Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

As he considered the future, Kaito's ambitions grew even grander. If the Otsutsuki clan could use the entire universe as their domain, why couldn't the Uchiha aim for something equally monumental?

With a determined glint in his eye, Kaito focused on the horizon. The Uchiha would not merely rise; they would reshape the entire world. And as their power grew, so too would their reach, until they stood as the undisputed rulers of the ninja world.

***

At night, Terumi Mei returned home after a grueling day. The village's turmoil had left her weary and disheartened.

The once-proud Mist Ninja Village had been ravaged by the madness of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura. In his ruthless campaign, he had targeted the Bloodstained Families with an unrelenting fervor. The Hozuki Clan, the Kaguya Clan—these ancient and revered families that had been integral to the village's foundation had all been eradicated. Their legacies had been reduced to dust, and countless lives had been lost in the process.

The village's strength had plummeted, and now, Mist Ninja Village struggled to muster even three thousand shinobi. An eerie atmosphere of desolation hung over the village, a sense of despair so pervasive that it had even discouraged many from pursuing the ninja path. The once-bustling ninja school was now a shadow of its former self, scarcely functioning and barely enrolling any students.

Terumi Mei was acutely aware of the village's decline, a decline she was powerless to stop due to her own limited strength in the face of Yagura's tyranny. Despite her frustration, she had quietly begun to gather a small group of like-minded individuals—those who, like her, wished to see Mist Ninja Village revived and its dark era ended. Yet, despite her efforts, only a scant one or two hundred had rallied to her cause. Their allegiance was partly due to the endorsement of Master Yuan, an elder with influence comparable to the Mizukage himself.

With a heavy heart, Terumi Mei sighed deeply. She could only watch in anguish as her beloved village faltered, her own strength insufficient to effect any meaningful change.

Determined to momentarily escape her thoughts, she hummed a light tune and made her way to the bathroom, seeking solace in a relaxing bath. The sound of running water soon filled the room, a small comfort amidst the chaos outside.

Half an hour later, Terumi Mei emerged from the bathroom, her body completely unclothed. This was her home, after all, and she paid no heed to her own state of undress. She walked gracefully to the large mirror in the living room, admiring her reflection. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to appreciate the beauty of her form.

"Such a perfect figure," she mused, her gaze lingering on her reflection. "I wonder who will be lucky enough to..." Her thoughts trailed off, and she sighed in wistful resignation. "Twenty years have passed. When will I meet my Prince Charming?"

Her reverie was abruptly shattered by an inexplicable breeze, sending a shiver down her spine. She had ensured that all doors and windows were tightly closed—how could there be a breeze?

Alarmed, Terumi Mei turned around swiftly, her eyes widening in shock. A figure stood in the center of her living room, an intruder who had somehow evaded her security.

Kaito stood there, momentarily stunned by the scene before him. His eyes roamed over Terumi Mei's graceful form, and he swallowed hard, his throat dry with a mix of awe and embarrassment.

"This isn't... well, this certainly isn't the right time," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

Terumi Mei, initially stunned and mortified, swiftly transitioned from shock to fury. Her face flushed with anger as she recognized the intrusion.

"Who are you?!" she roared, her voice echoing with a blend of outrage and fear. "Get out of here, or you'll pay for your insolence!"

With a swift motion, she activated her signature technique. "Boiled Escape: Skillful Mist Technique!"

A dense, menacing white mist erupted around her, enveloping the room in a thick, opaque fog. The mist surged toward Kaito with relentless force, its chilling cold a stark contrast to the searing rage of its creator.

Seeing the white mist surging toward him, Kaito remained completely unfazed. The mist, an extension of Terumi Mei's Boiling Escape, was known for its lethal properties. Yet, Kaito's calm demeanor suggested he had something in mind.

Terumi Mei's lips curled into a sneer. She was confident in her technique; the mist not only obscured vision but could also cause severe harm to anyone caught within it. She anticipated a dramatic result.

However, just as the mist was about to engulf him, Kaito vanished from sight in the blink of an eye. The Boiling Escape, now without its intended target, crashed against the wall behind him, and the corrosive effects began eating away at the structure. In moments, the wall was reduced to a pitted ruin.

"So fast!" Terumi Mei's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't even registered how Kaito had evaded her attack.

"Where did he go?!" She scanned the room, her senses on high alert, but Kaito was nowhere to be seen.

Without warning, Terumi Mei felt an unusual sensation envelop her. Instinctively, she whipped around, her foot aimed at her unseen assailant.

"Snap!"

A sharp crack echoed through the room as her kick was intercepted by a pair of strong hands. Kaito had appeared behind her, his presence both commanding and unnervingly close. One hand secured Terumi Mei's body with a sheet from her own bed, while the other gripped her ankle firmly. The intimate proximity was disconcerting.

Kaito leaned in slightly, his voice a low murmur near her ear. "Your figure is indeed beautiful, but it might be better to cover up before we continue our conversation. Otherwise, even with my firm will, I might end up making some unsavory decisions."

Terumi Mei's eyes widened in indignation as she glanced down and saw that the sheets enveloping her were indeed from her own bed. Embarrassment and fury surged through her.

"Let go!" she demanded, her voice icy with anger.

Kaito simply released her ankle without hesitation. He then effortlessly moved to an undamaged part of the living room, settling himself comfortably on the sofa with an air of casual nonchalance.

"Time and space ninjutsu?!" Terumi Mei's mind raced as she tried to comprehend Kaito's abilities. Time and space techniques were notoriously enigmatic and powerful. The Fourth Hokage's legendary skills in this area had often shifted the tide of battles.

Kaito's relaxed demeanor only heightened her unease. She had to tread carefully, given the nature of his powers.

"What is the origin of this guy?!" she wondered, her mind a whirl of questions and concerns.

Kaito, seemingly attuned to her thoughts, decided to introduce himself. "My name is Kaito Uchiha."

"Uchiha?!" Terumi Mei's eyes narrowed in surprise. The Uchiha clan was infamous for its powerful abilities and complex history. The revelation of his identity added a new layer of tension.

In a cold and guarded tone, she asked, "You Uchiha sneak into my Hidden Village in the middle of the night... Does this mean Konoha is preparing for war with us?"

"War?" Kaito's lips curved into a wry smile. "It seems there's quite a serious issue within your village. Have you not received any news about it yet?"

"What news?" Terumi Mei's voice was cautious, though a hint of confusion crept in.

"Why don't you sit down? I'm not used to always looking up at you," Kaito suggested with an almost mocking politeness, extending a hand toward the seat opposite him.

After a moment's hesitation, Terumi Mei, still on edge but recognizing her disadvantage, slowly approached Kaito. She maintained a vigilant gaze, ready to react at any sign of aggression.

Kaito watched her movements with a mixture of amusement and patience. "You don't need to be so tense. If I had really intended to attack you, you wouldn't have had the chance to react."