Scarface's face contorted with rage, veins bulging as he roared, "Damn brat, you're coming with them to the afterlife!"
"Raiton: Gian!" (Lightning Release: False Darkness!) A spear of crackling blue lightning surged toward Uchiha Retsu.
"Doton: Doryūheki!" (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!) A stone barrier erupted between them, but the force of the lightning shattered it, sending debris flying. Retsu barely managed to escape, dashing toward the direction of his allies, flinging shuriken backward to slow his pursuer.
"Raiton: Raishunshin!" (Lightning Release: Lightning Body Flicker!) "Raiton: Jibashi!" (Lightning Release: Earth Flash!)
In a burst of speed, Scarface closed the distance instantly, his electrified foot slamming into Retsu's right arm just as he tried to block. Pain exploded through Retsu's body as he was sent hurtling into a tree, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He coughed up blood, his right arm twisted at an unnatural angle—clearly broken.
Scarface didn't let up, charging in again. "Die, brat!"
For a split second, everything slowed. Retsu's vision sharpened, the world turning a shade of red. His Sharingan had awakened.
Nima… finally unlocked it, but now I can't even run, he thought bitterly. But if I have to go down, I'll make sure I take him with me! He gritted his teeth, clutching a kunai in his left hand. "Bastard! Come on!"
Scarface leaped back, dodging three spinning shuriken. A moment later, a figure with a sword in hand appeared in front of Retsu.
Uchiha Retsu let out a painful chuckle. "Hah… now it's one-on-one. One Uchiha against one."
He turned to his comrade and rasped, "Yan is ahead… follow the shuriken markers… they've probably found him. Go, now." With that, he coughed up more blood and lost consciousness.
Uchiha Nobunaga gave Retsu a glance before motioning for a few medics to tend to him. Without another word, he led his team in pursuit of Uchiha Yan. Scarface never even registered in his mind—he was already a dead man.
---
Elsewhere, under the dense Konoha forest canopy…
"It's time," said the red-haired girl. "They should've been back by now. Something's gone wrong. We can't delay. Get rid of the tail."
Feigning consciousness, she suddenly struggled against her captor's grip. Twisting free, she kicked the large man's back and sprinted toward Uchiha Yan.
"After her!" the man barked. The four enemy shinobi immediately gave chase.
Uchiha Yan saw the scene unfold and instantly turned on his heel. Without a second thought, he ran with every ounce of speed he had.
Are you kidding me, lady? You could've escaped on your own, but instead, you're dragging a kid like me into this?! He cursed inwardly. Yang, hurry up! And Lie… damn, after all this running, I'm starving!
As he sprinted, the red-haired girl realized she had been found out. She dispelled her disguise, revealing a striking girl with violet hair. "Oi, brat! Stop running! You're missing your chance to be a hero! If you don't act now, I'll be the one chasing you down instead!"
"Sorry, I'm too handsome to be tied down," Yan quipped while still running. But then he spotted a familiar marker—Retsu's signal.
The pursuers halted, and Yan skidded to a stop. He turned to the girl. "Oh? Done chasing me already? I was just starting to fall for you. A little more effort, and I might've said yes."
A hard slap landed on his head. "Enough playing around. Retsu's injured—go check on him. Your mission is over." The voice was cold and serious, belonging to an Uchiha warrior wielding a dual-bladed katana.
Yan's face turned solemn. Without another word, he turned and ran toward Retsu's location. Before leaving, he smirked at the violet-haired girl. "See ya, beautiful. I'll buy you dinner in the next life."
Surrounding them, the full force of the Uchiha clan's reinforcements closed in.
---
Hokage's Office, Konoha
The sun shone brightly, the breeze was pleasant, and Sarutobi Hiruzen sipped his tea while gazing into his crystal ball, amused by the village's bustling life.
An Anbu agent flickered into the room. "Lord Hokage, urgent report from the Jinchūriki surveillance unit. The entire team assigned to guard her was wiped out last night. Uzumaki Kushina is missing. Anbu has begun the investigation, but there are no leads yet."
The Third Hokage's calm expression darkened instantly. "Summon Jiraiya and Orochimaru immediately."
A shadow flickered as the Anbu agent vanished through the window.
Not a moment later, a man clad in civilian robes stepped forward from the shadows. His single exposed eye was cold. "Hiruzen, the Jinchūriki has been taken. Root operatives are already pursuing. As I've warned you before, the Uchiha clan is restless. Perhaps this is their doing."
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. He had just received the report, yet Danzo already had intelligence and had mobilized Root? That meant he had known before Anbu even reported it.
Three Uchiha were caught up in this mess. Given the clan's frantic response, they weren't prepared for this. Someone inside Konoha had interfered with Anbu's operations… and Danzo had acted far too quickly.
Just what are you plotting now, Danzo? Sarutobi mused.
At that moment, Jiraiya vaulted in through the window, while Orochimaru entered through the door.
"Orochimaru, Jiraiya—you're each leading an Anbu team," Sarutobi commanded, handing them a scroll and Hokage's fire token. "Pursue the abductors. If you encounter Uchiha forces or Root operatives, you have full authority to override their actions. Now go."
Without question, the two Sannin disappeared.
"Hiruzen, Anbu's incompetence is why this happened. If you had given Root full control of Jinchūriki security, this could've been prevented. You must—"
Danzo was cut off as Sarutobi raised a hand. "Enough, Danzo. Now is not the time for this. We must retrieve Kushina and uncover the full extent of this incident. We will discuss everything else after we get her back."
---
Near the Konoha Border
Uchiha Yang crouched on a tree branch, scanning the enemy formation ahead. He turned to Minato. "We strike first. I'll hold them off while you grab your companion and retreat the way they came. Our reinforcements are close."
Minato nodded. "I can take the two on the left with a surprise attack."
Yang raised an eyebrow. Confident, huh? Well, considering the future Fourth Hokage handled this solo in the original timeline, it made sense.
"Alright. I'll handle the right. There's a Jōnin among them—I won't last long, so move fast." He signaled his readiness.
"Shurikenjutsu: Uchiha Style!" "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Yang's first volley forced the enemy to scatter. He leaped in, swiftly eliminating one, and engaged another in a deadly dance of kunai and fire release.
The enemy Jōnin barked an order. "The rest of you, take the Jinchūriki and move ahead!"
Yang yanked a hidden wire, causing a returning shuriken to strike one of the retreating ninjas. As the enemy faltered, he launched another Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu, creating an opening.
That was Minato's cue. In a blur, he struck—his thrown kunai landed precisely, one piercing a target's heart, another slashing a throat. He landed smoothly, lifted Kushina onto his back, and vanished into the trees.
Yang grinned despite himself. That kid is gonna be Hokage someday.