Naruto: This Uchiha is too innocent.

I am sorry.

The three words were repeated countless times in Uchiha Sora's mind. He had been apologizing ever since he abandoned Uzuki Kaze.

If he were weak and useless in the situation, there would be nothing to say. But the situation was different. He could use the Glory of the Uchiha and the Karasu Tengu. These two moves were enough for him to help Kazunari Uzuki escape danger. The latter, in particular, could even kill Maki.

He still had some strength left, but he abandoned Kazekazuki, which is the source of his guilt.

The vast majority of people in the shadows live in the dark, are unsavory characters who can't be brought to the surface, and their hearts are unpredictable.

Since joining the Dark Division, he has believed in distrusting everyone and living only for himself.

He seems to be in a very good state of mind now, but in reality, he had a very difficult time during the first month in the dark. Facing all sorts of people in the dark every day affected his mindset, and he rarely even smiled during that period.

When did it begin? He accepted Uzuki Kazunari,

Oh right, it's the eighth mission.

It was an assassination mission: to assassinate a Chunin from an enemy country.

At that time, he felt that this mission was nothing compared to his abilities; he believed he was in a league of his own among Chunin.

Unexpectedly, he miscalculated. The world is so vast, what made him think he was the best? Because of the system?

The opponent's shadow clone technique was so realistic that he thought the clone was dead the moment he killed it. By the time he realized he had killed the clone, it was too late.

Amidst the mist, a single slash cuts through the flow.

The knife was aimed at his arm; it happened so suddenly, he couldn't dodge it.

With that stab, Uzuki Kaze pushed him away, but the former was injured on the back, and that hideous scar remains on his back to this day.

From that time on, in the cold and boundless darkness, he felt the warmth of humanity.

Even though he later realized that Uzuki Kazunari regarded him as her younger brother who died young, Uzuki Kazunari had indeed entered his heart when she shielded him from the knife with her back. After that, Uzuki Kazunari would talk to him during every mission to prevent him from being influenced by the dark atmosphere of the Anbu.

All of the other party's actions revealed the care that Uzuki Kaze had for him.

"Back then, I had the ability to save you." Uchiha Sora lowered his eyes. "I still had a trump card. If Shinnosuke hadn't arrived, you would really be dead."

What would you do, Kazunari Uzuki? Disgust? Contempt? Furious? Or disappointed? He thought to himself, already prepared to break ties with Kazunari Uzuki.

Sure enough, it's still a little sad. In both past and present lives, it's so rare to have someone who's like an older brother...

A sigh seemed to echo in the empty hospital room.

A slight ripple appeared in Uchiha Sora's eyes, which were as calm as still water.

really……

The next moment, a warm hand covered his head.

"Silly boy, you feel guilty just because of this?"

Uchiha Sora looked up blankly, meeting the gaze of that slightly pale face radiating a tender smile. He frowned.

"You...you don't blame me?"

Uzuki Kaze raised a finger and tapped Uchiha Sora's forehead lightly, saying helplessly:

"You're still too young and inexperienced. After joining the Dark Division for over ten years, you'll realize that what you're saying is nothing. Paying a price to save your comrades? In the world of the Dark Division, that's considered a bodhisattva."

Have you ever heard the saying, "Entering the dark side is like entering a deep sea; if you don't kill or rob, you'll die quickly"?

Smiling while harboring a knife, kicking someone when they're down, using comrades as bait—these tactics are perfectly normal; as long as the mission is accomplished, no method will be spared.

He paused for a moment, a look of melancholy flashing in his eyes, then shook his head and said earnestly:

"You said you have a trump card? Tell me, will you get that trump card? No, will it cause heavy losses to the Uchiha clan?"

Uchiha Sora pursed his lips. "Yes."

Without hesitation, if he were to use the Mangekyou Sharingan, aside from the risk of blindness, the danger of being targeted by the Third Hokage would bring indelible damage to the future of the Uchiha clan.

Uzuki Kaze chuckled, "Ku, you're the number one in the Chunin Exams, you're a genius of the Uchiha clan, you're the most dazzling genius of the younger generation."

If you pay an irreparable price to save me, I can't bear it. The Dark Division is just a stop on your journey through life; you'll get off soon. But the Dark Division is my final destination.

Having survived in the Dark Division for over a decade, I've already made a profit. Look at those who joined at the same time as me; most of them are dead.

As he spoke, he said with a hint of self-mockery, "Even my younger brother is dead."

Dying on a mission is my destiny, but not yours. Your life is long and brilliant.

As he spoke, he became serious, laboriously raised his hands, placed them on Uchiha Sora's shoulders, and said in a deep voice, "Look up, look into my eyes."

Uchiha Sora looked up, meeting those deep eyes, who slowly spoke:

"Remember, if my life can save you, don't hesitate to abandon me."

After more than ten years in the shadows, Kazekatsuki had become indifferent to life, even looking forward to death. He was tired, both physically and mentally, and his body was already scarred and broken.

His first feeling upon surviving this time was not relief, but regret.

……

Back in his hospital room, Uchiha Sora stared blankly at the withered tree outside the window. In summer, sparrows would chirp and chatter there, full of life.

But now, there's nothing there, not even a single leaf.

Winter is a season of quietude for life.

Uchiha Sora felt inexplicably sad. He hadn't expected that Uzuki Kazunari would have suicidal thoughts, something he'd never shown before.

He had no recollection of this person in the original work; he was probably... already dead.

Just now, before leaving, Uzuki Kazunari said that after his injuries healed, he would teach him a ninjutsu called the Crescent Moon Dance.

Uchiha Sora vaguely remembered this move; it was the signature move of Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki in later generations. It was a very powerful move, and it didn't require any chakra attribute, so he should be able to learn it.

This is good. He is about to acquire a powerful ninjutsu. He should be very happy. But why does he feel so sad?

He knew why; it was probably because he saw the budding will to die deep in Uzuki Kaze's eyes. He thought that perhaps Shinnosuke knew about this, which was why he had him carry out this mission.

He suddenly realized that he seemed to know nothing about Uzuki Kazunari at all.

He had already made up his mind to die; there was no way to reverse it. This was a life clock that had entered its final countdown.

The Uchiha clan are ninjas who value emotions the most; their mouths may lie, but their eyes will not.

He wondered, when that day truly came, would he finally have his own Sharingan?

If that's the case, he doesn't want these eyes.

#

"Ku, after you recover from your injuries, I'll teach you a ninjutsu."

"It is called the Dance of the Crescent Moon."

His pale face held such a burning gaze.