Right after that, Lianhuo beside him also removed his dog-face mask, revealing an equally young face with resolute eyes and an active Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
The air inside the cave seemed to freeze instantly.
Uchiha Hachidai's pupils contracted to pinpoints. His Sharingan activated on its own, the three tomoe spinning madly as he stared fixedly at Shaoyu's face.
Inabi behind him sucked in a sharp breath, his body jolting as the words nearly burst from his mouth.
"You... you're... Shaoyu?! And Lianhuo?!"
"Uchiha... Shaoyu?"
"That deserter..."
"How is that possible?!"
The other Uchiha chunin and jonin who recognized him—or who knew that Shaoyu had been rather famous within the clan back then—also stirred. Disbelieving murmurs buzzed through the cave.
No Uchiha present was unaware of the mass defection a year ago that had shaken both Konoha and the Uchiha Clan.
As a leading figure among the Hawk Faction's younger generation at the time, Shaoyu's departure had remained a taboo subject within the clan, one surrounded by complicated discussions.
The shock on Uchiha Hachidai's face slowly turned into profound conflict. He stepped forward, his voice hoarse with turbulent emotion.
"Shaoyu... it really is you? You controlled those... those monsters? Who are you working for now... Kumogakure?"
His gaze involuntarily swept over Shaoyu and Lianhuo.
Facing Hachidai's and all the clansmen's uncertain, suspicious gazes, Shaoyu slowly spoke. His voice was clear and steady, carrying the calm detachment of someone long accustomed to authority.
"Senior Hachidai, Senior Inabi, and my fellow clansmen. It has been a long time. Yes, it is I, Uchiha Shaoyu. As for whom I serve now..."
He paused.
"Kumogakure, naturally."
He looked around, his gaze passing over face after face, some familiar and some unfamiliar, yet all bearing Uchiha features. His tone hardened.
"Senior Hachidai, Senior Inabi, and my fellow