"So… we're adding another person now?"
Shizune looked at the cold-faced Uchiha girl with an odd expression. She still hadn't quite processed how Tsunade and Ren went out for one night—and came back with another person.
And not just anyone.
An Uchiha.
"But she's an Uchiha," Shizune said hesitantly. "Why isn't she being sent back to her own clan?"
Yūgao was just as curious, though there were many things she didn't dare ask.
For example—why this girl was here at all, or how Tsunade and Ren had even met her.
As an ANBU, questions were eating at her, but the only one she dared voice was that single line.
Ren smiled at Yūgao and answered calmly, sneaking a glance at Tsunade.
"She was abandoned by her clan. Since she's still a shinobi of Konoha, we can't just leave her wandering outside."
Tsunade paused, then sighed and nodded helplessly.
"Yes… that's about it. This matter isn't to be spread around, and don't ask too many questions. Leave it at that."
She really didn't want to help Ren cover this up.
But what choice did she have?
Was she supposed to tell people that this Uchiha girl was an ancient monster who'd been sealed for a hundred years and somehow never died?
Forget whether others would believe it—even Tsunade herself felt ridiculous just thinking about it.
Worse still, if anyone did believe it, it would ignite another bloody storm.
The Uzumaki clan was gone, but Konoha still possessed their complete sealing legacy.
Immortality—eternal life—was one of humanity's deepest desires.
Tsunade didn't dare gamble on that.
And Ren, that bastard, kept using her grandfather as a shield. What else could she do?
Uchiha Hikari swept her gaze over Ren and Tsunade but said nothing. She needed time to process the absurdity of her situation.
"Right," Tsunade added suddenly. "When we're close to Konoha, use Flying Thunder God to enter directly."
"I don't want to deal with the people outside the gates. If the Barrier Team notices anything, tell them it was my decision."
"Alright," Ren nodded.
Using Tsunade's name made most things far easier.
If it were just him, nothing would ever be simple. Still, he doubted the Barrier Team would come knocking.
Flying Thunder God warped space directly—Konoha's barrier probably couldn't detect it.
"And you," Tsunade continued, clearly not planning to let him off so easily, "you don't seem very optimistic about the Uchiha situation."
She'd been thinking about it for days.
Even though she'd already considered some possibilities, she wanted confirmation from Ren.
With Yūgao, Shizune, and Karin present, she wasn't worried. None of them would spread this, and Karin was still too young to understand much anyway.
"Tell me what you think. You're not the type to talk nonsense."
"The Uchiha…"
Ren glanced at Hikari, noticing her attention shift toward him as well.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they'll probably bring disaster upon themselves."
"You already know what's happening inside the village. Given their temperament, they won't let this go."
"You mean they'll do something irreversible?"
Tsunade stiffened slightly. She knew plenty of Uchiha were unstable, but surely not that far gone?
Yūgao and Shizune looked stunned. Even Hikari raised an eyebrow—though she quickly masked it.
For her, the clan's destruction was something she longed for.
"Hard to say," Ren replied, rubbing his chin.
"We all know they're planning something. With things this blatant, I don't believe Konoha will just sit idle."
"The reason there's been no action so far is probably because the Third Hokage still holds onto hope—even though Lord Danzo has already strangled that hope."
"But who knows? Maybe an even more extreme 'Uchiha Kagami' will appear next."
"Tch." Tsunade snorted dismissively.
"I think the old man just doesn't want the stigma. If the village openly attacks a clan, everyone starts wondering who's next."
"I've heard about the Hyūga incident. He has to watch his reputation too."
The Hyūga affair really had been disastrous.
They looked obedient now—but they held grudges.
During the Chūnin Exams, Hyūga Hiashi had been calmly watching Neji fight.
Then, when Sarutobi Hiruzen was on the verge of death, Hiashi suddenly appeared outside the arena and struck Sand and Sound like a demon.
As for the Uchiha…
Ren admitted the Third Hokage's final choice wasn't bad—letting them tear each other apart.
After all, an even more extreme "Uchiha Kagami" did appear—one who wiped out the entire clan without hesitation.
But the timing was too convenient.
Just as the Uchiha were closest to rebellion, someone appeared and erased the clan in one sweep.
It was impossible not to suspect Konoha's shadow behind it.
Add to that Danzo's indulgence over the years—talents from every major clan being forcibly taken—and Sarutobi's reputation quietly collapsed.
