Shinji Uchiha dragged his battered body across the long border, his chakra almost depleted, until Konoha's familiar gates finally came into view.
Though he had severely wounded Rasa in their battle and established his reputation as a near-Kage-level fighter, the cost had been steep.
Despite receiving initial treatment, the wound on his left arm still ached. Deeper still was the exhaustion of both his mind and his chakra.
He needed rest, needed time for this body, tempered by fire and bloody battle, to recover fully.
Yet the moment he entered the village, before he could submit his mission report to the Hokage's office, an unusual atmosphere enveloped him.
The village was as lively as ever, but beneath the bustle seemed to run an undercurrent of indescribable gloom.
Especially along the road to the Uchiha Clan Compound, the clansmen he encountered had lost some of their usual reserve and pride. In their place were worry and unease they could not conceal.
An ominous premonition silently coiled around Shinji's heart like a cold snake.
He quickened his pace and headed straight for the residence of the clan leader, Kagami Uchiha.
The closer he drew, the heavier the oppressive atmosphere became.
Many clansmen had already gathered outside the residence of their own accord. They stood in silence, their eyes full of unease.
The moment they saw Shinji return, every gaze converged on him. Those looks were complex and difficult to read, holding concern and awe, but above all, the hope of people who had found someone to rely on-and the grief buried beneath it.
"Shinji!" A figure pushed through the crowd. It was Torai.
His eyes were red, fresh tear tracks marked his face, and his voice choked. "You're finally back! The clan leader-he-
He-"
Shinji's heart sank. His worst fears had come