The town square was vast and open. In the very center stood a flag platform, where an iron pole hoisted a single flag high into the air.
The flag had a black background, and in the center sat the Uchiha clan crest.
The prototype of the crest was the Uchiwa fan, symbolizing those who hold the fan that controls the flames.
"Let me go!"
"You damn humans!"
Mukago, the Lower Rank Four, was bound to the flagpole with steel wire. Terror was plastered across her face as she screamed and cursed frantically.
Although the sun had not yet risen, a crowd of Uchiha clansmen had already gathered around the square.
Who wouldn't want to watch this kind of spectacle?
As the executioners, Uchiha Hikaku and Uchiha Inabi stood on either side of the platform.
"Senior Hikaku, this demon's brain isn't working right. She actually asked us to let her go."
"Truly amusing."
No matter how much Mukago screamed, Inabi chose to ignore her, instead joking with Hikaku beside him.
Hikaku's expression, however, remained stern.
"You should make her shut up. She's disturbing the peace."
"Everyone in the clan has been woken up by her."
The one who had placed the Genjutsu on Mukago was Inabi, but he felt that letting her die in a daze while sunbathing would be too boring.
So, Inabi had released the mental control, retaining only the physical restraints.
Inabi had his own perspective on the matter.
"Senior Hikaku, you are right."
"But this demon wanted to eat our clansmen. If I let her die that easily, wouldn't she be getting off too lightly?"
Saying this, Inabi walked to the edge of the platform and shouted to the spectating clansmen:
"Don't you all agree!?"
"A demon like this dares to run wild in our Uchiha territory! She needs to understand the consequences of provoking our clan!"
Although most of the Uchiha clansmen in the square were civilians, they were still Uchiha through and through.
Naturally, they had no intention of sparing a monster that wanted to harm them!
"Yeah!"
"Well said!"
"Brother Inabi is so cool!"
"Let these demons know how powerful our clan is!"
"Sunbathe her to death!"
"Just burn her to death with Fire Style!"
This wasn't the first time they had caught a demon for execution; every time, a crowd would gather to watch.
The last time Inabi caught a demon, he had dragged it through the streets on a chain for a parade.
The majority of the clan members enjoyed a good show.
Inabi looked satisfied. He turned his head and said to Hikaku:
"See, Senior? The voice of the clan is real."
Hikaku looked helpless and shook his head slightly.
"Suit yourself."
"Just don't take it too far."
Having received Hikaku's approval, Inabi became even more smug.
"Don't worry, Senior!"
"The Clan Leader ordered us to execute her, so naturally, I will carry it out."
"I definitely won't do anything out of line."
"I just want her to know exactly how she died."
"Let her learn not to make the same mistake in her next life!"
The first light of dawn appeared, the horizon turning the pale white of a fish's belly. The first golden threads of sunlight began to pierce the clouds and sprinkle upon the earth!
Only terror remained in Mukago's eyes, and her voice became even more shrill.
"Let me go!!!"
"No!"
"I don't want to die!"
"You d—"
But before Mukago could finish her curse, Uchiha Inabi severed her windpipe with a single slash!
Fresh blood sprayed out instantly!
Inabi stood before Mukago, holding his sword in one hand, looking down at her with his three-tomoe Sharingan.
"You talk too much."
The sunlight was slowly moving toward the square. Mukago struggled frantically, but she couldn't control even a single finger.
Now, she couldn't even speak.
Why...
Why do humans like this exist?
Who exactly are these people!?
I don't want to die!
I really don't want to die yet!
However, her inner thoughts were drowned out by Inabi's roar.
Inabi held his sword in his right hand and grabbed Mukago's hair with his left.
"You demons don't fight alone, do you?"
"Who is the mastermind?"
"Why haven't they come to save you yet!?"
Hearing the word 'mastermind,' the image of that inviolable being instantly surfaced in Mukago's mind.
Although her neck had already healed, she felt as if a fishbone were stuck in her throat.
She grit her teeth tightly, her eyes wide with unparalleled horror.
Inabi noticed this. He couldn't help but sneer, tightening his grip on her hair.
"So there really is one?"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Trash!"
"A bunch of rats who only know how to hide in damp, dark places!"
"Watch closely!"
"This is the price for offending the Uchiha clan!"
"Remember this moment well, even in hell!"