By the time of the Chūnin Exams, it had already become the beginning of a "new Konoha order."
"Maybe," Ren sighed.
"But no matter what—whether they're left alone or Konoha strikes first—if the Uchiha keep walking this path, their days are numbered."
"You know their temperament better than I do, Sensei."
"So whether we act or not… the ending may already be decided."
Tsunade fell silent.
This was almost exactly the worst-case scenario she'd imagined.
Yūgao and Shizune were pale. Hearing something this explosive left them shaken.
Only Hikari's eyes flickered slightly.
This… didn't sound like bad news at all.
"Enough," Tsunade said after a long pause, shaking her head.
"These are only speculations. I don't want this spreading."
"It means nothing to us right now."
"Obito, what do you think that kid will choose in the end?"
Outside Konoha, Black Zetsu stood beside Obito on a cliff overlooking the village.
Obito had gone alone to meet Uchiha Itachi. Black Zetsu hadn't followed—his real concern was Ren.
Ever since seeing Ren's Yang Release · Chakra Mode, Black Zetsu couldn't stop worrying whether Ren was an Asura reincarnation.
Even without proof, he was already treating Ren as one.
Never get close.
Never let him sense anything.
Obito was reckless. Black Zetsu wasn't.
"I don't know yet," Obito replied. "But I saw something different in his eyes."
"That kid has a strange attachment to Konoha. His choice isn't hard to guess."
"I never imagined the Uchiha clan head's son would turn out like this."
"Seeing your old self?" Black Zetsu teased.
Obito nodded seriously.
"Yes. But he has far more resources than I ever did."
"Maybe that's why—too much status, too much privilege. He never truly valued his clan."
"But that's fine. Once there's a beginning, things become easier."
"He loves the village now. But when he realizes that the village—and this world—are the root of chaos…"
"He'll make the correct choice."
"Maybe," Black Zetsu said softly.
Obito once loved Konoha too—dreamed of becoming Hokage.
Then Madara happened.
One slap delivered through Rin shattered that dream forever.
As for Itachi…
Black Zetsu had lived for a thousand years and never seen someone this absurd.
A man willing to slaughter his own clan—for the village?
Even Madara hadn't been that insane.
Shaking his head, Black Zetsu dropped the thought.
He couldn't empathize.
He still had his mother to save.
"So what's your plan if Itachi really comes to you?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Konoha isn't easy to deal with anymore—especially with Shihara Ren around."
"Contact Akatsuki," Obito replied after thinking. "Ren is troublesome."
"If Itachi wants to do this, we'll help him to the end."
"After slaughtering the Uchiha, he won't be at peace. I can guide him slowly."
"A man with blood-soaked hands can't cling to belief forever."
"A new world will become his comfort."
"At that point… he'll be a far more useful tool."
"We'll see," Black Zetsu said.
In the Land of Rain, Nagato opened his eyes as Konan placed a scroll before him.
"That liar is making another move?"
"Against Konoha," Konan replied calmly.
Nagato frowned.
"Shihara Ren… he's an opportunity, but his purpose is unclear."
"He spared us, yet keeps hunting Akatsuki."
"If we don't understand his goal, we risk becoming his weapon."
"I'll go ask him directly," Konan said.
"Representing the Rain. I'll meet Ren face to face."
Nagato hesitated.
Then sighed.
"…Be careful."
Back in Konoha, Ren stretched lazily inside the Senju ancestral residence.
Everyone else was busy.
He wasn't.
"Well… not completely alone."
He turned toward Hikari as she walked out, expression icy.
"Getting used to living here?" he asked casually.
"It's better than a cage," she replied coldly. "The seal just moved from outside to inside me."
Ren tilted his head apologetically.
"Sorry. Precautions."
"Uchiha mental states are notoriously unstable. You know that better than anyone."
She ignored him.
Ren smiled.
"You said this world was the root of your tragedy, didn't you?"
"So why not understand it?"
"Why not find out who created that tragedy?"
"Live."
"That alone is meaning."
Hikari fell silent.
A moment later, Ren's panel flashed.
[Hidden Mission Completed: Uncovering the Senju–Uchiha Secret (1)]
[Completion: S]
[Freedom Points +10]
Ren smiled.
Gold eggs were hatching everywhere.
Deep underground, Shisui stared at Ren and Kabuto in silence.
"…Are you doubting Lord Danzo's character?"
The question echoed.
And the answer, at last, was obvious.
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