Chapter 12

Ren found it strange. His grandfather had provided him with endless funds and a luxurious life, but rarely spoke with him. After all, his grandfather was often busy.

Coming to see Ren at night like this was truly the first time in all these years.

His grandfather smiled kindly. "Do you find it strange? This is also the first time I've come to see you at night, but there are some things I need to tell you!"

Hearing that, Ren's expression instantly calmed. He looked at his grandfather. "Some things... are they about my parents?"

His grandfather nodded. "Sometimes, I truly don't want to tell you these things. But since you've chosen the path of a ninja, there are things you should know!"

After saying that, his grandfather stared at Ren. "Ren... do you truly want to become a ninja?"

Ren looked back at his grandfather, his gaze firm. "I've already decided. In this world, those with power are ninjas. If I want to control my own Destiny, I can only become a ninja. Especially in these war-torn times, peace is as fragile as a sheet of paper. A weak person may survive under protection, but without that protection or any strength, only destruction remains. Powerful ninjas can even easily destroy Konoha. I don't want to become an ordinary weakling who has to rely on others for protection!"

Mysterious Grandfather

A faint sigh echoed through the silent bedroom.

Ren's grandfather sighed softly, and a trace of sternness appeared in his kind eyes. "Seeking power? Is that Destiny? But Ren, do you know what being a ninja means?"

Ren's eyes were filled with thought as he nodded. "I know. Ninjas represent strength, but they also represent life and death. Once someone becomes a ninja, they walk along the edge of life and death. Especially now, during this Warring States Era, it's even more so!"

Without a doubt, being a ninja was an extremely dangerous profession. Unfortunately, in this lawless world, only strength could ensure survival. No matter how much money one had, it could not become a life-saving tool. Perhaps if a few ninjas were displeased, that wealth would become the very thing that claimed one's life.

"Ah..." His grandfather let out a long sigh before finally saying, "So be it... Since you've made up your mind and your heart is firm, I can give you what your grandfather left behind!"

After speaking, his grandfather stood and walked toward one corner of Ren's bedroom.

Shock filled Ren's eyes. "Grandfather... my grandfather left behind relics? What is going on?"

Ren was astonished. Since his birth, he had not even met his own parents, much less his grandfather.

Without saying a word, his grandfather walked to the corner of the bedroom and formed hand seals. "Release!"

"What... Grandfather has Chakra!" Ren cried out.

In that instant, Chakra burst from his grandfather's body. Ren had never imagined that his kind-looking grandfather was actually a ninja—and seemingly not a weak one at that!

Not only that, under Ren's shocked gaze, a strange technique appeared in the corner of the wall, and a dark opening gradually emerged.

"A secret room!"

Seeing the opening, Ren could not help but exclaim in admiration. He had once searched the house for a secret room, but after years of searching, he had found no trace of one. Who would have thought it was right before his eyes, inside his own bedroom?

His grandfather said, "Come with me. There are some things you should know!"

Hearing that, Ren immediately followed his grandfather into the passage.

The moment he stepped into the dark passage, candles lit up around him.

The candlelight illuminated the cavern, allowing Ren to clearly see the passage.

The passage was ancient, built from old bricks, and looked as though it had stood for many years.

The passage was not long, only about a hundred meters.

In the blink of an eye, they entered a vast room.

His grandfather stopped and said calmly, "This is it. This is the secret you've always sought, the secret of our family, and the secret of your grandfather! Ah..."

After speaking, his grandfather let out another long sigh.

Only then did Ren clearly see the scene before him. It was a secret room. Though it was large, there were not many things inside.

Several display cases held scrolls, along with a few ancient suits of armor and some weapons.

Aside from those, what caught Ren's attention most was a pair of eyes.

Ren said, "The Sharingan!"

His grandfather said, "That's right... those are the Sharingan. They were also your grandfather's eyes."

His words were filled with melancholy and a trace of gloom.

Ren said, "Then does that mean I'm also from the Uchiha Clan?"

His grandfather paused, lost in memory. "You could say that, but you also couldn't. Although you are from the Uchiha Clan, you do not belong to the Uchiha Clan. As for why, that begins with your grandfather."

