Naruto: An Informant from the Uchiha

Great power always comes with an irreversible cost.

Jia looked at the weakened Uchiha Yun. Although his eyes were closed, the dried bloodstains at the corners of his eyes moved every ANBU member present.

"If even the Third Hokage couldn't kill Orochimaru and decided to let him go… then why did you, ?"

Yun slowly opened his eyes. The Sharingan had deactivated, but his bloodshot pupils revealed the strain: "I don't know if that attack could've actually killed Orochimaru. But if I didn't act, I wouldn't know what to say the next time I stood at the Memorial Stone."

"Haa…"

Jia let out a long sigh. "Close your eyes already! Even if I can't beat you right now, as your captain, it's my job to do this, even if it costs me my life. It's not your turn yet, kid."

Yun smiled faintly. "No need to take me to the medical unit. The price of the Mangekyō Sharingan's power is something even Lady Tsunade couldn't heal. A few days... I just need a few days."

At that moment, one of the Sixth Squad ANBU stepped forward.

"I used to misunderstand the Uchiha, but starting today, I'll see them in a new light."

Another, the one Yun saved from the giant snake, let out a breath. "After today, I owe you my life, Uchiha Yun. You haven't chosen a codename yet, so I'll just use your real name."

"I owe you too. I'll prove myself worthy from now on, Uchiha Yun!"

"I'd heard the Uchiha were arrogant and proud, but with power like yours, I can't compare."

"A clan driven by emotion... Now I understand why the elders at home held the Uchiha in such complicated regard. But as comrades, they're trustworthy."

"This time, Neko and En were killed by Orochimaru. I don't even know how to face their families now," said one of the ANBU, codenamed Elephant, who had joined the Fourth Hokage's direct ANBU alongside the fallen agents.

"We'll leave it to you, Elephant," Jia said.

With that, the group headed back to Konoha.

.....

Hokage Office

Jia had just finished reporting the mission details to the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Minato looked at Yun. "Even medical ninjutsu couldn't help?"

Jia also looked toward Yun. "Why not at least try? If there's any chance, "

Yun waved them off. "It's not full blindness, yet. Every time the Mangekyō is used, vision worsens. Lord Fourth, you should've heard this from Kakashi. And this process is irreversible."

"Just like I said before: even if Lady Tsunade returned, she wouldn't be able to do anything."

Minato gave a helpless smile. "Your first mission already left you with such a loss. If Shisui finds out, he'll definitely blame me."

"But since the Third made his choice, you didn't have to go that far. Neko and En's deaths… I'll make sure justice is served for them, as the Fourth Hokage."

Yun nodded. "It's fine. Just a bit of loss, that's all."

Minato nodded back, then changed the topic. "Because the situation was urgent, we never decided on your ANBU codename. Do you want to choose one now?"

'Codename?'

Yun raised his hands and pointed to his eyes. "Honestly, I don't think a mask or a codename helps much. These eyes... no matter where I go, they'll give me away."

Jia silently agreed. The distinctiveness of the Sharingan made the Uchiha clan recognizable anywhere, especially Mangekyō Sharingan, which only Yun and Shisui possessed.

Thankfully, the information hadn't leaked outside the village yet. But at this rate, Yun's name would soon resound across the ninja world.

"You have a point," Minato replied. "Still, every ANBU member needs a codename. Pick one."

Yun thought for a moment. "Then... I'll take 'En'."

Minato and Jia both froze for a second.

"En?"

'That was the codename of a fallen ANBU member...'

'Was he trying to carry on the predecessor's will?'

Though unorthodox, Minato already understood Uchiha Yun's purpose.

"Approved."

To Jia's surprise, the Fourth Hokage finalized the codename.

Yun left the Hokage Tower, changed out of his uniform, and headed to the rest quarters. He had two days off after the mission.

"Lord Hokage, about Yun... about 'En' and his Mangekyō Sharingan, what he said about the cost, is it true?"

Jia hesitated before continuing. "Kakashi-senpai never mentioned it before, but given the circumstances, I didn't question him."

Minato looked out the window, watching Yun walk away. "The loss of vision is real. Kakashi rarely used his eye, he stopped using it almost three years ago, so his eyesight hasn't degraded much."

"But yes, each time the Mangekyō is used, the user loses some vision until total blindness. That part is true."

Minato turned back and smiled at the stunned Jia. "I honestly didn't expect Yun to act for the sake of the clan like this."

Jia nodded solemnly. "The cost is real. And so is his intent. Uchiha Yun… really isn't just some brat you can underestimate."

Minato chuckled. "Even Shisui holds him in high regard. But there's no need to be overly wary. After all, part of the Uchiha's goals align with ours."

He let out a long breath.

Though the encounter with Orochimaru was a coincidence, Yun had expertly used the situation to establish his place in ANBU.

From this day forward, Squad Six would speak for Uchiha Yun within the Fourth Hokage's ANBU.

The mission may have been classified, but unlike Root, the Hokage's ANBU weren't devoid of emotion.

By extending his influence within ANBU, Yun had moved a step closer to his goal.

The Uchiha's reintegration into Konoha had begun.

By the end of the year, the promises made to Shisui had to be fulfilled: restructuring the Police Force's authority, appointing Uchiha to the elite Jonin command.

As he considered it, even Minato furrowed his brow.

But the cost of using Mangekyō Sharingan allowed him to relax again.

Loss of sight, irreversible damage, not even Tsunade could heal that.

With only Kakashi left, and clearly on Konoha's side, the Uchiha, no matter how strong, wouldn't be able to overthrow the village.

.....

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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