Night Reconnaissance of the Ruins

In the afternoon in Konoha, sunlight was sliced into fragments by the dense canopy and scattered across the training ground. Daily training had just concluded, and the air was still thick with the scent of sweat and youth. Chiba Akimichi—Chocho's younger sister, a girl with the same healthy, wheat-colored skin and cheerful personality—suddenly clapped her hands together, her eyes flashing with a mix of excitement and a death-wish.

"Hey, hey! Everyone! I heard that lately, deep in the old woods near the Naka River, there are always strange shadows drifting about!" She lowered her voice, deliberately crafting a mysterious and terrifying atmosphere.

Several children who were packing up their ninja tools immediately had their attention captured.

"Strange shadows? Are they ghosts?" Kazamatsuri Yamanaka, Ino's younger brother, asked with a mix of fear and irrepressible curiosity.

"Even more exciting than ghosts!" Chiba placed her hands on her hips and announced her earth-shattering plan: "I propose! After school today, we go explore that legendary place—the former residence of the Uchiha clan!"

"Uchiha...?" A civilian student gasped. "The one that was wiped out...? Isn't it said that the area has been sealed off as a restricted zone and left to ruin for years? I heard the resentment there is heavy!"

"It's only fun because it's a restricted zone!" Chiba's spirit of adventure burned fiercely. "How about it, Himawari, Shikano, are you coming? And... what about you, Kakashi?" She looked toward Sakuya and Lian, who were preparing to leave not far away.

Himawari Uzumaki froze for a moment; a flicker of hesitation crossed her blue eyes, but it was quickly eclipsed by a surge of intense curiosity. The Uchiha—a surname filled with legend and tragedy in Konoha's history—felt both distant and inexplicably alluring to her. Subconsciously, she looked toward Sakuya and Lian.

Shikano Nara yawned lazily: "What a drag... That place is definitely full of spiderwebs and dust, and it's against school rules..."

However, before he could finish, he was interrupted by Chiba and several other students who had been incited by the idea. In the end, including Himawari, Chiba, Kazamatsuri, and two other curious boys, five or six people decided to go. Shikano looked at the high-spirited group, sighed, and ultimately followed along helplessly, muttering, "What a drag."

Sakuya's expression darkened the moment Chiba mentioned "Uchiha," becoming even colder than usual. He grabbed Lian, who seemed moved by the idea, and stopped him with an extremely stern look.

Then, he walked quickly to Himawari, who was preparing to join the group, and blocked her path.

"Don't go." His voice was low, carrying an unquestionable resolve and even a hint of... urgency?

"Eh? Why, Sakuya?" Himawari looked at him, puzzled. "If we all go together, it should be fine, right? We're just going to take a look..."

"It's dangerous there." Sakuya interrupted her, his deep purple eyes locked onto hers, trying to make her understand the gravity of the situation. "It's not about ghosts. It's real danger. The lockdown order isn't a joke."

He couldn't explain further. He couldn't tell her what those ruins meant to him and Lian, how many bloody pasts and lingering souls were buried there, or that they might hide... eyes that held malice toward them.

Himawari looked at his unusually serious expression and felt a moment of wavering, but the excited urging of her friends and the impulse for adventure ultimately won out. She offered a reassuring smile: "It's okay, Sakuya, we're just going to look at the perimeter and come right back! Besides, we're all together!"

With that, she bypassed Sakuya and trotted to catch up with the main group.

Sakuya stood frozen in place, watching the group of ignorant, fearless backs gradually fade into the distance. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into tight fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. The aura around him turned icy and bone-chilling in an instant.

"Brother..." Lian called out softly, filled with worry, his own face turning pale. Just the name of that place made his heart palpitate.

Sakuya didn't answer; he simply turned abruptly, his voice as cold as quenched steel: "Follow. Stealth mode. Don't let them spot us."

Uchiha Clan Grounds, perimeter.

The closer they got to the area, the colder and more silent the surrounding air seemed to become. The bustling Konoha village was left far behind, replaced by increasingly dense and desolate woods. Ancient stone steps were covered in moss, and broken torii gates stood crookedly by the roadside, symbols of a place long abandoned.

The initial excitement of Chiba and the others was gradually replaced by an invisible sense of oppression, and their laughter grew quieter and quieter.

"Hey... this place really feels eerie..." Kazamatsuri rubbed his arms and whispered.

