Chapter 2:Countdown

"Invasion!?" Uchiha Shinji looked confused, covered in bandages and lying dispirited on his bed. He couldn't even get up, when suddenly a voice announced that the village was under attack, accompanied by a countdown timer.

After waiting in vain for an explanation, Shinji shouted internally, "Hey, what does this invasion mean? You need to explain clearly!"

There was no response. It seemed the whole episode was just an auditory hallucination.

Feeling speechless and helpless, Shinji struggled through the next few days mainly due to his severe injuries. Uchiha Itachi's blade had cut deep into his chest, reaching his lungs. Despite the medical ninjutsu treatments, his recovery would be slow.

Yet, the mysterious voice continued to remind him daily of the decreasing countdown, confirming its reality.

Undoubtedly, this realization further depressed him.

As days passed, the impact of the Uchiha clan's extermination, once Konoha's wealthiest family, began to surface. Shinji sensed sympathy from those around him.

In truth, most people in Konoha harbored no deep hatred for the Uchiha clan. They resented their arrogance and feared the Uchiha's dreaded Sharingan. With the clan's extermination, daily conflicts faded into sighs and sympathy. After all, the Uchiha had fought in several Ninja World Wars for Konoha, making significant sacrifices.

While receiving treatment, Shinji tried hard to adjust to his new reality. Initially terrified, he gradually adapted to the situation.

Days later, at least within the hospital, everyone showed kindness and sympathy towards him.

Snap!

Shinji fell heavily.

The nurse rushed to help him, concern etched on her face. "You're pushing yourself too hard. You should rest more before trying again!"

Ignoring the pain, Shinji insisted, "The doctor said my injuries are almost healed. I need to start moving."

The nurse hesitated but eventually relented. "Okay, but be careful."

Taking deep breaths, Shinji took another step forward. Each movement was strenuous, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Whether it was the mysterious countdown or the remnants of the Uchiha clan, he felt no respite.

Snap!

He fell again.

Get up again.

Again and again.

Even the nurse turned away, unable to watch.

After a grueling afternoon, Shinji finally managed to walk with great effort.

The nurse, surprised by his determination, commented, "You're incredible!"

"I need to use the bathroom," Shinji replied.

The nurse offered to assist, but Shinji declined.

Alone in the bathroom, he closed the door to a single stall, placed his hands over his eyes, and whispered, "Mangekyo Sharingan, activate!"

Instantly, his eyes transformed.

Scarlet light flashed, After one tomoe second then third tomoe Sharingan finally revealing the intricate pattern of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Is this the Mangekyo Sharingan?" Shinji marveled.

Days earlier, he had suppressed the urge to activate it, fearing exposure while bedridden.

Now, confirming its presence, he saw his eyes had indeed awakened both Mangekyo Sharingan.

On his way back to the ward, he spotted another survivor from the clan, Sasuke Uchiha, who remained comatose due to Itachi's Tsukuyomi.

In the days that followed, Shinji continued pushing himself to recover physically. Starting with barely walking, his relentless efforts gradually allowed him to jog and even jump.

The mysterious voice continued its daily reminders, adding urgency to his already busy hospital life. Despite this, he still didn't understand the meaning of the impending 'invasion.'

One week after admission.

Examining Shinji, the doctor marveled, "Your recovery is much faster than expected."

Gratefully, Shinji replied, "Thank you."

"Our medical ninjutsu can heal wounds, but your progress is due to your hard work," the doctor explained before leaving.

Left alone, a young man entered with a smile, asking, "How are you feeling today?"

Shinji nodded, "Much better."

The young man, Shinji's ninja school teacher Mizuki, examined him and announced, "Your injuries are almost healed. You can be discharged today."

Shinji agreed.

After completing discharge formalities, Mizuki led Shinji to an apartment building.

Opening a unit on the third floor, Mizuki handed him the key. "This will be your new home."

Silently, Shinji accepted the key.

Mizuki also gave him a passbook and life instructions before departing with a smile.

Left alone, Shinji's expression softened.

The passbook contained a substantial pension from the village, over seven million ryo.

Despite its size, the apartment was conveniently located near the ninja school and bustling streets, once owned by the Uchiha clan.

That clan's extensive lands were now beyond Shinji and Sasuke's reach.

Grasping the pension's purpose, Shinji glanced out the window.

Night fell over Konoha, lanterns and neon lights illuminating the streets and dispelling the night's chill.

Inside, Shinji stared at the village, his thoughts drifting.

Occasional noises from next door made him suspicious, but he dismissed them.

"If someone were watching me, they wouldn't make their presence so obvious," he reasoned.

Pondering silently, he lay on his bed, contemplating his uncertain future.

He hadn't yet understood why he crossed over.

The 'return mission' and 'invasion' were still confounding.

He attempted to summon the mysterious voice, seeking answers, but it remained elusive, seeming to exist only in his mind.

Resolute, he told himself, "Regardless, I must survive."

Now possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan, his eyes were his trump card at least until the Fourth Ninja World War.

Despite the Uchiha's demise, few harbored malevolent intent toward him now.

Apart from Danzo, orchestrator of the clan's genocide, Orochimaru coveting the Sharingan, Itachi, and other villages keen on the Uchiha's kekkei genkai, threats remained.

"Remaining in Konoha is safer than wandering," he concluded.

As a survivor of the Uchiha massacre, so long as the Third Hokage upheld the village's values, none would openly persecute him.

Yet, unlike Sasuke, shielded by Itachi, Shinji couldn't afford extreme actions. Even if inconvenient for the Third Hokage, Danzo would gladly eliminate any Uchiha remnants.

Days passed, and Shinji sensed covert gazes upon him.

"Endure," he resolved.

"The plane is invaded."

"Countdown: 2."

Suddenly, the mysterious voice resurfaced.

His expression darkened.

From '9' a week ago to '2' now, the countdown indicated days.

Two days are left.I don't know what will I have to face.

End of chapter