Sato was right. The Eighth Hokage had to deal with the war before her cloak had to be sent to the cleaners for the third time. But there were no gangs of rogue shinobi or an almighty alien being on the quest for the world's chakra. No, the situation was considerably worse. The enemies of the shinobi in that conflict were the very people they swore to protect – civilians across all nations, who were armed with kote, technology which somehow managed to leave Konoha and, of course, slip into dubious hands. Hands nobody knew the owner of.
The masses protested shinobi elitism and reservations of the clans to keep the powerful jutsu all to themselves, living average people in bondage of constantly depending on them to solve problems they could handle themselves with the available technology and not pay for shinobi services.
It could've been a civilized discussion, but, as per usual, there was a considerable amount of trigger-happy people, who did not care about politics, equality or anything really, but the easy way to exert power over others and use as much force as possible to gain what they wanted. Thus happened an explosion of gangs all over the nations, who used kote as weapons for committing crimes. In response to those, vigilante groups, also with kote strapped to their arms, sprang like mushrooms to battle those gangs and provide protection, since the trust in shinobi hit an all-time low.
But that was not the worst of it. Kote's usage depended on scroll cartridges, the more powerful jutsu – the more expensive it was. And people always want to be more powerful than they actually need or have money to pay for. The number of victims, who became addicted to the power the kote gave, grew every day. The strife for power turned people into addicts, who were ready to do favors of dubious and even criminal nature for a couple dozen of cartridges or those with jutsu they couldn't afford.
The hokage were at a loss how to contain the situation. The general political unrest just fueled the conflict and opportunists to get hard cash for reselling kote and cartridges on black markets which were no less dangerous than kote fights themselves. It was like a pandemic enveloped the world and made half of its population lose their minds.
Boruto took the whole disastrous ordeal personally since he was the one, who showed the advantages of kote usage because of his cockiness during childhood. Sarada, of course, disagreed, since the conflict has been festering for years and kote technology was just a tool to express the violence of its wielders. Violence that is simply characteristic of certain types of people. Was characteristic of Boruto at some point, but he did manage to find strength and balance within himself.
What more, was that no matter how powerful jutsu in cartridges were, there were always those special unattainable cases that everybody envied – the Kekkei Genkai that were rare even among the clan members they belonged to. The kidnapping attempts on Uzumaki-Uchiha children continued throughout their childhoods, but when they came to power which was the result of vigorous training and friendly sibling rivalry, they could protect themselves. Still, when the threat of power-hungry kote users, who were taking bounties on bringing Sharingan and Byakugan eyes, became an everyday reality, it was decided at the clan meeting that said clan should be dispersed as widely as possible across the nations, hiding their identities and abilities until everything was over. The order from the clan heads in the face of Naruto and Sasuke was met with protests from the younger generation, who wanted to fight the war their parents had already fought. After long deliberation it was decided for Naruto to take the youngest Uzumaki-Uchiha to the mountains for Sage training; the older triplets went their separate ways; the younger triplets stated their wish to remain in Konoha to continue their service as Anbu and Hokage's personal bodyguards; Boruto and Sarada's twin daughters also had to be separated to different nations. Himawari daughters were also separated with the elder one adamantly refusing to leave Konoha, confirming the suspicions of the budding romance with one of the younger triplets. Sato, as the elder son, also decided to remain beside his parents to keep the promise he gave his grandfather before the Eighth Hokage's inauguration day.
While regular shinobi tried to arrest as many kote users as possible and save those who was suffering from addiction, hokage strategized how to find the manufacturer, who enabled the war in the first place. It took three years and considerable number of casualties on both sides to finally find the company for agricultural machinery production which served as the front for kote manufacturing.
The day before an elite group of shinobi were to storm the factory and arrest its director, a letter arrived for Uzumaki-Uchiha Sarada from the said director. The letter contained a statement of apology for his products being used in such a violent way, since he meant to produce them solely for protection and so long and so forth. With every word he simply removed the responsibility from himself and left it, literally, in the hands of kote users whose actions he could not possibly control. But… since the product had caused such a major disruption, he could pull it from the market if they could reach a settlement since he was a businessman after all. Sarada knew why the letter was sent to her and not to other hokage. She also knew that it was one major trap. Before Boruto could even suggest him accompanying her to the meeting, she ordered him to stay and protect the city in her stead, to which he had to agree if reluctantly.
