THE EVIL OF UCHIHA BYAKUYA

Although the Third Kazekage had been killed by Byakuya, the truth of his death remained concealed. It was precisely his mysterious disappearance that drove the Sand Village to suspect foul play by Konoha and prompted their aggression—eventually igniting the flames of the Ninja War.

Yet, Byakuya never revealed that it was him who killed the Third Kazekage. To this day, the cause of the Kazekage's death remains an official mystery within the ninja world.

Beyond the Kazekage's death, there was nothing else linking Byakuya directly to the war. The decision to attack Konoha had been entirely Sunagakure's own. Thus, when Byakuya claimed that it was the Sand Village who initiated the war, he wasn't wrong.

"What!? Am I wrong!?"

"It was your Sand Village that attacked ours first!"

Byakuya's cold words cut deep as he stared at Pakura. She couldn't help but hesitate.

She knew—what he said was true.

The Sand Village had indeed launched the first strike against Konoha, hoping to catch the Leaf off guard. But now, facing Byakuya's overwhelming strength, that decision seemed increasingly reckless.

"So it's fine for your Sand Village to attack Konoha..."

"But Konoha can't strike back?"

Byakuya's voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made Pakura falter. She had been raised to serve and protect Sunagakure, but in this moment, doubt crept into her heart.

The truth was plain: they had started the war, and now they were facing the consequences.

"Damn it... Why am I even thinking like this...?"

Shaking off her hesitation, Pakura hardened her expression and reignited her resolve.

"It doesn't matter what you say! I will protect the Sand Village!"

Her Burning Release surged again, scorching hot orbs forming around her as she launched them toward Byakuya. The attacks were fierce—born of desperation and loyalty—but ultimately meaningless.

Compared to Byakuya, Pakura's power was like a candle against a wildfire.

"It's useless... No matter how hard you fight—it's all in vain."

"You will all stay here."

Byakuya quickly formed hand seals.

"Uchiha Flame Formation!"

Four blazing walls of fire erupted, forming a towering square barrier that encircled the entire Sand Village. It was the signature defensive barrier of the Uchiha clan—one few could break from either side.

A few unsuspecting Sand Ninjas crashed into the barrier.

"Aghhh!"

"Flames—it's a barrier!"

"Master Chiyo! What now!?"

"There are still many of our comrades trapped inside!"

Rasa and Chiyo, having escaped first thanks to their speed and strength, turned back with grim expressions.

"This barrier... it's too strong," Chiyo muttered. "We can't break it in time."

"We retreat," she said, her voice flat. "Those inside… we can only give up."

Her words stunned even Rasa. But he knew she was right. The longer they stayed, the greater the danger. If Byakuya caught up to them, all hope would be lost.

"Damn it... Fine," Rasa growled. "Let's move. The survival of the Sand Village depends on us now."

They turned away from the village, abandoning their comrades.

"Elder Chiyo...! Master Rasa...!"

"Why are you running!?"

"You're leaving us behind!?"

The desperate cries of the trapped Sand Ninjas echoed behind them, unanswered.

"Damn you!..."

"This is a barrier—you're dead!…"

Pakura, determined to stop Byakuya, glanced around and saw the barrier closing in on the trapped Sand Ninjas. His expression darkened.

But without hesitation, Pakura charged at Byakuya once again.

"I told you already…"

"Your resistance is meaningless…"

"Fūinjutsu—Black Binding Seal!" Byakuya declared, pointing directly at Pakura.

Suddenly, complex black sealing formulas (fūin-shiki) surged from Byakuya's fingertip and shot toward Pakura. In an instant, the seal struck his chest.

"Urgh...!"

The black ink-like formulas rapidly spread from Pakura's chest across his limbs, etching themselves into his skin like cursed script.

"Wha—my chakra… I can't mold chakra…!"

His limbs weakened. Chakra flow was disrupted. Pakura collapsed helplessly to the ground, unable to move.

"This is... a sealing technique," he muttered, realizing his chakra network had been completely locked down.

But it didn't stop there.

The sealing inscriptions spread out like a plague, forming a black wave that surged toward the rest of the Sand Ninjas inside the barrier.

"Ahhh! What is this!?"

"My chakra—it's gone!"

"It's a sealing jutsu! Stay back!"

"No use—it's too fast!"

"Someone—help us!!"

Panic spread like wildfire, but the black seals were faster.

One after another, Sand Ninjas were overtaken. The inked symbols latched onto their bodies, suppressing their chakra and forcing them to the ground.

Within moments, the entire Sand Village's fighting force was neutralized—completely sealed and rendered immobile.

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