Chapter 17: The Mysterious Grandfather
A quiet bedroom was filled with a soft sigh.
Ruofeng's grandfather exhaled, his kind eyes now lined with seriousness. "You seek power… is this your destiny? But, Ruofeng, do you truly understand what being a ninja entails?"
Ruofeng's eyes gleamed with thought. He nodded. "I know. Being a ninja means being strong, but it also means life and death. Once you become a ninja, you walk on the edge of life and death. Especially now, in times of war—it's even more so."
Indeed, being a ninja was a high-risk profession. In this lawless world, only strength could ensure survival. Wealth alone could not save one's life; a few dissatisfied ninjas could easily snatch it away.
"Ah…" His grandfather sighed again, finally saying, "Very well… you have made your decision and your heart is steadfast. Then the things your grandfather left behind can be entrusted to you."
With that, he stood and walked toward a corner of Ruofeng's bedroom.
Ruofeng's eyes widened in shock. "Grandfather… the relics my grandfather left behind? What… what is this?"
He was amazed. Since birth, he had never seen his parents, let alone his grandfather.
Without a word, his grandfather reached the corner of the room and formed hand seals. "Release!"
"What… my grandfather… he has chakra!" Ruofeng exclaimed.
In that instant, chakra burst forth from his grandfather's body. Ruofeng had never expected that his seemingly gentle grandfather was a ninja—and not a weak one either!
Moreover, Ruofeng noticed, to his astonishment, that a strange formation appeared in the corner of the room. Soon, a pitch-black opening began to materialize.
"A secret chamber!"
Seeing the opening, Ruofeng marveled. He had searched for secret rooms in the house for years but never found a trace. And yet, it was here, hidden in his very bedroom.
His grandfather said, "Follow me. There are things you should know."
Ruofeng followed silently into the passage.
The moment they entered the darkness, flickering candlelight illuminated the path.
The passage was ancient, made of old bricks, showing the wear of centuries.
It was not long—just about a hundred meters.
Soon, they entered a vast room.
His grandfather stopped and spoke gently, "Here it is. This is the secret you've been seeking. The secret of our family… the secret of your grandfather."
With a heavy sigh, he paused, and Ruofeng finally comprehended the scene. It was a secret chamber. Though spacious, it contained few items.
Several cabinets held scrolls, a few pieces of ancient armor, and some weapons.
But what captured Ruofeng's attention the most was a pair of eyes.
"Sharingan!" he exclaimed.
His grandfather nodded. "Correct… this is the Sharingan, your grandfather's eyes."
His words carried melancholy and a subtle darkness.
Ruofeng asked, "So… I'm part of the Uchiha clan?"
His grandfather hesitated, lost in memory. "You could say that… but not entirely. You are Uchiha by blood, yet not truly of the clan. The reason for this lies with your grandfather.
Your grandfather was once a ninja, an elite of the Uchiha clan, a combat captain. He ranked among the top ten of the clan. And the one he devoted his life to was none other than the forbidden Uchiha Madara."
At the mention of Madara, his grandfather shivered slightly. He looked at Ruofeng gravely: "Ruofeng… you may not know who Uchiha Madara is, but remember this—never, ever get close to him."
Ruofeng nodded, already understanding Madara's infamy. But he never imagined that his grandfather had ties to such a figure.
His grandfather continued, "That night, Uchiha Madara, roaming freely, returned. He sent a message to the Uchiha clan: he would rebel, and create a world of peace by his own hand. The clan, accustomed to comfort, had no followers. But your grandfather… he admired Madara deeply, swore to follow him to the end.
Not only your grandfather, but several Uchiha followed Madara. Unfortunately, before their plan could unfold, the First Hokage acted first and confronted Madara.
I still remember that night. Madara commanded your grandfather to take what belonged to the Uchiha, for he was about to wage a great battle that would decide the future.
That night, Madara fought Hashirama Senju. The fight darkened the heavens. Ultimately, Madara was defeated. Your grandfather could not believe it… he refused to accept that Madara would lose, or die. So he, along with Madara's loyal followers, chose to disappear, waiting for Madara's return.
Eventually, your grandfather's patience was rewarded—Madara reappeared. But he did not continue his rebellion. Instead, he chose to hide, instructing your grandfather to remain concealed. He eliminated the traitorous Uchiha, gave your grandfather a safe identity, and departed from Konoha. Your grandfather continued in secrecy, sealing away these items.
Originally, these items were meant for your father. But your father, young and full of grief—your grandmother had died because of Madara—harbored a deep hatred for Madara, and even for your grandfather. Thus, he refused to inherit these items and rejected the path of a ninja. After your grandfather's death, your father sealed these treasures away."
Ruofeng felt overwhelmed. Learning he was part of the Uchiha clan was already shocking—but the revelation that his grandfather had served under Madara, that his grandmother had died because of Madara's rebellion, and that his father had sealed away Madara's possessions… was staggering.
Although incredulous, Ruofeng understood: even with Madara's charm, some followers would inevitably be drawn to him.