The meeting between the Hokage of Konoha and Kojima-san, the mass producer of kote, was arranged to be held at the outskirts of a city where his main factory was located. The meeting spot was completely empty of any vegetation or dwelling to garantee the safety of both parties. Two bodyguards were allowed to accompany each representative with two more being on the look out at a considerable distance. The shinobi could not care weapons, but Kojima-san's people were allowed kote to even the field which was a bit contradictory in regards to weapons, but Sarada did not contest the measures. Her 'bodyguards' were her son Sato and one of the younger triplets Ichiro. Both wore masks not to be recognizable as family members, although black eyes – the only visible part of their faces – were also not as common, although still more common than red Sharingan.
Kojima-san turned out to be a portly man in his fifties. He didn't have a fighter's bone in his body, but there was a certain sliminess to him that went beyond the one of a salesman. Or politician. He reminded Sarada of Orochimaru, but with the snake manipulating shinobi you knew he was going to do everything to get what he wanted disregarding everybody else. Kojima-san however was all smiles with half-truths and deflections.
When the usual pointless pleasantries were over, Sarada asked point blank what it would take for kote to be pulled from the circulation. This only implied that Kojima-san's production would stop, any other producer could pick the technology up at his leisure, extending the conflict indefinitely. Especially, considering the number of cartridges that were already available.
"You have six brothers, Lady Hokage. And I have a daughter."
"You can't be implying…"
"Exactly, Lady Hokage. But let's be fair. My daughter will fight anyone from your clan and if she wins, an Uchiha will marry into my family."
"And if she loses? Which is more than likely. The shinobi of the Uzumaki-Uchiha clan are one of the strongest of their generation even without abilities granted by the Sharingan."
"My daughter has been training all her life. She is the leader of the local militia and she is only fifteen. It's unwise to disregard someone only because they are not shinobi."
Sarada had to agree with that statement even if she still considered laughable the assumption that a young girl could defeat her brothers. "Why don't you introduce her then?"
"Well, she is standing right here," Kojima-san responded, gesturing to a girl to his right. "This is my daughter Koi."
Sarada only briefly glanced over the girl before, surprised that bodyguard duties were entrusted to someone so young. After the introduction, Sarada looked her over more intently. The girl's only remarkable feature was her long crimson hair that she kept in a high ponytail. And overflowing hatred that made her whole body vibrate from tension. It seemed that the only thing that kept her in place was the presence of her father, otherwise she would've ripped the delegation to shreds. Sarada didn't know why such killing instinct was present. Because they were shinobi or Sharingan users? Or simply her father's adversaries?
And that was the girl one of her brothers should marry?! More of a rabid dog than a woman. Why should she even consider such proposition? For the people. A member of her family to save the larger one. Hokage's constant dilemma.
"I am sure your daughter has an immeasurable number of good qualities, but I cannot make such decision without consulting with my clan members. Also, two of my young brothers are betrothed and the older brothers are currently unavailable for contact. At least a speedy one. I cannot give a response even if I want to, Kojima-san."
"That's inconvenient, Lady Hokage. Then we are at an impasse. Until your decision is made, nothing will change."
It was his careless tone of his that made Sarada lose her temper. "So you will just make more money while letting people die?!"
Within seconds Koi was shielding her father even if Sarada had no intention of attacking him. Beyond verbally of course.
"We will continue tomorrow. At the same time."
"The gal of that fatso! I don't know what is more degrading! To fight that measly girl with firebolts for eyes or to marry her! She doesn't even have tits yet!"
Sarada rolled her eyes at her brother's comment. Having Boruto as their nii-san was not always a positive influence even if he loved all triplets to death and took his older brother's role very seriously. Sometimes too seriously. With unpredictable consequences. "Don't be crass, brother. No matter how ridiculous the suggestion is, it is legitimate. The fact that a civilian wants to establish a shinobi clan in such a way is deplorable, but there is no law forbidding him to do it if we agree to this marriage."
"But we can't! Even if he wants Sharingan babies, and it's clear, that it's the only thing he wants, he won't get them for… I don't know… fifteen years at least."
"The girl…"
Everybody turned towards Sato, who has been silent the whole way from the meeting place to the inn they were lodging in for the negotiation period. Sarada's son looked unusually pensive even for his usual melancholic mood.
"Something is wrong with her chakra. It doesn't flow around her hips. If Kojima-san's aim for this marriage is to continue the line, I am sure, we can demand proof of the girl's fertility before we make the final decision. Otherwise, we will be later blamed for the lack of children."