"In your next life, if you see my Sharingan, get the hell out of my way!"
Inabi glared with his three-tomoe eyes, roaring intimately close to her face.
At that moment, the morning sun completely blanketed the square!
Mukago froze abruptly within the cascade of light. Her pale skin melted and peeled away like wax, and her purple pupils boiled and bubbled within their sockets.
"...Don't... want..."
A hiss squeezed out of her throat, sounding as if it were being crushed by red-hot iron tongs.
Charred cracks spread from her forehead to her jaw, resembling a shattered porcelain vase melting down in high heat.
Golden beams like solar flares pierced through her chest as it turned transparent. This body, which had devoured countless lives, was undergoing the most thorough repentance!
Every inch of flesh turned into swirling sparks; every bone exploded into brilliant dust.
By the time the sun fully leapt above the horizon, the last wisp of black smoke, wrapped in blood-colored morning dew, evaporated and vanished, leaving only the fresh scent of grass and trees flowing in the morning breeze.
Not a trace was left behind. It was as if the blood had never existed.
The mastermind hiding behind the scenes was now furious to the extreme.
But in the end, it was nothing more than incompetent rage.
.....
"Tetsu-sama, that demon has been executed."
Outside the master bedroom of the Clan Leader's estate, Naori reported to Uchiha Tetsu.
Uchiha Tetsu, who had already been woken up again by the System notification, was naturally aware of everything.
"Mn."
"Understood."
He replied to Naori first, then sat cross-legged on the bed, falling into deep thought. His eyes held a mix of joy and worry.
Killing a normal demon gives no reward.
But killing a demon with writing in its eye does...
Is it a coincidence?
The System called her 'Lower Rank Four'—obviously a ranking.
Could there really be special demons?
And what does 'Lower Rank' mean?
Uchiha Tetsu looked at the rewards in his system inventory, and ripples finally disturbed his calm heart.
[Clansman Attribute Upgrade Card x1]
[Clansman Panel Experience Card x1]
[Gacha Draw Attempts x10]
[Building: Ninja Academy Complete Facility Set x1]
Unexpectedly, the usually stingy System was being generous today.
As he examined the details of these items one by one, he could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart.
This [Clansman Attribute Upgrade Card] could actually allow Naori to unlock Susanoo.
It could even upgrade Naori's Mangekyou Sharingan into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
It could unlock exclusive Mangekyou visual jutsu.
It could even upgrade a clansman with a three-tomoe Sharingan to the Mangekyou level.
However, since there was currently only one upgrade card, Uchiha Tetsu had to consider his options carefully.
The [Clansman Panel Experience Card], on the other hand, allowed Uchiha Tetsu to copy a clansman's panel and use their abilities, though the effect only lasted for one day.
Even though it was a limited-time item, Uchiha Tetsu was very happy.
Compared to his clansmen, he was just an ordinary person with no strength to tie a chicken.
He had no chakra, knew no Ninjutsu or Taijutsu.
And he certainly didn't have the Uchiha trademark Sharingan.
This was why he had chosen to play it safe and steady since arriving in this world.
Now that he had this Experience Card, he at least had a trump card to save his life.
As for the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Tetsu wasn't too surprised.
The current town was a starter reward given by the System.
Originally, this area was just a wasteland.
Although he now had a school with complete facilities, he had no teachers.
A school must have teachers!
However, since demons didn't dare to come out during the day, he could have Hikaku and the others double as teachers for now.
There weren't many clansmen at the moment, so sparing one or two people to guide the students wasn't impossible.
Uchiha Tetsu had long understood one thing.
That was, the abilities of his clansmen were likely not fixed, but could be cultivated.
Although things had become complicated again, it was ultimately a good thing.
These matters still needed consideration.
The only thing that didn't need thinking was the gacha.
Killing the demon gave him 10 draws, plus today's free daily draw.
Uchiha Tetsu opened the interface and went straight for an 11-draw pull!
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Genin x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Sasuke x1]
[Uchiha Chunin x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
[Uchiha Civilian x1]
What?!
Uchiha Sasuke!
The Carry has arrived!?
Uchiha Tetsu clicked on the details with overflowing excitement, but the thrill on his face came to a screeching halt and began to fade rapidly.
[Uchiha Sasuke (Ninja Rookie)]
"Sh*t!!!"