"What are you afraid of!" Chiba bolstered herself, though her voice was much lower. "Look! That seems to be the entrance ahead!"

A rusted wooden fence, wrapped in old, locked chains, appeared before them, followed by even deeper woods and the vaguely visible outlines of dilapidated buildings.

And right there in the shadows of the fence, like sewage seeping from the ground, three figures appeared without a sound.

They all wore animal masks and were dressed in the standard uniforms of the "Root" organization, which had long since been abolished by Konoha. They exuded an aura of cold, deathly silence, devoid of any emotion. Like venomous snakes that had been lying in wait, they had finally caught their prey.

The leader was a ninja wearing a Fox Mask; his voice was hoarse and grating, like the friction of rusted gears: "Entry is prohibited. Unauthorized personnel, leave immediately."

A powerful, killing-intent-laden chakra spread out like a cold tide, instantly choking the breath from all the children!

"Ah!" Chiba and Kazamatsuri screamed in terror, retreating repeatedly. The other boys turned deathly pale, their legs turning to jelly. Even Shikano completely dropped his lazy expression, his eyes becoming incredibly grave as cold sweat slid down his temples. This pressure... these were real ninjas who had experienced bloody slaughter!

Himawari was also terrified by the sudden, horrific aura, her heart pounding wildly, but she suppressed her fear, stepped forward, and tried to explain: "I... I am very sorry! We are students from the Konoha Ninja Academy, we didn't know that this..."

"Leave, or..." another Root member wearing a Wildcat Mask interrupted coldly, his fingers slowly pressing onto the hilt of the short blade on his back, "...die."

As the last word was uttered, the tangible killing intent made the air feel as if it had frozen solid!

At this critical, life-or-death moment!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two sharp sounds of air being pierced tore through the stagnant atmosphere!

They weren't aimed at the Root members, but were shot with pinpoint accuracy into the empty ground on either side of the children!

Thud! Thud!

Two shuriken embedded themselves deep into the ground, their tail feathers vibrating violently! At the same time, two figures descended like ghosts from the sky, landing steadily between the children and the Root members, shielding everyone behind them!

It was Sakuya Hatake and Lian Hatake!

Sakuya crouched halfway, one hand pressing against the ground to maintain his balance, the other holding a kunai in a reverse grip. His eyes were like ten-thousand-year-old ice, locked firmly onto the three Root members ahead. Lian stood behind him to the side, also adopting a defensive stance; though his face was pale, his eyes were exceptionally firm.

"Hatake...?" Shikano's pupils contracted sharply. He understood instantly. These two didn't show up by coincidence! They had been following them the whole time!

"Fall back." Sakuya didn't look back, his voice cold and urgent, directed at the classmates behind him. "Find cover. This is not a battle you can participate in."

His brain raced, analyzing the desperate situation:

· Enemies: Three former "Root" members. Experience, strength, and coordination far exceeding Genin; ruthless methods, unknown objectives.

· Allies: A group of children with no combat experience, his younger brother Lian, and himself.

· Core Objectives: First, ensure everyone survives. Second, protect the secret of the Uchiha bloodline as much as possible. Third, repel or stall the enemies as much as possible.

"Two more brats here to die." The Fox Mask Root member sneered, seemingly not taking Sakuya and Lian seriously at all. "Do it. Eliminate all witnesses."

At the command, the Root member in the Wildcat Mask and another in the Boar Mask moved instantly! Their movements were fast as lightning, devoid of any wasted motion, as they lunged directly at Shuoyue and Lian, the short blades in their hands carving out lethal, chilling arcs!

"Lian! Left flank!" Shuoyue barked, his body launching forward like a taut bowstring, meeting the Wildcat Mask head-on without a shred of fear!

Clang!

A kunai and a short blade collided violently, showering the air with sparks!

The immense force of the impact left Shuoyue's arm numb, but he used the recoil to slide backward as if weightless. Simultaneously, his other hand flicked out three shuriken with lightning speed, targeting the enemy's high, middle, and low paths, precisely sealing off the opponent's pursuit!

The Wildcat Mask clearly hadn't expected such seasoned and precise taijutsu and shuriken skills from a mere boy; forced to parry and dodge, his offensive stalled.