"Good idea, Sato! It will give us enough time to infiltrate the factory and see what's what."
"Sush, Ichiro. But we indeed need time for you to conduct an Anbu investigation. But really, Sato… you want to take the girl through that kind of humiliation?"
"It will be a much lesser humiliation than losing against one of us. And surely Kojima-san will have no choice, but to put his cards on the table if his quest to obtain Sharingan eyes the natural way falls through. But if he still insists on the fight, I will be the one to face her. Put my name on the marriage contract too."
"Uuuuugh, Sato found himself a bride," the triplets chorused.
Sarada stopped the teasing with a stern glance that she employed discharging her hokage duties and while disciplining her youngest son of a prankster. "Go and organize dinner, I need to talk to my son in private."
The triplets shuffled out of the room, leaving Sarada with her eldest child. Child that has been growing up too fast as of late. Moreover, it was the first time Sato showed any interest in a girl, despite being extremely popular with his female peers. Which was obvious since – according to mama: "he was the exact copy of Sasuke-kun at that age". And yet, despite being seventeen, there was no indication or even wish for a girlfriend, despite sometimes extreme attention from girls.
"Have you thought this through, Sato? It is a very big decision."
"We know this marriage talk is a sham. But if not, at least with me he gets the less valuable eyes in the whole clan. If my sacrifice stops this war, I am ready to make it."
The painfully familiar words were heavy on Sarada's heart. "Do you know, that your father and I almost didn't get married because we considered our duties to the city more important than our feelings for each other? Neither you nor your siblings would've been born if we had remained stubbornly focused on our promise to protect what our parents sacrificed so much for. It is commendable that three years ago you jumped into the war effort without hesitation, citing your duty as the son of the hokage, but, Sato, this is your personal happiness we are talking about here. Do you truly want to be in a loveless marriage for the rest of your life?"
"First of all, mother, if Uncle Mitsuki's tales are any close to the truth, then you and dad would've ended together eventually. Against all odds, duties and vows. Love like yours can't be stopped by anything. And Kojima-san can make me marry her, but obviously not before she is of age. A lot can happen in three years."
The hint of a blush on her son's cheeks told Sarada that her brothers could be not that far from the mark. The choice was a bit out there, but the heart wants what it wants. "Do you… fancy her, son?"
"How can I?! I just met her today!"
Sarada decided not to embarrass her son any further so she ended their heart-to-heart on that note. Still… what an unexpected turn of events. Could something good actually come out of this awful war?
Sato checked the perimeter again still not believing his luck. There was literally nobody else for miles. Why was Kojima's main bargaining chip walking unescorted in an unpopulated area? Of course, she could be bait, but, surely, they didn't think she could subdue her attacker alone? Whatever Koi's motives for walking alone, even if armed, in the middle of the forest, Sato had to use his chance to find more about her and her true position in her father's schemes.
Sato pounced at the red-headed girl from the back, grabbing onto her wrists to block her access to kote ammunition. His attack was instantly met with a furious assault of elbow hits and kicking in the shins and every body part Koi could reach.
"Whoa, girl, I don't mean you any harm," Sato managed to squeeze in between maneuvering himself out of the way of Koi's hits.
"Then why don't you come up and talk to me like a normal person? Or you, Uchiha, don't have any manners at all?"
"Because I don't want to end up at the end of your kote jutsu before we even managed to have a proper conversation?"
"And restraining me like that is the way to go?!"
"I don't trust you and you don't trust me, so this is how it's going to go. Or… I can paralyze you for an hour from neck down if it makes you more comfortable."
"Are you crazy?! You want me to agree to this?! And then what? You are going to rape me to your heart's content? Since there will be no consequences, eh?!"
Sato had to agree that Koi's hysterical tone was somehow justified since it was announced only yesterday that she indeed could not bear children. He eased his grip on her wrists a bit since he knew her long sleeves and kote were hiding bruises her dear father gifted her with after the discovery. Sato could still hear Kojima's yells at his daughter, prostrated on the floor, how she was completely useless and couldn't do even what any other girl could with ease. He wanted to stay longer, but he was not as good at stealth jutsu as his Anbu uncles, so he had to depart from Kojimas' yard, but with a newfound determination to help the girl who was caught in the web of her own father's making. If he actually was her real parent.
"What will happen when you lose the fight tomorrow?" With which they are still going forward, confirming the fight being a set-up of some sort. But on the front of Sato's mind was the image of the kendo sword hitting petite arms that were splashed with red bruises and even blood. How deadly will be the consequences of her new failure?
