Ever since joining the war, Uchiha Itachi had completely lost faith in the clan. He had seen the Uchiha Clan's increasingly twisted obsession for what it was, and recognized the growing hostility the Konoha high-level held toward the clan.
Uchiha Obito had taken advantage of the situation and joined forces with him to plan the massacre that was destined to shake the entire Ninja World.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Itachi's sudden defection left Obito without the only reliable insider he had within the clan.
So Obito turned his attention to another true Jonin in the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Rekka. And, "successfully," he used his personal charm to persuade Rekka—after having already persuaded him.
"See this judgment through."
Obito vanished with a cold laugh into the warped space, brimming with confidence.
However, Obito had no idea that his plan was no longer a secret.
During the day, Uchiha Rei had already told Uchiha Rekka everything he knew. That included Obito's secret cooperation with Root, the Third Hokage's tacit approval, and the undercurrents Danzo was stirring behind the scenes. Rekka had everything under control.
Watching Obito leave, Rekka's eyes gleamed coldly in the dark.
"The timing of the plan has been set. Lord Rei's task is complete."
Rekka didn't waste a moment. He immediately activated the Katana in his hand and sent this crucial message to Uchiha Rei.
Several hours earlier.
On the other side of Konoha, night had fallen. The patrol's footsteps echoed along the empty streets, yet they never noticed the figure passing by.
Uchiha Rei had slipped away from the Kurama Clan residence. He hadn't planned to spend the night there.
He'd already arranged to meet Might Guy at midnight sharp at the Public Training Ground.
What's the point of women when lifting weights is so much more fun? Uchiha Rei thought to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
By now, Uchiha Rei was one of Konoha's top fighters. He concealed his presence perfectly, and the patrol ninjas had no idea he'd slipped past them.
When he reached Konoha's Public Training Ground, it was 11:50. The night was deep, but a green figure was already there, training in the night breeze. It was Might Guy, practicing Taijutsu.
He really did get here before me... Uchiha Rei watched the familiar figure from a distance, impressed.
"Uchiha Rei, my friend of youth!" Might Guy abruptly stopped, eyes shining, then ran over and wrapped Uchiha Rei in a tight hug. "I had no idea you were this kind of person!"
"What kind of person?" Uchiha Rei asked, momentarily stunned. He thought Guy had uncovered his secret.
"Training in Taijutsu despite your injuries—that's the very height of manliness! You truly are my lifelong rival!" Might Guy said, fired up, squeezing Uchiha Rei in an emotional embrace.
Uchiha Rei fell silent.
So you have no idea I've got the Phantom Seal sealed inside me. You're just being your usual passionate self... Damn it, I misjudged the intelligence level for a moment.
"Time is precious in our youth. Let's get started." Uchiha Rei reluctantly pried Guy's arms off him.
"Well said!" Might Guy gave him a thumbs-up and flashed his classic, dazzling smile.
The two began running laps around the training ground, their breaths and sweat mingling in a steady rhythm.
The clock struck midnight, and a familiar system notification rang in Uchiha Rei's ears.
[ Ding! ] [ Sign-in successful! ] [ Sign-in location: Konoha Public Training Ground! ] [ Reward: Konoha Style Taijutsu · Konoha Great Whirlwind! ] [ Note: This sign-in location can be used repeatedly! ]
A warm surge of energy rose from his calves and spread quickly through his muscles. His leg strength increased considerably, his muscles becoming firmer and more powerful. He clenched his fist and quietly felt the increase in strength.
The movements of the technique appeared in his mind automatically: the angle of the kick, how to apply force, the shift in his center of gravity... Everything was precisely imprinted in his memory.
"Why is it his Taijutsu again? Are we really just that compatible?"
A helpless smile stirred in his heart.
"But... it really is useful."
"If I ran into yesterday's Root Captain again, I wouldn't even need to undo the Phantom Seal. One strike would be enough to take him down."
He didn't dwell on it and returned to training.
The next part of their training was a hellish contest: one hundred push-ups and two hundred laps around the field on their hands. Win or lose, both trained.
Might Guy: "The loser does another hundred push-ups!"
Uchiha Rei: "The winner runs two hundred laps on his hands."
Neither would give an inch. They gritted their teeth and pressed on, sweat pouring down as their feet carved deep ruts in the training ground.
Every fall proved their youth; every time they gritted their teeth and got back up showed its resolve.
At last, Uchiha Rei's legs grew sore, and the training ended.
Uchiha Rei was in a recovery period and didn't need to take on missions.
Might Guy, on the other hand, had to keep going on missions, day and night, in addition to his daily, unrelenting Taijutsu practice.
"With the Uchiha Clan on the verge of rebellion, a lot of people have stopped serving Konoha," Might Guy said as he adjusted his Forehead Protector, his tone unusually heavy. "The burden of missions has fallen almost entirely on the other ninjas. Especially us Jonin—we have to keep order in the village while also carrying out the Land of Fire's missions."
Uchiha Rei nodded quietly. He understood that in this situation, Jonin like Might Guy were under twice the pressure, pushing both their minds and bodies to the limit.
But Might Guy didn't hurry to leave. He walked over to Uchiha Rei and spoke in a low voice, firm with conviction.
"Rei, we've been helping you look for Lady Tsunade. Believe me, you'll be all right."
Uchiha Rei froze at that, then answered softly, "Thank you, everyone."
Might Guy looked at him and suddenly asked, "Do you remember Shizune?"
"Shizune?" Uchiha Rei blinked, a figure coming to mind. Black hair, gentle and quiet. She was Tsunade's apprentice, and when she was young, she'd confessed her feelings to him at the Ninja Academy.
So many kunoichi had confessed to him back at the Ninja Academy that he couldn't remember who was who. But he remembered every girl who hadn't confessed to him.
"There were too many kunoichi chasing after me back then." Uchiha Rei smiled wryly. "But I'm no Asuma. I didn't have the time for that. Training in Ninjutsu was much more fun than chasing women."
Might Guy smiled and continued, "Kurenai Yuhi has been in touch with them. Lady Tsunade will be back soon—probably in three to five days."
"...That's great news." Uchiha Rei's eyes shifted as he looked toward the distant horizon. The oppression in his heart seemed to ease a little.
Tsunade, Konoha's legendary Medical Ninja and one of the Sannin.
Everyone in the Naruto world knew that as long as someone still had a breath left, there was no one Tsunade couldn't heal.
"Her healing ability is unmatched," Uchiha Rei murmured. Once Tsunade returned, the poison inside him should finally be dealt with.
If even Tsunade couldn't remove the poison inside him, he would have to take another path.
Search for the legendary Sage Body and Sage Eye.
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