Chapter 112: 108: War and The Mangekyou Sharingan (1)


    The outbreak of war urred suddenly.


    The Land of Fire shares its border with the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. Almost all of the ninja units stationed there were annihted. Only a small contingent of Konoha ninjas managed to escape the carnage and ryed news of the Sunagakure''s attack back to Konohagakure.


    Though they were furious that the Sunagakure had dared to challenge the Land Of Fire, the Konoha leadership, led by the Third Hokage, swiftly initiated war preparations. They deployed vige ninjas, forming squads to march toward the border in support.


    At this moment, the peace treaties between nations were nothing more than scraps of paper.


    Compared to the seasoned ninja who had experienced the Great Ninja War, the newly graduated genin had a less acute sense of danger. Despite knowing that war brings death to many, they held a na?ve and optimistic attitude,pletely unaware of the kind of hell they were about to face.


    In the hell called war, even chuunin were in constant danger of losing their lives, and jounin faced the grim possibility of being surrounded and meeting a heroic death on the battlefield.


    Whether it was shurikens and kunai flying from unknown directions or explosive tags reducing their bodies to ashes, inrge-scale wars between ninja viges, even the strongest ninja could not guarantee their survival.


    As such, most Konoha ninjas viewed war with pessimism. Once war broke out, it meant parting from family, lovers, and friends.


    Yet, even amidst their pessimism, they would rush out to the frontlines, ignoring their own safety, to fight to the bitter end for their vige, their nation, and against the enemy.


    ...


    The sudden outbreak of war cast a somber atmosphere over the streets of Konoha. People were praying for the safe return of their loved ones who were heading to the battlefield.


    "Ruri, are you heading out now?" Shiraishi asked, approaching Ruri as she prepared to leave.


    "Yes, I have a patrol mission, and it will be around the vige perimeter."


    "Will you be back tonight?" Shiraishi inquired with a brief pause.


    "My shift ends around 8 pm, so I should be back by then. Is something the matter?" Ruri sensed that Shiraishi had something to discuss, as he seemed hesitant.


    "It''s nothing pressing. I just wanted to talk to you about something. Since you''re upied now, we can discuss it when you return tonight." Shiraishi replied.


    "Alright, take care." Ruri said, knowing that Shiraishi''s patrol duty in a time of war was not without its dangers, despite his formidable abilities. She couldn''t help but remind him.


    Observing Ruri''s departure, Shiraishi paused at the door for a moment, then returned to his room to rest.


    Around 1 o''clock in the afternoon, Shiraishi set out for a walk. His stroll seemed aimless, as though he sought rxation without a specific purpose.


    ''Everything seems to be in order here'' He thought.


    At each location he visited, he used his sensory jutsu to inspect the areas where troublemakers might attack or cause disturbances, checking for any potential vulnerabilities.


    While patrol teams in these ces appeared unchanged and followed their previous routes, even the times for shifting and changing positions every half-hour remained the same, there was something different.


    However...


    As Shiraishi nced in a certain direction, he could clearly sense an increase in guards by four individuals.


    A squad of Anbu.


    Including the initial Anbu squad, there were now eight Anbu ninjas in total. Due to the war, it seemed that the security measures for that area had been enhanced.


    Shiraishi continued his rounds to other locations. Around 3:30 in the afternoon, he made his way to the academy.


    The academy remained unaffected for the most part. graduates from the past few years were simply not fortunate enough to evade this era of war.


    Regardless of whether they wereughing or crying, the moment they became genuine ninjas, they carried the obligation to go to the battlefield.


    However, this had no bearing on Shiraishi, a Chunin working as a logistical medical ninja in Konoha. He hadn''t received any orders to transfer from the vige.


    Currently, his superior was Tsunade, who was serving at the academy. Oddly, there were no indications that she nned to go to the front lines.


    Although Shiraishi was puzzled by this, considering the war, he believed that Tsunade would likely be heading to the battlefield, as her medical ninjutsu skills would be highly valuable there.


    So, why was she still stationed in the vige?


    Moreover, there hadn''t been any transfer orders from the vige''s higher-ups, which struck him as quite strange.


    Was there a specific reason for this? He couldn''t help but wonder.