"Aren't you cocky… Who says I am going to lose?" And she sent another bony elbow into Sato's stomach to emphasize the point.
Sato's response was to kick her behind the knees so Koi lost her balance and had no escape but to sit on the ground with his arms, which were considerably larger, keeping her more or less immobile. Which was most disagreeable to Koi, of course, so she started to struggle again, but all in vain.
"I am not going to hurt you, Koi, you have my word."
"What value does the word of the Uchiha have? But yeah, I am going to win tomorrow."
"If you win… you'll have to marry a stranger. Are you fine with that?"
"Shouldn't be any different than the others."
"Others? Ah, I understand. Your father is very rich, with high social standing… The proposals must have been flying in for some time. Did your father reject them or did you?"
"Nah. They bolted the moment they saw me. Not feminine enough, too aggressive and don't start me on the hair…"
"And what's wrong with your hair?!" Sato asked in disbelief. The disbelief of those blind idiots, who rejected a perfectly normal and beautiful girl.
"It's red, you blind moron!"
"You know… your hair is the same color as the Sharingan."
There was no response to Sato's comment. It didn't escape his notice that his captee has not been fighting for escape for the last couple of minutes. He would go as far as to say that she was leaning into his embrace. Was it a tactic to make him lower his guard or she has started to trust him just a bit?
"Nobody said it like that before," a whisper finally came.
"Well, it's an Uchiha thing, I suppose. You didn't answer my question, what happens if you lose?"
"Well, I won't be married off to somebody else, that's for sure. Since my main use of being a child bearer is nonexistent. The war will go on; I haven't seen much action outside of my town, so I would be sent somewhere to the frontlines to die, I suppose. With the banner held high."
"Are you out of your mind?! You are only fifteen! Your whole life is ahead of you! Do you have nothing but filial duty? No dreams of your own?"
"And you have, Mister 'my clan is the only thing I am thinking about'?"
"Of course, I want this conflict to be over so I can serve my nation the same way as my ancestors did. I want to make my parents proud. I want to see my clan flourish, spreading into different nations. And I want for the Curse of Hatred never to return."
"What's that?"
"Do you know how the Sharingan activates?"
"How should I know, it's an Uchiha thing."
Sato chuckled at the dig. The girl seemed to have a sense of humor too. "Usually, the Sharingan was awakened and developed further through trauma and dramatic events in an Uchiha life. Those events included death and murder generally of those closest to the person. It was a never-ending circle of suffering, but then… everything changed. My Sharingan opened when I was nine and my parents were celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. I was playing with my siblings on the floor, a card game something or other, and my parents were sharing stories from their youth and I was overwhelmed by this feeling of… peace and… contentment… and happiness. Because this is how a true family is supposed to be. Connected in the present through their shared past and moving forward into the future. This is how I want my children to be born, not out of duty, but from love."
"Well, I am not going to have any! So I don't care what you think about family or whatever!"
The barely held truce was shattered by Koi biting Sato's gloved thumb, making him release her hands and thus weapons, but it was clear either way that their conversation has come to a close. They will meet the next day to fight for their future. And even if the outcome seemed more or less predetermined, somehow Sato was not sure about anything anymore.
The fight was conducted on a plateau, surrounded by a landscape that excluded any attempts to escape undetected. The spectators were placed away from the fight scene under a tent in the valley, but it was broadcasted to them via multiple cameras around the plateau. The setup was impressive, but very suspicious.
The marriage contract was prepared after a surprisingly short discussion. Kojima demanded for his daughter's husband to take up the name of his new family and live in their village after the wedding. Uzumaki-Uchiha Sarada stipulated for the bride-to-be to live in Konoha for three years before the wedding. Kojima did not contest that. Well, he made a show of disagreeing, but still consented. At that moment, Sarada was sure that the whole marriage idea was one big conspiracy and that her son was in grave danger. As were they all.
The rules of the fight were complicated. Basically, there were a lot of handicaps for Koi. The Uchiha representative (Sato remained unnamed and masked) was forbidden to use weapons, Sharingan, cloning jutsu or summonings. The fight was to continue until one of them yields. A strange rule, considering there was no mention of hand-to-hand combat or Koi running out of ammo. By the looks of it, Koi was not bothered by the rules at all, which made Sato think that she really didn't know what mess she was in. The outcome was predetermined indeed and that was that neither of them was leaving that plateau.
