NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: A Letter
Inside the tattered, weathered bag lay a bloodstained note, its edges frayed and smeared with dark, crusted red. The ominous message, scrawled in thick, uneven strokes, read:
"Don't pull him into this mess. Final Warning. By, You know who."
The words were chilling, each letter radiating a barely contained fury. Koharu Utatane clenched the note in her trembling hands, her nails digging into the fragile paper. Her expression darkened, and her whole frame quivered with a rage that seemed almost volcanic.
"Damn you… UCHIHA JIMAAA!!!" she roared, her voice a thunderous crescendo that reverberated against the walls, making them tremble. Her breaths came in short, sharp gasps, her face flushed with raw anger, her fists balled so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Across the room, Lizard, her loyal attendant, stood silently, his masked face unreadable. But even a Root spy in the ANBU, usually composed and stoic, appeared visibly disturbed by the message. The shock had been instantaneous when he'd first glimpsed the contents of the bag, and now, he remained motionless, too stunned to speak.
After a long, tension-filled silence, Koharu gradually regained control. Her fury simmered, but her gaze was as hard as steel. When she looked at Lizard, her face was contorted with an intensity that was almost otherworldly—a look that would unnerve even the bravest ninja.
"Have you notified anyone else about this matter?" she demanded, her voice cold, yet sharp as a blade.
"No, Koharu-sama," Lizard replied, keeping his tone steady, though he couldn't entirely mask the tremor in his voice.
"Good," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Send word to Danzo and Homura. Tell them I need to meet immediately. If they ask why, say it's an emergency requiring their utmost attention."
Lizard bowed deeply before disappearing into the shadows, leaving Koharu alone with the bag and its grim contents. Once the silence returned, she muttered darkly to herself, her voice a venomous whisper.
"Uchiha Jima, you bastard. Just you wait… I'll make you regret every single one of your actions."
***
Inside a room,
Ryuuji listened as his grandfather, Uchiha Jima, spoke with seriousness.
"Well, it would be a lie to say I'm not curious. But everyone has their own secrets. I certainly have mine," Jima said with a knowing smile. "I understand how precious one's privacy is."
Ryuuji felt a surge of relief but was curious. "So, you don't mind?"
"Why would I? So long as it doesn't harm our clan, it's not my business. But if there's anything you do want to share, know that I'm here to listen."
His words struck a chord, and for a moment, Ryuuji felt the depth of his grandfather's wisdom and patience.
"Thank you, Grandfather," Ryuuji said, bowing slightly.
Jima chuckled, his tone gentle. "Hohoho… no need for thanks. Though, there is one thing." His demeanor suddenly turned somber, his eyes studying Ryuuji carefully. "I'm thinking of removing you from the Academy… to make you my personal disciple."
Ryuuji's surprise was evident. "Why?"
Turning away, Jima looked up at the roof, his shoulders sagging slightly as though the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him. "It's time you understood the history between our clan and the village's leadership."
'So, it's finally happening,' Ryuuji thought. He had already pieced together much of this tension, thanks to his memories of the original series, but he kept quiet, nodding thoughtfully.
Jima began recounting the history of the Uchiha Clan, how it had been one of Konoha's founding clans. He expected shock from Ryuuji, surprise at least—but all he got was silence.
Jima turned, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "Hmm?"
Ryuuji, jolting himself back into character, widened his eyes in mock shock. "Oh! What? I… I can't believe it!"
Jima cleared his throat, masking his slight suspicion. "Yes… ahem. Anyway, as I was saying…"
He continued, filling Ryuuji in on the escalating distrust between the Uchiha and the village's higher-ups. By the end, Ryuuji felt Jima's hope that he might take the offer seriously.
"So, now that you understand, do you agree to quit the Academy?" Jima asked, his voice steady, but his gaze unyielding.
Ryuuji hesitated, mulling over his options. To him, Academy life offered a precious chance to interact with the series' main cast—and perhaps to foster connections that might save him in the dark days ahead. But he also knew that time was running short, and survival had to come before social plans or dreams of a legendary "harem."
One can only imagine the kind of dilemma Ryuuji was in. Just think about it like this, you're playing your favorite game or watching your favorite show when suddenly, your mom comes and tells you to study. Nobody likes that.
Finally, he sighed, the weight of his decision settled on him.
"I agree," he said.
"Good choice," Jima replied with a pleased nod.
"Though it won't mean you'll lose contact with your friends at the Academy. It simply means more intensive training. Your strength is already evident, Ryuuji. You've earned the right to more."
***
Late that night, the Three Elders of Konohagakure sat around a table in a shadowed chamber, their faces dimly lit by flickering candlelight. Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado exchanged tense looks. Koharu's message had been urgent, but Danzo wasted no time questioning her judgment.
"Why have you called us here, Koharu?" Danzo's voice was low, almost a hiss. He didn't like wasting time.
"I'm curious as to what matter is important enough that all three of us had to gather." Homura added, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
He wasn't wrong. The 3 of them usually didn't meet together like this unless it was for something really important. After all, if the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi found out about their secret gatherings then they'd be in for a world of trouble.
Koharu leaned forward, her face set in grim determination. "It's about the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan… Uchiha Ryuuji." She paused, letting the name hang heavily in the air.
Homura scoffed, his expression dismissive. "That boy? While he may become a threat someday, he's still a child."
Danzo, however, remained silent, his dark eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Koharu's lips twisted into a thin, humorless smile. "Oh, but he's not the only reason. Uchiha Jima has made his move."
A charged silence fell over the room. Both Danzo and Homura felt their hearts begin to pound, a primal instinct kicking in at the thought of Uchiha Jima acting in defiance of the village's elders.
Danzo broke the silence. "And what exactly has he done?"
Koharu didn't respond right away. Instead, she snapped her fingers sharply. From the shadows, Lizard emerged, a bag slung over his shoulder. He set it on the table with a thud, giving Koharu a slight nod before opening it.
"....!!!??"
Danzo and Homura's eyes widened, their expressions darkening. They exchanged a silent, uneasy glance.
"Uchiha Jima…" Danzo whispered, his voice filled with a cold rage.
***
Shoutout to:
Varist
Sondre_Floberg
Foosh