    Even though he was quite curious about this, it was precisely because of this that he was able to rest easy in Konoha for now.


    He had already prepared his excuses but had not expected to use them at all.


    "Shiraishi-senpai"


    A voice called out as he wandered the streets.


    Arriving at the school office, Shiraishi first spotted Shizune and offered a smile and nod of acknowledgment.


    "You''re here."


    Tsunade, seated at the desk, looked up. Her face was flushed, a clear sign that she''d been drinking.


    "Tsunade-sensei, is it wise to drink at a time like this?" Shiraishi questioned.


    "It doesn''t matter. It won''t affect the ss." Tsunade waved dismissively. She assured him that she was only lightly inebriated, with a clear mind that wouldn''t hinder her teaching.


    "I''m not concerned about that. It''s just... considering the impending Sunagakure threat and the front lines..."


    Shiraishi''s face showed concern.


    Shizune hesitated for a moment on the side but decided not to speak up. After all, this was highly ssified information within the vige, and it shouldn''t be casually revealed to unrted individuals.


    She only knew about it because she lived with Tsunade. This was top-secret information in the vige.


    "I''ve said it''s fine, so don''t worry. With their abilities, Orochimaru and Jiraiya should handle Suna. Frankly, I''m tired of fighting. This teaching job was thrust upon me by Sarutobi-sensei."


    Tsunade cleverly changed the subject, gazing out of the window, lost in thought for a moment.


    Although she maintainedposure on the surface, her inner concerns about Orochimaru and Jiraiya were evident.


    To avoid causing trouble and annoyance for Tsunade, Shiraishi dropped the topic and started preparing his lessons. Shizune went to make two cups of hot tea and ced them on the table in front of Tsunade and Shiraishi.


    .....


    By 5:30 in the afternoon, the school day had ended. After fielding some student queries rted to medical treatment, Shiraishi left the school and continued wandering the vige.


    He roamed until darkness had fully settled in before making his way back to the Uchiha n.


    Today''s inspection duties wereplete, and as long as he revisited the n before their official operation tomorrow night, everything should proceed smoothly.


    However, the biggest challengey in how he would exin his departure to Ruri tonight. Shiraishi wasn''t entirely certain whether she would leave Konoha with him.


    The ties between the Uchiha n and Konoha ran deep, and Ruri was an Uchiha ninja. Thus, the connection between the Uchiha and Konoha was also the connection between Ruri and Konoha.


    Regardless of the oue, he resolved to ept it calmly.


    It was time to bid farewell to this vige.


    Shiraishi had arranged for the Purple Rose Company''s representative to train medical ninjas for Konoha on behalf of the organization. Additionally, he''d handed over valuable drug research data as a parting gift to Konoha.


    He decided to rest briefly and then wait for Ruri''s return from her patrol mission to break the news of his departure. This had be Shiraishi''s unwavering choice.


    "It''s already half-past seven..." he remarked. Ruri had mentioned she''d be swapping shifts with another team around eight o''clock, leaving him with half an hour to prepare.


    A wry smile crept onto Shiraishi''s face as he found himself oddly anxious, despite knowing that it was a manageable situation. Regardless, he couldn''t shake this unease even before Ruri''s return.


    ''Calm down'' he told himself mentally organizing his thoughts. He decided to start by washing his face before Ruri returned.


    Light from the corridor illuminated his path as he walked toward the bathroom. Approaching him was a maid carrying a tray of food.


    "Dinner is ready. Would you like to dine now?" the maid asked.


    "Leave it in the dining room. Ruri will be back soon." Shiraishi replied.


    "Very well." the maid responded.


    However, as she spoke, her gaze met Shiraishi''s, and in her eyes, a sharp, scarlet light flickered.


    Within that scarlet gaze were three spinning ck tomoe, emitting a powerful genjutsu.


    Upon sessfully casting the illusion, the maid produced a short de from beneath the dinner tray and ruthlessly plunged it into Shiraishi''s chest.


    Despite the dagger prating his body, Shiraishi''s expression remained unfazed. The de had indeed pierced him, yet in an instant, the scene around him underwent a radical transformation.