"What is he doing?" Ichiro whispered, standing behind his elder sister while they were staring at the monitor where the fight was shown. "Why is he on the defensive? The whole thing could've ended twenty minutes ago."
Sarada did not know what her son was doing. Logically, he was waiting for his opponent to run out of jutsu ammunition which would leave her defenseless, but the girl was not a complete idiot and used her cartridges sparingly and with purpose. They have been at it for thirty-seven minutes and there was no end in sight… until the picture turned to black static… and the tent collapsed onto them.
Koi came around feeling disoriented and with a splitting headache, the sudden explosion of light only added to the confusion. "What's going on?" she groaned, addressing no one in particular.
"Your father… whom you are so stupidly devoted to, is an idiot. Which is rather surprising, considering what he managed to archive in this war and the marriage ploy was not bad either, but only five men to take me down? This is utter stupidity, not to mention, an insult."
Koi looked at the speaker, who was a bit fuzzy around the edges, to understand what in the world was he talking about. They seemed to be in something akin to a cavern where they must've fallen into after ground broke under them. There were huge rocks everywhere. There were also five men lying around with darts in their chests. Now things started to make some sense…
"Well, you have Sharingan and is this a kunai in your hand?!" She watched him searched personally, there were absolutely no weapons on his person.
"I am a shinobi, I always have weapons on me. And repelling five projectiles is first-year academy level. Which you should know. When were you expelled? After four months? Five?"
Koi tried to stand, but everything became a blur. "What are you… on about?"
"Stay down. You have a concussion after a falling rock hit your head. And don't play coy with me. I knew you had training the first time I saw you move. But then you couldn't channel your chakra so they tossed you out and that's why you hate shinobi so much. I understand that. What I don't understand is your father's obsession with Sharingan. Why does he even want it?"
Frankly, Koi had no idea. She only remembered her father's mad ramblings about the red eyes and how he wanted to possess them. "It's the ultimate weapon, I suppose. What are you doing?" she asked, seeing as he was moving the unconscious bodies towards the cavern entrance.
"The rock ceiling is unstable, I can't just leave them to die."
"But they attacked you!"
"On your father's orders. I've never taken a life and am not planning on it in the near future. These men are innocent."
"So what happens next? We fight again?"
"Are you really that naïve, Koi? Are you still not understanding what has happened here?"
"Oh, do enlighten me, oh wise one!"
"The fight was not important or fair. The only way we could've had a fair fight would be for us to use only taijutsu with me not even infusing chakra and even then you couldn't take me down without cheating because I am simply physically stronger than you. Your father – and here I really doubt that he is your real father – only wanted anyone in possession of Sharingan eyes to be above this cavern so he could fall here after the explosion, be sedated and catered off for experiments. You were only a distraction. Only the pure shock on your face when the cracks in the ground appeared confirmed for me that you were not in on the plan. And you only have a concussion because I caught you to bring you safely down. Otherwise, you would've died under the rock slide."
Koi's foggy mind instantly cleared. "Are you telling me that my father deliberately made me bait for your ego and then abandoned me?!"
"I volunteered to fight you not because of my ego, but because I wanted to honor you as the fighter that you are. Yes, you are not a shinobi, but that does not make you a worthless opponent. You gave a good fight even if I didn't have enough time to go on the offensive. You have real potential. Your chakra can be unblocked by proper specialists. You can be a real shinobi if you truly wish to be one."
"Don't be absurd! My-"
"Forget your damn father! He knew you were going to die here! He's written you off even before your infertility came out! He used your anger to agree to this fight so he could nab at least one Uchiha. I am sure, there is a considerable skirmish outside since he wants to get five of us just in case. Does he have any idea about the powers he is messing with? Whatever the case, it is just a matter of days if not hours that your dear father is captured, arrested, tried for crimes against humanity and sentenced. And he will not survive it. You are his heir- Do you have anywhere to go? Any other relatives?"
Koi just stared dumbfounded at… who was that guy anyway? "What?"
"You are the heiress to the factory and everything else. Stay low somewhere until the trial blows over. I am sure the inheritance will be enough for you to live comfortably and whatever you choose to do next-"
"Now I get it! You are trying to turn me against my father so I'll testify in your favor because you don't actually have a case and then you will even get me some cash bonus while getting all the businesses for yourself, because surely one little girl does not need all that money. So 20/80 seems fair, eh?!"
