Bonus Chapter
-------------
📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
---------
"Water Country, Kirigakure," Uchiha Haru said slowly, emphasizing each word with deliberate calm.
Long before the night of the Uchiha clan's near-extermination, he had already found a refuge for the clan—the Hidden Mist Village, located in the Land of Water.
Kirigakure was one of the five great ninja villages in the world. Its territory was surrounded entirely by sea, isolated far from the mainland, almost cut off from other nations. For the gravely wounded Uchiha clan, this remote sanctuary was the perfect place to recover and rebuild their strength.
"Water Country... Hidden Mist Village..."
At the mention of those words, the Uchiha clan members furrowed their brows in unease.
A white-haired, hunched old man slowly approached Haru. His presence commanded immediate respect—he was the Great Elder of the Uchiha clan, a figure of immense influence and wisdom. Even Fugaku, the clan's former head, treated him with utmost deference and never showed the slightest carelessness.
But the Elder's status alone wasn't the reason. Despite his rank, he was humble and kindhearted, free of guile. The clan revered him deeply. Haru himself held the Elder in high regard.
"Uchiha Haru," the Great Elder said solemnly, "Kirigakure is not a place you want to go."
His face was etched with grave concern. "Though the Hidden Mist Village is isolated, stories about it have spread far and wide—and nearly all are terrifying."
"In recent years, the Fourth Mizukage, Karutagi Yagura, suddenly changed. Something took hold of him, and he ruled Kirigakure with ruthless cruelty, establishing horrific systems. Other ninja villages have dubbed it the Village of Blood Mist."
"Even the Hidden Mist ninja themselves could not endure the regime. Many rebelled and fled."
"How can we possibly seek refuge in such a place?"
The other Uchiha clan members nodded grimly in agreement.
"Yes, I have heard of the Blood Mist Village. It's a place shrouded in fear."
"I think we need to find somewhere else."
"You really can't go to Kirigakure!"
The voices rang out in opposition.
Clearly, even these ordinary clansmen had heard the chilling tales of the Blood Mist Village.
But Uchiha Haru remained calm.
As a time traveler, he knew all too well what had transpired.
Still, he chose Kirigakure for the clan's refuge.
Naturally, he had his reasons.
According to the original timeline of the Naruto world, the Hidden Mist Village was currently under the control of the Masked Man.
The Masked Man used powerful genjutsu to manipulate the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, plunging the village into chaos and tyranny.
This dark era persisted until the truth was uncovered—that Yagura was being controlled—and the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, rose to power, restoring order.
What Haru intended to do now was accelerate this timeline.
He would expose the Masked Man's control over Yagura and support Mei Terumi's ascension to the Mizukage, thereby securing a safe haven for the Uchiha clan.
These plans were complex and shocking, unsuitable for broad discussion.
So he simply said lightly, "Great Elder, I understand everything you've said... but I still choose to go to the Hidden Mist Village."
Beyond that, Haru said nothing more.
The Great Elder was startled. Doubt flashed across his face before giving way to deep thought.
He had earned his position as the Great Elder not just through age but through wisdom. Though his body had grown frail, and his legs ached, his mind remained sharp.
He could tell that the young man who had saved them from Konoha was no ordinary person. If Haru chose this path, there must be a reason.
Still, it was confusing.
Other Uchiha members wore varied expressions.
The more perceptive among them suspected Haru had hidden plans.
Some younger clan members had fully pledged their trust in Haru, believing in every choice he made.
But there were also those who, despite their reservations, held back from speaking out.
This restraint was partly due to the prestige Haru had invisibly established on the night of the clan's near destruction.
His words carried tremendous influence.
On that night, Haru had not saved everyone indiscriminately; he had saved selectively.
Almost all those rescued were valuable—people who could be useful to him.
Those deemed useless or potentially troublesome were left behind.
Thus, when Haru's decisions contradicted traditional clan understanding, no one dared openly oppose him.
It was not by chance but by design.
"Very well," the Great Elder finally said after a long pause.
Though it went against his instincts, he accepted Haru's decision.
His wrinkled face softened into a kind, gratified smile.
"Uchiha Haru, you are the pillar of our clan. I trust your judgment and believe you will lead us through these dark times."
If even the Great Elder, with his immense status, agreed, the rest of the clan members had even less reason to object.
Seeing no dissent, Haru nodded firmly.
