Konoha, Summer — Year 47
Deep within a vast, abyss-like underground cavern, an elderly man with long hair, his back entangled in vine-like tubes, gave final instructions to a young man. His breathing was labored, chest heaving with each gasp. His voice was barely a whisper—his time was almost up.
Standing silently beside them were three humanoid figures resembling pitcher plants—one black, two white.
> "Go. Take my eyes and seek out a successor. Raise him, teach him, guide him."
> "You may choose to remain hidden in the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes..."
> "Or you may step into the light—and throw this decaying shinobi world into utter chaos."
> "The hundred thousand White Zetsu, and the embodiment of my will, are now yours to command. My ninjutsu, my knowledge, my weapons, and everything I've amassed over the years—starting now, they all belong to you."
> "You inherit everything… except these eyes."
> "From this day forth, you are the Shura of the Shinobi World—Uchiha Madara."
> "Remember your mission."
> "The day I return… will be the day we cleanse the world."
---
Konoha, Autumn — Year 48
The autumn night felt lonely and bleak. A few stars flickered in the distance, but soon faded into the ink-black sky. Overhead, a blood-red full moon loomed eerily large, casting its glow over a pale, desolate land.
A crimson moon in the sky… an omen of ill fortune.
In the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Fugaku, now in his thirties, stared at the blood moon, unease creeping into his heart.
> Why do I feel so unsettled?
He paced back and forth in his courtyard. The more time passed, the stronger the foreboding became. With his strength, it was rare to feel fear. The last time he had this feeling was decades ago—during the Great Ninja War.
> Just a few days ago, I discussed the Uchiha clan's future with Minato. Everything looked promising.
Thanks to his wife's close friendship with the Fourth Hokage's wife, Kushina, Fugaku had built a strong connection with Minato Namikaze. Their age gap wasn't large, and they shared common ideals. Fugaku respected Minato's character; Minato admired Fugaku's calm wisdom. They were friends in and out of politics.
Minato's warm personality and brilliant leadership made him hard to dislike.
> Did the Third Hokage veto our proposal? Or is someone meddling from behind the scenes? The Elders? Danzo?
> Even if so, the Uchiha future remains bright. As long as Minato secures his power, as long as he's the Hokage—
BOOM. A deafening roar split the sky, followed by violent tremors. Fugaku whipped his head toward the source—and froze.
His pupils shrank. His face twisted with horror.
Towering above the treetops, a monstrous creature loomed—it had nine swaying tails and burning red fur.
> "The Nine-Tails!!"
> "ROOOAAR!!" The furious scream echoed through the Hidden Leaf Village.
> "No… something's happened to Kushina!" Fugaku's eyes turned blood-red as his Sharingan activated—three tomoe spinning rapidly.
> "All non-awakened Uchiha! Evacuate the elders and children immediately! Elite Uchiha with active Sharingan—assemble on me!" he commanded without hesitation.
He knew how much Kushina meant to Minato. Even if it cost him his life, she had to be saved. Minato was the Uchiha clan's only hope—the one Hokage who never feared or distrusted them.
> He must not fall!
Suddenly, a group of black-clad figures wearing animal masks appeared in front of Fugaku. The leader, with twin blades crossed on his back, raised a hand.
> "Clan Head Fugaku. By order of Lord Danzo, no Uchiha may leave the compound. You are all to be investigated immediately. Any violations will be considered acts of rebellion and punished with death—on the spot."
> "What?!"
The words exploded like water into hot oil.
> "Why are you targeting the Uchiha?! Who do you think you are—just ANBU?!"
Angry murmurs erupted as more Uchiha joined the scene. Some had already drawn their kunai, ready for combat.
> "Fugaku-sama," said one of them, stepping forward. "Just give the word and we'll cut them down!"
But Fugaku remained frozen, staring past them at the giant fox in the distance. His body was cold, trembling, face tight with bitterness.
The Nine-Tails… had Sharingan eyes.
Someone had used the Uchiha's kekkei genkai to control the beast.
And the whole world knew—only the Uchiha possess the Sharingan.
There was no way to explain this.
> It's like getting mud in your pants—it doesn't matter if it's not poop. It sure looks like it is.
> "Fugaku-sama, are you defying Lord Danzo's orders?" The masked ninja's voice was icy, filled with threat.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Fugaku knew these weren't standard ANBU. They were ROOT, Danzo's private force. Stronger, colder, more ruthless.
He raised his hand and signaled his clan to stand down. Though frustrated, the Uchiha obeyed—but didn't leave. More arrived, forming a growing standoff against ROOT.
Fugaku realized something else was wrong.
ROOT had shown up far too quickly.
> They were already nearby. Either they were spying on us... or this was planned all along.
> Either way—it spells trouble for the Uchiha.
His eyes narrowed.
> Danzo…
> All I can do now is trust Minato.
---
Meanwhile, in the village, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had just used Flying Thunder God to dodge an attack and slammed a Rasengan into the ground, smashing a masked man with tiger stripes into the earth.
Panting lightly, he vanished again in a blur of space-time.
---
Beneath the altar…
A blond baby slowly opened his eyes.
> Where… am I? So cold… so tired…
> Didn't I… wasn't I just—
A massive, snarling fox head loomed inches from his face, steaming hot breath fogging the air.
All he could think was:
> What the f—?!
The Nine-Tails is sitting on my face?!