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

"I'll go find my uncle. He'll definitely let me fight."

As expected, his request was refused. Gin didn't waste words, grabbing the girl's hand and running out of the research facility without looking back.

"You two, just be careful!" En shouted after them, too busy with other tasks to stop them.

Along the way, every house was lit up. Every Uchiha capable of fighting had donned their battle gear, gripping their weapons with grim determination as they strode into the streets, ready to show the presumptuous invaders what happened to those who crossed the Uchiha.

"Clan Head, the enemy has already broken through our three defensive lines — they're about to breach the compound!"

A black-clad Uchiha reported urgently as Tashima finished buckling his battle armor.

"That fast? What happened to the patrols?!"

Hearing that the enemy was already at the gates, Tashima scowled.

"It seems they knew our exact defenses. The sentries barely had time to react before being taken out," the man admitted.

"We've barely rested for a few years and already people think we've gone soft, daring to attack us outright? There's only ever been one side doing the beating — and that's us."

Tashima's voice turned cold and commanding. "Let me see who has the guts to try this."

Once his order was passed down, En assembled several hundred elite Uchiha at the compound gates. Tashima arrived and swept his sharp gaze over the assembled clan members, then bellowed:

"Those who violate the Uchiha — die with no burial!"

"Those who violate the Uchiha — die with no burial!!"

"Those who violate the Uchiha — die with no burial!!"

Hundreds of scarlet Sharingan ignited the darkness, and the deafening chant sent a murderous chill through the air. Tashima was pleased with what he saw.

"Move out! Meet them head-on!"

"Clan Head, the enemy appears to be using a kekkei genkai. From the reports, they're likely the Kaguya clan, who fled to the Land of Water," En reported as they marched.

Tashima's eyes narrowed. "Those lunatics? They came all this way to raid us?"

"I don't know," En admitted.

"No matter. We'll beat them and find out."

He wasn't worried. In all their history, only the Senju had ever truly matched the Uchiha.

When the Uchiha and the Kaguya clashed head-on, the battlefield exploded into chaos.

Fire Release and genjutsu burned and bewildered the enemy, though the Uchiha's physical combat had always been secondary. Still, the crazed Kaguya fought with suicidal ferocity, trading blow for blow and dragging out the tempo of the fight.

Something felt wrong to Tashima.

"En, have you seen any of their top fighters?"

In a raid of this scale, where were the enemy elites?

"No… enemies this weak shouldn't have been able to break through so easily," En agreed.

"Damn!"

Both men realized something at the same time, whipping their heads back toward the compound.

In the distance, flames rose high over the supposedly quiet Uchiha compound, illuminating Tashima's face in a grim red glow.

——

Not long before, while Tashima led the elite to engage the Kaguya vanguard, several dozen shadows had quietly slipped into the compound from the opposite side.

At their head was Kaguya Cangjie, his second was the hybrid Kaguya Takuya.

"Haha, we got in this easily," Cangjie laughed wildly at the unguarded gates, then turned to Takuya.

"Takuya, this infiltration is your doing. I'll report this to the clan leader and see you properly rewarded."

"Thank you, Elder!"

As a half-blood, Takuya had endured endless discrimination. If not for his mutated Byakugan, he'd have been nothing but a slave.

This raid, made possible by his ability to bypass sentries, would finally cement his place.

"You're late," a cold voice said.

The mysterious figure stepped from the shadows as if he'd been waiting all along.

"Hmph. Quit wasting time. Tell us where the Uchiha's key sites and targets are," Cangjie demanded bluntly.

The man pulled out a crude map, marked with red crosses, and tossed it to Cangjie.

"I hope you're quick. I can't wait to see Tashima's face in despair."

Cangjie unfolded the map — the red crosses marked granaries, armories, supply depots, and the largest one of all: "Clan Head's Residence."

"Haha, just what did Tashima do to you, to earn your hatred?" Cangjie asked, curious despite his bloodlust.

"None of your business."

The figure vanished back into the darkness.

"Alright boys, let's raise some hell!"

Cangjie handed the map to Takuya and led his elite Kaguya deep into the defenseless Uchiha compound, reveling in their slaughter.

Hidden in the shadows, Yao removed his disguise. His eyes glimmered faintly as he watched the carnage.

He produced a jar filled with liquid — inside floated a pair of faintly glowing red eyes.

Caressing the glass, Yao murmured:

"Jin, watch closely — see how the killer gets what he deserves."

——

Elsewhere, two slim figures ran through the eerily dark Uchiha streets, where the usual lights had gone out.

"Gin… where are we going?"

Hikari, half-dragged by the boy, asked in confusion.

"To my uncle. It's safest there."

Gin knew Tashima's residence would still be under guard. If he left her there, she'd be safe.

Soon they arrived at a grand residence. But before they could knock, several dark-clad guards appeared before them like wraiths.

"By order of the Clan Head — no entry," the leader said coldly, his hand hovering near his sword.

"I'm Uchiha Gin — you've seen me before," Gin protested.

The guard scrutinized him, then said:

"The Clan Head has already left for the front."

"He's already gone?"

Gin smacked his forehead in frustration, then added:

"Then at least let my friend stay here where it's safe."

He gently pushed the still-dazed Hikari forward.

(End of Chapter)

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