"Shisui and Itachi… these two have finally met."
Uchiha Gen stood hidden among the trees, watching as two figures flashed and intertwined in rapid succession. His expression was complicated.
Ever since encountering Uchiha Itachi after his return from the battlefield, Gen had not seen him again for several days. He hadn't expected to find him here—sparring with Uchiha Shisui.
The two prodigies exchanged blows without restraint.
Their taijutsu was sharp and efficient, their footwork fluid, and their ability to adapt mid-battle remarkable. Every feint, counter, and shift in rhythm revealed an exceptional level of tactical calculation.
Uchiha Gen watched in silence, admiration rising unbidden in his heart.
"They really are geniuses…"
He had no intention of disturbing them. After observing for a while, Gen quietly withdrew, melting back into the forest.
Yet as he left, a sense of invisible pressure tightened around his chest—as if the threads of fate were slowly drawing closed.
Not long after Uchiha Gen departed, the two figures in the clearing separated, landing lightly on opposite sides.
Uchiha Shisui turned his head toward the direction Gen had left. He had clearly sensed someone approaching earlier.
Moments later, he noticed that Uchiha Itachi was also gazing in the same direction.
"Itachi," Shisui said calmly, "do you know the clan member who was watching earlier?"
Itachi nodded slightly. "Yes. I've met him a few times. His name is Uchiha Gen—Izumi's older brother."
Shisui crossed his arms, thoughtful. "Although Gen's ninjutsu aptitude isn't particularly outstanding, his talent in taijutsu is exceptional. He's someone worthy of respect."
Itachi glanced at him. "Is he really that strong?"
"Very," Shisui replied with a faint smile. "Shimura Ken and more than a dozen others from my generation were defeated by him alone."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly. "But Gen should be a year younger than you, Shisui."
"That's right," Shisui said. "Which only proves that our clan still produces its own kind of genius."
After a brief pause, Itachi said softly, "Perhaps we should bring Gen into our plans—to help ease the tension between the clan and the village."
Even at a young age, Itachi had already sensed the growing rift between the Uchiha and Konoha.
And Gen's remarks about war that day—spoken with calm detachment—had resolved doubts that had troubled Itachi for a long time. They made him realize that Uchiha Gen was different from most clan members, someone whose vision extended beyond narrow resentment.
Shisui's expression turned regretful. "I've tried talking to him. But like many others in the clan, his stance toward the village is firm."
Hearing this, Itachi frowned slightly. His gaze drifted toward the forest path Gen had taken.
Gen… is it that you truly can't see the conflict between the clan and the village? Or is your perspective still too limited?
---
As time passed, news from the battlefield spread rapidly throughout Konoha.
The war was escalating. Wounded shinobi were continuously brought back from the front lines, their injuries growing more severe by the day.
At the same time, the nature of the war changed.
What had once been a coordinated assault on Konoha by several Great Shinobi Villages devolved into chaos.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure—longtime rivals—were the first to clash. Kirigakure, seeing no progress against the Land of Fire, shifted its focus toward the Land of Wind, dragging Sunagakure into open conflict.
As the Five Great Nations descended into a free-for-all, the smaller surrounding countries were inevitably swept in.
Before long, the entire ninja world was engulfed in flames.
The Third Shinobi World War had entered its most brutal phase.
---
After school, Uchiha Gen parted ways with Hatake Seiko at a crossroads.
Instead of returning to the Uchiha compound, he slipped out of the village along a secluded route, heading straight toward the Forest of Death.
Just as he reached the outskirts of Konoha, Gen suddenly halted.
He saw a lone figure ahead.
Kakashi.
This was the village cemetery. Kakashi stood silently before a gravestone.
A delicate yellow flower rested at its base. Etched into the stone was a faint image of a girl with a gentle, warm smile.
Uchiha Gen did not approach. He knew Kakashi did not wish to be disturbed at such a moment.
Yet as Gen passed the cemetery, his keen senses detected an unfamiliar gaze resting upon him.
There was no need to think deeply.
Uchiha Obito.
The gaze lingered only briefly before withdrawing. Gen quietly exhaled in relief—Obito had not grown suspicious.
Still, caution was necessary.
Gen altered his route, taking a wide detour while keeping his spiritual perception fully active.
If Obito is nearby… then Zetsu may be as well.
---
Moments later, deep within the Forest of Death, surrounded by towering trees and oppressive shadows, Uchiha Gen stopped inside a secluded valley.
His sharp eyes swept the surroundings twice.
Then he clapped his hands.
Four Shadow Clones burst forth and dispersed to the four corners of the valley, forming hand seals in unison. A barrier snapped into place.
Immediately after, Gen slammed his palm into the ground. Chakra surged outward, forming a complex summoning array.
A translucent figure slowly emerged.
Hatake Sakumo.
Next, Gen formed a single seal. Another Shadow Clone appeared beside him, perfectly still.
Sakumo's phantom form flowed into the clone.
In the next instant, the clone's eyes sharpened—and Sakumo's voice rang out.
"So you were right," Sakumo said calmly. "The Third Hokage would rather resume the position himself than allow Orochimaru to succeed him."
His tone darkened. "To discard even one's own disciple for the sake of power… With Orochimaru's pride, he will never accept this. If left unchecked, he may one day bring disaster upon the village."
A faint, mocking smile appeared on Gen's face. "Teacher, that's precisely why they are the root of Konoha's problems."
Sakumo fell silent, then let out a quiet sigh.
His gaze dropped as he assessed the body he was possessing. "This Shadow Clone holds nearly sixty percent of the chakra I had in life. Gen… your growth is accelerating."
"It's thanks to your guidance," Gen replied sincerely.
Their eyes met.
In an instant, sharp killing intent erupted between them, colliding violently.
The next second—both figures vanished.
A thunderous explosion echoed through the valley as air pressure detonated outward. The two clashed palm to palm, their strikes sharp as blades.
Swish—swish—swish!
They moved like raging wind, flashing across the battlefield as violent gusts tore through the valley. Each exchange unleashed ferocious blade techniques, precise and deadly.
After some time, the winds slowly subsided.
The ground was carved with countless intersecting slash marks.
At the center, Uchiha Gen and Hatake Sakumo stood facing each other.
Gen's right hand rested at Sakumo's throat. His left forearm blocked Sakumo's thrusting palm.
"There's nothing more I can teach you about blade techniques," Sakumo said, withdrawing his hand.
Gen breathed heavily. "No. Every duel with you shows me where I still fall short."
Sakumo smiled faintly—then his expression turned dull and empty.
The possession ended.
The Shadow Clone dispersed instantly, dissolving into smoke as its chakra was completely exhausted.
---
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