"His dream was far too elusive. It was impossible for people to understand one another and achieve peace."
From Uchiha Madara's agitated expression, Uchiha Yang could tell the man hadn't let go of what happened back then.
After all, this was tied to the entire plot of the Naruto world. If Uchiha Madara had let it go, none of the later events would have happened.
"I know." Uchiha Madara's voice grew subdued.
"Anyway, this is your business. I just want to live a good life and enjoy myself."
Uchiha Yang didn't care about some damn dream. It was just a pie you dangled in front of yourself.
You could never eat it. Not a chance.
Uchiha Madara thought he was still obsessing over it, unable to get past the knot in his heart.
"I know you're not useless. Once you get past this, you could become a strong warrior, even if you never become a ninja. I believe you're no worse than me."
Before leaving, Uchiha Madara finally said what he'd wanted to tell him for a long time.
But Uchiha Yang was like a dead pig that didn't care about boiling water. There was no way he'd ever snap out of it. Besides, he wasn't about to put himself through any hardship in this life.
In his previous life, his boss had fed him one empty promise after another. That was why he'd died suddenly from working overtime.
Back then, he'd only pretended to be useless because he hadn't trained in chakra at all. He'd simply told everyone he couldn't learn it.
And so, the title of useless had stuck with him to this day.
After watching Uchiha Madara leave, he finished off the rest of the roasted rabbit by himself.
"Uchiha Kage."
Uchiha Yang lay still. After a moment, as if something had just occurred to him, he called out.
"Master."
Uchiha Kage appeared beside him in a flash and knelt on one knee, his manner deeply respectful.
"Prepare another mask and a black cloak that conceals my figure."
"Understood."
"Remember, don't let anyone find out. Keep it secret."
"I understand."
"Good. You may go."
After Uchiha Kage left, Uchiha Yang picked up his fishing rod and resumed his fishing life.
Nurturing the body and mind was the key to living longer.
Worrying about this and that all day could leave you so stressed and exhausted that you might drop dead at any moment.
[Brain: Master, I don't think your idea is right at all. For your sake, I must plan ahead.]
[Sharingan: I've now awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. I'm invincible in the Shinobi World. Master, it's time to show the world the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.]
[Hand: Your Mangekyō Sharingan has side effects. Use it too much, and you'll go blind. Unlike me—with a blade in hand, I can take an enemy's life with ease.]
[Fire Affinity: I can't agree with that. Killing and burning the bodies is essential for travel and everyday life. How could you do without me?]
[Water Affinity: As far as I know, Fire Affinity has never killed anyone.]
[Fire Affinity: Water Affinity, let's settle this today! (•́へ•́╬)]
[Water Affinity: You've never killed anyone.]
[Fire Affinity: %￥@￥@...]
[Lightning Affinity: Fight, fight! I love watching this.]
[Wind Affinity: Just wondering—between Water Affinity and Fire Affinity, which one is stronger?]
[Earth Affinity: Wind Affinity, you sure know how to fan the flames.]
As Uchiha Yang fished and listened to the bickering inside him, a faint smile played at the corner of his mouth.
This... was life.
The Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan fought this battle at Lixin Lake.
It was where the Uchiha ancestor Indra and the Senju ancestor Asura had once fallen out for good and fought a great battle.
Lixin Lake had been carved out by the two of them, and its name had come from their conflict.
"Kill!!!"
"Senju Butsuma, you ambushed my clan's territory! You despicable coward! I'll kill you!"
"Uchiha Tajima, what a shame I didn't kill all your people! Hahaha!"
Behind them, countless clansmen charged forward one after another, their eyes filled with bloodlust and nothing else.
Killing the scum on the other side and avenging their clansmen had become the only thing keeping both sides going on the battlefield.
When Uchiha Tajima learned that their clan's territory had been attacked, fury ignited in the hearts of the clan elders beside him.
They were fighting and dying on the battlefield to keep their people safe back home.
And now, their home had almost been stolen from right under their noses.
Uchiha Tajima immediately ordered his forces to fight the Senju scum to the death.
The entire Uchiha camp was like a pot of water boiling over. It erupted into chaos.
They were determined to fight the Senju scum to the bitter end.
The deeper the love, the fiercer the hatred. Such was the profound love hidden within the Uchiha Clan.
Only those who had been on the battlefield could understand just how cruel it was.
People could die at any moment. You never knew where an ambush would come from and end your life.
You had to stay alert at all times, your nerves taut. It was a living hell, where life and death were beyond your control.
Over the three-year war, the Uchiha and Senju had lost a combined total of twenty elite jonin.
Any one of those jonin could have supported a small clan on their own. That showed just how important they were.
They were the pillars of their clans, and both clans had now lost more than ten.
The losses had reached their limit. If the war continued, neither the Senju nor the Uchiha could bear the cost.
When a giant whale falls, all things thrive.
Once a clan's strength weakened enough to tempt the other shinobi clans, it didn't matter whether you were Senju or Uchiha—you'd be surrounded and devoured.
Bodies drifted across Lixin Lake, its waters stained red with blood. Some belonged to the Senju, others to the Uchiha.
"Follow me! Kill every last Uchiha bastard!"
As they fought, Senju Butsuma realized his side had gained a clear advantage. Victory went to his head in an instant.
Desperate to win the battle, Senju Butsuma couldn't pass up this rare opportunity. Whether it was a trap or not, nothing could hold back his eagerness now.
Uchiha Tajima fought as he retreated. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly, but his gaze held a calmness that had been there for a long time.
After a while, a tremendous explosion rang out, its shock wave sweeping in every direction like a raging sea.
"Uchiha Tajima!"
Senju Butsuma's terrified, anguished cry rang out clearly through the explosion.
"I've won! Hahaha!"
Uchiha Tajima staggered to his feet, blood still at the corner of his mouth as his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun frantically.
"To lure you here, I had to pay a heavy price."
"You're ruthless. You actually planned to die with me."
Senju Butsuma rose in agony, his eyes fixed on Uchiha Tajima.
He had never imagined Tajima would use himself as bait.
Many Senju shinobi nearby had been killed or wounded. One Senju Elder had even perished in the explosion.
Many Uchiha had died in the blast as well. He was ruthless to his enemies, and even more ruthless to himself.
But the Uchiha elite jonin with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan had prepared in advance. When he realized death was unavoidable, he used Izanagi.
At the cost of one Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he survived the destructive force of the explosion.
"Kill!"
Uchiha Tajima raised his sword and shouted the final order.
At their clan leader's command, the Uchiha shinobi charged forward without regard for their lives.
Victory was within reach. Countless Uchiha shouted in excitement.
"Clan leader, get out of here! As long as you're safe, the clan will survive this crisis!"
A Senju Elder, who had lost an arm in the explosion, stepped in front of Senju Butsuma.
"Everyone, help me cover the clan leader's retreat!"
The Senju Elder gave his clansmen a resolute order.
"No. You leave. Even if I die, I'm taking Uchiha Tajima with me."
Senju Butsuma's gaze was firm. He had already made up his mind to die together with Uchiha Tajima.
I've lost this war, but don't think you'll win so easily.
Before you continue