Uchiha in Zenless Zone Zero

When Tsukishiro Yanagi risked her life to re-enter the virtual world, the scene that greeted her left her so stunned, she was momentarily speechless.

The trio who should have been in dire straits—Hoshimiya Miyabi and the other two—were actually standing there unharmed. Their expressions, however, were dazed, as if they'd experienced something completely beyond comprehension.

Upon asking what had happened, she learned that Null_Face's main base had been attacked by an unknown individual, allowing them to escape their peril. Had that not occurred, even with Yanagi's timely arrival, success would have been uncertain.

None of the three knew the identity of the person who intervened—only that they were incredibly powerful, strong enough to dismantle Null_Face's entire headquarters alone.

Within Hollow Special Operations Section 6, perhaps only Hoshimiya Miyabi could pull off something of that scale.

The best news was that this mysterious figure had shown them no hostility—in fact, they had even tried to kindly escort the group out of the simulation.

Hoshimiya Miyabi had attempted to ask their name, but the stranger showed no interest in answering or accepting any gratitude.

While the crisis facing Hollow Special Operations Section 6 was being resolved, on the other side of New Eridu…

Zhong Yan had successfully eliminated every last member of Null_Face, including their leader.

Ordinarily, that should have been the end of it—but in the memories of that leader, Zhong Yan uncovered a secret.

A secret that even the official powers of New Eridu might not be aware of.

Zhong Yan wasn't one to meddle in unrelated affairs. But for the sake of certain goals, he felt compelled to act.

After reporting the location of Null_Face's base to the Public Security Bureau, he activated Kamui and teleported to a site he'd seen in the leader's memories.

…

It was a barren wasteland far removed from New Eridu. Compared to the sparsely inhabited outer rings, there was not a trace of human life here.

The land was desolate. Even the Hollow's influence was negligible.

But in the memories he saw, this place had once been a thriving metropolis. For reasons unknown, it had become what it was now.

Iron Cavalry, flames, and a girl—these were the key images tied to that past. If his mission succeeded, Zhong Yan knew he could gain a valuable new ally for his Akatsuki.

Unfortunately, the memories were old, and finding her wouldn't be easy.

As Zhong Yan surveyed the endless desert, unsure of where to begin, he resorted to wandering aimlessly.

He was alone in the vast wilderness, a figure dwarfed by silence and solitude.

That solitude was abruptly broken—by the appearance of a figure in the distance.

The moment he saw her, Zhong Yan stopped in his tracks. His Sharingan scanned her carefully, and within moments, he confirmed: this was the person he had come to find.

Luck, it seemed, was on his side. Even after all these years, he had located her so quickly.

Still, uncertain of her disposition, he didn't approach. Instead, he vanished into the Kamui dimension to observe.

Meanwhile, across the barren land, a cloaked figure moved slowly but deliberately. Her entire body was wrapped in coarse fabric—save for her bare feet, which left footprints in the sand. Her calves, pale and delicate, were the only other parts of her exposed.

The stark contrast between her alluring lower legs and the rough cloak she wore above was jarring.

She walked silently until she reached two simple gravestones.

The gravestones, like the desert itself, held no beauty. But to her, they were a monument to her sins.

"You're here… so why hide?" she said suddenly, turning to fix her gaze on the seemingly empty air behind her. Her half-revealed face stared directly at the space where Zhong Yan was concealed.

There was a brief silence.

Then, space rippled open with a swirling vortex—and Zhong Yan emerged.

Beneath his white mask, the lotus-shaped scarlet pupils of his Sharingan locked onto her.

Zhong Yan couldn't fathom how she had detected him. He'd hidden in the Kamui space—something undetectable to anyone without mastery over spatial powers.

"You don't look like someone from around here," the girl's youthful voice echoed from under the cloak. "So… what are you doing here?"

Zhong Yan now felt sure—this was the person he was searching for.

After a moment's pause, he finally spoke: "Years ago, this place was consumed by fire. A prosperous city reduced to desolation."

"I want to know—who had the power to do that? I wonder… could it have been you?"

His meaning was clear. At his words, the girl's hand clenched tightly beneath her sleeve.

"You already know the answer. You're here for that very reason," she replied coldly. "But let me make this clear—I refuse to walk further down a path of sin. Don't bother trying to recruit me."

She turned to leave, clearly unwilling to speak further.

Zhong Yan didn't get angry. Instead, he raised his hand.

In the next moment, a surge of crackling blue-white electricity erupted from his palm.

Its sheer force warped the air itself as it streaked toward the girl.

But just before it struck, Zhong Yan suddenly dispersed the attack.

The lightning exploded mid-air and vanished—but the blast wave ripped off her cloak.

White hair danced in the wind. Her star-like eyes widened in shock as she stared at Zhong Yan.

Her face was breathtakingly beautiful—but across it, deep crimson cracks, like burning scars, marred her flawless features.

They blazed like fire—an ominous sign that at any moment, her body might shatter completely.