The stars in the night sky shimmered like countless pearls embedded in a vast, black velvet canvas.
Uchiha Tunan stepped out of Naka Shrine but did not head home immediately. Instead, he made his way to the clan's training grounds.
The Shunshin Bunshin no Jutsu (Instant Clone Technique) was notoriously difficult to master. Tunan estimated it would take him a significant amount of time—perhaps requiring additional chakra reserves and refinement of his control before he could even meet the learning threshold.
By comparison, Jujutsu: Kemono Kiba (Beast Fang Technique) was far simpler. Given that he had already absorbed the mental strength of multiple individuals, his current intelligence and comprehension abilities made him a veritable genius.
Activating his Sharingan, he carefully scanned his surroundings.
Once he confirmed there were no prying eyes, he retrieved the scroll from his ninja pouch and unrolled it.
The three tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly as he absorbed the information at an astonishing pace.
Half an hour later, having fully committed the contents to memory, he stored the scroll away.
Tunan then activated his Kamui: Mirror Dimension, summoning the white doves he had placed throughout the village.
A chorus of soft coos filled the air as the flock descended upon him, perching on his arms, shoulders, and the ground in front of him.
He bit his finger, allowing warm crimson to drip onto his palm.
Under his command, each dove took its turn drinking his blood.
With the ritual complete, Uchiha Tunan's hands formed a rapid series of intricate seals.
The Jujutsu: Kemono Kiba had two primary functions—one to physically enhance a summoned or contracted animal and another to drive it into a battle frenzy at a critical moment.
Tonight, he was focusing on the transformation.
Over two hundred seals in total. Complex, tedious, and unrelenting.
Shun!
With the final seal, Tunan slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Jujutsu: Kemono Kiba!"
A surge of potent chakra erupted from his body, flowing into the doves.
Before his eyes, the birds' bodies rapidly swelled, their white feathers shifting into a deep crimson hue.
Their once soft, rounded beaks sharpened into deadly, curved fangs, more akin to those of a predator than a bird.
Time passed as the transformation continued—feathers turning black with streaks of blood-red, bodies growing larger and more menacing.
By now, Tunan's chakra reserves were nearly depleted.
But this type of transformation had to be completed in one go—if interrupted, all progress would be lost.
Gritting his teeth, he forced his chakra to comply, emptying every last ounce of his reserves into the jutsu.
Ten minutes later, the transformation was complete.
Before him stood creatures that now more closely resembled black eagles than the doves they once were. Their talons had sharpened, their beaks gleamed with a metallic luster, and an unmistakable aura of ferocity radiated from their forms.
A true hunter's presence.
Finally, he released the jutsu, watching as the birds slowly returned to their original forms.
Looking at the gentle white doves before him, no one could possibly imagine their terrifying transformation moments ago.
Tunan smirked as he reached out to scratch one of their necks.
"Next time… I'll let you taste blood."
---
The Next Morning
The sun peeked over the horizon as Uchiha Tunan completed his morning routine.
After washing up, he prepared a simple bowl of rice porridge, ate efficiently, then donned his forehead protector and ninja gear before heading toward the Hokage Building.
Upon arrival, he spotted Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake already waiting.
Tunan bowed respectfully.
"Apologies for keeping you waiting."
Minato, ever the kind soul, scratched his head and chuckled.
"It's no problem at all. We're actually a little early."
Tunan nodded, but when the two made no move to enter the building, he raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't we going in?"
Minato's cheerful expression faltered slightly. His eyes darted away, and his voice carried an unmistakable hint of unease.
"Uh… let's wait a little longer."
They waited for nearly an hour before Kushina Uzumaki finally appeared, sprinting toward them.
In her hands was a white plastic bag filled with three bento boxes.
"Good morning!" she greeted, lifting the bag with a proud smile. "I figured you guys didn't have breakfast, so I made some for you!"
Minato shot her an awkward glance, then looked toward the sky as if contemplating the meaning of life.
"Ahaha… that's really thoughtful of you…"
However, he made no move to accept the food.
He knew.
He knew all too well.
Kushina's cooking could only be described in four words: "A disaster beyond words."
Oblivious to Minato's internal suffering, Kushina beamed and handed a box to Uchiha Tunan.
"This one's specially made for you, Tunan! I remember you like lighter flavors."
Tunan did not immediately accept it.
Instead, he simply stared at the box in silence.
Seconds passed.
Then, he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Kushina's eyes.
The moment their eyes locked, the hypnotic illusion he had implanted in himself activated instinctively.
Tunan's gaze softened.
His expression turned vulnerable.
For a brief moment, his eyes shimmered—filled not with suspicion or wariness, but with something else entirely.
Yearning.
"...What's with that look?" Kushina frowned, slightly unnerved.
She suddenly recalled Kurama's warning from the previous night.
"That Uchiha brat… has ill intentions toward you."
A bead of sweat trickled down her temple.
Is he actually planning to assassinate me?
Tunan's lips parted slightly. He gently pushed the bento box back.
Then, he lowered his head deeply, his hands placed firmly on his knees.
"Thank you for your kindness, Kushina-senpai.
But I already had breakfast. I wouldn't want to waste your efforts."
Kushina blinked.
For a moment, she was stunned.
The corners of her lips twitched, but she forced a smile.
"Uh… sure. No problem."
Inside, however, she was fuming.
I woke up early and cooked for you, and you don't even take a single bite?!
If it weren't for your tragic backstory, I'd deck you right now!
Sensing the tension, Minato clapped his hands together and hastily changed the subject.
"Ahaha! We should hurry up and get our mission assignment!"
He quickly grabbed Kakashi and Tunan by the arms, dragging them toward the Hokage's office.
As they disappeared into the building, Kushina let out a frustrated sigh.
"Hmph!" She stomped her foot before turning toward the nearest trash can.
With a mighty swing, she hurled the plastic bag.
"I'm furious!"
But just as it left her hand—
"Wait!"
Her eyes widened in horror.
"I MADE THAT FOOD!"
She immediately dashed toward the trash, scaring away two stray dogs in the process.
Inside her mind, Kurama chuckled.
"Heh. You humans are so amusing."