On the broad road leading to the village gates, Uchiha Yuan strolled forward at an unhurried pace, as though he were out for a casual walk rather than reporting for exile.
A short while later, he arrived before the massive gates of Konoha.
"Uchiha Yuan!"
A thunderous shout exploded through the air.
Yuan paused.
Almost simultaneously, a figure flashed forward and blocked his path.
"What is it?"
Yuan asked coldly.
In his left hand were several skewers of grilled meat. In his right, a bottle of lemon soda.
The sight alone made the already suppressed anger in Shimura Kichizō and the others surge uncontrollably.
So this was why he was late.
He had been wandering the village, eating and drinking.
The one standing before him was Kobayashi Shiratani. His face was full of disgust.
"Uchiha Yuan. You are late to assembly. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Yuan didn't even look at him.
Instead, his gaze drifted past Shiratani toward Chiba Sōichi and the others.
After a brief sweep—
His eyes finally settled on Shimura Kichizō.
Noticing the Shimura clan crest on Kichizō's attire, Yuan's expression darkened.
"So the escort captain is from the Shimura clan."
"What an unpleasant piece of news."
"Impudent!" Shiratani barked immediately. "How dare you speak to Kichizō-sama like that!"
Yuan lifted his hand casually.
And swung.
Shiratani's pupils shrank.
He had been on full alert from the start.
After all, Yuan's reputation had already spread throughout the shinobi ranks. A man who dared strike a village elder—some had begun calling him the "Most Ferocious Uchiha."
Shiratani reacted instantly, attempting to dodge.
But in his eyes—
That palm kept coming.
It grew larger.
He felt completely enveloped by its force.
Smack!
The crisp sound of impact rang out.
Shiratani was sent flying, spinning several times midair before crashing heavily onto the ground.
"You… how dare you!"
Clutching his face, he stared at Yuan in disbelief.
"Uchiha Yuan! You're a criminal! How dare you behave so arrogantly? Do you even respect the village?!"
Yuan glanced sideways at him and sneered.
"You don't represent the village."
"That slap was your lesson."
"Mind your tongue."
Then his expression sharpened.
"A criminal?"
"When did I become one?"
The atmosphere froze.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Shimura Kichizō's eyes burned with vicious intent as he stepped forward.
"Uchiha Yuan. You assaulted Elder Danzō. You disrupted village order. You are under disciplinary exile."
"That makes you a sinner in the eyes of the village."
Yuan took a bite of his grilled meat calmly before answering.
"I was ordered to guard the Southern Border."
"That is a mission."
"Exile is your interpretation."
He wiped his fingers lazily.
"If I were truly a criminal, I would be in chains."
"Not carrying rations."
The former subordinates of Orochimaru exchanged subtle glances.
Even they couldn't deny the logic.
Kichizō's jaw tightened.
"You will show proper conduct."
Yuan looked at him directly now.
For a brief moment, their gazes collided.
Killing intent flickered in Kichizō's eyes.
But Yuan's gaze was colder.
Deeper.
Like staring into an abyss that did not care whether you lived or died.
After several seconds—
Kichizō finally spoke.
"…All personnel accounted for. Depart."
He would not give Yuan another excuse to cause trouble.
Not here.
Not at the village gates.
As the group began to move—
Yuan walked past Shiratani without another glance.
Like stepping over debris.
Behind him—
Many eyes watched.
Some were filled with resentment.
Some with fear.
Some—
With calculation.
Hidden on a distant rooftop, an ANBU figure observed silently.
In the darker corner beyond the wall, another shadow shifted and vanished.
Uchiha Yuan might be leaving the village.
But the village—
Was not done watching him.
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