Late at night, the stars and moon hung high.
Uchiha Mikoto, sprinting with all her might, felt deeply that her fate was checkered with misfortune.
Before the age of thirty-five, she was a happy single noble, often traveling the mountains and waters with the like-minded Uzumaki Kushina, occasionally accepting missions to fulfill her Shinobi duties.
However, that year, when she was thirty-five and traveling abroad, a sudden piece of dreadful news arrived: Uchiha Itachi had massacred their entire clan and defected from Konoha!
Uzumaki Kushina analyzed that this was not Uchiha Itachi's sudden impulse; it must have been sanctioned by the village's high command.
Uchiha Mikoto wholeheartedly agreed, not even daring to return to the Land of Fire. She immediately went into hiding under an assumed name abroad.
These past few years, she had been constantly on edge, moving from place to place.
She had finally settled down in Emerald City in the Land of Grass for two months, but to her surprise, she suddenly heard rumors this morning that Uchiha Itachi was about to arrive!
Uchiha Mikoto's heart immediately stopped, and she felt as if the god of death had grabbed her by the throat.
She had dyed her hair purple, worn colored contacts, and even disguised her appearance, being cautious and reclusive every day.
Yet, Uchiha Itachi was like a bone-deep ulcer, constantly appearing nearby! This time, he was even coming to the same city!
Perhaps Itachi had other intentions for this trip, and not necessarily to exterminate the surviving clan members.
Mikoto had entertained such a guess, but she dared not gamble. To save her own life, she always assumed the worst-case scenario.
This time, she believed someone was tracking her movements.
Perhaps someone was secretly monitoring her right now, just waiting for Itachi to arrive and hand her over!
Mikoto was not the type to wait for death. She quickly bit her lip and forced herself to calm down, thinking of a strategy.
First, determine Uchiha Itachi's location based on rumors and estimate his approximate time of arrival in Emerald City.
Second, change her appearance.
Disguise herself with a new face, cut her long hair short, and dye her purple hair blue.
Take off the colored contacts so she could fight to the death with her Sharingan should the path lead to a dead end.
Finally, wait patiently.
Wait until night, enter the sewer system through a secret tunnel, cross a few streets, and climb out by pushing open a manhole cover.
With the cover of night, she would not be as conspicuous as during the day and should be able to evade the monitors hiding in the shadows.
The plan was executed smoothly.
Uchiha Mikoto safely reached the city gate. To avoid attracting attention, she lined up properly.
However, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, sensing someone was watching her. She discreetly looked around, searching for the source of this feeling.
Finally, she found her target-a handsome young Shinobi with black hair and black eyes!
An Uchiha descendant?
Uchiha Mikoto's mind was instantly shaken, and cold sweat broke out all over her body.
The boy's Kumogakure forehead protector must be a disguise.
This brat is Uchiha Itachi's informant, secretly monitoring me. Otherwise, he wouldn't look away the moment our eyes met.
He discovered me!
The more Mikoto thought, the more nervous and frightened she became, her heart pounding in her throat.
Every slight sound from the outside world was piercingly loud!
There were only two choices before her.
One, forcefully leave Emerald City and create distance from Uchiha Itachi.
Two, stay in Emerald City and formulate a new plan.
Mikoto thought, 'I've only been in Emerald City for two months, and digging a tunnel was difficult enough! What more can I plan if I stay? Just wait for death! When Itachi arrives, I'll be like a turtle in a jar!'
Uchiha Mikoto resolutely chose to force her way out of Emerald City.
Embracing the resolve to die, she sprinted toward the city gate, staying highly vigilant against an attack from Uchiha Itachi's informant.
However, the boy made no move.
Uchiha Mikoto was in disbelief, and in her ecstasy, she rushed out of the city gate, escaping death!
Unfortunately, good times did not last.
Before long, the boy's figure followed closely behind. His speed was extremely fast, and in a few more minutes, he would catch up!
Mikoto's heart turned to ashes.
She had been running for four years yet still hadn't escaped the fate of death.
What did live so cautiously, like a frightened bird, gain her?
When did life become so dull?
When could she happily travel around again, like before?
What was the point of this current endless cycle of hiding?
Hiding and hiding, didn't she still have to die?
Why live so frustratingly?
Uchiha Itachi only has a pair of Sharingan, doesn't he? I have them too!
Since he's bent on my extermination, I'll make sure to carve some flesh off of him even in death!
Uchiha Mikoto roared, her three-tomoe Sharingan appearing in her eyes. She twisted and leaped back, charging toward Seiya, who was approaching.
Clang!
A flash of white light.
Seiya instantly summoned a Shinobi sword, deflecting the kunai Uchiha Mikoto had thrown.
Both sides saw the tomoe in the other's eyes, solidifying their respective suspicions.
"Die! Uchiha Itachi's line!"
Uchiha Mikoto shouted to brace herself and quickly formed hand signs.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
The dazzling firelight illuminated the dark night.
Seiya easily dodged and introduced himself, "I am not Uchiha Itachi's line! My name is Seiya, Tojo Yuan Megumai's son!"
"Tojo Yuan Megumai?"
Mikoto paused, momentarily unable to recall who that was, and immediately threw five more kunai.
Seiya easily deflected them and emphasized, "Onee-chan, my mother is Uchiha Megumi, who left Konoha back then."
"We are all Uchiha who survived by chance. Why kill each other!"
As he spoke, Seiya threw his Shinobi sword aside, showing sincerity.
Uchiha Mikoto calmed down slightly and finally remembered who Uchiha Megumi was-a natural three-tomoe genius, a beautiful peer, a hero of Takamagahara, a legend who resurrected from the dead, an Uchiha who defected to Kumogakure, an S-rank wanted missing-nin!
"Your mother is Uchiha Megumi?"
Mikoto was still suspicious. She scrutinized Seiya's appearance, secretly comparing him to Tojo Yuan Megumai's wanted poster in her mind.
She had to admit that, upon closer inspection, the boy's features bore many similarities to Tojo Yuan Megumai.
Uchiha Mikoto believed him about seventy to eighty percent, and then asked, "Since you are not Uchiha Itachi's line, why were you staring at me at the city gate and now following me?"
Seiya replied honestly, "Because Onee-chan, you are very special. Your every move is different from others."
"The reason I came to chase you is because I felt you are also an Uchiha. I can see that you lack security and are terrified of Uchiha Itachi."
"I understand how you feel, so I want to take you to Kumogakure. It's very safe and friendly to the Uchiha."
Having said that, Seiya extended his hand, his face sincere.
"Can I trust you?" Uchiha Mikoto still hesitated.
Seiya smiled slightly and said, "No offense, but to be frank, Onee-chan, you are not my match in combat. If I had any ill intentions toward you, I wouldn't need to deceive you at all."
Uchiha Mikoto considered this, walked forward, and gently grasped the boy's strong hand.
⚔️ Level Up This Fanfic! ⚔️
Every 500 Power Stones = 2 BONUS CHAPTERS! 🚀
Want faster releases? Show your support—drop those Power Stones, leave a review, and light up the comments! Your engagement keeps this story going strong!
Let's make this novel unstoppable—Power Stones, comments, and reviews are the ultimate power-up! 💥