Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 13

As I open the door to the classroom, I immediately feel the tension in the air. The atmosphere is heavy, almost oppressive. Every step I take intensifies the feeling as if my classmates' eyes are piercing right through me. Word has already spread about what happened, and I can see the prejudice and resentment in their eyes. I try to focus on the lesson while Sensei Iruka explains the basics of chakra, but suddenly a classmate stands up.

"Sensei! Why do we have to share a class with an Uchiha, and why is an Uchiha even allowed in this school after everything that happened?" His words are like sharp daggers aimed at me, and I feel my heart skip a beat.

Part of me wants to hide, to run away and escape what's about to happen, but another part—the stronger part—forces me to stand up.

I feel the eyes of my classmates on me, some filled with anger, others with doubt, and some just curious. I feel the weight of their expectations, and the silence in the room presses down on my shoulders.

I take a deep breath, trying to suppress the uncertainty, and begin to speak. My voice is calm, but I have to summon all my strength to keep it from trembling. "I don't understand why the Uchiha are being blamed for the incident with the Nine-Tails," I begin, pausing briefly to swallow the lump in my throat. "At that time, I was just a little child, just as innocent as any of you."

The words come slowly, but they are strong, infused with the determination growing within me. "But I am willing to bear the hatred if it means I can prove that the Uchiha are not what you see in us."

I look around the classroom, my classmates' gazes fixed on me, some disbelieving, others perhaps a little confused. But in their eyes, I see their uncertainty, their own doubts and fears reflected.

"I want to protect the village, just like you. And I will be strong enough to do that, regardless of what others think of me. I am proud of who I am, and I will walk my own path."

With these words, I sit back down, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, but it's not just fear that I feel—there is also pride. Pride in myself for speaking my truth, for not backing down despite the fear.

Sensei Iruka looks at me, and I see an expression in his eyes that I can't quite decipher. It's as if he's proud of me, but also sad that I have to carry this burden. The rest of the day passes quietly, at least outwardly, but inside my thoughts and emotions are in turmoil. The words I spoke continue to echo within me, and I feel that this is just the beginning of a long, difficult journey. But I have made my decision, and I will walk this path, no matter how rough it may be.

"Can you find Shisui and let him know that I'll be home a little later today?" I ask Yako in my mind. The words flow quietly but firmly as I formulate my plan.

"Of course, Princess. I'll head straight to your brother," Yako replies, with a hint of concern in his voice. But my resolve is firm.

After school, I feel an unusual restlessness within me. The desire to create something new, to master something of my own, burns in my heart. Without hesitation, I go to the secluded spot where I regularly train with Kitsune and Yako. It is a peaceful place, surrounded by tall trees, far from prying eyes.

Kitsune lies down under a tree, seeking shade, while her watchful eyes observe me. "What are you planning?" she asks, her voice gentle but concerned.

"I've only been using my fire chakra so far. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone with lightning jutsu who could teach me," I explain, feeling an idea forming in my mind.

"So you plan to create a jutsu? Please be careful; this is not without danger," Kitsune warns, her words thick with concern.

"I have you here and Yako with Shisui, so I should be well protected," I reply, my determination clear in my voice. "I will try to develop the jutsu in three stages. First, just with chakra, then with lightning chakra, and finally with a combination of lightning and fire chakra."

The idea pulses in my mind as I position myself on the meadow. My hands begin to form the hand signs—Horse → Ox → Goat—and I concentrate my chakra in the center of my body. I imagine it erupting in a shockwave around my body, a powerful explosion of energy that serves as both attack and defense.

But on the first attempt, I immediately feel my chakra becoming heavy and uncontrollable. It pulls together inside me, too dense, too powerful for me to contain. A painful shock runs through me, making my body tremble with pain, and tears well up in my eyes. The chakra slips out of my control, and I feel it tearing me apart from within.

But I don't give up. Again and again, I form the hand signs, again and again, I concentrate, trying over and over. Each failed attempt brings new pain, but with each failure, I learn. I adjust my technique, refining my control.

Hours pass, and my body begins to feel the strain. Every muscle aches, my head feels heavy, and I feel the warm blood running from my mouth and arms. The pain is overwhelming, as if I were trapped between two gigantic rocks, relentlessly closing in on each other.

"I should stop for today, right, Kitsune?" I ask wearily, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"Yes, but you have made great progress. It seems to me that your jutsu might actually work. That's very impressive," Kitsune replies, her words full of recognition.

When I finally get home, I immediately see the shocked look on my brother's face. His eyes widen as he notices my condition. "What happened to you?" he asks, concerned, while carefully assessing the extent of my injuries.

"Don't worry," I try to reassure him. "I just overdid it a little during training, nothing to worry about. I'll take a bath, and then I'll be as good as new."

Shisui's concern is palpable, but his loving smile remains, filling me with a warm feeling of comfort. As I sink into the bathtub, I feel the warmth of the water enveloping my aching body, easing the tension away. In this moment, all that matters is the certainty that I am not alone—that Shisui and my companions are always with me, no matter how difficult the path may be.