His voice was resolute, filled with conviction.
"Don't worry, Great Elder. Don't worry, everyone."
"I promise the Uchiha clan will reclaim the glory of its past."
At his words, hope flickered in their eyes.
It was the hope for a brighter future.
After making the decision, Uchiha Haru sent someone to complete the handover with Konoha.
The agreed payment had to be taken immediately.
Otherwise, what if they regretted it later?
All debts could not be left unpaid or on credit—they had to be settled in cash!
Finally, after a few hours, everything was done. Haru gathered his people and funds and set out for their destination: the Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water.
As for the discussions and heated debates sparked by the Uchiha clan's high-profile departure from Konoha—those were not his concern. He had no interest in paying attention to such things.
He was confident that the Third Hokage and Danzo would handle all the fallout.
So, forward they went.
Not long after leaving Konoha, three figures suddenly appeared in front of the Uchiha group.
The one in the center wore a black robe, a katana sheathed at his side. His face was masked—half-covered with a crimson mask striped in black, revealing only one eye.
On his left stood a teenage boy of about thirteen years, with a handsome, delicate face and long black hair tied loosely. Two prominent tear grooves marked his pale cheeks.
On the right was a man with long, straight black hair, a frighteningly pale complexion, and snake-like pupils.
They were the Masked Man, Uchiha Itachi, and Orochimaru.
Under the dazzling morning sun, their elongated shadows cast a heavy sense of oppression.
Everyone knew how fearsome these three were!
But the Uchiha clan members showed no fear at all.
Because Uchiha Haru was here. No matter who appeared, they had no reason to be afraid.
Haru stepped forward alone to face the three Kage-level powerhouses.
Partly because of his own strength, but mostly because he sensed the Masked Man bore no ill intentions.
If the Masked Man had wanted to act, wouldn't it have been better to team up with the Third Hokage and Danzo last night?
Why come now?
Haru also wanted to see what the Masked Man was after.
"Still want to fight?" Haru asked calmly, his gaze fixed on the Masked Man.
"Heh."
The Masked Man chuckled, his voice low and tinged with an air of authority.
"Young people tend to be too extreme. Many problems cannot be solved with fighting and chaos. I only care about interests."
Young people?
Was the Masked Man really so fond of playing the fool?
Others might not know who the Masked Man truly was, but Haru did.
In terms of age, he was probably not much older than Haru himself.
But interests…
Clearly, the Masked Man came for a reason.
Haru calculated silently but remained composed on the surface.
The Masked Man continued, "Uchiha Haru, after last night's events, I admire your strength."
"But remember, nothing in this world stays the same. Everything changes."
"Today's enemy may be tomorrow's friend—and vice versa."
"Even if you refuse to join my organization, we are not necessarily enemies."
"Before, we worked for Konoha—just for money and to help them get rid of trouble. After today, we have nothing to do with Konoha."
"We are not your enemy."
He paused, looking Haru directly in the eyes, hoping to dissolve any hostility.
After all, he had seen Haru's strength—he might be useful one day.
Then the Masked Man lowered his voice and whispered, "Konoha is trying to exterminate the entire Uchiha clan. I'm sure you've seen the corruption and depravity of Konoha."
"If one day you take revenge and attack Konoha, perhaps I'll choose to help you."
Though his voice was quiet, it was clear enough that Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi heard every word.
After speaking, the Masked Man turned and returned to Orochimaru and Itachi.
Suddenly, a transparent vortex appeared in the air. The bodies of the Masked Man, Itachi, and Orochimaru became increasingly ethereal until they vanished completely.
Win them over?
Haru's expression twisted slightly.
It wasn't surprise that the Masked Man might try to win him over—he had expected it.
After all, the Masked Man would become an enemy to the entire ninja world.
Naturally, he would seek strong allies.
And given his enmity with Konoha, it made sense to reach out now.
What really puzzled Haru was what he planned to do next.
Currently, Kirigakure was effectively under the Masked Man's control.
What would the Masked Man's reaction be when he learned that the person he had won over—Uchiha Haru—had destroyed Kirigakure under his authority?
Haru wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
------------------
This Week Bonus Chapter - 200 Power stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
3rd Bonus Chapter - 600 Power Stones
-------------
📢 Support the Novel & Read Ahead!
Love the story and can't wait to see what happens next?
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Thank you for reading, and I truly appreciate your support! 💖
---------