That evening, Uchiha Fugaku was somewhat tired after a busy day. He returned to the clan grounds, walked home, and pushed open the front door.
As he entered, he saw no one in the courtyard. The door to the house stood ajar, light spilling through the gap in a long strip.
It fell across the tatami just inside the threshold.
"Mikoto?"
He called out, but no one answered.
At that moment, the house was frighteningly quiet.
A subtle sense of alarm rose in him, and he quickly drew his shuriken and kunai.
He hurried down the corridor and pushed open the sliding door to the back courtyard. The courtyard was empty, with an overturned cup on the ground and tea spilled everywhere.
His expression turned extremely grim.
Following the footprints on the ground, Fugaku strode to the storeroom behind the house.
The storeroom door was closed, but the latch was unfastened. The moment he opened it, he saw Uchiha Mikoto bound to a wooden pillar inside, her mouth sealed with sealing jutsu, unable to move.
She did not appear to have any injuries.
Her eyes were frantic. She shook her head wildly, repeatedly gesturing to the side.
He shifted his gaze. On the floor beside her, Sasuke lay face down on a folded garment, tear tracks on his face. His breathing was steady, as though he had cried himself to sleep.
"I'll get you out right now!"
Fugaku hurried forward, only to stop abruptly midway, because a strange figure in black robes had already emerged between Uchiha Mikoto and Sasuke Uchiha.
The scarlet eyes hidden beneath the mask were indistinct, and his voice was hoarse.
"Uchiha Clan Head, I suggest you avoid doing anything rash. I can't guarantee they won't get hurt."
Uchiha Fugaku tightened his grip on his kunai,