Konoha White Fang

Outside Konoha.

Watching Konoha descend into chaos, Uchiha Yuzuru's lips curved slightly.

With such a huge commotion, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others would not be able to keep it hidden.

Once dawn broke, everyone would know that the Uchiha Clan had left Konoha.

Without the Senju, did Konoha still deserve to be called Konoha?

Without the Uchiha, did the Hokage still deserve to be called Hokage?

Uchiha Yuzuru raced through the dense forest.

He did not use Kamui. After all, wasting Dojutsu Power on travel was hardly worth it.

Just then, a figure passed by him.

The next second, that figure abruptly turned and blocked Uchiha Yuzuru's path.

"Uchiha Yuzuru!"

Seeing that distinctive head of silver-white hair, Uchiha Yuzuru raised an eyebrow. "Hatake Sakumo..."

"Where did the Uchiha clansmen go? What is your goal? Why did you betray Konoha?"

If anyone could answer the doubts in his heart now, it was probably Uchiha Yuzuru before him.

Uchiha Yuzuru said evenly, "This village is filled with darkness. It has long since betrayed the original intention behind our founding of it."

"Just as we did back then, we will force the ninja world to change toward true peace."

Hatake Sakumo's heart jolted.

Back then, Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara had used overwhelming force to bring an end to the chaotic Warring States Era. Could it be...

Did the Uchiha Clan intend to start another war?!

At that thought, Hatake Sakumo said in a deep voice, "The village now possesses true peace. The Will of Fire is engraved in everyone's hearts, and everyone lives together in harmony..."

"How can you call it darkness and corruption?"

Hatake Sakumo was not a talkative man, but this matter was of great importance. He could only do his best to persuade Uchiha Yuzuru.

Perhaps there was still room to salvage things.

"Hahahahaha..."

"Sakumo, where did you find the nerve to say something like that?"

Uchiha Yuzuru sneered. "Does true peace mean a brutal Ninja War breaking out every few years?"

"Does the Will of Fire mean sending five- and six-year-old children to the battlefield as cannon fodder, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and the rest stay in the village and enjoy supreme power?"

"Does everyone living together in harmony mean the Anbu monitoring every move of the Uchiha clansmen around the clock for no reason?"

"If the roots have rotted, can the branches and leaves still flourish?"

Faced with Uchiha Yuzuru's questioning, Hatake Sakumo was momentarily left speechless.

After a long while, he finally responded somewhat guiltily, "This is all for the greater good..."

"You're only deceiving yourself. This is nothing but a disguise worn by those with vested interests."

"When someone tells you to consider the bigger picture, you are definitely outside that picture. When someone tells you to spare no cost, you are that cost. When someone tells you to take the long view, they want you to give up fighting for the benefits you deserve right now..."

"This time, we Uchiha will decide our own fate."

Hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's reply, Hatake Sakumo wanted to refute him, but could not find any reason to do so.

In the end, he could only avoid the subject.

"Uchiha Yuzuru, no matter what grievances you have, you must come back with me now."

"And if I refuse?"

At that, Hatake Sakumo drew the short blade from his back, and a terrifying pressure erupted instantly. "Then I can only take you back by force."

Uchiha Yuzuru smiled. "Then give it a try."

The moment the words left his mouth, Hatake Sakumo vanished.

An incomparably sharp streak of white light appeared, shooting toward Uchiha Yuzuru's chest.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

The enormous fireball swallowed the white light, but in the next instant, the white light cleaved the fireball in two and arrived before Uchiha Yuzuru with unstoppable momentum.

Uchiha Yuzuru drew his long sword and blocked Hatake Sakumo's attack.

The two immediately began an exchange so fast it was nearly impossible to follow.

Blade flashes flickered throughout the forest as fallen leaves, broken branches, and dust filled the air.

Even with the dynamic vision of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Uchiha Yuzuru still felt immense pressure.

"Worthy of the Konoha White Fang. Your swordsmanship is unbelievably sharp. Among all the ninja I have fought, you can be called the strongest."

Uchiha Yuzuru couldn't help but praise him.

Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship was simple—

Fast, precise, ruthless!

His speed had reached the extreme, every strike aimed directly at a vital point.

An ordinary Jonin probably wouldn't last more than a few exchanges against such a storm-like barrage.

Compared to Uchiha Yuzuru, Hatake Sakumo was even more shocked.

He had originally thought that, with his strength, defeating Uchiha Yuzuru would be an incredibly simple matter.

Yet he hadn't expected his relentless attacks to all be blocked by Uchiha Yuzuru.

After all, the other party was only a fourteen-year-old boy.

After another burst of clashing steel, Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Yuzuru separated.

Seeing that the boy remained calm, Hatake Sakumo could no longer suppress the killing intent in his heart.

If Uchiha Yuzuru escaped, Konoha would be in danger.

"Don't blame me. This is all for Konoha!"

Hatake Sakumo took a deep breath, pushing both his focus and Chakra to their limits.

Then, his entire body seemed to transform into a bolt of white lightning, instantly passing through Uchiha Yuzuru's body.

The violent blade aura even cut down every tree more than ten meters ahead at the waist.

"Is that your strongest attack?"

Uchiha Yuzuru's voice came from behind him, and cold sweat instantly broke out across Hatake Sakumo's forehead.

That strike just now...

Had been avoided?!

He turned around and saw a pair of bewitching eyes he had never seen before, glowing crimson beneath the moonlight.

Terrifying Dojutsu Power continuously spilled forth as Uchiha Yuzuru carried his blade in one hand and slowly walked toward him.

"There's a disturbance over there! Go take a look!"

Several shouts came from not far away, and Uchiha Yuzuru stopped.

"Let's end today's battle here."

"Sakumo, remember what I told you today. You are destined to become a sacrifice of political struggle."

A ripple passed through space, and Uchiha Yuzuru's figure gradually vanished, leaving only a voice echoing through the air. "These eyes of mine have already clearly seen your future."

Watching Uchiha Yuzuru disappear from where he stood, Hatake Sakumo remained on high alert.

Only after more than a dozen Anbu surrounded him did he finally let out a long breath.

In that final moment, the pressure Uchiha Yuzuru had brought him was simply too great.

Those eyes...

What exactly were they?

A chilly breeze swept past, and Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but shiver.

When had his clothes become soaked through?