.
"I hate you, Father!"
She ran to Mikoto and hugged her tightly. "Mother, see what Father did."
Mikoto held her close, gently stroking her hair. "I tried to stop him. I told him not to do such things. There was no need… but your father is stubborn as a bull with its horns locked in a fence."
Her eyes briefly flicked toward Shanks. "It broke my heart to see both of you go through that."
Uta clung to her. I really thought everyone was gone…
Shamrock, meanwhile, had calmed down. Relief washed over him—everything had been an illusion. Everyone was safe.
And he understood.
If they were to face the Otsutsuki… or enemies like the leader of Akatsuki, they needed strength. This hardship—though mental—was necessary.
I can endure this.
Shanks scratched the back of his head awkwardly as Mikoto glared at him. Around them, clan members quietly smiled, some covering their faces in amusement.
Only Mikoto could speak to Shanks like this.
No one else.
Shanks understood both Uta's grief and Mikoto's anger. But his resolve remained firm.
This was necessary.
For their future.
After some time, he gently spoke to Uta, trying to appease her. Eventually, he gave her a gift—a beautiful hairpin and a dress. Simple, but heartfelt. He also gave Shamrock a gift.
Only then did Uta calm down.
"Promise me, Father… that you won't do this again."
Shanks looked at her seriously. "I don't think I'll need to… but I can't promise that."
"If something is necessary for your safety… I will still do it."
His resolve was absolute.
What he wanted was their safe future—even if it meant hardship.
Uta was definitely not satisfied with Shanks's words, but she also understood that her father's resolve was absolute and that no one could break it.
That night, a grand feast was held in the Uzumaki compound. Laughter filled the air as Shamrock's victory in the Chunin exam and Uta's second place were celebrated.
The day ended on a happy note.
Later, as night fell, both Shamrock and Uta went to their rooms.
Shanks and Mikoto quietly checked on them.
"They went through a lot today," Mikoto whispered. "They were broken…"
"I know," Shanks replied softly. "But sometimes… we must be harsh for their future."
Even if they hate me for it.
He gently closed Uta's door.
And together, they walked away into the quiet night.
----
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