Zhi Li took a deep breath, feeling the need to explore the secret chamber of the Naka Shrine.
Remember the original website domain 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞
The successive changes of the Clan Heads had thrown the entire Uchiha Clan into chaos. The frequency of deathmatches was increasing, and each successive Clan Head was more insane than the last. If this continued, more innocent children would be affected sooner or later.
She resolved that if she could safely return to the village this time, she would definitely investigate. If it was truly due to the Secret Technique, then it must be stopped.
Otherwise, the Uchiha Clan would have no future!
The group moved swiftly and soon arrived at the central area of the Blood Pond Clan Territory. The bloody scent was even stronger, and a pool of scarlet blood flowed through the gully-filled ground, as eerie and terrifying as the underworld spring.
"I heard that the Blood Dragon Eye can control blood in battle. It seems that the Blood Pond Clan hasn't given up on cultivating the Eye Technique all these years," Tong Ren remarked.
"This shows that they are thinking about revenge at all times. Disappearing without a trace is impossible," Orochimaru frowned deeply.
"Hush, be quiet!"
Nen suddenly stopped, crouching low, his right hand reaching into his sleeve, silently gripping a Kunai, like a wolf ready to pounce.
"There are people in the house on the left!"
Zhi Li reacted quickly, immediately protecting everyone behind her. Her eyes were stern as she looked at the Inn on the left side of the street, on high alert.
"Are you a sensory Ninja?" Tsunade asked, somewhat surprised.
"Um... sort of." Nen nodded slightly.
Zhi Li turned her head and asked, "Can you sense the specific number of people?"
"Seven people, five men and two women. The soul strength is average, but one man's level is very high, almost not inferior to Zhi Li-neechan," Nen's answer was simple and efficient.
"Also, there's no need to go further in. My senses here can cover the entire Valley. Besides the front room, there's no one else," he added.
"Can you confirm that?" Zhi Li looked serious. At this moment, she had entered work mode, meticulous and conscientious.
"Unless the other party has some secret method to hide their souls, they can't escape my senses."
"That's good then." Zhi Li composed herself, her slender hand pressed on the hilt of her sword, already prepared for battle.
"Six against seven, the advantage isn't on our side," Jiraiya was eager to try. "But since the other party is concentrated together, that's perfect for wiping them out in one fell swoop!"
"But..." Nen hesitated, "These people don't seem to be Ninja, nor do they seem to want to fight."
At this moment, in his perception, the people in the Inn seemed to be just carrying out normal activities, eating when they should eat, drinking when they should drink, and some were even sleeping in the guest rooms on the second floor.
"Xiao Gang, you three stay here first," Zhi Li pondered for a moment and said, "Hide first, and be ready to respond to us at any time."
"Eh? Aren't we not supposed to leave your sight, neechan?" Jiraiya asked in confusion. The three people Zhi Li was referring to were precisely the Hokage's personally taught disciples.
Orochimaru explained, "Now that the enemy situation is clear, there shouldn't be any threats outside. Zhi Li-neechan probably wants to investigate the situation to confirm the information. After all, it's still unclear where the other Blood Pond Clan members have gone."
"Yes!" Tong Ren nodded. "In case of any danger, the three of us Uchiha can still resist a little."
"But..."
"No buts!" Tsunade grabbed Jiraiya's arm, turned around, and smiled at Zhi Li, "Neechan, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on this guy!"
"Thanks, if we encounter any misfortune, the three of you immediately escape back to the village, without hesitation!"
"Huh?" Tsunade immediately widened her eyes.
Zhi Li smiled gently, "Just in case, I mean just in case."
"Alright."
"Orochimaru, you must escape!" Tong Ren was a little worried, looking at his friend with concern.
"Don't worry, I will never look back!" Orochimaru smiled slightly, "It's you two who shouldn't let me avenge you in the future."
"Stop it~"
Zhi Li nodded, and after giving a few final instructions, she led Nian and Tong Ren slowly towards the Inn, pushing the door open and entering.
...
At the same time, Hidden Leaf Village.
"This is the Uchiha Clan now? Truly decayed to the extreme!"
"A clan that should have been so pure has actually been corroded into this state by Hidden Leaf Village, trapped in a whirlpool of power and desire, unable to extricate themselves. It's truly disappointing!"
"As expected, in this world, where there is light, there is shadow. As long as there is a concept of winners, there will always be losers."
"The selfish desire to maintain peace leads to war, and hatred is born to protect love. Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"
"I, Uchiha..."
Suddenly, a childish voice interrupted a certain man's gloomy musings.
"Uncle, your ice cream is ready!"
In front of the dessert stall, the man wearing sunglasses was slightly stunned, belatedly taking the two melting ice creams and giving his place to the little girl behind him.
He was about to leave, but after thinking for a moment, he leaned down slightly, his waterfall-like black hair cascading down.
He handed one of the ice creams to the little girl, watching her take it, a cold smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.
...
"Why has Lord Madara been gone for so long?"
On the second floor of the izakaya, Shin'yu and Hikari sat side by side. Compared to Shin'yu, who was leisurely admiring the scenery outside the window, Hikari was clearly more worried.
"Oh dear, Lord Madara isn't a child, what's there to worry about?" Shin'yu rested his chin on one hand, smiling slightly.
Hikari was a little speechless, "You, you're the one who suggested Lord Madara come out for a walk, so you have to take responsibility!"
"Alright, since it's a request from our Miss Hikari, I have no choice but to obey."
"Hmph, I guess... I guess you're obedient." Hikari shyly looked away, using drinking tea to hide her blush.
Shin'yu narrowed his eyes slightly, instantly sensing Madara's location, revealing a slightly surprised smile.
At this moment, he had already taken off the black ribbon, his pair of ink-jade-like pupils were restrained and divine, like a clear pool under the moon, reflecting the boundless starry sky.
As early as a few years ago, he had discovered that the "Yang Power" gene in his body seemed to have stopped transforming. Every cell contained surging vitality, and the Eye Power in his eyes had reached its peak. The nearly 10-year-long fusion of yin and yang had finally come to an end.
Unfortunately, although the evolution of his body was still continuing, the rate of strengthening was less than one percent of the original, as slow as a snail. Continuing to evolve in silence and seal his power seemed to have lost its meaning.
He didn't have Old Man Madara's patience.
So, he simply took off his eye mask, allowing his long-closed eyes to see the sunlight again.
"Don't worry, Lord Madara has already returned."
As soon as he finished speaking, light footsteps came from the stairs. Uchiha Madara sat down opposite the two with two ice cream cones and handed them to them casually.
"Just picked them at random, make do with it." He said lightly.
"Touched, this is my favorite strawberry flavor!" Shin'yu's eyes lit up slightly.
"Mm, also my favorite mint flavor." Zhi Li took a small bite and covered her mouth with a giggle.
Suddenly, a violent explosion came from the street in the distance, with thick smoke billowing. The breeze carried a strong burnt smell, as well as screams of terror!
"Explo... explosion!"
"Not good, it's a human bomb!"
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