Tonight, a blood-red moon quietly rose into the sky, bathing the entire village of Konoha in an eerie red glow.
"What a rare red moon." Tsunade yawned as she stood by the window, gazing at the night sky. Then, on a whim, she said, "Come on, Shizune. Take a walk with me."
Shizune froze. She had been leaning against the sofa, secretly watching Uchiha Rei bustle about in the kitchen. At Tsunade's words, she instinctively tried to refuse. "Um... I'm a little tired tonight... Why don't you go by yourself..."
Tsunade shot her a sidelong glance, her tone teasing. "Hmm? Don't tell me you want to stay here and keep 'someone' company all by yourself?"
Shizune blushed and quickly lowered her head. "Lady Tsunade... I-I'll be right there!"
And so, Shizune was dragged out the door. Before leaving, she quietly reminded Uchiha Rei, "We'll be back soon. Get some rest."
Uchiha Rei nodded, but then caught sight of a golden-haired figure flickering past the doorway. His eyes widened.
Tsunade had turned into a girl in her teens!
Snow-white skin, a slender waist, and... Hmm, her thunder was gone.
"...Where did that thunder go?" Uchiha Rei was stunned. "This makes no scientific sense!"
Just outside Uchiha Rei's home lay Konoha's famous Commercial Street.
But tonight, the Commercial Street was unusually quiet.
Usually, people thronged the street beneath bright lights, while vendors called out from every direction. It was as lively as a festival.
But now, the street was deserted, and even the streetlamps seemed to have lost their color.
Although Uchiha Rei's home was quite far from the Uchiha Clan Compound, rumors had recently begun spreading through the village.
Merchants had sharp instincts.
The rumor was that the Uchiha Clan might be planning some "major move."
So nearly every vendor had