He ran the whole way, trying to clear his mind. The Uchiha he passed recognized him — they knew what had happened to his family. None of them spoke, only watched his back in silence, cursing that old witch under their breath.
When he reached his aunt's house, he saw two white lanterns hanging at the gate, as though they were there to light the way home for his sister's soul.
Uchiha Kairen took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The first thing he saw was his uncle, dressed in black, sitting silently in the courtyard; beside him sat his teacher, Uchiha Ankoku, also in mourning clothes. Three swords were placed neatly at the entrance.
Kairen bowed his head in greeting, struggling to control his trembling voice.
"Uncle," he said, forcing the words out, "where is my mother?"
Uchiha Kirito didn't reply — he simply pointed blankly toward the house behind him.
Uchiha Ankoku gestured for Kairen to go in quickly, to stop talking nonsense.
Kairen walked into the house and reached the main hall… but he couldn't take another step.
There, on the small altar among the flowers, was his sister's memorial photo.
Next to it were her favorite little toys, the rattle he had given her, and the small wooden comb Fugaku had gifted.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
What is this?
What the hell is this supposed to be?!
What's the point of training, of becoming strong — for this?!
Damn it all — if I don't kill them, I'll never find peace!
He spun around, shouting with all his strength:
"Uncle! Tell me — why do you train with the sword? What are you training for?!"
Uchiha Ran had already come out upon hearing footsteps. Seeing her son's anguish, she wanted to comfort him — but before she could speak, he had already stormed from the living room and was shouting at his uncle in the courtyard.
She froze in place — partly in shock at his outburst, partly lost in thought at his words.
Before anyone could react, he had rushed out the door.
Uchiha Kirito clenched his fists, glancing once at Uchiha Ankoku. He didn't say a word — only stood there in silence.
Uchiha Ankoku finally said, "You know how the clan feels about this. Emotionally, it's hard to accept — after all, she caused it. But by the rules of reason, the true culprits were those enemy-nation shinobi. If you want to leave the village and take some missions to hunt down rogue nin, I can go with you."
Ran watched her son's departing figure, worry twisting her heart. This son of hers — normally the most composed of them all — seemed… wrong.
After leaving his aunt's house, Uchiha Kairen created two shadow clones and sent them to inform Uchiha Honō and Uchiha Retsu to meet at the village gate. He wanted them to accompany him outside the village. At this point, those two were the only people he trusted — the only ones he could still move with.
Leaning against the village gate, Kairen stared at Konoha spread before him.
All those grand speeches about "sacrificing for Konoha" made him sick.
Every word Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke was a way to make others die for him under the banner of "the greater good."
And yet, when it came to their own — when they made mistakes — they just carried on, swaggering down the streets as if nothing had happened.
Danzō.
That old witch.
All the same.
When the three met, Kairen told the gate guard, "You probably heard what happened to my family. I'm taking my two brothers out for a bit."
The guard nodded. "Yeah, I heard. Be careful — things aren't peaceful lately. I'll tell your family when the watch changes."
Kairen gave a small nod of thanks. Then they departed. His two brothers didn't ask where they were going — they simply followed in silence.
As dawn broke, they came across a small public restroom.
"I'm going to kill Koharu Utatane," Kairen said flatly. "I can't do it alone. Even if I succeed, I'll have to make it look like an enemy assassination. I'll need your help — and outside help too. You'll back me up, won't you?"
Uchiha Honō chuckled. "Honestly, I thought you were heading there straight from home."
Uchiha Retsu nodded. "What's there to ask about help? Your sister was like a sister to us too. Seeing her die like that… it doesn't sit right. Killing that old hag sounds perfect to me."
Honō shot Retsu a side-eye, thinking, Big brother really can't talk, huh? You could've just said 'I support you,' instead of making it weird.
Kairen continued, "Remember that scroll we took from those Root operatives years ago? The one you and Ankoku-sensei handed over without even opening? Inside it was intel, two hundred million ryō in assets, and Takigakure's specialty — Hero Water. I'm going to use all of it to hire one man: Kakuzu."
He used the Transformation Jutsu and slipped into the latrine — which concealed an underground exchange hall.
Approaching the steward inside, he said, "I want to issue a contract — the target killer must be Kakuzu. Reward: two hundred million. I'll come here at this hour every day until he meets me in person."
Following the rules, he deposited one hundred million up front and left.
Returning to Konoha, Kairen went home first — no one was there.
Then he headed to his aunt's. His mother and aunt were sitting in the courtyard, the aunt leaning on Ran's shoulder, both staring blankly at the swing swaying in the center.
"Mom," Kairen said quietly, "I won't be home for a few days. I'm going out of the village at night with Honō and Retsu. Please tell Dad for me."
Ran looked at her son — something about him felt off. "Alright," she said softly. "Be careful. Don't do anything foolish. Some things, once done—"
She gave a cold laugh, cutting herself off.
"Heh… once you do it, make sure it's done cleanly."
Her three-tomoe Sharingan glinted as she gave him a knowing wink.
Kairen felt like his mother could see right through him. For a moment he even considered asking her to gather some skilled hands — but immediately dismissed the thought. Better not to draw more attention.
Who knew how many around her were infected with that "Shisui mentality"?
After all, his mother's circle was full of those "Will of Fire" fanatics.
---
On the fourth day, in the hidden chamber of the exchange, Kairen finally met Kakuzu face-to-face.
"Kakuzu-san," he said bluntly, "I have a job. The target is Konoha's former advisor, Koharu Utatane. Payment: two hundred million. Are you interested?"
Kakuzu smiled. "Konoha's not easy to get into — or out of. Killing's the simple part. It's getting in and out that costs extra. Your offer's low."
Kairen replied, "We'll handle infiltration and escape. We'll participate in the assassination ourselves. All I need from you is to deal with any rats that get in the way. When it's done, I'll throw in intelligence about Takigakure — something you'll find worth your while."
Kakuzu thought for a moment. "Alright. When?"
"Tomorrow morning. At this three-way crossroads near Konoha."
Kairen handed him a small map. "I'll be waiting there for your arrival."
The next day, near the village gate, Kairen made a shadow clone and instructed Retsu to stay behind.
Then the clone and the other two strode boldly out of the village.
When they met Kakuzu, Kairen had him transform into Uchiha Retsu's appearance, and the three of them returned to Konoha.
At every checkpoint, Honō and Retsu deflected suspicion with ease.
When they reached Koharu's residence, Retsu spread out a reconnaissance map showing recent guard positions and patrol routes.
They reviewed the plan in silence.
Tonight — they would act.