Chapter 37: First Arrival in the Iron Kingdom

Uchiha Yang was taught an important lesson yesterday. He realized he had overlooked something obvious in his mother's words.

Yawning, Uchiha Yang made his way toward the training ground. He had arranged to meet his friends to discuss what they still needed, aside from the five volumes of the second half of their studies.

His two friends had already arrived. Uchiha Rei had one arm in a sling, clearly injured, while using his other hand to munch on the sweet osmanthus cake that Uchiha Yan had brought for them. Uchiha Yan asked Rei whether the cake was too sweet or sticky, creating a scene that made Uchiha Yang wonder if his two older friends were here for a picnic instead of training. After all, this was a training ground.

After some discussion, Uchiha En and Uchiha Yang went together to meet Uchiha Nobunaga, who led them to the Hokage Building to receive their reward.

They knocked on the door and entered the Hokage's office. This was Uchiha Yang's second time inside, and the sight of Sarutobi Hiruzen behind his desk filled him with a sense of unease.

Sarutobi Hiruzen began with a speech about how Konoha was one united family, then praised the Uchiha clan for their dedication and hard work over the years. He expressed Konoha's gratitude for their contributions and announced that the Uchiha clan would receive financial rewards in the next quarter.

In addition, the Uchiha team would be rewarded for their exceptional performance in the recent spy-hunting operation. "Last time, you took the upper scroll," the Hokage said, "so this time I'll give you the lower scroll. You may choose one technique from the ninjutsu scroll—excluding forbidden techniques and sealing techniques."

The Hokage then handed them a letter of commendation from the daimyo, expressing his appreciation for the Uchiha clan's role in eliminating the Black Market Valley. He hoped the Uchiha clan would continue working hard to achieve even greater success. After more speeches, reiterating that the Uchiha were the foundation of Konoha, the Hokage finished his remarks.

Finally, the Uchiha clan leader spoke, adding another round of formal praises. When it was their turn, Uchiha Yan stepped forward and requested, "Hokage, we would like to learn the Dark Night Walk Technique."

After exchanging pleasantries, the three left the Hokage Building. As they walked, Uchiha Yang couldn't help but think about the daimyo's commendation letter. If not for that, he would have almost forgotten that the daimyo was still the nominal ruler of the Land of Fire.

As Uchiha Yang and Uchiha Yan parted ways with their clan leader, they began slowly walking back toward the training ground. Breaking the silence, Uchiha Yan spoke up first. "Yang, my grandfather told me yesterday that we were used in a scheme. The mastermind was likely the Great Elder, and your uncle was probably involved too. But the most significant player was our teacher, Ming. He executed the plan."

Uchiha Yang could see the frustration in his friend's face, and he felt the same. His teacher had also been involved, and the one behind it all was his uncle.

Yan continued, "I suspect our team will be disbanded. Your mother wants to take you to the Land of Iron to meet your grandfather. My grandfather wants me to train under him back at home."

He added with a bitter smile, "You already know why—our team's mission is essentially over. We've been puppets from the start. I really hope what you said a few days ago will come true one day. Anyway, I'm leaving now. I hate farewells."

As Uchiha Yang watched his friend walk away, he thought to himself, *Who actually likes saying goodbye?* Feeling heavy-hearted, he made his way back to the training ground, where he found Uchiha Rei sitting in a daze with a box of osmanthus cake. When Uchiha Yang arrived, Rei handed him a letter, explaining that Yan had already left.

"I was right," Rei said, "you'll probably be leaving soon too. No one can train like normal after a betrayal like that. Our team has really been disbanded."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Three days later, a carriage was leaving Konoha. Uchiha Yang sat on the roof, watching the gates of Konoha grow smaller in the distance. He silently vowed, *The next time I come back, I'll be stronger than I ever was before.*

As the carriage slowly made its way toward the Land of Iron, Uchiha Yang noticed something strange. His usually chatty father was unusually silent, and his mother seemed even more domineering than usual. Normally she was headstrong at home, but now her authority seemed overwhelming.