    A huge water sphere encased the maid,den with an immense amount of chakra, creating tremendous water pressure within. The maid struggled helplessly within the sphere, her movements stunted, and she began expelling bubbles.


    "That''s enough." a cold voice emerged from directly behind Shiraishi.


    If he didn''t evade, he would have been killed for sure. The source of this murderous intent was far more terrifying than the maid who had attacked him suddenly.


    Furthermore, it was evident that the maid attacking him had been manipted by a genjutsu.


    After manipting the maid, a Sharingan genjutsu had been ced in her eyes.


    This was a double genjutsu release.


    Among the Uchiha n, ninja capable of this were elite jōnin, few in number.


    "!?"


    The attacker''s eyes widened. In an instant, ck shadows, seemingly materializing out of nowhere, formed into peculiar and deadly shadow des that were more than capable of taking a person''s life, attacking him.


    The attacker broke into a cold sweat and leaped backward, creating a safe distance from Shiraishi.


    W-what was that?


    Shadows?


    He touched the cut on his face. He had been sliced open without even realizing it. If he had been a bit slower, his head might have already separated from his body.


    There were no sounds, no weight, and if it weren''t for his own sense of pain alerting him to the attack, he wouldn''t even have known he was being targeted.


    Wasn''t this guy a medical ninja?


    That''s how the intelligence had recorded it, right?


    Why was there no information on his shadow abilities?


    Shiraishi turned around, and the ck shadow swirling around him vanished. Before him stood a mysterious ninja, his face concealed by a ck mask, with a pair of three tomoed Sharingan revealed.


    It was clear that this Uchiha jōnin was now filled with doubt and hesitation as he gazed at Shiraishi.


    "Although I''m sorry, genjutsu tricks like that won''t work on me. Also, who are you? I don''t recall having offended anyone from the Uchiha." Shiraishi looked at the Uchiha ninja in front of him, puzzled.


    He genuinely didn''t understand why an Uchiha ninja would attempt to assassinate him.


    The murderous intent earlier and the genjutsu he cast on the maid were clearly serious actions, not a joke.


    "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"


    Without answering Shiraishi, the Uchiha ninja attacked him with a Fire Release technique.


    A massive fireball surged towards Shiraishi, heating the surrounding air intensely.


    Shiraishi let out a sigh and scratched his head in exasperation. What on earth was going on?


    As he scratched his head, shadows oozed from the darkness and formed a pitch-ck shield in front of him, deflecting the fireball.


    Meanwhile, behind Shiraishi, the Uchiha ninja with the ck mask had reappeared using Body Flicker Technique.


    The fireball had been a diversion; this was his true objective.


    While a straightforward tactic, it was remarkably effective in actualbat. The opponent demonstrated exceptional skill both in the use of ninjutsu and in choosing the right moment.


    However...


    "Ahh!" The attacker cried out in pain as blood sprayed.


    In front of him awaited numerous shadow des, and the shadow shield changed direction, transforming into shadow des attacking him. All of this happened in an instant.


    The speed of this attack was beyond belief, far surpassing the limits of human reaction time. Even with the Sharingan to predict the shadows'' movements, the ninja couldn''t keep up with their astonishing speed.


    The Uchiha ninja was left battered and bRurised, sent flying and rolling on the ground, leaving traces of bloodstains on the floor.


    "You... did you go easy on me from the beginning?" The ninja gasped, writhing in pain.


    The speed of the shadow technique, even with his three-tomoe Sharingan, was insurmountable. He had avoided the initial Shadow de attack, sustaining only a facial wound, thanks to his quick reflexes.


    If Shiraishi had genuinely intended to kill him, he''d have met his end with the first attack. He realized that Shiraishi had never harbored a killing intent from the outset.


    "I''ll take this as it is. After all, this is Uchiha n business, and I have no ce interfering." Shiraishi said with a troubled expression, unwilling to be drawn into this internal Uchiha conflict.


    Upon hearing this, the Uchiha ninja in the ck mask stiffened and turned to leave. In his field of vision stood a girl with long ck hair and an ice-cold countenance, her bright red three-tomoe Sharingan eyes gleaming.


    It was Ruri, who had just returned from her patrol mission.


