Why Choose to Flee?

"Good morning, Brother Genichi."

"Lord Genichi, you're here again."

Walking through the Uchiha compound, Genichi nodded with a smile in response: "Not bad, high spirits. Keep up the hard work."

If you were to ask why the typically xenophobic Uchiha clan was so friendly toward Chiba Genichi, one would have to mention On Uchiha Friendly Attitudes and Uchiha Eye-Opening Theory—masterpieces written by Chiba Genichi and summarized by the Second Elder, Uchiha Kohaku.

In the Uchiha clan, there is no one, young or old, who does not wish to awaken or upgrade their Sharingan. Consequently, everyone owns a copy of Uchiha Eye-Opening Theory; some even own a full set—one to keep, one to study, and one to proselytize with.

This was especially true after news from the front lines arrived that 13-year-old Mikoto Uchiha had awakened her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, sparking a massive craze for genjutsu training throughout the entire clan.

The [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique], once the mandatory entry-level ninjutsu for every Uchiha novice, was now considered passé; if you didn't practice a genjutsu or two, you'd be too embarrassed to call yourself an Uchiha ninja when stepping out the door.

As an Uchiha ninja, you might not know who the Third Hokage is, but you cannot be ignorant of Lord Chiba Genichi, the man who wrote Uchiha Eye-Opening Theory. —An anonymous Uchiha.

Moreover, the Uchiha clan has always respected the strong. The title "White Reaper" had long since spread across the Ninja World, and every Uchiha ninja who had seen Genichi on the battlefield would say: "That is simply who I am."

His elegant, handsome appearance, his clean and decisive swordsmanship, combined with the inexplicable yet incredibly stylish things he would say during combat—it was cool, truly too cool. Such an image deeply moved the heart of every chuunibyou Uchiha.

Add to that the fact that the relationship between Chiba Genichi and Miss Mikoto of the Second Elder's household was plain for all to see, it was only a matter of time before he moved into the Uchiha compound permanently.

If he wasn't one of their own, who was?

Unlike the Hyuga clan, which always kept things within their own bloodline, the Uchiha clan did not oppose intermarriage.

The renowned Uchiha research master Chiba Genichi once speculated: "In the early years, to maintain the purity of their bloodline, the Uchiha forbade marriage with outsiders, tearing apart countless pairs of lovers. This led the clansmen to awaken their Sharingan in fits of social retaliation, forcing the clan to finally announce: 'We, the Uchiha clan, have freedom of love.'"

Arriving at Mikoto's home, Genichi was well-acquainted with the routine. He used his key to open the gate and saw Mikoto standing in the entryway.

Seeing Genichi enter with a look of anticipation, Mikoto smiled and said: "Genichi, you're here."

"Mikoto, have you missed me these past few days?" Genichi smiled as he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and walking inside.

"You brat, do you think my Sharingan is for show!" Seeing this, Kohaku nearly drew his forty-meter-long Susanoo Great Blade.

"Haha, Second Elder, why are you here?" Caught in the act of flirting with his girlfriend by her family, Genichi offered an awkward smile.

"This is my home. Where else would I be?"

In the end, he still let Genichi into the house.

Looking at Genichi, who was dressed in casual clothes yet remained dashing and debonair, Kohaku sighed. The boy was indeed outstanding and powerful, much like himself in his youth. He was well-liked in both the village and the clan; having him accompany Mikoto in the future wouldn't be a bad thing.

Having lived through the Warring States period, Kohaku was no longer young. His physical condition was declining, and he might only have a few years left.

"I am old now. I leave Mikoto's future to you, Genichi, my boy," Uchiha Kohaku requested solemnly.

"Grandfather is still so spirited; I'm counting on you to preside over our wedding in a few years," Genichi comforted him. "While you're at it, put in some effort and awaken a Mangekyo for fun. Then Mikoto can have a Mangekyo that never goes blind, just like Madara Uchiha."

Mikoto, who had been lost in fantasies of their wedding, suddenly heard the mention of the Mangekyo, and a look of anticipation inevitably flickered in her eyes.

Seeing the two filial children before him, Kohaku felt his vision go dark: "Even if I do awaken a Mangekyo, it will only be because you two angered me into it."

Uchiha Setsuna's life had not been ideal lately.

He had finally managed to get out of the Anbu prison, only to find that his clansmen were far more obsessed with training than before. Two happy things coinciding should have made him even happier, right?

Having been released from the Police Force for some air, Setsuna keenly sensed that the looks his clansmen gave him were tinged with a strange pity, no longer the respect he had enjoyed in the past.

He couldn't ask for the reason, but that didn't matter, because there were no lies under the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

After learning the truth, Setsuna, who considered himself the inheritor of Madara Uchiha's will, felt as if the sky had collapsed.

Thus, an uninvited guest appeared at Kohaku's doorstep.

"Kohaku, Uchiha Kohaku, get out here! You promised me absolute secrecy."

"If you have the guts to blabber everywhere, have the guts to open the door!"

That's right, Uchiha Setsuna could accept that he had followed Lord Madara in betraying the village—that was his loyalty to the Clan Head.

He could accept that his attempt to incite an Uchiha rebellion had failed and that he had been thrown into the Anbu prison by the Second Hokage—for the glory of the Uchiha, he simply lacked the skill.

But why? Lord Madara, why did you have to leave through the front gate when you defected!

Setsuna knew that in the eyes of his clansmen, his image was likely shifting from "Uchiha Hardliner" to "Uchiha Comedian."

Finally, Uchiha Setsuna, who had been shouting at the door, flipped over the wall, ready to settle the score with Kohaku, only to suddenly see that Chiba Genichi, a non-Uchiha, was also present.

To prevent his dark history from leaking any further, Setsuna had to suppress his temper and maintain the Uchiha's usual haughty image: "You are Chiba Genichi? I have read your books. Not bad. As an ordinary person without a Bloodline Limit, you have worked very hard."

Hearing this, Genichi was not annoyed. He kept a smile on his face, looking at Setsuna as if he were watching a stray cat or dog on the side of the road.

This level of attack was nothing more than a light drizzle, especially since Genichi was now the stronger one.

Genichi's current strength far exceeded that of an ordinary Three-Tomoe Jonin like Setsuna. Even if the Third Hokage and his advisors attacked together, he could calmly fly away using his Magnet Release.

If you ask why he would run?

There's no helping it; [Dead Demon Consuming Seal] with zero-frame startup and the point-blank suicide move [Reverse: Four-Symbols Seal] are simply too overpowered in this version.