311-315

*Chapter 311: Ichiraku Ramen Disappears in White Light*

The killing intent poured out, unmasked and unrestrained.

*Wind Style: Vacuum Wave*

The staff was already thrust into the ground.

Kama formed seals with lightning speed, spitting out a terrifying blade of wind that could slice through stone and metal. Just as Yakumo reached out to restrain Hotaru, who was struggling to stand, Kama unleashed his lethal attack. The wind blade aimed for Yakumo and the fatigued Fujika, who sat on a bench unable to rise and face the oncoming danger.

The Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki wasn’t to be killed, but the lives of the others were irrelevant.

That was the instruction Madara Uchiha had given him before the mission.

From the outset, Kama’s targets had been those close to Uchiha Sougen: Uchiha Fujika, Kurama Yakumo, and Tsuchigumo Hotaru. Fujika was Sougen’s sister, and Yakumo and Hotaru were his only two disciples.

Killing them might deal a heavy blow to Sougen. This was Kama’s assignment from Obito Uchiha.

Even if Sougen was too cold-hearted to be affected, removing a few of Konoha’s prodigies wouldn’t be wasted effort. Seeing the potential of these young shinobi, Kama’s bloodlust had swelled uncontrollably.

He couldn’t wait any longer for Hiruko to lure more Konoha elites to the main gate of the village. These dangerous seedlings had to be uprooted now!

“Huh?”

Kama let out a voice of stunned disbelief.

The wind blade passed right through the girls without drawing a single drop of blood. It was as if he’d sliced through an illusory bubble. When the wind dissipated, everything was unchanged.

“A genjutsu? When did this happen?”

Kama’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He subtly attempted to disrupt his chakra flow to break the illusion. The scene in front of him shifted momentarily, then stabilized, leaving him uncertain if what he was seeing was real or not.

But then—

In the next second, his entire world flipped upside down. The scenery disappeared, and he found himself staring at rough, uneven rock walls. He looked down, realizing he was in a square pit, his body immobilized and bound by dark, snake-like ropes.

“When?”

Kama was shocked.

Not only had his sight been deceived, but his sense of touch, too. No, it wasn’t just those; even his hearing and sense of smell had been altered under the illusion’s influence.

“What… is this?”

At that moment, someone appeared from within the rock wall using Earth-Style to stealthily approach. It was Kama himself.

“Take your time processing this. Let me help you get rid of these things.”

This "Kama" raised his hand, producing a wind blade as thin as paper, and sliced through the dark snakes binding the real Kama. The broken pieces dissolved into ink, soaking his clothes and darkening the ground below.

Then—

With a pop, the Earth-Style clone of Kama disappeared in a puff of smoke.

With the clone’s dissolution, memories poured into Kama’s mind. From the clone’s perspective, he saw himself releasing the *Vacuum Wave* and unintentionally veering off to strike an empty area. Then, he’d just stood there, allowing the ink-like ropes to bind him.

Thankfully, the shadow clone that had been observing had intervened.

With a *Earth Style: Underground Move Core* jutsu, the clone had buried Kama underground. Either the distance or the rock layer severed the genjutsu’s hold, allowing Kama to break free, after which the clone arrived to help him out of the restraints.

“Kurama Yakumo!”

Thinking of her name, Kama vanished into the rock wall using Earth Style, just as multiple Narutos peered over the edge of the pit, failing to spot him. One called out, “Yakumo, be careful. That guy got away.”

Yakumo raised an eyebrow.

Immediately, she spread her mental energy to monitor the surroundings, wondering if she should ask her teacher if there were any sensory techniques she could learn. Using mental energy directly to survey was exhausting and limited in scope.

Fortunately, Naruto was helping.

With *Super Beast Imitating Drawing* at his disposal, he was adept at gathering intel. Naruto’s real body took up his brush, drawing mice that leaped from the scroll and scattered in all directions.

Meanwhile, hiding underground, Kama felt a heavy sense of dread.

He’d nearly been outsmarted.

If not for keeping a shadow clone on standby, he might have been captured by these kids. That damned Kurama clan’s kekkei genkai was terrifying! Comparing his memory of both scenes, his heart shivered.

When had he been ensnared?

When had the genjutsu taken effect?

Unable to pinpoint the cause, he had no way to prepare.

This genjutsu was irrationally powerful. He couldn’t risk approaching that girl again. Only ranged attacks, or using shadow clones and traps, would be safe. But with this distance, taking out these kids would be much harder.

“Just a group of kids, yet surprisingly tough!”

Kama felt the vast divide between true geniuses and himself.

Once called a genius, he now felt as ordinary as a roadside weed compared to them.

“If that’s the case, then I won’t hold back.”

Kama used Earth Style to create a hollow space directly beneath Ichiraku Ramen, with fresh air flowing in. He created several more shadow clones as backups and stood ready in his hidden chamber.

Then—

He began gathering energy.

