CHAPTER 27
The Illusion of Truth
The sky darkened over Konoha, casting long shadows over the training ground. Uchiha Mina felt strangely out of sync today.
During Uchiha Tunan's guidance, she found herself distracted, her movements sluggish and imprecise.
"Mina, if you're not feeling well, you should head home and rest," Tunan said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Snapping out of her daze, Mina blinked and forced a weak smile. "I'm sorry, Tunan-kun. I think I didn't sleep well last night."
Tunan ruffled her hair gently. "Then get some rest. I still have something to take care of."
She nodded and turned toward home, her steps unsteady.
However, upon arriving, her heart clenched at the sight before her—her beloved cat lay dead in the courtyard, its small body lifeless. A single note rested beside it.
Her breath hitched as she picked it up. Scrawled on the paper was a location—the waterfall deep in the forest.
Rage ignited in her chest. Her Sharingan flared to life, the single tomoe spinning violently. Without hesitation, she let the note fall and dashed into the night.
---
The dense foliage of the forest swallowed the moonlight, the air heavy with damp earth and the distant roar of the waterfall.
Mina crouched behind a thick tree trunk, peering through the leaves.
Near the water's edge, Hyūga Chiretsu emerged from the river, her pale skin glowing under the moonlight. She stepped toward Uchiha Tunan and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"Tunan-kun, I love you," she murmured, her voice trembling.
Hidden in the shadows, Mina's fingers curled into fists, her nails biting into her palm. That bitch…
Tunan gently pulled Chiretsu's hands away and sighed. "Chiretsu, I understand your feelings… but I've always seen you as a sister."
Chiretsu took a step back, her Byakugan eyes widening. "Who is it, then? Who do you love?"
Tunan's voice was steady, unwavering. "I've always loved Mina. My heart belongs to her."
Mina gasped softly, her fury dissolving into a warmth that spread through her chest.
Chiretsu, however, trembled with anger. "Why her? What does she have that I don't? I can be anything you want, Tunan-kun!"
"Chiretsu, have some dignity," Tunan said coldly, turning away from her. Without another glance, he disappeared into the night.
Chiretsu collapsed onto the grass, sobbing.
Mina emerged from the shadows, silent as a specter.
The cat… the seduction… this woman had tried to take everything from her.
A dark voice whispered in her mind. Kill her. Kill her.
Her grip on the kunai tightened.
In the moonlight, Chiretsu didn't even notice as Mina raised the blade.
With a swift motion—
Shff!
The kunai sliced cleanly through Chiretsu's throat.
The Hyūga girl's body crumpled, her severed head rolling onto the grass, her lifeless Byakugan eyes staring into the void.
Mina gasped, stumbling backward. Blood dripped from her trembling hands.
I killed someone…
Panic set in. If anyone finds out, I'll be executed.
She turned to flee, but then she froze.
The Yamanaka clan… they can read the memories of the dead.
A desperate plan formed in her mind.
Her Sharingan spun furiously as she formed the necessary seals.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu."
A massive fireball engulfed the head, reducing it to ash.
The evidence destroyed, Mina turned and ran toward Konoha, her heart pounding.
---
As she neared the village gates, she nearly collided with Uchiha Tunan.
"Mina?" he asked, eyes filled with concern. "What are you doing out here so late?"
Forcing herself to stay calm, she offered a shaky smile. "I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk."
Tunan nodded, seemingly unbothered. "It's dangerous at night. Let me walk you home."
Without waiting for an answer, he took her hand and led her through the quiet streets.
The silence between them stretched until Tunan suddenly spoke.
"Mina… I like you. Would you… be with me?"
Mina's breath caught in her throat.
She wanted to say yes. But how could she? There was blood on her hands, and her mind was unraveling.
"Tunan-kun… I need to tell you something."
He stopped walking. "What is it?"
"I… I killed Chiretsu Hyūga."
Her confession tumbled out in a whisper, her voice shaking. "I was so angry. She killed my cat… she tried to take you from me… I lost control. Tunan-kun, what do I do?"
Tunan exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
Then, with quiet resolve, he said, "As your boyfriend, I'll protect you."
Mina's eyes widened. "But—"
"Calm down." His voice was firm. "Tomorrow, I'll go to Hokage-sama and plead for leniency."
"Tunan-kun…"
"I love you."
He leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Then, with a swift motion, he knocked her unconscious.
---
Back at Mina's house, Tunan sat beside her sleeping form, sweat beading his forehead. His Sharingan, now three-tomoe, spun intensely.
With a deep breath, he deactivated it.
He carefully placed the note back beside the cat's body in the courtyard, ensuring the scene matched his plan.
It was a perfect setup. The evidence pointed to an obvious conclusion, and Konoha's investigation would be shallow.
The truth would be buried.
As he stepped into the shadows, Tunan smirked.
Tomorrow would be interesting.