Uchiha Hachida was cut open in many places by Muramasa's blade, his body stained with blood.
His self-destructive Ash Pile Burning Jutsu ignited a great fire, burning away the bloodstains on his wounds, leaving his skin covered in brownish scabs. His originally handsome and composed face now appeared as disgraceful as a deserter hiding among corpses on the battlefield.
Uchiha Hachida knelt powerlessly on the ground, the feeling of helplessness from massive blood loss beginning to suffocate his brain, while the pressure Aomi exuded made him recall precious memories from his life, vivid illusions appearing before his eyes.
He sat dazed on the ground, foolishly staring at the blood-stained Muramasa in Aomi's hands and the red glow in his eyes.
Aomi's appearance in his eyes was eerily similar to the portrait of Uchiha Izuna that Uchiha Hachida's grandfather had depicted.
In the Warring States Era, when Uchiha Izuna disciplined the troublemakers within the clan, he did it with such composure, speaking while fighting, utterly defeating every disobedient clan member from both the physical and mental aspects, strict yet awe-inspiring, leading the Uchiha Clan to become more united and powerful.
Only at this moment did Uchiha Hachida belatedly realize.
Although Aomi was only twelve years old, his physique was already comparable to that of an adult ninja.
With long arms and a slender waist, broad shoulders, and handsome, stern features, the blood lineage advantages of both Senju and Uchiha were vividly reflected in Aomi, complemented by the demonic Sharingan and the blood-dripping Muramasa in his hands...
Before stepping into this field, in Uchiha Hachida's mind, Aomi was still an immature child, but now...
Aomi slowly approached Uchiha Hachida, expressionless.
Watching Aomi draw closer, a huge wave of panic surged in Uchiha Hachida's heart.
If Aomi were to continue using combat tactics typical of Senju Tobirama, this Uchiha with three Tomoe could still maintain his composure and not be so disgraced.
For Senju Tobirama was the Uchiha's public enemy; even if Uchiha Hachida was beaten miserably, he would not show such a cowardly expression to his adversary, still holding onto his final dignity.
However...
When Aomi's image suddenly closely resembled Uchiha Izuna, the entire nature of the matter changed.
Uchiha Hachida was like a child caught doing something wrong by his grandfather, even if spanked and indignant, he would still plead for mercy without any psychological burden.
After all, no matter how one puts it, this was a family matter...
"Uchiha Hachida, I am very disappointed in you. As a well-known member with three Tomoe, you performed so poorly…"
Aomi spoke coldly while channeling Fire Release Chakra into the blade. The excellent Chakra conductivity of Muramasa caused the blade to ignite fiercely, scorching the ground it hadn't yet touched, spreading along with Aomi's steps.
"So similar, truly similar…" Senju Tobirama remarked with heartfelt emotion.
He had heard of things Uchiha Izuna had done to take control of the Uchiha Clan.
After his father, Senju Butsuma, died, even Senju Tobirama had imitated the essence back then. In his opinion, even if Uchiha Izuna himself were present, it would likely go about this process.
Invite guests, execute, take them in as a subordinate…
The card now played was execution, executing the arrogance in the heart!
A hint of apprehension emerged in Senju Tobirama's heart.
Over the past few days, Senju Tobirama's guard had slightly eased due to Aomi's attitude and actions towards Nohara Rin, Might Guy, and Unno Ikkaku, yet no matter what, he did not wish to see another Uchiha Izuna emerge from the Uchiha Clan.
That was truly too dangerous.
But as if to echo what Senju Tobirama had in mind…
Aomi's left hand manifested a swirling mass of Water Release Chakra, forming a sharp torrent that buzzed in his hand.
This was one of Senju Tobirama's secret Water Release techniques: Hard Vortex Water Blade!
Senju Tobirama was stunned, contemplating as he watched this scene, then after a long time, pursed his lips, "Tch... for now, let's keep observing you, you tedious little brat."
At this moment.
Aomi stood before Uchiha Hachida, speaking indifferently, "Who I am is not important. But you, as someone who has betrayed the Uchiha honor, Uchiha Hachida, how do you think I should deal with you?"
Aomi examined Uchiha Hachida's heart, the water blade in his hand spun faster, then his gaze moved to Hachida's neck, with the flaming Muramasa slowly moving to rest against Uchiha Hachida's throat…
Uchiha Hachida swallowed hard, looking up at this man he couldn't fathom at all, struggling to say, "I—I don't know. I don't know…"
"If you want to live, you answer what I ask." Aomi briskly shook his wrist, dissipating the flames of Muramasa and the torrent in his hand, yet pushed Muramasa's blade into his throat, only about a finger's distance from his windpipe.
Uchiha Hachida felt the cold of Muramasa, powerlessly gazing up at Aomi's indifferent Sharingan… In this moment, he had no doubt that if Aomi heard an unsatisfactory answer, he would definitely kill him!
"Who sent you, what is your purpose, why did you agree?"
"Elder Setsuna forced me to come, he believed your remarks and existence were detrimental to the atmosphere of the Uchiha Clan, so he sent me to suppress you, also to stand up for Uchiha Obito…"
"I agreed because I thought Konoha was overstepping its bounds; the restrictions and surveillance on the Uchiha Clan were becoming increasingly blatant. They won't even give us a sliver of a chance to become Hokage. The clan's prospects and future seemed grim, so I could only support the Hawk Faction…"
Aomi nodded slowly, "Hawk Faction, what a Hawk Faction… Let me ask you, who is stronger, you or I?"
Uchiha Hachida lowered his head.
"Alright... then who is stronger, me or Sarutobi Hiruzen?" Aomi used the blade to lift his chin, raising his gaze to meet his own.
Uchiha Hachida pressed his lips together, yet honestly spoke, "Don't underestimate the Third Hokage, he is known as a Ninja Hero."
Surprisingly, Aomi nodded in agreement, "Fine, then between Shimura Danzo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, Hatake Sakumo, Uzumaki Mito, and me, who is stronger?"
Uchiha Hachida remained silent.
The individuals Aomi mentioned were all renowned ninjas of Konoha, even including one whom even the extreme factions of the Uchiha disliked mentioning.
Is Aomi strong? Very strong...
But not enough.
"Then, let me ask you again, who, in the entire Uchiha Clan, is stronger than those nine people…or rather, who in the Uchiha Clan is stronger than me?"
"You say you support the Hawk Faction, but how do you support it? With your proud three Tomoe?"
Aomi sighed, looking at Uchiha Hachida with an expression of disappointed longing, like iron not turning into steel.