Weaving hand seals with lightning speed, Shuoyue opened his mouth, and a massive fireball erupted—

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

On the other side, Lian was engaged with the Boar Mask. His movements were more agile, like a flickering butterfly, narrowly avoiding the enemy's heavy, powerful slashes. He used the trees as cover to maneuver, occasionally throwing shuriken that were threatening enough to keep the enemy from closing in easily. Though his Sharingan had yet to awaken, his kinetic vision was already far beyond that of an ordinary person.

But the Root members were, after all, experienced killers. After a few exchanges, the Wildcat Mask discovered a "trait" in Shuoyue's combat style—he would subconsciously shield the group of children behind him, especially the girl with the whisker-like markings on her cheeks!

"Target, the black-haired girl on the right!" the Wildcat Mask commanded hoarsely.

The Boar Mask immediately feinted, forcing Lian back, then lunged violently toward Himawari, who was hiding behind a giant boulder!

"No!" Shuoyue's pupils constricted! He wanted to turn back to rescue her, but the Wildcat Mask's fierce assault descended like a gale, pinning him down!

"Himawari!" Chiba screamed in terror.

The tip of the Boar Mask's blade was about to pierce Himawari, who couldn't dodge in time!

At this critical juncture!

A figure lunged over with speed that defied limits!

It was Lian! He had abandoned almost all defense, using his own body to shove the Boar Mask's arm aside!

Puchi!

Though the short blade missed Himawari, it slashed deeply across Lian's arm, spraying a mist of blood!

"Lian!" Shuoyue's eyes nearly burst from their sockets!

A long, deep gash marred Lian's arm. Blood, like a winding, twisting snake, began to trickle down...

At almost the same moment, the leader in the Fox Mask, who had remained motionless until now, appeared like a ghost behind Himawari. A withered palm struck silently toward her back! The palm contained a sinister and powerful chakra; if it landed, the consequences would be unthinkable!

"Himawari! Behind you!" Luye finally reacted, shouting a warning in terror, but he was far too late to do anything!

The continuous crises, the injury of his kin, the peril of his companions... all these images burned into Shuoyue's retinas like hot iron. A massive, overwhelming fear and a volcanic rage erupted violently within his chest!

A cold, berserk power instantly shattered a shackle that had existed within him all along!

Hum—

The world changed in his eyes!

Colors became more vivid, the enemies' movements slowed to a crawl, the subtle tremors of their muscles, the flow of their chakra... everything was reflected with absolute clarity in his vision!

Beneath his deep purple contact lenses, three pitch-black tomoe suddenly emerged against a crimson background, spinning rapidly!

Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!

Shuoyue's body seemed to transform into a black whirlwind! The kunai in his hand parried the Wildcat Mask's killing blow with an impossibly devious angle. Amidst the spray of sparks, he used the enemy's own force to spin like a top, while his other hand released shuriken drawn from his pouch!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The trajectory of these shuriken was bizarre and unpredictable, as if they possessed a life of their own. They collided in mid-air, changing direction, and enveloped the Fox Mask and Boar Mask like a swarm of bees, forcing them to retreat and defend themselves!

Shuoyue himself utilized this tiny gap to trigger a Body Flicker Technique!

Swish!

He appeared before Himawari as if teleporting, taking the brunt of the shockwave from the Fox Mask's palm strike with his own back!

"Ugh!" A sweetness rose in Shuoyue's throat, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, yet he seemed to feel nothing!

He pulled the terrified Himawari into his left arm and pushed her behind him, while his right hand sent the kunai in a cold arc, stabbing directly at the Fox Mask's wrist! It forced the enemy to withdraw. However, due to the impact, the fragile contact lens over his eye cracked, and beneath it, three black tomoe were clearly visible.

"Your eyes...!" The Fox Mask stared at the spinning three tomoe in Shuoyue's eyes in shock, his voice filled with disbelief. "Sharingan?! Impossible! The Uchiha should have already..."

Before he could finish, another exclamation rang out!

It was the Boar Mask! Having awakened the Sharingan, Lian's speed and predictive abilities had surged; he delivered a clever side-kick that slammed into the Boar Mask's abdomen, sending him stumbling back several steps! And in Lian's eyes, two slowly rotating black tomoe had also emerged!

The battle fell into a brief, stagnant silence.

The three Root members stared in shock at the two boys who had suddenly erupted with power, looking at the iconic, unmistakable Kekkei Genkai in their eyes—the Sharingan!

Shuoyue panted heavily, his three-tomoe Sharingan scanning the three enemies coldly as his brain calculated frantically.

