Konoha: The Thirty-Year-Old Uchiha Can’t Be Bothered

"You old man, let Hikari go!"

Gin's eyes burned red as he glared at Yao, who had been acting strangely today. His Mangekyō was already spinning, ready to unleash its power at a single thought.

Tsukuyomi… requesting deployment.

Seeing Gin's expression and killing intent, Yao thought for a moment, then stepped aside, leaving a path open.

"It was just a simple stress response test. You can take her back."

That straightforward answer actually made Gin frown. He withdrew his Mangekyō's power and his eyes returned to black, but he still watched Yao warily as he walked into the lab.

As soon as he entered, Gin saw Hikari lying unconscious on the bed, her hands and feet strapped down with belts that had left red, swollen marks on her pale skin.

Gin's heart ached as he hurried to her side. Seeing her pained expression and disordered breathing, he clenched his teeth and thought to himself:

Guess I'll just use Amaterasu later…

Her face was twisted in an agony Gin had never seen before. Her delicate brows were furrowed, her breath erratic, and her lips bit tight as if trapped in a nightmare.

"What did you do to her? Out of respect for the fact that we're still grandfather and grandson, if you explain it clearly, maybe I'll leave you a shred of dignity."

Although there were no serious wounds on her, the pain on her face made Gin's anger boil over. His eyes turned scarlet again, and he began thinking about exactly how he'd like to apply Amaterasu.

"Just a simple emotional guidance procedure," Yao replied coldly. His lifeless eyes swivelled stiffly and fixed on Gin.

"Tomorrow is your turn. I hope you don't resist unnecessarily."

Ignoring him, Gin tore the straps off Hikari, his Mangekyō spinning as he threw a chilling glare at Yao.

"Don't you dare lay another finger on us."

The oppressive yin-chakra pressure that filled the room would have left an ordinary shinobi sleepless for nights — just a little lesson for the old man.

But Yao said nothing. He simply melted into the shadows of the lab, his face half-swallowed by darkness. For a moment his single remaining eye glimmered with clarity… but then the shadow closed over him completely.

Carrying the unconscious Hikari on his back, Gin walked lightly, listening to her rapid, uneven breathing. He couldn't help but blame himself — if only he could fully control his Mangekyō, maybe he could have protected her.

Damn it… if only I had a system! Really wish I could rebuild this lousy body of mine…

——

The previous day.

In the clan's archives, Myo finally looked up from his documents, frowning. Something about Yao's behavior had seemed… off.

Yao, who prided himself on knowing every page of the clan's records by heart, asking about something from the records? Impossible.

And then he remembered that he and En had both been "sent away" that morning. Myo's sharp instincts told him something was wrong.

I have to hurry back.

But the archives were too far. It was already nightfall — he'd have to wait until dawn.

The next morning, Myo rushed back to the research facility and found Yao's "Weapon Plan" already drafted and delivered.

Holding the plan, Myo went straight to Tashima to report.

——

"Uchiha Gin, come out!"

Gin had sat by Hikari's bedside all night, watching her face twisted in pain, unable to wake her no matter what he tried. When the strangers at the door called him, his eyes grew sharp.

"What did you do to her?"

One of them simply said coldly:

"If you want to know, come with us."

Gin's eyes flickered to Hikari. His anger surged as he stood up, his Mangekyō spinning faintly.

"Fine. Lead the way."

He followed the men back to the lab.

Inside, Yao was still scribbling away at his desk. Seeing Gin arrive, he barely acknowledged him before finishing his notes and handing them to a subordinate.

"Sleep well last night, old man?"

Gin gritted his teeth, his fury barely restrained.

"No. I was drafting plans."

Yao shook his head, unbothered, which only made Gin more suspicious.

"I'll give you three seconds. Tell me how to wake her up."

The suffocating killing intent filled the room.

But Yao merely studied Gin's eyes, then said casually:

"Tell me… hasn't your vision been declining lately?"

That stopped Gin cold for a moment. Then he scowled.

"So what if it has?"

Ever since he began participating in combat tests, Gin had felt his eyesight worsening with each use of his Mangekyō — though thankfully much less than that future shishi gay.

"I thought so," Yao muttered. Then he waved a hand.

"Lie down on the bed."

"You think you can just—"

The tomoe in Gin's Mangekyō began spinning faster.

"If you want to know what Hikari went through, then cooperate with the experiment."

Seeing Gin about to lose his temper, Yao finally said gravely:

"If you won't listen… then I have no choice."

Gin's eyes flashed. Fine. Screw it. Even if my uncle gets pissed later, I'll…

But before he could finish the thought, a glint of light flickered in the shadows behind him. A sudden pain lanced through his neck.

He didn't even have time to turn his head before a dark figure plunged a syringe of unknown fluid into his vein.

He tried to resist, but a wave of exhaustion crushed him. His arm dropped limply, and he slumped into unconsciousness.

The waiting researchers swarmed in, strapping him down and hooking up equipment to record his vitals, just as they had done to Hikari the night before.

After about an hour, the lead researcher handed Yao a report.

"All data recorded. No abnormal readings."

"Good. Leave. I'll conduct the next part alone."

"Yes, sir."

Once they were gone, Yao stood over Gin's sleeping face. For a moment his gaze softened, but then a black miasma passed over his eyes, and his expression returned to icy indifference.

"His Mangekyō drains him too fast. He hasn't even developed it fully, and already his vision is failing," said a low, unfamiliar voice.

Yao didn't turn. "Indeed. His eyes won't last until my plan is complete."

A chuckle rose from the darkness.

"The girl's eyes are in much better condition. Her power surpasses his by far. Use her."

A pitch-black figure slowly emerged from the shadows — the same one that had injected Gin.

"Wangryō… even if you're my shadow clone, don't presume to decide for me," Yao said coldly.

The black figure's eyes gleamed wickedly as it replied:

"Hehehe… as your other self, of course I know your true desire."

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome][Thank You For Your Support!]