Shadow of the Uchiha Guard

Land of Fire.

Konoha.

Central Square.

The Uchiha Guard remained in position, their discipline unshaken even after Bai Ye broke through space and vanished.

There was no chaos.

They stood firm, maintaining order with precision, executing their duties flawlessly.

This was the transformation of the Guard.

From being despised to being feared.

And now, respected once more.

It took everything they had.

Under Bai Ye's leadership, they finally understood the true purpose of the Guard.

To protect, to serve—without compromise.

For the Uchiha members within the Guard, Bai Ye was not just a leader but a guiding force. Gratitude burned in their hearts.

Change was good.

Without arrogance clouding their vision, the Uchiha within the Guard revealed another side.

Though still prone to flaunting their strength, they rarely did so toward the villagers.

As Bai Ye once said—some battles are worth fighting, some displays of power are necessary. But others?

They're just wasted energy.

This was the Uchiha Guard now.

---

A secluded corner of the audience.

Uchiha Fugaku, arms crossed, exhaled slowly.

"Bai Ye is remarkable."

He never expected that after entrusting the Guard to Bai Ye, the clan members within it would change so drastically.

Now, if one picked a random member of the Guard and placed them among ordinary Uchiha clansmen, aside from their uniforms, there would be little to distinguish them.

Their presence was different.

Bai Ye was shaping his subordinates, whether intentionally or not.

"It's time I spoke with him properly," Fugaku mused.

He had asked Mikoto to pass along an invitation, but he understood Bai Ye had been preoccupied. He would have to wait for an opportunity to meet him.

Uchiha needed change.

The newfound respect for the Guard had begun shifting the mentality of many within the clan.

But with change came tension.

Every clan meeting, Bai Ye's absence sparked frustration among the elders.

Before, no one cared whether he attended.

But now?

Now that his influence had spread throughout Konoha, many within the clan sought to use Bai Ye as a tool for their own agendas.

It was inevitable.

To them, Bai Ye, as a member of the Uchiha, had an obligation to serve the clan.

Even Fugaku, as clan head, had entertained such thoughts.

Yet…

Fugaku frowned.

Why hadn't Bai Ye returned yet?

Suddenly—

A ripple in the air.

Fugaku and the surrounding shinobi instinctively turned their gaze skyward.

Boom!

As though answering their unspoken question, space tore open once more.

Several figures emerged.

At the center of it all—Bai Ye.

His posture unchanged, arms draped around two figures.

At his feet, Raikage knelt, the light in his eyes extinguished.

"Go home and wait for me," Bai Ye said with a smirk, addressing Yugito Nii and Samui.

Faces flushed, the two kunoichi hurriedly departed.

Unlike before, they didn't spare Raikage a glance.

As if, after everything, he was nothing more than a stranger.

In truth, he was.

During Yugito's complete submission, Bai Ye had been struck by a thought.

Kicking Raikage out of his Susanoo, he had tested its ability to project shockwaves from within its diamond-like armor.

The experiment was short-lived.

Despite the breathtaking view above the clouds, there was only one way to ensure his two guests had a full experience.

And it wasn't through sightseeing.

So Bai Ye decided to wrap things up.

He had a public trial to conclude.

Then—home.

The villagers and shinobi, seeing Bai Ye's return, exhaled in relief.

They had worried.

The Uchiha Guard's captain was no longer just a feared figure—he was the linchpin of Konoha's stability.

None more so than Hyuga Hiashi.

Had something happened to Bai Ye, the power he had aligned himself with would be gone.

But the relief was short-lived.

As their eyes drifted from Bai Ye to Raikage—

Something was wrong.

The once-proud leader of Kumogakure was vacant, hollow.

A stark contrast to the defiant man who had once challenged Bai Ye.

What had happened?

Had the captain… drained Raikage dry?

No one knew what transpired in the Land of Lightning.

But soon, they would.

Such events could not remain hidden.

A storm was coming.

The only question—

Would it reveal Uchiha Bai Ye's power?

Ridiculous.

Bai Ye never concealed his strength.

How else could he have subdued the Guard?

With kind words? Like Naruto?

No.

A true leader imposed his will with action, not platitudes.

"Announce the results of the public trial."

Bai Ye tossed a scroll to Uchiha Satoshi before reclining lazily in his chair.

An agreement had been reached.

Or rather—

This was the price Raikage had paid.

Uchiha Satoshi caught the scroll.

His eyes scanned its contents—

And froze.

His breath hitched.

For a long moment, he stood motionless.

Then—shock rippled through him.

Eyes wide, he glanced from Bai Ye to the ruined shell of Raikage.

He swallowed.

Was this really happening?

The villagers and shinobi, tense with anticipation, leaned forward.

This was unprecedented.

A foreign Kage—tried under Konoha's law.

To use the village's justice system against an outsider?

Unheard of.

Yet, here it was.

And the accused?

The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure.

Was this a violation?

No.

Given Bai Ye's history, it seemed entirely logical.

Raikage looked up at Bai Ye.

Defeated.

For a brief moment, fear and regret flashed in his gaze.

This was the reality of power.

The strong devour the weak.

His mistake?

Underestimating the existence of Uchiha Bai Ye.

Cloud had believed in its plans.

But now?

It had been nothing more than a fool's play.

Why had Kumogakure ever dared to provoke such a force?

And now—

He was just a relic of the past.

Still, he couldn't help but feel bitter.

Why had Bai Ye not seized even greater power?

Why not claim the Hokage's seat? Kill Hiruzen?

If the world had known his true strength—

No one would have dared scheme against him.

Yes.

Raikage was steeped in regret.

Especially for ever thinking Yugito Nii could assassinate Bai Ye.

What a joke.

Even his resurrected father would be powerless against this man.

This was a force that only the God of Shinobi could rival.

And Konoha—

Was oblivious to the enemy it had made.

Raikage smirked bitterly.

He turned toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The aged Hokage stiffened under the scrutiny.

Raikage had seen the future.

The downfall of this old fox was inevitable.

Sarutobi knew it too.

He could already feel the weight of it.

Still, he schemed.

Still, he planned.

But it was meaningless.

For in this world—

There was only what Uchiha Bai Ye desired.

And everything else?

Simply ceased to matter.

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