The group led by Uchiha Yamashiro was nothing like Uchiha Iwa's team — they weren't loud or reckless.
Every one of Yamashiro's people moved hidden in the shadows, while only Mikoto walked openly down the main street.
Under the control of Yamashiro's Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu, Mikoto had no idea what she was doing. In the illusionary world, everything felt normal—she believed she had arranged to meet Kushina, to chat and share the joys of married life.
With light steps, she hurried to the Uzumaki clan's compound and politely knocked on the door.
"Hello, I'm here to see Kushina."
The Uzumaki clansman guarding the gate recognized Mikoto. He knew she was Kushina's close childhood friend, and since he didn't possess the Kagura's Mind Eye technique, he failed to sense the hidden Uchiha lurking nearby. So, he let Mikoto in without suspicion.
Mikoto showed no sign of abnormality and soon knocked on Kushina's door.
Since Minato was away, Kushina was home alone. When she opened the door and saw Mikoto standing there, she was clearly surprised.
"Mikoto? What are you doing here this late? Shouldn't you be at home taking care of Itachi?"
Under Yamashiro's control, Mikoto put on a sorrowful expression and said,
"Kushina, could you come out for a walk with me? I'm feeling really down today. There's something on my mind, and if I don't talk to you about it, I don't know who else I can tell."
The moment Kushina heard that, her imagination kicked into overdrive — she immediately pictured a 60-episode family drama about Fugaku cheating.
Being the fiery woman she was, she rolled up her sleeves right then and there.
"Did Fugaku do something to hurt you? If he did, I'll go break his third leg right now!"
Before Mikoto could respond, Kushina grabbed her hand and stormed out.
The guards at the compound gate instinctively shrank back — they could tell she was furious,
and no one in their right mind dared to stop this volatile redhead.
Inside Kushina's body, the Nine-Tails suddenly opened its eyes.
For a brief moment, it had sensed something… familiar — and deeply unpleasant.
Without needing much persuasion from Mikoto, Kushina talked herself into it and led the way out of the Uzumaki compound.
The two of them walked all the way to a small park they often visited, sat down on a bench, and Kushina finally asked:
"Alright, tell me. What's going on?"
But Mikoto didn't answer.
Just as Kushina was beginning to feel uneasy, a low voice came from nearby:
"I thought it would take some effort to lure you out…
but I didn't expect it to be this easy."
From the shadows emerged Uchiha Yamashiro and his men.
At that exact moment, Mikoto collapsed — falling straight to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
She had been under genjutsu control for the entire afternoon.
For someone of her level, the mental strain was enormous.
The instant Yamashiro released the illusion, Mikoto's mind — already overtaxed — gave out completely, and she fainted.
Seeing her friend fall, and staring at the group of men whose eyes all glowed with that familiar crimson light,
Kushina didn't need any further explanation.
Even she immediately sensed something was very wrong.
She shifted into a defensive stance and glared at Yamashiro.
"You're Mikoto's father-in-law, aren't you?
So you were the one controlling her — to lure me here?"
Just as Kushina was preparing to unleash Adamantine Sealing Chains and tear the place apart,
a low voice suddenly echoed from within her — the Nine-Tails spoke.
"Hey, girl. Here's some advice — run.
And whatever you do, don't look that old man in the eyes."
The sudden voice startled Kushina.
"Big fox? You never talk to me! What's gotten into you today?"
Normally, the Nine-Tails would have barked back with its usual arrogance,
but at that moment, even it couldn't remain calm while facing those eyes.
Its tone grew uncharacteristically serious as it continued to speak...
"Do as I say — if you don't want to die."
"What's going on here? Isn't he just some old geezer?"
"He has a Mangekyō Sharingan. If you ever listened to Mito's teachings, then you should know exactly what that means."
At those words, Kushina's pupils contracted sharply.
The moment she heard the words Mangekyō Sharingan, she knew something had gone terribly wrong.
She shifted her stance slightly, ready to run, but before she could move, another voice called out from the distance:
"Yamashiro! Stop what you're doing. There's still time to pull back.
We're all clansmen — don't force my hand."
Seeing the approaching figure, Kushina—who had been bracing herself—breathed a sigh of relief.
She said cheerfully to the Nine-Tails inside her:
"Whew, guess I don't have to worry now. I don't know how that old man got his Mangekyō, but at his age, there's no way he can beat Kuugetsu."
The Nine-Tails, who had lived inside Kushina long enough to know who Kuugetsu was, snorted.
"What the hell is happening tonight… Two Mangekyō Sharingan in a single night?
Hmph. Listen, don't blame me for not warning you — even if your friend's here, don't let your guard down.
I'd advise you to get out while you still can.
Damn it, I'm not going through that mind-control nightmare again."
But Kushina only grinned, full of confidence.
"Relax. Kuugetsu's amazing — she's just a bit weaker than Minato.
That old man's in for it now."
While Kushina spoke, Yamashiro, who clearly wasn't Kuugetsu's equal, suddenly rushed toward her head-on.
"It's because of you that the Uchiha have fallen into such division!
Once I take care of you, the clan will finally be free of its burdens!"
Seeing their aged clan head charge forward, the Uchiha behind him hesitated for a brief moment—
then one by one, they followed his lead.
Kuugetsu frowned deeply at the sight.
She drew her Sword of Kusanagi: Chokutō and simultaneously activated her Mangekyō Sharingan.
With the power of her right eye, Kagutsuchi, she entered her blazing, almost divine battle form —
a fiery queen amid the night.
Leaping high into the air, Kuugetsu swung her sword, unleashing a wall of flame.
The fire parted briefly to let Yamashiro through, but then rose up to block the rest of the Uchiha.
"If any of you take another step forward," she warned coldly, "don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Feeling the sheer pressure of her chakra and killing intent, the Uchiha clan members exchanged uneasy glances—
and actually stopped.
After all, Kuugetsu was one of the rare few who possessed a Mangekyō;
the legendary eyes of the Uchiha.
None of them had the courage to face her.
But their hesitation did not shake Yamashiro's resolve.
He charged forward regardless,
pulling a slender ninja blade from within his cane.
The two clashed head-on, blades striking and sparking in the darkness of the night.
Kuugetsu glared at him and said sharply:
"Stop this madness, Yamashiro!
The Uchiha alone can't stand against all of Konoha.
You're dragging the entire clan to die with you!"
But Yamashiro only sneered coldly:
"I would rather see the Uchiha clan destroyed than have my descendants kneel and serve others like dogs! Besides, today's endeavor is not impossible... Enough talk. From this day forward, there will be no more laughable Dove Faction in the Uchiha clan."