    She hadn''t expected that the ninjas from her own n would attempt to assassinate Shiraishi under these circumstances.


    If they disapproved of him, they could have expressed their objections to their rtionship from the start. The timing of this assassination attempt left Ruri with a sense of foreboding.


    The Uchiha ninja wearing the ck mask only nced at Ruri''s Sharingan, his legs giving way as he knelt on the corridor floor.


    Ruri approached him, slowly squatting down, and removed the ck mask from his face, revealing the expected expression.


    "I had hoped my intuition was wrong, but it appears to be true" Ruri Said


    Uchiha Rindo.


    He was Uchiha Sora''s personal guard and a member of the radical faction within the Uchiha n.


    "Yes... I didn''t expect your Sharingan genjutsu to be this terrifying... You incapacitated me in an instant..." Despite having Sharingan of equal level, he had no resistance against the intrusion of Ruri''s Sharingan''s ocr power. He surrendered without a fight.


    He had a feeling that there was a fundamental difference between Ruri''s Sharingan and his own Sharingan.


    That kind of shocking power, which surpassed another dimension, loomed over him.


    Shiraishi didn''t show any surprise; he knew from the beginning that this was Uchiha Rindo, the guard of the Uchiha Sora.


    Because he remembered the chakra of this Uchiha elite, even if he was wearing a mask, careful sensing could help identify who it was.


    "Sure enough... what Elder Sora said was right. You are the future of the Uchiha. If you can use this power well... then go ahead and kill me."


    With a resigned expression, Rindo smiled, his eyes filled with a sense of resignation, and he slowly uttered these words.


    "I can''t bear such praise. Can you tell me why you''re doing this? Depending on your answer, I might spare your life."


    Ruri remained silent.


    Rindo couldn''t have undertaken this assassination without authorization, as only the Sora elders had such authority within the Uchiha n.


    "For the n''s future... and for your future..."


    Rindo''s face twisted in pain. Even after enduring such a powerful genjutsu, he still managed to maintain hisposure, earning Ruri''s grudging respect.


    Then, a more intense wave of her pupil power surged.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"


    Rindo''s anguished screams echoed through the hallway.


    Ruri stood expressionless before him, her arms crossed over her chest. Rindo, on the other hand, appeared in a pitiful state, with dull eyes, drool at the corners of his mouth, and his entire body twitching uncontrobly.


    "Answer me. What''s your purpose? Depending on your answer, I might spare your life."


    "...no...can''t say...I...can''t say...kill me...Ruri...kill me..."


    Rindo''s words came out in stuttered fragments, as he begged Ruri to end his life.


    Ruri frowned, anger flickering in her eyes.


    Kill him? It couldn''t possibly be that simple.


    Truth be told, she had endured these fools for far too long. It was also for the sake of the vige and her n. Why did these people insist on testing her patience?


    Whether it was the Root or the Hokage, now it seemed that even some members of her own n were involved.


    Fortunately, there were a few level-headed individuals among them.


    Ruri''s patience had worn thin, and she raised her palm as if to use a jutsu. However, someone stopped her by holding her wrist.


    It was Shiraishi who had intervened.


    Ruri''s face registered a hint of displeasure. "What are you doing?"


    "Let''s just pretend this never happened. After all, he''s still a member of your n. If you continue with your illusions, he''ll suffer a mental breakdown and die."


    Shiraishi suggested.


    Shiraishi had originally nned to confess his intentions to Ruri that night, but he didn''t want to jeopardize her rtionship with her n over this matter.


    Ruri pulled her arm away from Shiraishi''s grasp with a frosty expression. "It''s best for trash like this to die. I endured the Root, and I tolerated the absurdities of the Third Hokage. But these idiots are my n members, and as the n''s top ninja, I have the right to know the truth. Are you going to stop me?"


    Seeing that Ruri had made up her mind, Shiraishi knew there was no changing her course of action.


    Rindo''s kneeling body slumped forward and hit the ground with a heavy thud, losing consciousness.


    "Dispose of this trash for me. I''ll be back shortly." Ruri said icily, then vanished with a burst of instant body technique.


    "What are you doing, causing such a mess..." Shiraishi began, but his words trailed off. Why had someone from the n tried to assassinate him at this particr moment? It was confusing.


