Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Endless Awakening by the Naka River
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Izumi awoke again, not knowing how many times it had been, back once more on the banks of the Naka River.
The sunset dyed the sky red, wild geese skimmed across the twilight, and a flock of ducks frolicked in the river, filling the air with their raucous quacks.
Izumi, who had been "killed" countless times, stared ahead with eyes that had gradually grown numb.
Under the relentless barrage of illusions, she could no longer tell if this was reality or genjutsu.
On the first Night of the Uchiha Massacre, she had been slain by Itachi's Tsukuyomi within the Uchiha clan grounds.
On the second Night of the Uchiha Massacre, she had sought help from the Konoha Military Police Force, only to find it under attack as well, and she was ultimately killed by the man in the tiger-striped mask.
On the third Night of the Uchiha Massacre, she had tried to call for aid from the village, but she never even made it out of the clan grounds before being ambushed by a group of masked ninja.
From then on, Uchiha Izumi was trapped in an endless loop of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't escape the clan grounds or break free from this infinite cycle.
So, Izumi decided to seek help from within the clan grounds and uncover the truth.
She dashed to every corner of the clan grounds, even visiting the clan head's residence, but time and again she witnessed the nightmare of Uchiha Itachi slaughtering clansmen—sparing neither the elderly, women, nor children.
She also tried racing ahead to the Konoha Military Police Force to gather more people for help, but no matter how fast she hurried, she could never arrive before the massacre began.
Either the man in the tiger-striped mask would bloodbath the Military Police Force, or Uchiha Itachi would wipe out the entire clan grounds.
No one could escape. The chains of fate seemed predetermined long ago.
Even her own mother...
The one thing that puzzled Izumi was the mysterious figure in the white three-eyed fox mask. After appearing once in her illusory world, he never showed up again.
Instead, it was always Uchiha Itachi and the enigmatic figure who massacred the Konoha Military Police Force who made an appearance every time.
"That guy... who the hell is he..." After enduring the infinite loops of the Night of the Uchiha Massacre, Uchiha Izumi finally realized that the key to this illusory world was likely the mysterious man she had encountered the first time.
"What was his goal in trapping me in this illusory world? Will the Uchiha Clan... really be massacred?" Unbeknownst to her, deep in her heart, the inevitability of the "Night of the Uchiha Massacre" had already taken root.
But she just couldn't understand it—why Itachi? How could it possibly be Itachi!
Izumi, unable to make sense of it, mustered her courage once more. With a grave expression, she headed toward the clan grounds.
She was determined to investigate the truth behind the Night of the Uchiha Massacre and find a way to break free from this illusory world.
However, when she cautiously arrived at the Uchiha clan grounds, she discovered that the sun had only just set.
"Yo, isn't this Izumi? You're back."
Old Lady Hisana approached from afar, leading her grandson Keiju by the hand, waving at her with a smile.
"Sister Izumi!"
Little Keiju bounced over and threw himself at her.
"Good evening, Old Lady Hisana, little Keiju..." Izumi's voice caught in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.
After her father died, she had moved to the Uchiha clan grounds with her mother and taken the Uchiha name.
Over the past three years, the Uchiha Clan, which placed great value on blood ties and family bonds, had fully accepted her, treating her like one of their own.
Even though her grades at the ninja academy weren't great and she had no intention of advancing to chunin, as an Uchiha who had awakened her Sharingan, she received all the standard clan benefits and stipends.
"Izumi, why are your eyes all red?"
Old Lady Hisana stepped forward, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Still getting used to ninja life? Come over to Granny's place for dinner tonight. I'll whip up something delicious to celebrate you becoming a ninja!"