CHAPTER 31

"Stop it!"

"Shunk!"

A kunai pierced Uchiha Mina's heart with ruthless precision.

In the next instant, two Konoha guards flanked Uchiha Tunan, pressing their kunai against his neck.

"Damn it," Yamanaka Shunkawa growled, his face twisted in fury. He turned sharply to Yamanaka Ryotomo, who was still staggering at the doorway.

"Hurry! Inform Takuya-sama!"

Ryotomo, just emerging from the effects of the genjutsu, blinked in confusion. After a brief daze, he quickly turned and bolted out of the room.

A bitter laugh escaped Uchiha Tunan's lips, his Sharingan glistening with fresh blood tears. Ignoring the blades against his throat, he leaned down, pressing a final, gentle kiss onto Uchiha Mina's cold forehead.

"Mina... I love you..."

At that moment, Yamanaka Takuya entered the room, his sharp gaze scanning the scene. He took a step forward and paused, his expression unreadable.

"What happened here?"

Yamanaka Shunkawa immediately stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"I'll report, Takuya-sama. This is what transpired..."

Takuya listened in silence, his eyes flickering toward Uchiha Tunan, who remained frozen in place, his face a mask of loss. After a long pause, Takuya finally spoke.

"Record everything. The rest of you, leave us."

"Understood."

As the others filed out, Uchiha Tunan ignored Takuya's presence and began unfastening the metal restraints binding Mina's lifeless body. Only her blindfold remained.

Carefully, he lifted her into his arms. Without hesitation, he turned toward the door, his movements slow and deliberate.

"You…" Takuya started, raising a hand as if to stop him.

But then he hesitated, sighed, and lowered his hand.

"Go."

Uchiha Tunan turned his pale, grief-stricken face toward Takuya and whispered hoarsely, "Thank you."

With that, he walked away, staggering slightly under the weight of both the body and his emotions.

For some reason, as Takuya watched him leave, a deep sadness welled up in his chest.

"His Sharingan… He's already using it with such precision. Even two Chunin couldn't stop him. This level of talent…"

Takuya's gaze dropped to the report in his hands.

"I'll let Hokage-sama decide."

---

Instead of heading straight to the cemetery or the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Tunan took a different route—one that led him through the bustling streets of Konoha's commercial district.

After all, what was the point of tragedy if there was no audience?

Villagers whispered among themselves, casting him sorrowful glances, some pointing discreetly. The sight of a grieving Uchiha boy carrying a lifeless girl was bound to attract attention.

Several Konoha guards instinctively moved to intervene, but a hidden ANBU, assigned by Sarutobi Hiruzen, subtly signaled them to stand down.

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed into his crystal ball, his face grim.

"Where is he going?" he murmured to himself.

From his perspective, Uchiha Tunan was in a dangerously fragile state.

"In just three months, he's lost his brother, his parents, his classmates… and now, his love. Family, friendship, love—everything is gone."

Hiruzen sighed deeply, his fingers interlocking as he leaned forward.

"If it were any other child, they would have succumbed to hatred by now… or simply fallen into despair. Tunan, I hope you don't let me down."

---

Uchiha Tunan finally stopped outside the Ninja Academy, settling onto the old swing at its entrance—the very place where he and Mina had first met.

From the shadows, multiple ANBU operatives kept silent watch.

"Mina… this is where it all began," he murmured.

His fingers lightly tugged at the blindfold covering her face, just enough to glimpse her still, wide-open eyes—frozen in horror.

He sighed, shaking his head.

"If you're going to stare like that, better keep them covered. Wouldn't want to scare anyone."

Pretending to choke back sobs, he carefully lowered the blindfold again.

After ensuring the act had played its part, he rose and walked toward the cemetery to complete Mina's burial.

He spent the entire night kneeling at her grave.

Though many villagers had heard of the tragedy, no one dared disturb him. It was clear that someone—most likely Hiruzen—had ordered for him to be left alone.

Because now was the perfect moment—the moment when he was most vulnerable.

And sure enough, as the first light of dawn crept over Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared behind him.

"Tunan… You must be strong. Mina wouldn't want to see you like this."

Slowly, Uchiha Tunan turned to face him. His eyes were red, his lips trembling.

"Hokage-sama…"

"Tunan…"

"Hokage-sama… I… I promised Mina I would be strong… but I…" His voice cracked as tears welled in his eyes again.

He wiped them furiously.

"The dust… it's getting in my eyes…"

Hiruzen watched the boy with a sorrowful expression. Gently, he placed a hand atop Tunan's head.

"You've suffered too much in such a short time," Hiruzen said softly. "But you're not alone. You still have the village. You still have me."

Uchiha Tunan stared up at him with wide, shimmering eyes, his voice almost childlike in its innocence.

"Hokage-sama…?"

Hiruzen nodded.

"Yes. The village will protect you. I will protect you. But one day, when you're older… it will be your turn to protect the village."

Uchiha Tunan hesitated, then slowly nodded.

"Yes… I understand."

Finally, he collapsed into Hiruzen's arms, clutching onto him like a lost child.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly, but he didn't pull away.

Meanwhile, deep inside, Uchiha Tunan smirked.

"Finally. Earning this old man's trust is proving to be quite the challenge. But step by step…"

As the golden sunrise bathed them both in its light, the image they painted was one of perfect harmony—an orphaned child seeking guidance, and a wise Hokage offering solace.

After a while, Uchiha Tunan pulled away and took a deep breath, wiping away the remnants of his tears.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'll do my best to become strong and protect the village."

Hiruzen smiled warmly.

"That's the spirit. Will you be returning to school tomorrow? Or would you like me to approve leave for you?"

"I'll be fine," Uchiha Tunan assured him.

Hiruzen nodded.

"Good. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me."

The two walked together until they reached the commercial district, where they finally parted ways.

As Uchiha Tunan strolled back toward his home, whispers followed him. He was now the subject of the village's latest gossip.

He paid no mind—after all, he was the grieving victim in this story.

Then, his sharp gaze landed on a figure ahead.

A pale-skinned man with waist-length black hair.

The street fell silent.

"Orochimaru-sama!"

People bowed in respect as one of the Legendary Sannin passed through.

As he neared, Uchiha Tunan respectfully bowed as well.

"Orochimaru-sama."

Orochimaru barely spared him a glance, offering only a nod.

As they passed each other, a flicker of instinct made Orochimaru pause.

Something had watched him—no, analyzed him.

His golden, snake-like eyes darted back toward the boy.

But there was nothing unusual.

"Hmm… Perhaps just my imagination."

He turned and continued walking.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Tunan exhaled slowly.

"So… he's already begun experimenting on Sharingan."