CHAPTER 23

A full moon rose high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the dense forests of Konoha.

In the dimly lit woods, Chirei Hyūga wandered aimlessly, his white eyes reflecting the moonlight.

Shadows from the gnarled branches on either side of the narrow path stretched across the ground, creating an eerie atmosphere. A chilling breeze rustled the leaves, whispering through the trees like the ghosts of the past.

Chirei eventually reached a familiar clearing near a waterfall. His gaze softened with a fleeting trace of nostalgia.

As a child, his mother used to bring him here for picnics.

He remembered splashing in the cool waters below the cascade, washing away the dirt from play. On lucky days, he'd even catch a fish or two with his bare hands.

But ever since she passed away, he had never returned.

Slowly, Chirei crouched down, running his fingers through the damp soil.

A voice from his past echoed in his mind—Uchiha Tunan's lectures on battle tactics.

> "Detonating tags are best placed in advance as traps. Environmental factors, especially humidity, can affect their efficiency. If the paper becomes too damp, the explosion may fail. But there are ways to counter this."

> "One method is layering dry leaves over the tags to delay moisture absorption. Another is dusting them with powdered lime. If time permits, burying them in dry soil can help preserve their functionality. Of course, for high-grade, weatherproof tags, these precautions aren't necessary."

Chirei reached into his pouch, retrieved a handful of dry soil, and spread it on the ground. Then, he carefully pulled out three explosive tags and laid them on the prepared surface. Covering them with another layer of soil, he concealed them beneath a bed of fallen leaves.

A flicker of cold determination crossed his face.

"Tunan... don't blame me."

With that, Chirei turned and made his way toward the river, unfastening his robes as he walked.

Splash.

He stepped into the cool water, letting it envelop him. Resting his arms on the riverbank, he gazed down the moonlit path, waiting for Uchiha Tunan to arrive.

---

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha district...

Uchiha Mina had just returned home.

As she stepped through the doorway, her eyes fell upon a small, lifeless form on the floor.

Her breath caught.

"Xiaoxue..."

Tears welled in her eyes as she stumbled toward the cat's corpse.

Its tiny body was crushed, its abdomen reduced to pulp. The wide-eyed expression of terror frozen on its face sent a shiver down her spine.

"Who… Who did this?!"

This cat was more than just a pet. It was her most cherished companion—the first gift Uchiha Tunan had ever given her.

Her trembling fingers reached for a note beside the body.

Unfolding the paper, her vision blurred with emotion as she read:

> "If I can't have it, I'd rather destroy it.

I left a note in the classroom desk. It will tell you where I am."

Mina's fists clenched, the paper crumpling in her grasp.

"Hyūga Chirei... I'm going to kill you."

Her Sharingan awoke.

The single tomoe in each eye spun slowly, reflecting the deep-seated rage within her.

But there was no time to dwell on her newfound power. She wiped her tears, steadied herself, and sprinted toward the academy.

---

In the moonlit forest...

Uchiha Tunan walked along the secluded path leading to the waterfall. His steps were silent, his presence undetectable—like a predator stalking its prey.

Though Konoha's forests were mostly free of dangerous creatures, aside from those sealed away in the Forest of Death, he had long since trained himself to remain vigilant.

"Coo... Coo..."

An owl's cry echoed in the distance.

He glanced at the time. It was precisely nine o'clock.

Right on schedule.

The rustling of water grew louder as he neared the waterfall. Over the steady roar, he heard the distinct sound of Chirei Hyūga splashing in the river.

Under the moon's pale light, Chirei rested his arms on the riverbank, gazing at him with a peculiar expression.

"Tunan-kun, you're here."

Tunan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, feigning nervousness.

"Ah… I didn't mean to intrude at the wrong time."

He immediately turned away, giving an exaggerated display of flustered politeness.

Behind him, Chirei's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"You're right on time. Wait for me."

The sound of water shifting followed. Then, the soft rustle of bare feet stepping onto fallen leaves.

"Alright, you can turn around."

Tunan turned back—and suddenly, Chirei Hyūga wrapped his arms around him, pressing his head against his chest.

The cold touch of wet skin sent a faint shudder through Tunan. His eyes, concealed behind his glasses, flickered with something unreadable.

"You..."

Chirei held him tighter, his voice a whisper.

"Tunan-kun, I like you. Did you know that?"

Tunan remained silent, carefully considering his response. His gaze drifted past Chirei, toward the damp ground behind him. A trail of water led from the river to their feet.

A sly smile tugged at Tunan's lips, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"I… I know."

Chirei clung to him, his grip desperate.

"Do you like Mina?"

Tunan's smile returned—just a ghost of one. His hand traced gently along Chirei's damp back.

"Why would you think that? She's like a sister to me."

A pause.

Chirei sighed, resting his forehead against Tunan's chest.

"I hate it... being a Hyūga."

His voice trembled.

"The Hyūga clan doesn't allow intermarriage with outsiders. And as a branch family member, I was branded with the Caged Bird Seal from birth. No freedom. No future. Not even the right to love."

Tunan's fingers trailed lower, stopping at Chirei's waist. His other hand lightly patted his back.

"There must be a way."

Chirei exhaled, relaxing slightly under Tunan's touch.

"My parents were weak, yet the clan still forced them into war. They had no choice. My father died on the battlefield, and no one even told me. The clan never cared."

His voice grew bitter.

"They taught me loyalty to the main family from childhood. But I don't want to be loyal—I want them to pity me. To see me as worthless. To cast me out."

Tunan's expression remained unreadable.

"Naive."

Chirei closed his eyes, unaware of the quiet mockery flickering across Tunan's face.

"Sometimes I think about ending it all... But I can't. Because of you, Tunan. You make me want to live."

Tunan continued to stroke his back with slow, deliberate motions.

"You're gentle… and kind..."

Chirei's voice wavered, his tears soaking into Tunan's robe.

Tunan patted him again—this time, a little firmer.

"Really? You're not thinking about ending it anymore?"

"I..."

"Then just stay like this for a while."

Chirei buried his face in Tunan's chest, not noticing the cold glint that briefly passed through his companion's gaze.