"The concussion must've really messed with your brain if you are spurting such nonsense. Whatever you do, whatever path you choose, it will be your choice which I do not care about. My family is in danger and I need to get out to help them. So get on before I change my mind about leaving you down here."
"Why are you even bothering with me?"
"Because I am a shinobi, Koi. And whatever your misconceptions about them, our mission is to protect people. Now get onto my back, so I can take you to higher ground where you will be safe."
Koi looked at the men with tranquilizer darts and the cave opening that, most probably, led to a laboratory and nothing good. She then moved her gaze to the opening above which led to the now former fighting ground. The choice was easy to make.
"How am I supposed to?..." Koi drawled, inspecting the wide back presented to her. The guy was indeed huge. He looked considerably smaller from the distance they were exchanging jutsu at.
"Has no one ever given you a piggyback ride? What am I even talking about… With a father like yours… Just put your arms around my neck and hold tight."
Koi complied out of necessity, understanding that coming to the surface was a lesser evil than staying insights of her father's minions. Before Koi could adjust to the sensation of a man's hands under her knees, she was overwhelmed by the experience of flying which she instantly fell in love with. Kote could imitate shinobi attacks and defenses, but the technology could never recreate the way they moved, ran or disappeared into thin air. And now Koi was even more envious of them. Could she truly be one of them someday?
They landed at the outcrop of what was a plateau less than an hour ago. A figure in black clothes was waiting for them. The man in black gave Koi's opponent? savior? a bundle of clothing and puffed out of existence.
"You had a clone ready all this time?! How many other cheating tricks were you holding up your sleeve?"
"Don't be absurd, girl! I am not that good. I sent it up after I got rid of the welcoming committee. Now listen to me. Very. Attentively. Stay here until there is nobody in the valley even if it takes several hours. Your very life depends on it. Do you understand?"
"I am not a child, you know! Stop treating me like one!"
"Yes, you are definitely not…"
Koi blanched at the strange comment, but continued to follow the Uchiha to the other side of the plateau just to prove the point (whichever that was, Koi was not particularly sure.) They stopped at the other side and Koi looked down, curious to see where the screams were coming from. Looked down and wished she remained deep in the cave. There were hundreds of kote users down in the valley, all brandishing jutsu at a dome of white fire that was amongst the mass of maniacs.
"Stay here, Koi. You seem to be smarter than those down there. Do not engage. …If… at some point, you decide to be a true shinobi… come to Konoha and… I give you my word, I will take you as my student. Come to the city and ask for the audience with Lady Hokage. Tell the guards that you are the girl with the hair the color of Sharingan."
Before Koi could react to the revelation that the guy she fought was the same guy, who ambushed her in the forest, said guy was already rushing into the crowd below, tossing aside the fabric that revealed twin swords. Koi expected him to start cutting through the masses, but instead he… span into the sea of people, parting them like waves. She was not as much surprised by the technique that covered the blades with something akin to an airwave that simply pushed people away from his path, as by the mere fact that he was not wounding anyone. How far did all that 'protecting' act go? Weren't those people his enemies? So why was he sparing them?
The white dome unfolded for a moment and Koi saw three Uchiha in there, including Lady Hokage. Moreover, the dome was moving towards the center of the gathering of crazy kote users, who, Koi was sure, were told to bring the Sharingan eyes to her even crazier father for an enormous reward. But why weren't the Uchiha escaping and where was the fifth one?
Meanwhile, the swordsman reached the dome and the flames parted just enough for him to jump into the ring of white fire. What Koi witnessed next was an eye-opening experience in many ways, but also an enormous source of confusion. One of the Uchiha men started blowing a giant fireball, others joined in, making it even bigger. The kote users finally understood that the Uchiha were preparing for an attack, so some tried to bail while others only doubled their efforts. The human mess of disorganized attackers started to self-destruct, but then the fireball was released covering several rows of the attackers. The others screamed in panic, crawling over others to get away, but the next fireball got to them too.
Koi watched, horrified, as the yellow flames engulfed the people around the Uchiha. Was that what 'protecting people' meant? Burn them alive?! But then the cries gradually quieted down. The men and women staggered around with yellow flames blazing around their frames, but then sat down onto the ground, and when the flames gradually died down, looked around as if lost, woken from a long dream. Next, to Koi's further astonishment, the crowd started to disperse after everybody was doused with mysterious yellow fire. The Uchiha disappeared too at some point.
Whoever Koi's opponent was, he was right that her father had no idea what powers he was messing with.