The Same Day – Konoha
Under the moonlit sky, a suffocating silence loomed in the darkened room. Kaizen stood before Danzo, who held out a plain white mask and a full-body robe as dark as the void.
"You'll wear this.You're nothing but a ghost tonight," Danzo said coldly.
Kaizen nodded without a word, slipping the mask over his face and wrapping the cloak around his frame. The air felt heavy — like iron chains wrapped around his limbs. Every instinct screamed at him to run, to flee the village before he became something irredeemable.
But he couldn't.
Danzo wasn't a man you refused. Escaping meant becoming prey, a walking bounty with nowhere to hide. At least here, he could walk a thin line between survival and purpose.
Danzo handed him a short blade — plain, unmarked, but finely forged. It was perfectly balanced, deadly with the right hand. Kaizen accepted it with a trembling breath.
"Do it clean. Do it quiet. Don't get caught. And most importantly…" Danzo paused, staring directly into Kaizen's eyes, "...don't let them see your face."
With that, the war hawk turned and vanished into the shadows.
Kaizen exhaled, stepping out into the cool night air, his heart drumming against his ribs like a war drum.
Central Uchiha District
The Uchiha compound was alive with activity even late at night. Lanterns glowed softly from behind rice-paper windows. Children laughed faintly in the distance. The rhythmic footsteps of patrolling guards echoed against the walls.
So many people… and they have no idea what's coming, Kaizen thought grimly.
He clenched his hand and made a shallow cut across his palm. Blood welled up immediately. Without hesitation, he drew a small, ritualistic circle on the cobblestones behind a house, then slammed his hand against it.
The blood rippled like ink in water. A whisper of power slipped through the air as the red ichor crept along the street, invisible to all but Kaizen. It slithered behind one of the patrolling guards.
In one silent instant — a flicker of steel and a muffled gasp — the man's head was separated from his body.
Uchiha Guard killed. Gain 2000 XP.
Kaizen's heart beat faster. He looked down at his trembling hands and wiped the blade clean on his sleeve.
One down… nine to go.
He didn't have time to breathe before a shout pierced the air. "Who are you?!"
Kaizen spun, barely catching sight of a second guard drawing his weapon.
Too late.
He Body Flickered forward, blade leading the way. The attack was swift, merciless.
Uchiha Guard killed. Gain 2000 XP.
But the damage was done. Alarms rose in the night, voices shouting across rooftops.
"ALERT! Intruder in the compound!"
"Sound the horn!"
"Someone has killed our people!"
Doors flung open. Families spilled out in panic. The patrols regrouped and scanned the area. Lights flared to life.
Kaizen's breathing quickened. He darted through the alleys, hand pressed against his bleeding palm once more.
I need to protect myself.
He drew a larger circle with his blood this time, chanting softly under his breath.
Blood Ritual activated.
Blood flows in the ground forming a line.
Not a moment too soon.
A shinobi appeared in front of him, flak jacket shining under the torches. "There you are!" the man shouted, forming hand signs in a blur.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive ball of flame surged forward.
Kaizen leapt to the side, but not fast enough. The heat scorched his cloak and licked across his skin. He groaned as pain flared down his shoulder.
You are burned. -200 HP.
"[Prayer]," he whispered. A warm light surged through him, closing the worst of the burn.
The shinobi charged with a kunai — straight into Kaizen's trap.
The Blood Ritual activated again. The crimson spikes buried themselves into the man's foot, making him scream and falter. Kaizen didn't hesitate.
He rammed the short blade into the man's chest.
Uchiha Ninja killed. Gain 3000 XP.
Three down.
Kaizen turned… and his blood ran cold.
Dozens of shadows were approaching — ten, no, twenty? Maybe more. Voices shouted from every direction. They were closing in fast.
"Surround the area! Find the killer!"
I can't take them all on… not even close. Kaizen gritted his teeth and sprinted into one of the side alleys. He looked for a door, any opening — and found one slightly ajar.
Slipping inside, he carefully shut the door behind him.
It was quiet… too quiet.
A small living room. Old furniture. Dim light from a paper lamp. In the corner, an elderly man — no younger than eighty — sat on a cushion, staring directly at him. Beside him stood a small boy, no older than five.
Kaizen froze. For a brief moment, his hands trembled.
"Run," the old man said quietly to the child.
No...
Kaizen clenched his jaw, flickered forward and — with a twist of the blade — ended the man's life.
The boy stood in shock, staring up at Kaizen with wide eyes. His tears began to fall… and then Kaizen saw it.
The crimson gleam of awakening Sharingan.
No witnesses.
Kaizen shut his eyes… and struck again.
The child collapsed. Silence returned.
Kaizen stumbled back, his chest heaving. His stomach twisted violently.
What… what the hell am I doing?
For the first time since the night began, he felt the weight of what he had done. His mask was wet — not with blood, but with his own tears.
He gathered the two bodies and dragged them into the bedroom. Covering them with a blanket, he turned and spotted a book on the table. Its cover gleamed silver under the lamplight.
[Moon Goddess]
Curious despite himself, Kaizen reached out and touched it.
Do you want to learn "Moon Goddess"?
[YES] – [NO]
With a trembling finger, Kaizen pressed YES.