    Looking in the direction Ruri had left, Shiraishi let out a sigh.


    Hopefully, nothing serious would happen.


    But with Ruri''s aversion to being taken advantage of, he could only hope that she wouldn''t stir up any trouble.


    .....


    Naka Shrine


    As the war raged on, the Uchiha n had an obligation to contribute their strength to Konoha. To decide who would be sent to the battlefield, numerous Uchiha elite gathered here for an urgent meeting held at night, following the orders of the radical leader of the n, Uchiha Sora.


    "The beginning of this war has both advantages and disadvantages for us. While many may perish, it also brings us one step closer to the position of Hokage." Uchiha Sora, seated at the forefront, addressed the assembly with a calm demeanor despite his aged countenance.


    "The Third Hokage is approaching the age of retirement. To umte enough prestige to be the Fourth Hokage, I hope that all of you will work together."


    "Yes!"


    "The era of the Senju leadership will eventuallye to an end. The future of Konoha belongs to us, the Uchiha."


    Uchiha Sora''s gaze swept over each of the Uchiha ninjas present, seeming to approve of their determination and strength. He nodded with satisfaction.


    These were the n''s elites, a powerful force to safeguard the n and deter outsiders.


    "Some foolish rambling, much like a child talking about bing Hokage." an abrupt voice interrupted the proceedings.


    The words reached the ears of the Uchiha jonin, inciting anger. They turned toward the source of the voice in surprise and annoyance.


    From the shadows emerged Ruri. Her arrival left everyone puzzled and astonished as she walked toward the front, her intentions unclear.


    Elder Sora, with wrinkles etched across his face, disyed some movement.


    Ruri approached him in silence.


    Then, there was a collective gasp as the unexpected unfolded before their eyes.


    Ruri swiftly grasped Uchiha Sora by the throat, pressing him against the wall and creating a deep depression. The elder''s face contorted in pain as he struggled to breathe.


    "Wait, Ruri, what are you doing?"


    "Don''t act recklessly!"


    "Release Elder Sora immediately!"


    "Are you attempting a rebellion, Ruri? Let go!"


    Jonins stood up one after another, either attempting to dissuade her or threatening her with force. They urged Ruri to release Elder Sora.


    "...no...not right..." Elder Sora managed to utter these words, his face contorted in pain.


    "No? Are you implying that I falsely used you?" Ruri''s tone was filled with menace.


    Ruri paid little heed to the appeals and threatsing from her fellow n members.


    "...your eyes.... are ...wrong..."


    Elder Sora, in his cloudy but still piercing gaze, focused on Ruri''s three-tomoe Sharingan. He uttered words that left Ruri puzzled.


    Her eyes? What was wrong with them?


    "So that''s it... even a medical ninja can''t fix it... That failure of a mission..." Elder Sora''s face suddenly lit up with understanding, as if he had grasped something significant.


    "Stop your senseless babbling, change the subject! You''ve thoroughly infuriated me, old man." Ruri snapped, her threat still hanging in the air.


    Confronted with Ruri''s aggression, Elder Sora turned his head indifferently and addressed the Jonins who had been about to intervene.


    "All of you, leave."


    They exchanged puzzled nces. They couldn''t fathom why Elder Sora had issued such an order.


    "Go. I need to speak with Ruri alone."


    After a moment''s hesitation, the jonin decided to follow the elder''s orders. As they left, they cast threatening res at Ruri, warning her not to go too far.


    Although they didn''t know what conflict had urred between Ruri and Elder Sora, it wasn''t a valid reason for her to attack him without cause.


    Once the Jonins had left the meeting room, only Ruri and Elder Sora remained.


    "Cough...."


    Ruri released her grip on Elder Sora, allowing him to gasp for air desperately.


    "Have you caught your breath now?"


    To Ruri, this was all a show.


    Elder Sora gazed at Ruri deeply, a sudden sigh escaping his lips. "It''s a pity... if you''d juste in and killed me, that would have been better."


    Ruri regarded Elder Sora with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"


    "It''s because... you haven''t awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, Ruri."


    Elder Sora''s cloudy yet still brilliant eyes held endless regret as he uttered these words.