Chapter 39: Intruders from the Mist
Just as Uchiha Raizen was about to leave the Yuki family to their deliberations, a thick, unnatural fog began to roll in, blanketing the area. Simultaneously, his system pinged, highlighting over a dozen new pickup orbs for various stealth and concealment techniques nearby.
Someone else is here. The realization struck him instantly. Another party had the same idea, and they weren't here to talk. The nature of the jutsu felt familiar—cold, damp, efficient. Kirigakure. So, this was how the Yuki clan was originally driven to the Land of Water. But he was here now, and he wouldn't let that happen.
"Fire Release: True Fire Extinguishment! Threefold!"
He raised his hand, and without any seals, three waves of annihilating fire roared forth. He noticed that now that he had truly mastered the technique, each use increased its proficiency slightly on his panel, from 100/100 to 103/100. He didn't yet understand the benefit of exceeding the mastery cap, but improvement was never a bad thing.
"Second Brother, what is it?!" Uchiha Natsume exclaimed, jumping to his feet and assuming a defensive stance as the flames lit up the encroaching fog.
"We have guests," Uchiha Raizen said, a cold smile playing on his lips. "It would be rude not to receive them."
Behind him, the Yuki clansmen exchanged horrified looks. Dealing with the Uchiha was one thing, but now another, unknown enemy had appeared. Their situation was growing more desperate by the minute.
The fog dissipated under the intense heat, revealing five figures. "Which elder of the Uchiha do we have the... pleasure of addressing?" their leader asked, his voice dripping with false courtesy.
"Are the other three going to finish their business, or are they just comfortable hiding in the grass?" Uchiha Raizen retorted. His system had identified eight distinct chakra signatures from the Hidden Mist techniques; only five were visible.
"Second Brother, what 'business'?" Uchiha Ryoken whispered, confused.
"He means taking a piss," Uchiha Raizen said loudly, his tone scathing. "Doing that on someone else's land... aren't you afraid they'll curse you for defiling it?"
Shamed, the three hidden shinobi emerged slowly from the tall grass.
"See, Second Brother? They're done with their 'business'," Uchiha Natsume added, playing along perfectly.
"It seems the Uchiha's reputation is well-earned," the Kiri leader said, his mask of civility slipping. "But there are only three of you, and eight of us. Our business today isn't with the Uchiha. Would you be so kind as to step aside?"
"Hah! We don't have the poor manners to relieve ourselves on another's land like you," Uchiha Raizen shot back. "And you, shinobi of Kirigakure, have no business here! Insect Technique: Explosive Bugs!"
He performed a series of fake hand seals for show. In reality, he had released the bugs the moment the Kiri ninja appeared. Dozens of chitinous beetles scuttled through the grass, latching onto the legs and arms of the three shinobi who had been hiding.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of concussive explosions rang out. Uchiha Raizen had directed the bugs to detonate on their limbs, not their vitals. In an instant, three of the eight Kiri ninja were down, writhing in pain, their combat effectiveness nullified.
"Th-That's the Aburame clan's insect jutsu! How do you—?!"
"Enough!" Uchiha Raizen cut him off, his voice turning to ice. "I am not obligated to answer your questions. The Yuki clan is under our protection today. You will not lay a finger on them."
Uchiha Ryoken and Uchiha Natsume moved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, their resolve clear.
"You arrogant Uchiha bastards!" the Kiri leader snarled, all pretense gone. "Do you think we came unprepared? We've already captured most of the Yuki clan! Only the ones in this house remain. And we have fifty more shinobi on standby. Once they've secured our initial captives, they will join us. When that happens—"
"You're digging your own grave," Uchiha Raizen interrupted, a killing intent so potent it made the air shudder radiating from him. He had intended to let them live, but their boast about capturing the Yuki clansmen sealed their fate. This wasn't about some savior complex; this was about principle. The Yuki were of the Land of Fire. They would not be stolen by Kiri on his watch. And saving their captured kin would all but guarantee their loyalty.
The fight was no longer about negotiation. It was about eradication.