As Uchiha Akira recalled the hand seals for Lightning Style—
A notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding! You are about to use a basic Lightning Style technique. You have comprehended the full series of Lightning Style jutsu!]
[All Lightning Release techniques—from D-rank to S-rank—have been mastered.]
At once—
A vast stream of knowledge flooded his mind.
Akira's lips curved slightly.
His gaze returned to the three Mangetsu figures rushing toward him—
Calm.
Almost amused.
It looked like he was about to deal with the clones—
But in the next instant—
He vanished.
Lightning erupted.
BOOM!!
The ground exploded.
Rocks shattered.
Dust surged into the air.
Beneath the earth—
Mangetsu—
Who had been preparing his ambush—
Was struck directly.
Lightning surged through his liquefied body—
Forcing him out of hiding.
His form collapsed—
Spreading across the ground like water.
Electric arcs danced across him—
Locking his body in complete paralysis.
"D-Damn it…"
"Damn you, Uchiha!"
Mangetsu growled unwillingly.
"Still not cooperative, huh?"
Akira stepped forward casually.
He picked up Hiramekarei—
Inspecting it briefly.
"…Not bad."
"I'll take it."
Without hesitation—
He claimed it.
Then—
He looked down at Mangetsu.
Helpless.
Trapped in the crater.
"Wait!"
Might Duy suddenly called out.
"Hmm?"
Akira turned slightly.
"This man could be useful to the village."
"We can hand him over to Intelligence for interrogation."
Duy spoke earnestly.
Despite his reputation as the "eternal genin"—
His judgment was sharp.
Akira glanced at Mangetsu once more.
Then nodded.
"…Fine."
"He's yours."
With that—
He turned to leave.
"P-Please wait!"
Duy called again.
"…What is it now?"
Akira stopped.
Duy approached with Guy, Ebisu, and Genma.
When they reached him—
Duy bowed deeply.
Then gently pulled Guy forward—
And bowed again.
"Thank you for saving us!"
"I am Might Duy. This is my son, Might Guy!"
Tears streamed down his face.
And just like him—
Guy's eyes were filled with emotion.
"Thank you very much!"
Guy said firmly.
Akira looked at them—
Calm.
"I just happened to pass by."
"And we're all Konoha ninja."
"There's nothing to thank me for."
He turned.
And left—
Without looking back.
Watching his departing figure—
Calm.
Detached.
As if none of it mattered—
Not the battle.
Not the lives he had saved.
Duy, Guy, Ebisu, and Genma stood in silence.
Then—
Suddenly—
Duy burst into laughter.
Tears still on his face.
"Guy! Did you see that?!"
"I did, Father!"
"That is a true man of passion and righteousness!"
"Hahaha!"
"You must always keep that spirit!"
"For the sake of the village—never complain, no matter the sacrifice!"
"I understand, Father!"
Guy clenched his fists tightly.
Determination burned in his eyes—
As he looked toward where Akira had disappeared.
Beside them—
Genma muttered quietly:
"I thought the Uchiha didn't get along with others…"
"Maybe that's not entirely true…"
"Yeah… maybe he's like Shisui."
"An exception."
"But either way—he saved us."
"We owe him."
Ebisu nodded.
Meanwhile—
Konoha.
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat with his advisors.
Battlefield reports lay spread across the table.
Casualty lists.
Enemy intelligence.
Messages from the Daimyō of other nations.
"The Daimyō of the Land of Water has proposed peace negotiations."
"They're willing to talk."
"But the Hidden Cloud, Stone, and Sand continue to press our borders."
Homura Mitokado spoke.
"Hiruzen, it may be time to adjust our strategy."
"We should recall all ninja under eighteen below Chunin level."
Hiruzen sat in silence—
Pipe in hand.
Studying the battle map.
Beside him—
Danzo Shimura remained still.
His expression unreadable.
After a long pause—
Hiruzen spoke.
"Now that the Hidden Mist has withdrawn…"
"The pressure on the eastern front has eased."
"We must take advantage of this."
"And redirect our forces."
Koharu Utatane frowned.
"But that will increase casualties."
"We've already suffered heavy losses…"
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
Then said:
"I've received reports."
"The Uchiha clan performed exceptionally well on the eastern front."
"Besides Shisui…"
"A new name has emerged."
"Uchiha Akira."
"His Body Flicker has struck fear into the enemy."
"Send them to reinforce other battlefields."
"They may achieve even greater results."
He paused—
Then added:
"And don't forget…"
"We have suffered losses."
"But so have they."
"If it comes down to manpower…"
"They may not surpass us."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I believe…"
"At this rate…"
"In one month…"
"The war will end."
"And it will be them…"
"…begging us for peace."