Returning

As Uchiha Keshiro returned to the camp, he met up with the commander of the force. It was an Ame Jounin.

The Ame Jounin noticed how Uchiha Keshiro seemed to have returned even though he had been given no orders. Moreover, he seemed to be holding two bodies.

"What is the meaning behind this, Uchiha Keshiro? Why have you returned from the front lines? No orders have been dispatched for your return. Where are you going while holding the bodies of your comrade?" The Ame Jounin was staring at Keshiro with a stern look.

"I must return to the Uchiha Clan and bury them. Simple as that." Uchiha Keshiro gave a short answer before he started walking.

"Wait! You can't leave like that! You need to listen to my orders!" Keshiro paused, he turned to stare at the Ame Jounin who was shouting at himself.

"I give you my word that I will return within 4 days." With that, he simply vanished from the spot.

Just as the Ame Jounin was about to order some shinobi to go after Keshiro. A few of Ame Shinobi and Konoha Shinobis returned from the frontline.

All of them had a bright smile on their faces.

Meanwhile, the Ame Jounin was growing incensed. He had heard that the frontline was attacked by the S-Ranked Shinobi and some A-Ranked Shinobi quite suddenly.

He thought that these people had escaped and was naturally growing angry.

However, before he even had the chance to open his mouth, a Konoha Ninja said, "Commander, Shimoda Takeo, the S-Ranked Shinobi, also known as the Iron Hand has died! Moreover, not just him, but several A-Ranked Shinobi had died. We don't know what happened, but when we reached the location, we saw several of our own men lying on the ground, the Iwa Shinobi burning by some strange black flames while Uchiha Keshiro carrying the bodies of his teammates and coming out."

At that moment, the Ame Jounin's eyes widened. He looked at the faces of the Ame Shinobi who were right next to Konoha Shinobi, "Is that the case?"

"Yes, commander. The others will be joining us soon." And soon enough, the remaining shinobi from the frontlines returned.

The Ame Jounin's head finally started working, and he understood this was the work of Uchiha Keshiro.

Perhaps his actions could be excused in light of this. However, he still didn't dare to make such a decision. It would be better to inform this matter to Hanzo and await his order.

And naturally, Hanzo allowed this. He was already quite delighted that Uchiha Keshiro had managed to defeat so many Iwa Shinobi. Allowing him a break from this War wasn't a big deal for Hanzo.

By the next day, Uchiha Keshiro returned to the Uchiha Clan. He went to meet the parents of his comrades, who had lost their lives. Although their parents were sad, they didn't say anything to Keshiro. They had seemingly resolved themselves before having sent their children… They were already satisfied that Keshiro brought the bodies of their children.

Perhaps their silence hurt Keshiro more than their anger would have…

He joined them while they went to bury the two. For half a day, he remained seated in front of their graves; their parents had left, but he remained there and continued to talk…

Most of what he had mentioned were his good times with them, and the rest were his apologies.

He didn't realise it, but his father had come and was observing Keshiro from a distance. Before Keshiro even had a talk with, Uchiha Kazuma understood what had occurred…

He was more or less aware that it would occur. Whether it was today or a few years later, it was bound to happen.

He truly wanted to go over and have a talk with his son. To help him out of this depression, to give him a pep talk, but he restrained himself. He was experienced enough to understand that this was something that his son needed to deal on his own.

Whether he would fall or rise would purely depend on him. A helping hand to him here would be a wrong move…

For another day, he remained in his house, not at all doing anything. Not even meeting his father. Mikoto was out on a mission, so she also didn't meet up with him.

However, the third day was different. Keshiro went to meet his father. It wasn't for advice, but he wanted to inform him about something.

"Father, I have come to inform you of a few things." Uchiha Keshiro calmly said while gazing into his father's eyes.

Kazuma remained silent and let him continue.

"Firstly, my Sharingan seems to have gone past the Three-Tomoe Stage. From what I have read in the Clan Records, it should be the 4th Stage of the Sharingan, the Mangekyou Sharingan." Keshiro said while activating his Sharingan and it soon changed to that of the shape of Mangekyou Sharingan.

Kazuma's expression remained the same. He was calmly staring at his son, waiting for him to continue ahead.

"Secondly, I will be returning to the battlefield today." This line surprised Kazuma. He didn't think his son would be making this decision so early.

"Are you sure? Although it will be troublesome, I can explain the situation to the Third Hokage. He won't pursue the matter…" He paused when he saw a stern look appearing on Keshiro's face.

"I am sure, father. I finally understood what you meant when you asked me to grow up that day—the time when you consoled me after I lost to Senju Araki. You wanted me not to be affected by winning or losing that much. You wanted me to strive my best and focus on improving myself. However, that wasn't all…"

A clear look appeared in his eyes, "You were also talking about strengthening my resolve. To grow up not just in terms of power but in terms of the heart as well. In these two days, I have been thinking of the various situation of what would have occurred if I had chosen death at the moment just because of my regret to not be able to save my two comrades. If a Shinobi of my strength dies, there is a chance that many clan members who I could save in the future would die due to my weak heart. So, father, I have come to an answer."

"Death is a sweet release… My punishment shall be to do my utmost for the Clan and for the people close to me." Keshiro gave out his answer.

Kazuma remained silent for some moments before answering, "It seems that you have come to your conclusion. But even though the answer you have given me is quite admirable, I will still warn you… You cannot save everyone."

"Yes, father…But sometimes, one can hope idealistically as well, right?" Keshiro asked his father with a small yet bitter smile on his face.

Kazuma was a little surprised upon hearing his son's words and nodded, "Looks like you really have grown up a little from this event...Don't die now…"

A bitter yet helpless smile spread on Keshiro's face, "I feel like a great pressure is over my head which is forcing me to live. I don't think I can die even if I want to at this point…" With that, he left the Uchiha Clan.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Kazuma continued to stare ahead before he started chuckling. It was a mixture of happiness and grief.

"He has broken the curse… Looks like I really can rest assured about the future of the Uchiha Clan." He muttered, feeling quite happy within his heart.

'Keshiro… You have changed the fate of the entire Uchiha Clan… And now, even with my clairvoyance, I can't see through what sort of future the Uchiha Clan would have. But… At least it will be spared from utter destruction, leaving behind only a single or so descendant!'

If Uchiha Keshiro had been here, he would have been shocked to see the pattern of his father's Sharingan.

Dual Bladed Shuriken was revolving at a very slow speed.