Since the Uchiha had recently wiped out the Black Market Valley, no one dared to provoke them. Even bandits went out of their way to avoid the carriage, some even leading the way to help the Uchiha pass through faster.

As they traveled deeper into the Land of Iron, Uchiha Yang noticed that the areas they passed through were becoming poorer the further they went from Konoha.

There were many samurai in the Land of Iron, and even they avoided the Uchiha's carriage. Clearly, although samurai were not part of the ninja system, they weren't foolish enough to provoke the Uchiha.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Uchiha Yang asked, "Why is Mother's family living in the Land of Iron instead of staying with the clan?"

His mother's response was brief: "I've been away for five years, and I haven't visited home once."

"Then what's wrong with Father? He hasn't said much," Uchiha Yang continued.

His mother smiled and replied, "You'll have to ask him yourself."

Uchiha Yang moved closer to his father and asked, "Father, why have you been so quiet?"

His father gave a bitter smile and said, "You'll understand when you meet your grandfather."

"Well, if you don't want to come, you can go back. I didn't ask you to come," Uchiha Bolan, Yang's mother, retorted.

"No way, I miss my father-in-law too!" Yang's father responded quickly, "Besides, I can't live without you."

Eventually, they arrived at a beautiful wooden courtyard by a lake, surrounded by mountains. Yang's father tensed up, gripping the ninja sword on his waist.

A middle-aged man emerged from a nearby hut, recognizing the Uchiha family crest. "I am Haruki, a samurai of the Land of Iron. You must be Togashi-senpai's family. He is out fishing on the lake, but he should be back soon."

They turned their attention to the bamboo rafts floating on the lake. An old man, wearing a straw raincoat, was sitting on one of them with a fishing rod in hand.

Uchiha Yang thought his grandfather resembled the hermit masters from the novels of his previous life, a figure in perfect harmony with nature.

The old man's raft slowly moved towards the shore. Just before it landed, the old man suddenly disappeared from the raft. Uchiha Yang's father immediately drew his sword, only to be pushed back a few steps.

Holding the fishing rod, the old man said, "You've improved a little, but you're still lacking. It's no surprise—living in Konoha is like being trapped in a cage."

He turned to Haruki and said, "We have guests today. You may leave for now."

Haruki bowed and swiftly disappeared. The old man shook his head, addressing Yang's mother, "Lanlan, this man still talks too much and is useless when it comes to real skill. You've suffered."

Uchiha Yang finally understood why his father had been so unhappy—who could be happy with this kind of treatment?

While Uchiha Yang was lost in thought, his grandfather ruffled his hair and said, "You've grown taller, Xiaoyang. You look like your uncle when he was young. Grandpa caught a good fish for you today. Make sure your mother cooks it later. Have you been training properly? Titles like 'the youngest Genin' don't mean much. In the end, it all comes down to strength. Don't be like your father, who's spent half his life with a sword but can't even fend off a fishing rod anymore."

The old man then launched into a lecture about how strength was the foundation of the Uchiha clan, criticizing those who relied on schemes instead of true power. He reminded Yang that in the days of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, there was no need for complex strategies—raw power was enough to subdue their enemies.

Yang's mother interrupted, taking her father's arm. "Enough with the lecture. It's been years since we've seen each other, and I've missed you. Let's go inside and have a proper meal. Xiaoyang, call your grandpa, and let's have a nice family dinner."

Uchiha Yang quickly chimed in, "Grandpa, I'm starving. Let's eat first—I'm exhausted from the trip."

As he grabbed his grandfather's hand, they all headed inside. Watching them walk in, Yang's father followed with a resigned smile.

(End of Chapter)

AUTHOR

SORRY GUYS FEW DAY I AM NOT FEELING WELL.SO DOESN'T UPLOAD THE CHAPTER