Konoha Year 47, Sumr
Deep within an abyss-like cave, an old man, his long hair spilling around him and his back pierced by vine-like tubes, instructed a young man. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling weakly, signalling that his life was nearing its end. Beside them stood a black humanoid figure and two white ones, resembling pitcher plants.
"Go," the old man rasped. "Take my eyes. If you can find a worthy successor for them. Nurture him, teach him, guide him."
"Now it's upto you if you want to achieve our dream, whether from shadows or you can step into the light and overturn this decaying Shinobi World."
"The Tens of Thousands of White Zetsu, and the embodint of my will shall serve you loyally from now on. They will assist you. My ninjutsu, my experience, my weapons... everything I have gathered over the years belongs to you now"
"You have inherited all I possess... save for my eyes."
"From this day forward, you are... Madara Uchiha. The Asura of the Shinobi World."
"Rember your mission!"
"When I return, the world will be cleansed."
---
Konoha Year 48, Autumn
The autumn night sky stretched vast and desolate. A few scattered stars flickered faintly before being swallowed by the darkness, a black expanse like spilled ink.
A blood-red full moon hung high above, casting an eerie glow upon the pale earth below.
'A Blood Moon... a harbinger of misfortune.' Within the Uchiha compound, Fugaku Uchiha, now a man in his thirties, stared up at the crimson moon, a knot of unease tightening in his chest. 'Why do I feel so uneasy?'
Fugaku paced his courtyard, the ominous feeling growing stronger with each passing mont. Given his strength, such premonitions were rare. The last ti he'd felt this way was over twenty years ago, during the Second Shinobi World War.
'Just days ago, Minato and I discussed the Uchiha's future,' he mused. 'The outco seed promising.'
Thanks to his wife Mikoto's close friendship with Kushina, the Hokage's wife, Fugaku, as head of the Uchiha Clan, had successfully forged a connection with the Fourth Hokage.
Their similar ages ant they had plenty to talk about. Fugaku admired the Fourth's character, while Minato respected Fugaku's composure, forging a close personal bond between them. Few could find fault with the Fourth Hokage's gentle nature and exceptional skill.
'Could the Third Hokage have rejected my proposal? Or is soone interfering? The Council? Danzo?' Fugaku frowned. 'Even so, the Uchiha's future should be bright... as long as Minato fully secures his power as Hokage. As long as Minato is Hokage-'
*BOOM!*
Before Fugaku could finish his thought, a deafening roar tore through the air, the very ground shaking beneath him.
Fugaku whipped his head towards the source of the sound, freezing instantly. His eyes widened, pupils shrinking to pinpricks, his face twisting in sheer disbelief.
He had no ti to dwell on it. Now he understood the source of his unease.
Before him raged a colossal beast, dozens of ters tall, a monstrous, nine-tailed fox cloaked in crimson chakra.
"Nine-Tails!"
"ROAR!" A hateful bellow echoed through Konoha.
'Damn it! Kushina!' Fugaku realized instantly. His pupils flared blood red, three black tomoe spinning fast within them, the Sharingan.
"All Uchiha who haven't awakened the Sharingan, evacuate the elderly and children imdiately! Escort them to safety! Elite Sharingan users, gather here now!" Fugaku acted swiftly, organizing his clan while summoning his best shinobi, intending to provide aid.
Knowing his bond with Minato, Fugaku understood how much Kushina ant to the Fourth Hokage. He would protect her, even at the cost of his own life.
The Fourth Hokage, was the Uchiha's only hope. He was the only one in Konoha's leadership who didn't mistrust the Uchiha Clan.
'Nothing can happen to him!'
Just then, over a dozen figures in black cloaks and animal masks rushed before Fugaku. The leader, twin swords strapped to his back, blocked Fugaku's path, his voice as cold.
"Clan Head Fugaku. By order of Danzo-sama, all mbers of the Uchiha Clan are forbidden from leaving the compound. And take Account for the whereabouts of every Uchiha imdiately."
The masked man's paused before continuing, "Anyone who fails to comply will be designated a missing-nin and executed on the spot. No exceptions!"
"What is the aning of this?!" The command struck the gathered Uchiha like cold water hitting hot oil, igniting instant fury.
"Why target us? Just because you're ANBU?" one Uchiha spat, his hand tightening on his kunai. Others glared, radiating hostility, ready for battle.
"Fugaku-sama," several Uchiha stepped forward, seeking permission to engage. With a single word from their clan head, they would tear these masked shinobi apart.
But Fugaku wasn't listening. He stared blankly towards the village center, towards the rampaging Nine-Tails. A sinking feeling erged in his stomach, as his hands felt numb. Bitter understanding washed over his face.
The eyes of the Nine-Tails... they were unmistakably Sharingan.
Soone was controlling the beast with the Uchiha's kekkei genkai.
And the entire Shinobi World knew only the Uchiha possessed the Sharingan.
It was impossible to explain away. The proof was obvious, even if innocent. No one would believe them now.
"Fugaku-sama," the masked leader pressed with an undisguised threat. "Are you defying Danzo-sama's orders?"
The air grew thick with tension.
Fugaku knew these weren't the Hokage's ANBU. The masks, the cold efficiency-these were Root shinobi, Danzo Shimura's private force. They were known to be more ruthless, more cold-blooded, and often more powerful than standard ANBU.
He raised a hand, signalling his clansn to stand down. Though displeasure flickered across their faces, the Uchiha obeyed, lowering their weapons but not dispersing. They gathered closer, a silent, simring confrontation with the Root operatives.
Fugaku realized with dawning horror that Root must have already been near the compound, they couldn't have arrived so quickly otherwise. He couldn't tell if Root had always been nearby, monitoring them, or if their presence tonight was part of a larger, orchestrated event.
If the forr, Root was spying on the Uchiha. If the latter... it was a conspiracy aid directly at his clan.
Neither possibility boded well.
'Danzo.' Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
'Trust Minato,' he told himself desperately. 'Right now, I can only trust Minato.'
---
anwhile, the very man Fugaku placed his trust in, Fourth Hokage Minato, had just used the Flying Thunder God to evade an attack, countering with a Rasengan that slamd a masked man into the ground. Catching his breath for only a mont, he vanished again using his spatial ninjutsu Flying Thunder God.
---
Beneath an altar, a blond baby struggled to open his eyes.
'Where am I?' he thought hazily. 'So cold... so tired.'
'Wait... what...?'
His vision cleared, focusing on a horrifying sight: a gigantic fox head, steaming breath fogging the air, fangs bared, looming impossibly close.
His mind reeled, a single, frantic thought consuming him.
'Is the Nine-Tails?!'
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