Uchiha Fugaku was inside the command tent when news of the ambush arrived. He immediately rushed out—but when he heard Shisui's report, his expression froze in shock, just like the clan elder's had.
Five-year-old… Kage level?
What kind of joke was that?
For some reason, a name suddenly surfaced in Fugaku's mind—
Uchiha Madara.
Madara had displayed astonishing talent from a very young age as well, but Wen Lan's situation was even more incomprehensible.
When Fugaku then learned that Wen Lan had been critically injured, he could no longer remain calm. He immediately hurried to the tent that had been converted into an emergency medical room.
Inside, Wen Lan lay motionless on the bed, his face pale as paper, his breathing faint and shallow.
Five Uchiha medical-ninjas were drenched in sweat, continuously using Mystical Palm Technique on him, desperately trying to keep him alive.
"How is he?" Fugaku asked urgently.
One of the medical-ninjas replied with a grim expression:
"Seventy-four percent of his muscles are torn.
Eighty-seven percent of his meridians are ruptured.
His bones are in slightly better condition, but even then, about thirty percent are fractured.
"It appears he suffered an extremely violent chakra backlash… and the shock reached his heart."
The medic hesitated, then continued with difficulty:
"His heart is barely beating. I'm afraid… I'm afraid…"
He didn't finish the sentence—but the meaning was obvious.
"He may not last much longer."
"Save him! No matter what—save him!"
Fugaku completely lost his composure and shouted.
The medical-ninjas clenched their teeth and intensified their efforts, pouring chakra into Wen Lan's body in an attempt to stabilize his fading life signs.
Fugaku's breakdown was understandable.
Wen Lan was the only son of his closest friend, the child of someone who had once entrusted his very life to him.
That friend had died on the battlefield, asking Fugaku to take care of Wen Lan and his mother.
But Wen Lan's mother had also passed away not long after.
Now… this was all that was left.
Fugaku was overwhelmed with regret.
If only he hadn't pushed Wen Lan to the battlefield in hopes of accelerating his growth and ensuring his survival…
"Waaah—!"
Suddenly, loud sobbing erupted outside the medical tent.
Already on edge, Fugaku flew into a rage. He yanked open the tent flap, ready to explode—
But when he saw what was outside, he froze.
Might Duy was kneeling on the ground, his entire body wrapped in bandages, wailing uncontrollably toward the medical tent.
"Kid—this is my fault!
I wanted to protect the youth of Konoha… protect your youth!
But I let you get hurt like this… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry!"
Might Guy knelt beside his father, holding him up.
Duy had only just regained consciousness and was still extremely weak—but the moment he heard about Wen Lan's condition, he rushed over regardless.
"Father," Guy said quietly but firmly,
"Wen Lan will make it. He definitely will."
He gently patted Duy's shoulder, trying to calm him.
Nearby, Kurenai Yuhi, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu stood in silence, their eyes filled with guilt and sorrow.
If not for Wen Lan, they would have died without even leaving bodies behind.
Farther away stood Asuma Sarutobi.
A trace of hidden delight flashed through his eyes.
"So the evil Uchiha… is finally about to die."
The corners of Asuma's mouth lifted slightly, though he didn't dare show it openly—this was still the front lines, and too many people were watching.
His gaze lingered on the tightly closed medical tent, a quiet expectation stirring in his heart.
"That's enough," Fugaku said as he walked over to Might Duy, his voice heavy.
"No one wanted this to happen. All we can do now… is pray that the Sage of Six Paths watches over him."
Fugaku had originally intended to scold Duy—but seeing him in this state, he swallowed his words.
After all, Duy had taken a devastating blow meant for Wen Lan.
That debt wasn't just Fugaku's to remember—
The entire Uchiha clan owed him.
In war, clans might maintain a façade of harmony, but beneath the surface everyone calculated their own gains and losses.
On the battlefield, seeing an Uchiha die—many would secretly rejoice.
Offering help? That was rare.
Inside Wen Lan's Consciousness
Wen Lan stood in a pitch-black void.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open—and the darkness shattered into light.
[Ding! Detected that the host is in a critical life-threatening state.]
[Activating Demon Slayer System → Demonic Power.]
Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Demon ability: Ultra-Speed Regeneration.
Even if only a single cell remains, the Host can rapidly regenerate.
If the body is destroyed, the Host can reconstruct it using consciousness and a single surviving cell.
Immune to sunlight.
No craving for human flesh.
No side effects.
You have obtained: Blood Demon Art · Blood Explosion.
Blood Explosion: Detonate your own blood at will. Even blood outside the body can be triggered.
Demonic Power Upgrade Condition:
→ Kill 500 ninjas.
Back in the Medical Tent
The medical-ninjas, still channeling chakra into Wen Lan, suddenly noticed something wrong.
His body was… healing.
And not slowly.
The regeneration was terrifyingly fast.
Organs that had been on the verge of failure began functioning normally within minutes.
Severe wounds closed before their eyes.
The medics stared in disbelief.
"H-How is this possible…?" one of them whispered, drawing in a sharp breath.
Another hurriedly checked the readings—everything was stabilizing, even improving, as if the death sentence from moments ago had never existed.
Hearing the commotion, Fugaku rushed in.
"What's happening?!" he demanded.
"Clan Head," a medical-ninja said shakily,
"Wen Lan's body… it's recovering on its own. At an unbelievable speed!"
Fugaku's eyes widened as he stared at Wen Lan.
A single thought flashed through his mind—
Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama had possessed terrifying regenerative abilities.
But Wen Lan had no blood relation to the Senju.
So how could he…?
Fugaku frowned deeply, questions piling up in his heart—but for now, he forced them aside.
Wen Lan's condition was stabilizing.
That was what mattered most.
Suddenly—
Wen Lan's eyes snapped open.
A flash of crimson light passed through them.
His right hand formed into a claw and slashed violently toward a nearby medic!
Fugaku reacted instantly, gripping Wen Lan's wrist with crushing force.
"Wen Lan! You're safe! This is the camp!"
The killing intent in Wen Lan's eyes wavered, confusion flickering across his face.
He took in the surroundings—the medical tent, the faint smell of medicine, the hum of equipment.
Only then did his tense body slowly relax.
"I'm… sorry," Wen Lan said softly to the medic.
"It's fine—really!" the medic hurriedly replied, though his heart was still pounding.
He'd been completely stunned just now—if Fugaku hadn't acted, he would've been dead.
Wen Lan exhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down.
His memories caught up with him—the battle with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen…
And then—
The system notification.
The Demon Power.
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