THE EVIL OF UCHIHA BYAKUYA

If it were an ordinary ninja, knowing there was an ambush ahead, they would have immediately changed their route.

But Byakuya was not an ordinary shinobi.

As a time traveler blessed with knowledge of the future and possessing the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Byakuya had unshakable confidence in his strength. To him, the Sand Ninja ambush wasn't a threat—it was an opportunity. They weren't enemies; they were walking sources of negative energy that would only make him stronger.

The rest of the group, however, didn't understand this confidence.

Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief after hearing Byakuya's decision.

"What!? Keep going!?" she exclaimed.

"Do you even know how to lead a team?! That's suicide!"

Clearly, Tsunade was opposed to his plan.

"Lord Byakuya... I also advise changing the route," Nara Shikaku added cautiously. Despite joining the team under Sarutobi Hiruzen's secret orders to monitor Byakuya, even he couldn't stay silent now. Marching directly into an ambush seemed reckless, even for someone with Byakuya's power.

"There's no need," Byakuya replied calmly. "We proceed as planned. If the Sand Ninja dare to attack, we'll crush them."

Shikaku hesitated. "But—"

"No more discussion," Byakuya interrupted firmly. "Just follow orders."

"…Understood." Shikaku gave a small nod and began reorganizing the team.

A short distance away, Inoichi glanced over and asked in a low voice, "Shikaku, what's going on? Are we really not changing our route?"

"Byakuya didn't agree," Shikaku answered quietly. "We're continuing forward."

"Is he insane? Does he want to walk into an ambush?" Choza muttered in disbelief. Even someone as straightforward as Choza understood the danger here.

"I don't know what he's thinking," Shikaku admitted. "But he's in command now… and we follow orders."

Though Shikaku still found Byakuya's judgment questionable, there was little he could do.

Later, as the team prepared to resume their march, Shikaku discreetly summoned a messenger eagle, tied a scroll of encoded information to its leg, and released it into the sky. The message was intended for Hiruzen, updating him on the situation.

Just as the bird flapped its wings and rose into the air—whoosh—Byakuya appeared beside it and snatched it from the sky effortlessly.

"L-Lord Byakuya!" Shikaku blurted, shocked by his sudden arrival.

Reacting quickly, he said, "I was just sending a report to the Hokage about our losses. It's standard procedure—"

"There's no need to explain. I know exactly what you're doing," Byakuya cut in calmly. "You're reporting intelligence to Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Shikaku tensed, fearing the worst.

"But I don't care," Byakuya added, releasing the eagle. "Let him have his little games. I have no interest in them."

The eagle soared into the distance.

Shikaku stood frozen. He had expected Byakuya to destroy the message—or worse. But instead, he simply walked away.

"Shikaku... what was that?" Inoichi asked quietly.

"I thought he was going to eliminate us on the spot..." Choza muttered, still gripping his kunai tightly.

Shikaku slowly exhaled. "We all underestimated him. That kind of composure and foresight... it's something Sarutobi Hiruzen himself lacks."

…

In the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in silence as he read over the intelligence scroll Nara Shikaku had sent back from the field.

"Koharu, Homura—take a look at this," Hiruzen said gravely, handing the report to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

After reading the contents, Koharu's eyes narrowed. "Sarutobi, is this accurate? The Uchiha are pressing forward despite confirmed reports of an ambush?"

"Has Uchiha Byakuya lost his mind?" Homura added, his voice laced with disbelief. "Charging into a trap knowingly—what kind of fool tactic is this?"

Hiruzen shook his head slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "According to Shikaku's assessment, the information is reliable. Uchiha Byakuya detected the enemy's ambush, yet chose not to alter the route. Instead, he intends to confront them head-on."

"Reckless," Koharu muttered.

"Typical Uchiha arrogance," Homura scoffed. "This is what happens when a child is given too much power too early. He thinks raw strength is all that matters on the battlefield."

Hiruzen exhaled a long plume of smoke from his pipe. "Byakuya may possess the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but war isn't won by eyes alone. Strategy, coordination, and timing—these are what determine survival."

"To think he would be so naive…" Koharu said, a glint of satisfaction in her voice.

"Let him rush to his death," Homura said coldly. "The battlefield will correct his arrogance."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Prepare to contact Uchiha Fugaku. If Byakuya falls, we'll need Fugaku to reestablish command over the Uchiha clan—quickly."

"For once, fate may be on our side," Koharu said, her voice low and pleased. "That boy's downfall might be the turning point we need."

Hiruzen didn't respond. But deep down, a sense of vindication welled within him. If Byakuya perished, the balance of power in Konoha would shift once more—away from the Uchiha, and back into their hands.

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