Exposed! The greatest secret had been laid bare before these remnants of Root!

Although he and Lian had awakened the Sharingan and their strength had skyrocketed, they had only just opened them; Lian could not yet skillfully use genjutsu. The opponents were three experienced veteran ninjas, possibly even at the Jonin level. Fighting them, while not necessarily a guaranteed defeat, offered no way to ensure the safety of all his classmates.

As it stood, killing them while keeping everyone safe was impossible. Shuoyue's gaze hardened. Recalling what Obito had said about Root, he quickly formed a strategy—to negotiate by exploiting the complex psychology Root held toward the Leaf and their orders.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging blood and killing intent. His voice, raspy from injury and rage, carried a cold, piercing quality:

"You recognize these eyes." He pointed to his bleeding brother, then to the injured and terrified classmates behind him. "And you know who we are meant to protect. You know very well... what it means to kill us, or to take us away."

He stared at the Fox Mask leading them, saying word by word: "The Sixth Hokage, the Seventh Hokage, and even the entire Anbu of Konoha will hunt you down relentlessly. Root has long since become history. Are you certain you want to gamble everything, including your own lives, for the 'dying wish' of an organization that no longer exists, just to trade for the last bloodline of the Uchiha?"

The Fox Mask fell silent. The gaze beneath the mask shifted violently. He certainly knew what this meant. This was no longer a simple matter of eliminating witnesses; it involved the taboos of Konoha's highest leadership! Kakashi, Naruto... those were existences they could not confront head-on. If they continued, regardless of success or failure, they would become the mortal enemies of all Konoha, never to know peace again.

Sakuya saw the other's hesitation and continued to apply pressure, while simultaneously offering a way out: "Today's events can be treated as if they never happened. You haven't seen us, and we haven't seen you. The Uchiha have long since perished; in this world, there are only Kakashi Sakuya and Kakashi Lian. This is the best outcome for everyone."

A long silence followed. There was only the wailing of the wind passing through the abandoned clan grounds, and the suppressed gasps and sobs of the children.

Eventually, the Fox Mask slowly sheathed his weapon. He took a deep look at the Sharingan in the eyes of Sakuya and Lian; that gaze was complex and inscrutable, filled with shock and greed, but ultimately suppressed by reason and calculation.

"...Let's go." He spoke hoarsely, signaling to his two companions, "Today, we saw nothing."

As the words fell, the three Root members merged into the shadows just as silently as they had arrived, disappearing completely.

Not until that suffocating killing intent had vanished entirely did Sakuya suddenly collapse, dropping to one knee and coughing violently, spitting out a bit of blood. The Sharingan slowly rotated before finally settling into a three-tomoe pattern.

"Brother!" Lian, disregarding the injury on his own arm, rushed over to support him.

"Sakuya-kun! Lian-kun!" Himawari also ran over, her face covered in tears, filled with worry and guilt, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's all because of me..."

Shikano, Chiba, Kazamatsuri, and the other children also gathered around. Looking at the injured brothers, their eyes were filled with shock, lingering fear, and an indescribable sense of gratitude and awe. They had witnessed a battle far beyond their understanding, seen those legendary eyes, and realized what the Kakashi brothers had been hiding, as well as the life-and-death crisis they had just endured.

"What happened today..." Sakuya endured the pain, his eyes with their complex patterns sweeping across the face of every classmate one by one, his voice weak yet carrying an unquestionable authority, "Regarding our eyes, regarding everything here... it must remain a secret forever. Otherwise, dangers like the one just now, or even worse, will come again. It won't just be us; it could implicate your families as well. Can you swear?"

The children looked at one another, their gazes finally falling upon Shikano.

Shikano took a deep breath. Usually, he was afraid of trouble, but at this moment, his eyes were exceptionally earnest and serious. He was the first to reach out his hand: "I swear on the honor of the Nara Clan: the events of today will never be leaked."

"I swear on the Nara Clan!"

"I swear on the Akimichi Clan!"

"I swear!"

"I... I swear too!"

The children reached out one after another, stacking their hands together to make a solemn promise. Finally, Himawari also reached out and placed her hand on top. Tears were still swirling in her eyes, but her gaze was incredibly firm: "I swear in the name of the Uzumaki! I will absolutely, absolutely not tell anyone! Sakuya-kun and Lian-kun are our friends!"