The Uchiha Clan's Third Leader

"The world of Naruto really was beautiful!"

As the sun set, its lingering glow spilled across the high hillside, carving a boundary of interwoven light and shadow into the grass. A gentle breeze swept over the endless plains, stirring ripples through them as though a beautiful painting were slowly unfolding.

Yan Hong could not help but marvel at the beauty before him, even though he had already spent eight years in this world.

Yan Hong, surname Uchiha, was the younger brother of Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna!

Eight years ago, a chance transmigration had brought Tian Feng, a young man from the new century, into the world of Naruto. His soul had entered the body of the eight-year-old Uchiha Yan Hong.

This was the chaotic Warring States Era. In the Land of Fire, the Senju and Uchiha Clans had led a war that had lasted for centuries. The war had brought countless deaths, including that of the eight-year-old Uchiha Yan Hong.

But at the instant Yan Hong's original body died, Tian Feng's soul had been reborn within it, miraculously reviving him. From that moment onward, Tian Feng had become Uchiha Yan Hong!

As Madara and Izuna's younger brother, Yan Hong's talent was naturally outstanding. Or rather, because of his transmigrated soul, his talent might even surpass Madara's. He had awakened his Sharingan at only ten, mastered every ninjutsu of the Uchiha Clan, and this year, at sixteen, had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan!

Eight years of life had allowed him to completely integrate into this world and fully grow accustomed to living as Uchiha Yan Hong. Therefore, he did not want the Uchiha Clan to repeat the tragedy of annihilation from the original story. He wanted to lead the Uchiha Clan down a different path to greatness!

"Yan Hong, what are you doing here? The meeting is about to start!"

A call came from behind him. Yan Hong turned around, looked at that familiar yet handsome face, and replied softly, "Second Brother, I know."

Izuna patted Yan Hong on the shoulder. "What's troubling you again? Tell me. If there's anything, your second brother will help you deal with it. If I can't, we'll find Big Brother."

Yan Hong sighed helplessly after hearing that. "Sigh, Second Brother, that's exactly what's troubling me most."

Perhaps because all their other younger brothers had already died, Yan Hong had become the youngest. After Uchiha Tajima's death, Madara and Izuna had cared for him in every possible way. They did not keep him confined to the camp, but every mission assigned to him was the sort even a dog could complete if it were swapped in—completely safe and utterly without challenge.

But Yan Hong was not actually weak. With his Mangekyo Sharingan, by the standards of the future ninja villages, he was at least Kage-level.

Besides, if he wanted to become stronger, he had to constantly engage in real combat. In the world of Naruto, only the strong had the final say!

"Ahem, well, we'll talk about that later. Let's go to the meeting first. Don't keep Big Brother and the others waiting." Izuna naturally knew what Yan Hong wanted to say. He gave an awkward laugh, then turned and headed toward the camp.

Behind him, Yan Hong shook his head. Every time he suggested taking on a more difficult mission, his two brothers always rejected it in one way or another.

Following Izuna into the great tent at the center of the Uchiha territory, Yan Hong found that the rest of the Uchiha higher-ups had already taken their places. At the head of the gathering sat his eldest brother, Uchiha Madara.

He wore a black, form-fitting combat outfit beneath layered red armor. His long black hair flowed freely down his back, and his gaze was cold and sharp. His entire body radiated an overwhelming aura of supremacy, though only upon seeing Izuna and Yan Hong did a hint of warmth flash through his eyes.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin." Madara leaned slightly back against his chair, arms folded before his chest, and said in a deep voice, "The Senju Clan has sent us their final declaration of battle. They have agreed to hold the final battle on the first day of next month at the Ishikari Plain. What do you all think?"

"Then let's do it! Why should we fear them?"

"That's right! When has the Uchiha Clan ever feared anyone?"

"Kill them all!"

The atmosphere below immediately became heated and impassioned, making Yan Hong shake his head. The Uchiha Clan could be called the darlings of the ninja world. As long as they awakened the Sharingan, their strength would soar. In one-on-one combat, they could stand undefeated!

It was precisely this powerful bloodline limit that had forged their arrogant and warlike nature. They saw everyone else as nothing more than prey waiting to be slaughtered and disdained the very idea of forming alliances with other clans.

"Ahem, Big Brother, I'd like to say a few words." Yan Hong spoke up, and the moment he did, everyone else fell silent and turned toward him with trusting, reverent gazes.

Aside from his status, Yan Hong had often proposed many novel and useful battle plans during ordinary operations. On numerous occasions, these plans had allowed the Uchiha Clan to win with ease, giving him tremendous influence and credibility within the clan.

Seeing Madara give a slight nod, Yan Hong said slowly, "This battle must be fought, but we cannot just charge in blindly."

As he spoke, Yan Hong stood and walked to the map inside the great tent, pointing at a location on it. "According to intelligence, this place is called the Heno River. It is where the Senju Clan stores its provisions, guarded by their allies, the Uzumaki Clan. If we want a greater advantage in the final battle, we must send people to destroy this place."

Everyone raised their heads to look. After a long while, someone finally asked, "But this place is behind the Senju Clan's lines. We can't get there."

Yan Hong shook his head. "It's not that we can't get there. We just can't send too many people. A small group can infiltrate without being easily discovered, but too few troops will make it difficult to destroy their granary. Therefore, the people taking part in this mission must include experts."

"What are you getting at?" Madara frowned, apparently having already understood Yan Hong's meaning.

"As expected, I can't hide anything from Big Brother." Yan Hong gave a bitter smile. "What I mean is, let me lead people to carry out this mission."

"No!" Two voices rang out simultaneously, just as expected!

Izuna even shot to his feet in agitation. "Do you know how dangerous this is? Leaving aside how strong the defenses at the Heno River are, have you considered that even if you succeed, it will draw the Senju Clan's attention? You could very well be surrounded and trapped there. I don't agree, no matter what!"

"Second Brother, you know my ocular techniques. As long as Senju Hashirama himself does not come, I will have no problem protecting myself. Your chakra and Big Brother's are too conspicuous, while I rarely take part in major missions, so they do not pay much attention to me. That makes me the most suitable candidate."

Finally, Yan Hong looked at his two brothers and said sincerely, "Big Brother, Second Brother, a ninja must be prepared to die. I cannot live under your protection forever, so this time, let me go."

"You..." Izuna still wanted to say something, but Madara raised a hand to stop him. As the eldest brother, Madara looked at Yan Hong, a complicated light flashing in his eyes. After a long silence, he finally said, "You may go on this mission, but you must promise me one thing. If it cannot be done, prioritize your own safety."

"Big Brother, thank you." Yan Hong nodded slightly, then looked at Izuna. "Don't worry, Second Brother. I'm not ready to die yet."

"You... sigh..." Izuna let out a sigh. "I'll help draw the Senju Clan's attention. Just be careful."

"Yeah, no problem."

The night was as dark as ink.

On a moonlit hillside, Yan Hong stood at the front. The night wind blew through the long hair over his forehead, revealing a pair of scarlet Sharingan that contained two powerful ocular techniques!

Behind him stood the eight ninjas accompanying him on this mission, all of them battle-hardened elite Uchiha shinobi!

Yan Hong took a deep breath.

"Move out!"