THE EVIL OF UCHIHA BYAKUYA

On the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched silently as the Uchiha clan's forces marched out of Konoha.

Standing behind him were the usual elders: Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō.

"It seems the Uchiha have already begun to mobilize..." Hiruzen muttered, exhaling a long puff from his pipe.

Koharu spoke up sharply, "Then it's time we put our countermeasures in motion."

"Yes. If we let them grow bolder, we may not get another chance," Homura added grimly.

The two elders were clearly agitated—especially after recent humiliations at the hands of Byakuya. Their calls for action were growing louder, more desperate.

Their plan was simple—and ruthless: leak the Uchiha's movements to the Sand Village, provoke a direct confrontation, and let another village weaken them under the guise of war. It would be the perfect pretext.

Hiruzen's expression hardened, though he still avoided open endorsement of such tactics. "...Danzo, this task falls to you."

Danzo gave a thin, knowing smile. "Leave it to Root. We'll ensure the message reaches the right ears."

As the others turned to leave, Hiruzen shifted topics. "What about the Wood Release project?"

Ever since witnessing the raw power of Byakuya's Mangekyō Sharingan, Hiruzen had grown increasingly uneasy. He longed for the stabilizing force once represented by Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.

Danzo nodded confidently. "We've made progress. With the support you've provided, we've finally found test subjects who can endure the strain. It's only a matter of time before we replicate the First Hokage's power."

Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. "Good. Accelerate it. I fear we'll need that strength soon."

A moment passed in silence before Hiruzen asked coldly, "What's the situation within the Uchiha clan? Any potential dissidents?"

Koharu stepped forward. "There is one… Uchiha Fugaku. Formerly the Security Division leader and once the clan head's heir. After being defeated and imprisoned by Byakuya, he holds a deep grudge."

"Interesting..." Hiruzen mused. "If he can be turned, we might yet fracture the clan from within."

Homura added, "He's under watch, but with the right opportunity, we may be able to extract and reinstate him."

"Do it," Hiruzen ordered. "If Byakuya falters, we'll need someone to assume control over what remains."

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Land of Fire...

Byakuya led a group of Uchiha shinobi at high speed through the forested terrain. His expression suddenly darkened.

"Everyone, halt." His Mangekyō Sharingan spun to life.

Within moments, the illusionary cover ahead dissolved, revealing a concealed squad of enemy shinobi.

"It's an ambush! Sand-nin!"

Without hesitation, Byakuya launched a massive fireball jutsu.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

The blazing sphere roared across the clearing and erupted with a violent boom, setting the forest alight and sending several hidden enemies flying.

"Aghhh!"

Explosions and screams followed as the Sand Ninja scrambled from their positions.

"We've been exposed! Attack, now!"

A unit of Sand shinobi poured out from the shadows, flinging kunai and casting jutsu.

But the Uchiha were ready. One by one, Sharingan eyes lit up as they retaliated with precision and fury.

"It's the Sand Shinobi! Don't hold back!"

"Crush them—leave none standing!"

A brutal skirmish erupted.

Although the Sand ninja had planned their ambush meticulously, they were unprepared for the sheer combat prowess of the Uchiha elite, especially under Byakuya's command. Despite their numbers, they were quickly overwhelmed.

For Byakuya, it was more than just victory—it was fuel.

[You have absorbed the hatred of the Sand Ninja. +500 negative energy. Genjutsu +8.]

[You have absorbed the pain of the Sand Ninja. +600 negative energy. Ninjutsu +9.]

With each enemy that fell, his strength grew subtly—but steadily.

"Tch… This wasn't random," Byakuya muttered under his breath. "They knew we'd pass here…"

"How did the Sand Ninja know our route...?"

After swiftly dispatching the ambushers, Uchiha En frowned, puzzled.

It wasn't just him — many of the Uchiha on the battlefield looked equally confused.

Since leaving Konoha, their unit had been moving rapidly and deliberately avoided main roads.

Even if the Sand had conducted reconnaissance, there shouldn't have been enough time to predict their exact path — let alone organize an ambush at this specific location.

"Hmph. What's so strange about that?"

Byakuya stood at the center of the battlefield, brushing dust off his shoulder with a faint smirk.

"Someone leaked our route. That's all there is to it."

"What?! Who would betray us like that?!"

Uchiha En's chakra surged slightly as he clenched his fists.

"This kind of betrayal could've gotten us all killed!"

Byakuya turned toward the Konoha tactical advisor nearby.

"Nara Shikaku. You're sharp — surely you've already figured out who leaked the information?"

Shikaku stiffened. He hadn't expected to be addressed so directly.

Truthfully, he'd already connected the dots.

There weren't many with access to the operation's exact route.

And of those who did, only one had the motive to undermine the Uchiha clan under the cover of a war.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The Third Hokage had long viewed the Uchiha with suspicion, and wartime provided the perfect smokescreen for "accidents."

But Shikaku was also a pragmatist.

"...Without clear evidence, we can't make assumptions," he said carefully.

"However, now that our route has been exposed, I suggest we alter our course immediately — we need to minimize further risk."

"I agree with Shikaku," Tsunade added, walking over with a hardened expression.

"If the enemy knew where to hit us once, there's a strong chance they've set up another ambush ahead.

We should take a detour, regroup, and re-evaluate."

Any typical commander might have followed that advice.

But Byakuya wasn't typical — and his confidence was matched only by his power.

"No. We continue as planned."

His voice was calm but resolute.

"If the Sand want to throw themselves at us, then we'll crush them head-on."

"Are you serious?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

"You'd risk walking into another ambush?"

Byakuya looked ahead at the horizon, his Mangekyō glinting faintly.

"It's not a risk. It's a certainty. And I want them to come."

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