Chapter 222: The Threshold to Hell
From the moment Uchiha Ci left the village, information about his movements was leaked by a Sand Village spy stationed in Konoha.
Subsequently, Elder Chiyo of the Sand Village infiltrated an underground exchange site and publicly disclosed his information, drawing the attention of the Hidden Cloud Village and numerous bounty hunters.
This eventually led to the joint operation between the Hidden Cloud Village and the exchange site to attack Uchiha Ci.
Previously, in the underground black markets of various nations, everything was up for sale—even Bloodline Limits could be used as trading chips. However, among these, the Sharingan was the one item no one dared to openly trade.
Now, even the head of the young Uchiha clan leader was put on a bounty, and he was actually attacked in an operation organized by the exchange site.
Dying on the battlefield or at the hands of other shinobi was one thing, but dying as a result of a scheme by the exchange site was an entirely different matter!
Thus, when the Uchiha clan learned of this, they were enraged.
Under the unprecedented unity of Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Fugaku, elite shinobi from Konoha, Hell Valley, and the Land of Hot Water were urgently dispatched to rescue Uchiha Ci.
Additionally, the clan sent shinobi to wipe out exchange sites in neighboring small nations, eliminating anyone involved in the incident.
"Ci, remember this: these measures are necessary!"
Seijiro explained the entire incident to Uchiha Ci in detail, offering him earnest advice:
"The Uchiha clan is different from the Hyūga clan. We are not bound by a 'caged bird' seal or a hierarchical system of the main and branch families. We are united by blood ties. Every member of our clan is, in essence, 'family.'"
"The strong protect the weak. Those in the clan who awaken the Sharingan must bear the responsibility of protecting members who do not possess it."
"This bloodline, this heritage, is what binds us together in this absurd and dark world. It is our unshakable bottom line."
"Anyone who crosses that line, even if it means destroying their entire family, must be eradicated—without exception!"
Seijiro looked gravely at Uchiha Ci and said heavily, "This is no joke!"
As the team traveled through the wilderness of the Land of Hot Water, Uchiha Ci, lying on the ox-drawn cart, nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
Seijiro smiled faintly, looking ahead with a touch of sentiment.
In the past, when he had a negative outlook on the shinobi world, he might have considered such actions by the clan leader and elders overly sensitive—or even felt jealous.
Why was he sent to near-certain death on the battlefield while the clan watched coldly?
Yet, when Uchiha Ci was targeted, the entire clan mobilized, leaving a trail of bloodshed across nations?
Shinobi are meant to die—what difference does it make where? What special meaning does death hold?
But now, as someone who had been saved and experienced 'love,' Seijiro, leading this operation, gradually understood the significance of a 'clan's' existence and did not hesitate to share his insights with Uchiha Ci.
Of course, Seijiro thought he might have said too much.
From what he knew of Uchiha Ci's personality and actions, this kid would probably take things even further than he would.
"We're almost at Hell Valley. It's about time for us to part ways."
"I still have to carry out the purge order and lead a team to hunt down some exchange site leaders who fled to small nations."
Seijiro paused, glancing at the team's front. Sitting cross-legged on the carriage with his blade resting across his legs and eyes closed in meditation was the elder Uchiha Setsuna.
"By the way, have you thought about what you're going to say to the elder?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Ci immediately pulled a wry face.
"How should I even begin?"
The last time Uchiha Setsuna had summoned him, he had collapsed from physical exhaustion and conveniently missed the meeting.
He had only just woken up and learned the whole story from Seijiro, leaving his heart heavier than ever.
Now, he had no idea how to face the elder.
When he was at his weakest, the elder had sacrificed half his life to save him from certain death.
Since then, like an old master from a fantasy novel, the elder had given him everything—equipment, forbidden techniques, swordsmanship, wealth, and even the position of clan leader.
Notably, the elder's teachings, like the Uchiha Style: Dance of the Solar Halo and Uchiha Style: Manipulated Shuriken Technique, formed the core of his combat abilities.
From nothing, he had risen to defeat countless powerful foes. In a way, the elder had stamped him with the indelible mark of the Uchiha—this was the origin of it all.
"The elder's words can indeed be harsh," Seijiro said with a wry smile, trying to comfort him.
"But he won't eat you. Some things just have to be faced."
Uchiha Ci raised his head and fell silent for a moment, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky. The sunlight pierced through, landing on his chest and burning his skin in rhythm with his heartbeat.
"Yeah, I guess it's inevitable."
Seijiro nodded, then suddenly grabbed Uchiha Ci by the arm and slung him over his back.
"Then there's no time like the present!"
Uchiha Ci froze, immediately struggling.
"Wait, what are you doing? Put me down!"
But his drained body was no match for Seijiro, now a jonin.
Seijiro grinned mischievously, jogging toward the carriage ahead.
"Do you think I've been standing guard for no reason, just waiting for you to wake up?"
"Forgive me, Ci, but this is the elder's order!"
Bang!
With that, Uchiha Ci was thrown in a graceful arc onto the carriage's roof.
Face-first into the wooden planks, he knocked over two jars of millet before colliding with something solid.
"Ugh—"
Shaking his head and brushing off the spilled grain, Uchiha Ci realized he had bumped into Kakuzu, who was bound tightly, gagged with coarse cloth, and covered in rudimentary seals that would break with minimal effort.
"Mm—!"
The moment Kakuzu saw him, his eyes flared with rage, as if he wanted to curse.
His intense emotions even caused a spike in Uchiha Ci's chakra.
"Well, well~" Uchiha Ci raised an eyebrow, finding the scene amusing.
Though the seals on Kakuzu were feeble, he was subdued by the elite Uchiha surrounding the carriage.
Even with his masks, which could dispel genjutsu, they were useless against multiple Sharingan users.
Any attempt to resist would lead to immediate hypnosis.
And with Uchiha Setsuna personally overseeing the situation...
At this thought, Uchiha Ci's smile froze.
A serene, aged voice echoed.
"Ci, you're here."
Uchiha Ci looked up to see Uchiha Setsuna sitting cross-legged at the front of the carriage. The elder turned his head slightly, his single visible eye piercing into him.
"What, are you afraid I'll eat you?"
"N-no, of course not!" Uchiha Ci laughed nervously, scratching his head as he awkwardly shuffled over.
Only when he sat beside Uchiha Setsuna did he notice that the elder had both eyes open.
His left eye appeared normal, but his right was a ghastly white—evidence of using Izanagi.
"Let's start with you," Uchiha Setsuna said, his brow furrowed in disdain.
"That swordsmanship of yours—what's going on with it?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Ci perked up and began to explain.
"You mean the sword techniques I developed? Well, I incorporated wind-style ninjutsu, fire-style chakra mode, and—"
Uchiha Setsuna raised a hand, cutting him off with a scowl.
"Who told you to talk about that?"
"I'm asking, who taught you to use swordsmanship like that?"
The elder glanced disdainfully at Uchiha Ci, his expression unreservedly critical.
"Clumsy! Stiff! Revolting!"
"That's not Uchiha swordsmanship. Even a dog could perform better!"
"Do you even understand what technique means? What swordsmanship entails? Without a solid foundation, victory or defeat is decided in an instant!"
"You need special training—intensive training!"
Without sparing his feelings, the elder continued to berate him.
"And thanks to Shinichi's letter, I know all about your slacking off in the Land of Rain!"
"This time, I'll personally oversee your training."
"You'll experience hellish special training!!"
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