Throne Of The Uchiha

Supplies

"A quick strike—don't get bogged down," Uchiha Fugaku ordered sharply. "The explosion will draw reinforcements."

Twelve Konoha ninja surged forward, surrounding the four Iwagakure shinobi. Their formation was tight, weapons flying from every direction—shuriken, kunai, and explosive tags forming a deadly net.

"Break through," said Qing Moduo, the Rock Jonin, calmly analyzing the encirclement. "Send a signal—survival comes first."

With a sharp inhale, Qing Moduo exhaled a strong Wind Release: Gale Palm, sweeping aside most of the airborne weapons. His teammate immediately responded with Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, halting the rest. Together, the two defenses bought them precious seconds.

The Iwa team darted away—retreating not toward safety, but toward the sector guarded by Yamada Shinji and his two fellow Chunin.

They were deliberately choosing the weaker link. Typical Iwa tactics, Fugaku thought grimly. Avoid confrontation with superior forces. Exploit the weak point.

"Let them go," Fugaku barked. "Engaging now would cost lives."

He wasn't wrong. Fugaku quickly estimated the enemy's strength: at least two Jonin, likely seasoned, and two high-Chunin. His own side had already split into mission teams. To engage recklessly would mean casualties.

But retreat didn't mean mercy.

Fugaku's fingers flicked. Three kunai spun out with expert precision, their flight arcs jagged and misleading. One of the retreating Iwa Jonin turned mid-leap, blades flashing—he parried the projectiles with a short sword that moved like a living shadow.

An expert. Trained. Likely from the Iwagakure Sword Corps, Fugaku noted.

Inuzukamaru and his ninken surged forward beside two other Konoha ninja. The ninken howled, and wind-enhanced fang attacks sliced through the rain, forcing the Rock ninjas to halt briefly.

Fugaku moved.

He soared above his teammates, targeting Qing Moduo with a kunai thrust aimed at the heart.

Clang! Steel met steel. The two clashed. Sparks rained in the storm.

Elsewhere, Hinata Ning and Inuzukamaru took on the second Iwa Jonin. The remaining Konoha forces overwhelmed the two Iwa Chunin with superior numbers and coordination.

Qing Moduo grunted as he was forced on the defensive. He launched two counterattacks, knocking Fugaku back, and tried to create space. He's planning to escape.

Not happening.

Fugaku was right on him. Twin kunai left his hands—one high, one low—and a sudden flare of Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique erupted from his mouth.

Cornered, Qing Moduo slammed his palms together. Earth Release: Mud Wall rose instantly, shielding him from the flames.

Dual nature transformation: Wind and Earth, Fugaku confirmed. Rare, but not unheard of. Most shinobi start with one affinity. Mastery of a second is a mark of higher-rank jonin—sometimes bloodline-related.

By contrast, Fugaku had only just begun experimenting with his secondary affinity. Like most Uchiha, his Fire Release was already devastating, and he had little time for elemental diversity.

Qing Moduo exhaled and gave a dry laugh. "So it's just you now, Uchiha. It's still unclear who will walk away from this. If I take a Sharingan corpse back, I can atone for the failure."

Fugaku didn't reply. He didn't care for villain monologues.

The three-tomoe Sharingan whirled to life. His perception sharpened, and time slowed in his vision. An illusion caught Qing Moduo for just a second—but it was enough.

Fugaku struck.

Slash—stab—parry—slice. His hands moved like shadows. A gash opened on Qing Moduo's shoulder. Then another at the rib.

Qing Moduo gritted his teeth, trying to counter, but his moves were anticipated. The Sharingan revealed every twitch, every feint. A well-placed kunai thrust hit near the shoulder blade, disabling the left arm.

Qing Moduo stumbled back, blood soaking through his flak vest.

"Your name," he muttered. "At least let me know... who killed me."

Fugaku's blade gleamed again. This time, it struck home—through the heart.

Qing Moduo collapsed.

Fugaku stood silently for a moment, then answered the dying man's last request:

"Uchiha Fugaku. You won't be the last."

He attached an explosive tag to the body, then turned away.

The other Iwa shinobi had already been dealt with—blood mixed with rain over shattered rock. Team 009 moved methodically, placing explosive tags on each corpse in a chain detonation trap.

"Finish up," Fugaku ordered. "We're returning to the forward camp for resupply."

Though the Rain Country's terrain favored Iwa and Amegakure shinobi, Konoha's vanguard camp was strategically placed and heavily reinforced.

Still, Fugaku wasn't naive.

The other nations—Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and even Kumogakure—had capable intelligence divisions. The existence and location of the forward camp was no secret. But attacking it would require massive troop movement—something hard to conceal from Konoha's own sensors and scouts.

Besides, Fugaku suspected that the camp was just a front.

"A clever rabbit has three burrows," he mused. "And Konoha isn't a rabbit—it's a fox. There are surely secret bases elsewhere in the Rain."

They reached the camp without further incident. The atmosphere was busy—medical tents, supply caravans, mess halls filled with rain-soaked shinobi.

While others rested, Fugaku made for Uchiha En's tent. He hadn't received an update from his father via En's summoning beast in a while.

But the tent was empty.

Either still on mission… or something's happened. He felt an uneasy pang but suppressed it.

Next, he approached Uchiha Jin's tent.

Before he entered, a familiar voice called out, "Fugaku. I figured you'd be back soon—came for supplies, yeah?"

Fugaku nodded. "Also wanted to check if En returned. I need to know if my father sent anything."

Jin paused, then said quietly, "No message yet. But if your mission's over, take a break. You've earned it."

"Two days," Fugaku said flatly. "Then we move again."

Jin's easy smile faded into grim understanding. "Yeah… it's almost time. Word is the next few missions will be heavier."

Fugaku said nothing.

The war would not pause for anyone.