Your grandfather was once a ninja, an elite of the Uchiha Clan and a captain responsible for combat. It could be said that he had once ranked among the top ten within the Uchiha Clan. The man your grandfather followed throughout his life was the one known as the taboo of the Uchiha Clan—Madara Uchiha."

At the mention of Madara Uchiha, his grandfather could not help but tremble. Then he looked at Ren. "Ren... perhaps you do not know who Madara Uchiha is, but remember this: never approach that man."

Ren nodded. Naturally, he knew what kind of person Madara Uchiha was. Yet he truly had not expected his own grandfather to be connected to Madara Uchiha.

His grandfather continued, "That night, Madara Uchiha, who had been wandering outside, returned. He informed the Uchiha Clan that he intended to rebel and create a peaceful world. Unfortunately, the Uchiha Clan had already grown accustomed to comfort, and no one was willing to follow Madara Uchiha. But your grandfather was different. He worshipped Madara Uchiha beyond measure and swore to follow him unto death.

Your grandfather was not the only one. Some other Uchiha Clan members also followed Madara Uchiha. Unfortunately, before that plan could begin, the First Hokage had already found Madara Uchiha first.

I still remember that night. Madara Uchiha sent an order, telling your grandfather to take away the things within the Uchiha Clan that belonged to him. He was about to fight a great battle, a war that would decide the future.

After that night, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju fought. Their battle shook the heavens and darkened the earth, but Madara Uchiha ultimately lost. When your grandfather learned of this, he simply could not believe it. He did not believe Madara could lose, nor did he believe Madara could die. Thus, your grandfather and those companions who had followed Madara chose to conceal their names and identities, waiting for Madara's return.

Later, your grandfather's persistence came true. Madara Uchiha was actually resurrected and appeared before him. However, Madara Uchiha did not choose to rebel again. Instead, he chose to hide. He told your grandfather to continue hiding, then had the clan members who had betrayed him killed. He even arranged a stable identity for your grandfather before leaving Konoha with some of his belongings. Your grandfather chose to remain hidden and sealed away these things.

Originally, your grandfather had intended to pass these things down to your father. Unfortunately, although your father was young, your grandmother had died because of Madara Uchiha. Thus, he was filled with hatred toward Madara Uchiha. He even came to hate your grandfather, so your father chose not to inherit them and did not even want to become a ninja. After your grandfather died, your father sealed these things away."

At this point, Ren no longer knew how to describe what he felt. Learning that he was from the Uchiha Clan today had already shocked him beyond belief. He had never expected even more shocking news: his grandfather had been one of Madara Uchiha's subordinates. His grandmother had died because of Madara Uchiha's rebellion. His father had hated Madara, hated Ren's grandfather, and sealed away the things that had originally belonged to Madara.

After learning all this, Ren found it unbelievable, but he also knew that with Madara Uchiha's charisma, there would inevitably be people willing to follow him.

Terrifying Inheritance

In the silent secret room, unbelievable revelations faintly lingered in the air.

His grandfather said, "Ren... do you find it strange now? Why did your grandfather choose to be loyal to Madara Uchiha?"

Ren smiled faintly. "For someone like him, it's perfectly normal to have followers. It would be stranger if no one followed him!"

His grandfather gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "That's right... it would be strange if someone like him had no followers. In truth, I was originally an ordinary ninja. During the Warring States Era, my clan was wiped out. In the end, your grandfather saved me and brought me into the Uchiha Clan, where I became his servant. After your grandfather died, your father married my daughter, and then you were born. Unfortunately, your mother had been physically weak since birth, while you showed extraordinary traits from the moment you were conceived and required a great deal of nourishment. Thus, when you were born, your mother died due to her Innate frailty. Your father even developed resentment. Overwhelmed by grief and joy, he lost control of his emotions and chose to take his own life.

Their deaths caused your grandfather immense grief. But your existence gave me hope again. I raised you and gave you the very best, yet I never wanted you to become a ninja. That was your father's dying wish. He did not want you to suffer the pain of being a ninja, nor did he want you to become one of Madara Uchiha's subordinates. Your father knew that man would return sooner or later. Once he did, you would have to face a choice.

But since you chose to become a ninja, I'll make an exception and give these things to you. Your grandfather originally prepared them for your father, but now they all belong to you!"

Ren looked at the items in the secret room: scrolls, weapons, armor... there were only these few things, and their number was exceedingly small.