After giving Rin Nohara and the others basic medical treatment, Mirai Uchiha decided to travel with them for now.
Otherwise...
In their current condition, if they encountered ninja from Kirigakure again, they would likely be in grave danger.
"Mirai Uchiha, is it really okay for you to go with us?" Rin Nohara asked with concern.
Normally, missions sending ninja to reinforce the frontline were urgent and couldn't afford delays.
If he delayed while escorting these supplies, there could be trouble.
To this, Mirai Uchiha simply waved his hand dismissively: "Don't worry. The village can't touch me."
"Hmm…" Hearing Mirai Uchiha's reply, Rin Nohara always felt like he'd used the wrong words somehow.
Shouldn't it have been, "The village won't do anything to me," instead?
Seeing *his* Rin Nohara chatting happily with another man, Obito Uchiha couldn't help but speak up with displeasure: "Mirai Uchiha, if you have a mission, feel free to leave already! I've already opened the power of the Sharingan now, and when we encounter those Kiri ninja again, I'll definitely defeat all of them!"
Hearing Obito Uchiha's declaration, Mirai Uchiha let out a cold snort: "Obito Uchiha, I don't expect you to show gratitude, but at least don't use this kind of attitude toward someone who saved your life!"
Upon hearing that, Obito Uchiha clenched his fist tightly: "Who said I needed you to save me!"
Mirai Uchiha gave Obito Uchiha a brief glance: "You don't need my rescue? Then what about Rin Nohara?"
"Because of your incompetence, she nearly got killed."
Hearing those words, Obito Uchiha finally quieted down.
Seeing the atmosphere had become somewhat heavy, Rin Nohara herself spoke up actively to explain: "Mirai Uchiha, Obito Uchiha's personality is just like this—he's actually very gentle-hearted and grateful deep inside."
Mirai Uchiha smiled.
Gentle-hearted, yet he orchestrated the destruction of the entire Uchiha Clan alongside Itachi Uchiha?
Grateful, yet he arranged for an Explosive Tag to be placed on Naruto's cradle and had the Nine-Tails forcefully extracted from Kushina Uzumaki?
Still, thinking of Kushina Uzumaki's image, Mirai Uchiha specially reminded her: "I protect you because Kushina Uzumaki specifically asked me to."
"Even though she's back in the village, she still worries about all of you greatly."
"You're the one she cares about the most."
After hearing Mirai Uchiha's words, Obito Uchiha muttered softly: "Sheesh... as if I'm really that weak..."
Seeing Obito Uchiha's expression, Mirai Uchiha decided not to say any more.
What kind of ending he would eventually get—depends entirely on his own choices.
——
Eastern border — a dense forest not far from the seashore.
The thick mist filled the entire forest. Dozens of corpses were strewn about in chaos on the ground, evidence of a brutal battle that had just taken place.
More than a dozen Uchiha ninja wearing Konoha Forehead Protectors stood back-to-back in a tight formation.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Simultaneously, the group unleashed their fire-based jutsu, instantly scorching away the thick fog across several meters.
Taking advantage of this opening, a few Uchiha clan members swiftly retreated.
Unfortunately, within moments, the heavy mist once again swallowed everything around them.
Seeing this, one Uchiha clenched his teeth and said, "Lord Fugaku, you should leave first with the others. We'll stay behind and hold them off!"
Fugaku Uchiha shook his head, "Absolutely not! If we leave, we all leave together!"
"Lord Fugaku, you're the next leader of the Uchiha Clan—you absolutely cannot die here."
"Yeah, hurry up and go, or none of us will make it out."
"Lord Fugaku, now's not the time to hesitate. We'll give our lives to block those Mist Village ninja for you."
Looking at his clansmen who seemed ready to embrace death, Fugaku Uchiha was momentarily at a loss.
Witnessing his hesitation, an older Uchiha ninja spoke solemnly, "Inabi, Tetsuka, and Yashiro—your job is to ensure Fugaku safely returns."
"Yes, sir!"
Three young ninja immediately stepped beside Fugaku Uchiha.
"The rest of you form a line—don't let anyone get through!"
"Yes, sir!"
The mist gradually thinned slightly.
Fugaku Uchiha could no longer remember exactly how he broke free from the Mist Village's encirclement.
Right now, all he could hear in his mind were the screams of his fallen comrades before death.
A deep sense of regret consumed him.
If he hadn't recklessly chased glory, they wouldn't have fallen into a Mist Village ambush. None of this would have happened.
Nearly thirty ninja entered battle—and only four survived!
And these were the most elite among them—his closest followers!
A powerful surge of emotion began spreading rapidly through Fugaku Uchiha's mind.
His eyes started spinning rapidly.
Soon, the originally pitch-black pupils with three separate comma marks merged together, forming a complex, mysterious pattern.
[Mangekyou Sharingan!]
The intense shock of awakening this power overwhelmed Fugaku, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, Fugaku Uchiha found himself already back at the Konoha camp.
"My eyes..."
Recalling what had happened before he passed out, Fugaku Uchiha grabbed a mirror and quickly saw his triple-comma Sharingan staring back at him.
Focusing his thoughts, his eyes shifted into the distinctive Mangekyou Sharingan pattern.
[Is this truly the true power of the Uchiha Clan?]
Feeling the overwhelming ocular power, Fugaku Uchiha murmured to himself.
He now finally understood what had made the Third Hokage and others fear the Uchiha Clan so deeply.
Under the power of these eyes, he even felt as if he could do anything.
"We must hide this strength carefully, or The Third and others would never stand for it."
Fugaku closed his eyes and made a firm decision.
Absolutely no one could ever know that he had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Just then, there was a knock at the door: "Sir Fugaku, are you awake?"
Upon hearing that, Fugaku Uchiha said solemnly, "Come in."
Seeing Yashiro walk in, Fugaku stood up from his bed. "Are Inabi and the others all right?"
Yashiro nodded slightly. "No one was seriously hurt."
"But none of the clan members who stayed behind to cover our retreat made it back."
After hearing Yashiro's words, Fugaku clenched his fist tightly. "I will make those Mist ninja pay for this."
"Lord Fugaku, there's also another matter..."
Looking at Yashiro, Fugaku casually asked, "What is it?"
"During your unconsciousness, Mirai has already arrived at the camp."
"What?!"
Fugaku narrowed his eyes sharply.
Mirai...
If it weren't for that guy, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have ended up like this!
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