Konoha: The King of Souls from Uchiha

c71: Leaving the Village

Over the next half month, Uchiha Gen remained within the Uchiha compound, immersing himself in refining the Spiritual Transformation Technique, a rare and forbidden jutsu cataloged within Konoha's secret archives—one which allowed separation of the spirit from the body for reconnaissance or possession. In addition, he dedicated time daily to physical conditioning, continued his study of elemental nature transformations especially fire and lightning trained his genjutsu aptitude by analyzing techniques such as Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change, and honed snake-style ninjutsu inherited from Orochimaru's instruction. Alongside this, he committed to developing two original jutsu, whose theoretical framework he modeled after Hidden Shadow Snake Hands and Chidori's high-speed thrust.

Each day was filled to capacity.

During this period, Uzuki Yugao often misnamed as Xiyan visited again. Though only a genin under guidance at the time, she sought sparring and instruction from Uchiha Gen, who offered tactical advice and corrected her kenjutsu stance. As an ANBU trainee affiliated with Team Ro in early operations, her schedule remained unpredictable, often pulled into field assignments. Her status required completing C- and B-rank missions under her captain's leadership, especially after the rising tension with the Hidden Stone post-Third Shinobi War.

Gen's position in Konoha was unusual. Despite being officially listed as Deputy Captain of the Konoha Police Force a role typically filled by jounin like Yashiro or Inabi his real time was spent assisting Orochimaru in his clandestine experiments. Orochimaru's status as one of the Legendary Sannin and former Hokage candidate allowed certain "exceptions" within the hierarchy. As a result, Gen had flexibility uncommon among his peers.

One snowy afternoon, as Gen lounged in his living room post-lunch, watching flurries drift through the cold air, he was stirred by a sudden impulse.

He stood, draped on his cloak, and walked toward the Uchiha Police Headquarters. Upon arrival, he climbed to the third floor and knocked respectfully on the office door of the department's leader.

"Come in," came the calm but authoritative voice from within.

Uchiha Gen pushed open the door and bowed.

"Lord Patriarch."

"It's you, Gen. Sit down. What brings you here?" Uchiha Fugaku, donned in his standard jounin flak vest, looked up from his desk, managing a faint smile beneath his typically impassive expression.

"Thank you, but no need to sit. I won't take much of your time. I'm here to request a temporary leave from the village. My teacher, Orochimaru-sama, has personal matters that require my assistance outside the village."

Formally, such a request would be directed to the squad captain. However, Gen's post was honorary a consequence of political balancing and clan favoritism. His actual allegiance lay under Orochimaru's mentorship. Addressing Fugaku directly was more a gesture of respect than procedure.

Though Orochimaru's Hokage candidacy had been passed over in favor of the Third's continuity and later Minato, his power and intellect still carried political weight enough that even Uchiha Fugaku, a man rarely cowed by authority, acknowledged his presence.

"I understand," Fugaku said after a pause. "No need to file leave officially. Doing so would reduce your monthly stipend."

Satisfied by Gen's deferential tone, Fugaku approved the unofficial request, a subtle show of favoritism toward a talented clan member.

"Thank you, Patriarch," Gen responded, bowing once more.

Inwardly, Gen smirked this was now essentially a paid leave, sanctioned under the guise of duty. Technically, as long as he remained within Fire Country's borders and completed occasional tasks, no one would raise concern.

"Go, then. Just don't bring trouble back with you."

"Yes, understood."

Exiting the Police Department, Gen made his way to the forested outskirts of the village, near the border of Training Ground 44. Concealed within the terrain was a hidden laboratory used by Orochimaru an unauthorized extension of the main research division. There, Orochimaru was engrossed in cell-regeneration experiments, attempting to merge snake DNA with human tissue, one of many precursors to his future human experimentation.

After assisting for some time prepping equipment and recording cell responses Gen finally voiced his intent.

"Sensei, I'd like to leave the village for a while."

"Leave the village?" Orochimaru asked, not looking up. "Bandit hunting? Or… a moral crusade?"

"More like robbing the corrupt to aid the helpless."

"How noble," the Sannin chuckled. "Do you need intelligence? Supplies?"

"No, sensei. If I can't handle this, I wouldn't be worthy of your name."

Orochimaru's yellow eyes gleamed with amusement. "Hoho… excellent. Be swift, and don't get caught."

Orochimaru didn't offer to cover for Gen he knew it wasn't necessary. Both understood the importance of maintaining plausible deniability.

Instead of departing immediately, Gen stayed to assist Orochimaru until sundown. Afterward, he returned home, ate a simple dinner miso soup and pickled vegetables spent an hour refining his chakra coils through silent meditation, and slept early to preserve stamina.

The following morning, Gen opted for convenience over routine. He visited Ichiraku Ramen a shop favored by many future shinobi such as Naruto Uzumaki and ordered a steaming bowl of the special chashu pork ramen. The rich broth warmed him as snowflakes drifted outside.

Overnight, the snowfall had intensified. Konoha was blanketed in pure white; the rooftops of the Uchiha compound, the Hokage Rock, and even the Third Training Ground shimmered under the icy sheen. The streets were nearly empty, and the air carried the sharp bite of winter.

