Naruto’s Dump Station

Chapter 17: The Mysterious Grandfather

A sigh broke the silence of the bedroom. Ruofeng’s grandfather exhaled softly, his kind gaze tinged with seriousness.

“Pursuing power… Is this truly your destiny? Roofing, do you know what it means to be a ninja?”

Ruofeng’s eyes filled with contemplation as he nodded. “I do. Ninjas represent power, but they also embody life and death. Once you become a ninja, you are constantly walking on the edge of both. Especially now, in a time of war.”

There was no doubt—being a ninja was a perilous profession. In a world where no legal system upheld justice, only the strong could survive. Wealth alone was meaningless; it could not guarantee one’s life. Perhaps some ninjas cared nothing for money if it meant risking their existence.

“Alas…” His grandfather sighed once more before finally speaking. “It seems you have already decided. Your heart is resolute. Then, what your grandfather left behind… I can now entrust to you.”

With that, his grandfather stood and walked toward a corner of Ruofeng’s bedroom.

Ruofeng’s eyes widened in shock. “Grandfather… What is this? My grandfather’s relics? What is going on?”

He was bewildered. Since birth, he had never even seen his parents, let alone his grandfather. How could such things exist?

His grandfather said nothing. Instead, he reached the corner of the bedroom and formed a hand seal. “Release!”

“What… Grandfather, you have chakra?!” Ruofeng exclaimed.

At that moment, chakra flared from his grandfather’s body. Ruofeng had never imagined that the gentle old man before him was a ninja—and not a weak one, at that!

Under Ruofeng’s stunned gaze, the wall before them shifted as a complex jutsu activated. A pitch-black hole emerged from the corner of the room.

“A secret chamber!”

Ruofeng gasped in admiration. He had searched for hidden rooms in their home before, spending years investigating, but had never found a trace of one. Who would have thought that the secret had been hidden within his bedroom?

“Come with me,” his grandfather said. “There are things you must know.”

Ruofeng inhaled deeply before following his grandfather into the passage.

As they stepped inside, candlelight flickered to life around them, illuminating the path. The passage was ancient and simple, constructed from weathered bricks that bore the marks of age.

It was not long—perhaps a hundred meters. In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a large chamber.

His grandfather halted and spoke solemnly. “This is it. Here lies the secret you have sought—the secret of our family and the truth about your grandfather.”

He let out a deep sigh.

Ruofeng took in the scene before him. The chamber, though spacious, was sparsely furnished. A few counters held scrolls, ancient armor, and weapons. But what caught Ruofeng’s attention the most was a pair of preserved eyes.

“Sharingan!” Ruofeng whispered in shock.

His grandfather nodded. “Yes… These are the Writer’s Wheel Eyes. They once belonged to your grandfather.”

There was a melancholy in his voice, shadowed by something darker.

“In that case… Am I also of the Uchiha Zan?” Ruofeng asked hesitantly.

His grandfather paused, a nostalgic glint in his eyes. “You could say that… but also, not quite. While you have Uchiha blood, you do not belong to the Uchiha Zan.”

Ruofeng furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

His grandfather exhaled heavily before continuing. “Your grandfather was once an elite ninja of the Uchiha Zan, a captain in battle. He ranked among the top ten in the Zan’s hierarchy. But his loyalty belonged to one man—the forbidden Uchiha… Zan.”

At the mention of the name, his grandfather trembled slightly before looking at Ruofeng. “Ruofeng… You may not know who Uchiha Zan is, but remember this: never approach him.”

Ruofeng nodded. He had heard of Uchiha Zan, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined his grandfather was involved with such a figure.

His grandfather continued, “One fateful night, Uchiha Zan returned from exile. He declared his intent to rebel, to create a peaceful world through war. But the Uchiha Zan, having grown complacent in peace, refused to follow him.

Your grandfather, however, was different. He admired Uchiha Zan immensely and swore to follow him to the death. He was not alone—others in the Zan also pledged their loyalty.

Unfortunately, before the rebellion could even begin, the First Hokage discovered Uchiha Zan’s plans.

That night, Uchiha Zan gave orders. Your grandfather was to retrieve what rightfully belonged to him. He prepared for a great war, one that would determine the future. But the battle came… and the Uchiha lost.”

His grandfather’s voice grew heavier. “Your grandfather was devastated. He could not believe that Zan had been defeated. He refused to accept that Zan had perished. So he and the remaining loyalists chose to vanish, burying their names and waiting for Zan’s return.

And their patience was rewarded. Uchiha Zan did return—resurrected. But instead of continuing his rebellion, he chose to hide. He ordered your grandfather to remain concealed as well. He hunted down those who had betrayed the Zan and secured a new, peaceful identity for your grandfather. Then, taking some of his belongings, he left the Hidden Leaf Village.

Your grandfather, too, remained in hiding. He sealed these relics away. Originally, they were meant for your father. But your father—”

His grandfather’s voice faltered. “Your father… He was young when your grandmother died because of Uchiha Zan’s rebellion. That tragedy filled him with hatred—hatred for Zan, hatred for your grandfather. He refused to inherit anything from him. He rejected the path of a ninja entirely. And so, after your grandfather’s passing, your father sealed these things away.”

Ruofeng stood in silence, his heart pounding. The revelation that he was of Uchiha blood was shocking enough. But to learn of his grandfather’s allegiance to Uchiha Zan? That his grandmother had died because of Zan’s rebellion? That his father had forsaken their legacy out of hatred?

It was overwhelming.

Yet, he could not deny the truth. Uchiha Zan had a charisma that drew people to him, no matter the cost.

Ruofeng clenched his fists, uncertain of what this knowledge meant for his path.

And for his destiny.