Early morning, at the Uchiha clan compound.
In front of Uchiha Teru's house, a slender woman stood silently in the courtyard. She was as still as a beautifully sculpted statue.
Behind her, two other women of similar age stood at a distance.
"Misuke-nee-san, you've been standing here all night. Let's go back," one of them said softly, stepping forward.
"Mm. It's time to go," the woman replied softly, and then turned around.
As she turned, the other two women saw the intense killing intent in her eyes.
Seeing the woman leave, they quickly followed.
The three of them soon walked out of the small courtyard and headed out of the clan compound.
As they passed through the clan gate, Itachi, returning from walking his younger brother, happened to see them.
Watching the departing trio, Itachi's face showed a thoughtful expression.
Near a secluded training ground, Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko walked side-by-side. This was the usual route to the pet shop.
Both women were silent.
Over the past two days, news of Tatsuya killing a Mangekyo Sharingan-wielding Uchiha had spread widely throughout Konoha.
One was the owner of the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, and the other was the renowned secret technique ninja, Akimichi Tatsuya.
Such explosive news, once released, immediately became the focus of heated discussion among all the ninjas in the village.
Last night, Kyoko and Anko had also heard this news during their dinner.
All night, Kyoko had slept restlessly.
She was worried about Tatsuya's safety.
Some people said that any Uchiha clansman who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan possessed power that surpassed ordinary people.
Kyoko didn't care who the owner of the Mangekyo Sharingan was, or whether Tatsuya had actually killed him.
Beside her, Anko's face showed no sign of worry.
That guy was so strong; he definitely wouldn't die.
The reason she wasn't speaking was that she sensed something was off with Kyoko's mood.
In this situation, it was best not to say too much.
It wasn't that she was scared!
She just couldn't bear to see Kyoko cry.
Over the past year or so, Anko had come to regard Kyoko as her best friend.
If Kyoko was unhappy or cried, it would make Anko extremely uncomfortable.
This was also one of the reasons why Anko disliked Tatsuya and always wanted to pick a fight with him.
Anko wanted to wait quietly for Kyoko's mood to pass.
After walking for a while, they encountered three young women wearing Uchiha attire at the end of the training ground, walking towards them.
Seeing the three, Anko's expression changed drastically.
Because she felt a strong killing intent from them.
Anko recognized the woman in the lead. Her name was Uchiha Misuke, and she was two or three years older than them.
Uchiha Misuke had once been a talented young woman of the Uchiha clan, having already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Stop! What do you want?"
Anko took a step forward, blocking Kyoko, and shouted at the three Uchiha women.
They were clearly up to no good!
"Step aside! This has nothing to do with you!"
The three stopped, and Uchiha Misuke looked at Anko expressionlessly.
At this moment, Uchiha Misuke's three-tomoe Sharingan was already activated.
Being stared at by those eyes filled with killing intent, Anko's heart tightened.
Danger!
Anko immediately became alert.
"Are you here for me?"
From behind, Kyoko pulled Anko back. She stepped forward and looked at Uchiha Misuke, her voice low, but without any sign of retreat or fear.
Anko was slightly surprised, but she obediently stepped aside.
A flicker of surprise crossed Uchiha Misuke's eyes. She looked at Kyoko silently for a moment and said, "Akimichi Tatsuya killed my younger brother, Uchiha Teru. I want his woman to pay with her life."
"If that Mangekyo Sharingan clansman of yours was really killed by Tatsuya-san, I'll accept whatever revenge you want to take! If Tatsuya-san is harmed because of this, I will absolutely not let you get away with it!"
Hearing this, Anko's heart clenched, and she once again stepped in front of Kyoko, shouting loudly. Anko wouldn't allow any carelessness when it came to red-eyed Uchiha.
Kyoko pushed Anko aside again and stated firmly, each word deliberate and serious.
As her voice fell, Uchiha Misuke's crimson three-tomoe Sharingan suddenly contracted sharply. She stared intently at Kyoko, without saying a word!
The atmosphere became stagnant, and Anko's hands clenched tightly, her palms already sweating.
Gradually, a look of appreciation appeared on Uchiha Misuke's face. Looking at Kyoko, she said softly, "If it weren't for that incident, perhaps we could have been friends."
Shing!
With that, Uchiha Misuke's expression turned cold, and she slowly drew the long sword at her waist.
Kyoko's beautiful face was serious. With a gentle flick of her right hand, a kunai appeared in her grasp.
Kyoko was also ready for battle!
Beside them, Anko's face was filled with irrepressible shock.
This was the first time she had seen Kyoko act like this.
Brave! Decisive!
The once pure and kind girl seemed to have changed!
Whoosh, whoosh...
The sound of wind stirred as the two figures instantly disappeared from their original positions.
Clang, clang, clang...
A series of metallic clangs rang out as the long sword and kunai clashed repeatedly in the air.
Both were extremely fast, exchanging dozens of blows in just a minute or two.
"Kyoko has this kind of strength?"
Watching Kyoko fighting back and forth with Uchiha Misuke, Anko was completely stunned.
All this time, the image of Kyoko in her mind was still that of the simple, go-with-the-flow genin girl.
It turned out that, without her realizing it, Kyoko had already grown to such an extent.
Judging solely by the taijutsu skills they were currently displaying, both Kyoko and Uchiha Misuke were on par with Anko.
Under the continuous strengthening of Tatsuya's Fujinhoin, Kyoko's physical fitness was already among the best of her peers.
"If you want to help, you'll have to get past us first!"
After a brief moment of stunned surprise, Anko snapped back to her senses. She immediately wanted to help Kyoko, but was blocked by the other two Uchiha girls.
The two Uchiha girls were slightly weaker than Uchiha Misuke, both being only of chunin level. One of them had also awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan.
However, with the two of them working together, Anko couldn't gain an advantage for the time being.
For a time, the five were locked in a fierce battle in the street.
In the training ground, more than ten Konoha ninjas who had gotten up early to train either stopped to watch or quickly moved away.
A conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Akimichi clan was not something ordinary ninjas could get involved in.
Not far away, a ninja wearing an ANBU uniform was squatting on the roof of a house, quietly watching the fight below.
Clang!
After another clash, Uchiha Misuke and Kyoko retreated a considerable distance.
"Akimichi Kyoko, be careful!"
Uchiha Misuke said, and then quickly formed hand seals.
Soon, a huge fireball erupted from her mouth.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!
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