Dressed in layered thermal wear, a black mid-layer jacket beneath his long-sleeved high-collar shirt, insulated shinobi trousers, and finally a black-and-silver-trimmed cloak bearing the Uchiha fan crest, Gen looked every bit the elite shinobi. His dark hair framed sharp features, and the snowflakes on his shoulders made him appear almost regal.

When he reached Konoha's northern gate, two chunin stationed there wearing standard issue vests and forehead protectors stopped him as per protocol. Uchiha Gen signed the outbound register, noting his destination vaguely as "Field Operations Fire Country Border." With his name, status, and Orochimaru's implicit backing, the guards raised no further questions.

And so, Uchiha Gen passed through the village gates, stepping into the snow-covered wilderness beyond Konoha on a journey where shadows and justice would intertwine.

Today's gatekeepers at Konoha's main entrance were not the familiar duo of Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu, who would later be known for their long-term gatekeeping duties during Naruto Uzumaki's generation. Instead, two unfamiliar chūnin neither of whom Uchiha Gen recognized from prior missions or the Police Force roster stood on guard.

Upon glancing at the departure request slip handed over by Uchiha Gen, one of the chūnin furrowed his brow. The reason listed "Private field assignment on behalf of Lord Orochimaru" clearly did not fall within standard protocol. He was about to object when the older, more seasoned of the two placed a hand on his arm and intervened with a measured tone.

"Excuse me… may I ask who you are?"

"Konoha Jōnin Uchiha Gen, direct disciple of Lord Orochimaru," Gen replied flatly, his Sharingan eyes resting coldly on the younger guard.

The younger chūnin froze. A sharp hiss of breath escaped him.

"No problem at all please proceed."

With a faint nod, Uchiha Gen stepped beyond the wooden gates of Konohagakure. His figure blurred as he disappeared into the snow-covered landscape outside the village, his black cloak slicing through the white air like a shadow.

After a beat, the younger chūnin finally turned to his companion and asked, still frustrated, "Why did you stop me just now?"

"You're too green," the older chūnin muttered, eyes still on the distance. "You were about to make a mistake that could've ruined both our careers."

"But leaving the village for personal errands even on behalf of Orochimaru-sama goes against the standard deployment protocols! Especially for someone from the Police Force!" the younger one argued, visibly upset.

"That's exactly the problem," the older one replied, sighing deeply. "Orochimaru may no longer be in line to become Hokage, but he's still one of the Legendary Sannin, a teammate of the Third's student, and someone not to be trifled with. Denying a favor like this? That's asking to be noticed for all the wrong reasons."

"And don't forget this Uchiha kid isn't just anyone. He's a jōnin. A full-ranked officer from the Uchiha clan young, yes, but clearly powerful. Genius types like that don't rise up without backing. Do you really want to be remembered as the fool who blocked an elite Uchiha under Orochimaru's command?"

The younger chūnin hesitated, biting his lip.

"We're just mid-tier shinobi, remember? We've got aging parents, maybe a kid or two. We need this job. What do we gain from sticking our necks out for procedure?"

The younger one scowled, muttering reluctantly, "But the rules…"

"Still too green," the older chūnin said with a half-smile and a shake of the head. "You think rules are made for people like him?"

"Regulations are written for people like us not for the Uchiha, not for the Sannin, and definitely not for anyone who's politically protected."

The younger one groaned. "Okay, but if something goes wrong—if he dies out there, or ends up involved in a scandal won't they trace it back to us?"

"Kid," the older chūnin said with a grin, "If that happens, we'll just report it helplessly and pitifully say he left in a hurry, didn't explain, pulled rank. Standard stuff."

And so, the gate record was passed through the usual bureaucratic channels first to the mission register, then the field log, then eventually placed on the desk of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, who had only recently taken up the mantle following the death of the Third Hokage's successor, Hiruzen's resignation, and the fallout of the Third Shinobi World War.

Minato's cerulean eyes paused on the name Uchiha Gen, noting the vague reason for departure. His gaze lingered a moment longer before he sighed softly, then penned three words beneath the form: "I understand." With that, he slid the paper onto the stack of processed documents.

Though the reason listed did not satisfy official protocol no external deployment without explicit mission clearance or Hokage authorization Minato chose not to pursue it. Technically, Gen, as a member of the Police Force and a jōnin, was restricted from external travel unless assigned to active duty. However, challenging the decision for such a minor infraction would not only strain relationships it could backfire politically.

At present, Minato faced considerable challenges: reorganizing the village post-war, handling border tensions, smoothing over the failed Hokage nomination of Orochimaru, and managing growing unrest within the Uchiha clan. Calling out Orochimaru or his protégé over this minor breach could provoke unnecessary conflict, or worse, drive a deeper wedge between powerful factions.

Moreover, Gen was no ordinary shinobi. He was the personal disciple of Orochimaru a Sannin, and Minato's senior and also bore the support of Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Police Force and a politically influential figure. Gen also maintained a cordial connection with Uchiha Shisui, a shinobi Minato admired for his clarity of vision and rare Mangekyō Sharingan potential.

To act strictly would be to invite turmoil. The Hokage seat was not just about leadership it was a delicate balance of diplomacy, power management, and compromise.

And that's the bitter truth. True impartiality, while admirable in theory, is almost impossible in practice. Politics especially in Konoha—demanded adaptability and sacrifice.

Uchiha Gen, of course, anticipated all this. He didn't bother with crafting a plausible excuse. He understood the mechanics of power: If the system won't stop you, then why waste time pretending?

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