Preparing to use the forbidden jutsu of the Tsuchigumo clan, he intended to completely wipe out the kids on the surface. At this point, he didn’t even care about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. After all, he and that elusive guy claiming to be Uchiha Madara were only allies of convenience. If the situation allowed, he’d give the guy some face to maintain this fragile alliance.

But now, he couldn’t afford to worry about any of that.

Killing these brats was the priority.

However, he underestimated the youth above him. A small snake, barely the width of a thumb, found a hidden ventilation shaft near the corner of the wall, slithering down until it reached the underground space where Homma was hiding. Homma also sensed something was wrong due to the blocked airflow in the shaft.

"What’s that? Damn it!”

Homma saw the ink-colored snake slithering into the underground chamber. His nearby shadow clone immediately threw a shuriken, destroying the snake. As ink dripped down, Homma realized he couldn’t keep charging up any longer. Waiting might allow the enemy to strike first or let the brats escape his range of attack.

In the next instant,

“Explode for me!!”

Homma let out an angry roar.

Forbidden Jutsu: Wrathful Heaven.

Released!

A blinding white light easily obliterated the rocky ceiling above and erased everything within a twenty-meter radius from the center, wiping out buildings, furniture, plants—leaving nothing behind. The famous Ichiraku Ramen Shop, a tourist hotspot in Konoha, turned into a barren pit, its foundation destroyed.

“That was close! Good thing you warned us, Hotaru; if we’d stayed down there, we’d be goners…”

Naruto wiped off his cold sweat.

He was genuinely terrified.

If it weren’t for Hotaru’s warning about Homma’s likely mastery of the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden jutsu, Wrathful Heaven—known to erase even large islands from existence—he wouldn’t have taken precautions. With his ink, he quickly painted a large bird that carried everyone into the air, including two stunned chunin.

And this decision proved wise. If they hadn’t taken flight, they would’ve been done for!

Even the man assigned to protect the young shinobi was shocked by Hotaru’s foresight. Initially, he’d held back, hoping they could gain experience from the encounter. But the burst of Wrathful Heaven's power nearly stopped his heart.

No more risks like that!

If something happened to these kids… he couldn’t imagine what Uchiha Ranshan would do. These days, Sougen’s power was unfathomable, and he couldn’t predict the consequences of Sougen’s wrath. It might mean the world’s end.

That wasn’t even an exaggeration.

And indeed, the man Sougen entrusted to protect Naruto and his friends was none other than Uchiha Ranshan.

Despite his years of paperwork, Ranshan had never neglected his training and had even gathered trusted comrades.

“Kurama, Gekkou, Muta, come with me!”

Ranshan dashed toward Homma, who was standing at the bottom of the pit.

Following him were Kurenai Yuhi, Hayate Gekkou, and Muta Aburame, all young elite jounin of the Konoha Police Force.

Kurenai and Hayate had joined the Police Force after a mission to the Daimyo’s palace with Sougen, gaining immense growth in strength and choosing to train within the Police Force afterward.

Kurenai became a jounin quickly, while Hayate earned the rank of full jounin soon after.

…

The white light that shot into the sky wasn’t just seen by Uchiha Ranshan, who was lurking nearby; in fact, it was visible throughout most of Konoha. Sougen, waiting in his office for Yamanaka Haiichi’s mind-reading results, Jue, observing Shisui and Obito’s clash, and Hiruho, standing at Konoha’s main gate, all saw it.

“Natural energy fluctuations?”

Sougen turned sharply and saw the pure white light rising above the buildings in the distance.

“What’s that?”

Kabuto also saw it. He pushed up his glasses, surprise momentarily showing on his face. “Could that be Dust Release?” Having witnessed Onoki use Dust Release while on a mission in Iwagakure, Kabuto was familiar with its destructive power.

But he quickly shook off the thought. “No, there’s no way that old man Onoki would stir up trouble here now… it’s probably a rogue from the Twelve Guardian Ninja.” Though he’d never seen Wrathful Heaven in action, Kabuto had discussed it with Rikushi.

After all, there were only a few ways to harness natural energy in the shinobi world.

Using elimination, the answer wasn’t hard to deduce.

“Guardian Ninja… is it Homma? That’s the Tsuchigumo clan’s Wrathful Heaven—this powerful?” Kabuto adjusted his glasses again. Homma had clearly allied himself with Hiruho, as evidenced when Kakashi and his team stumbled into the monster nest during their pursuit of Homma.

He was genuinely shocked at Wrathful Heaven’s devastating power.

Even though classified documents did mention its strength, the wording was so grandiose it seemed exaggerated.

“This isn’t even the jutsu at full power,” Sougen said softly. “Given enough time, the caster could destroy all of Konoha.”

“What? That terrifying?”

Images flooded Kabuto’s mind. If this jutsu could be cast from a hidden corner, it could potentially destroy Konoha…

“Though Wrathful Heaven’s destruction is indeed formidable, it has its flaws. To unleash a strike strong enough to wipe out Konoha, the caster must spend considerable time gathering energy, during which they can’t move freely. The more energy gathered, the harder it becomes to ignore the power buildup. Back then, Rikushi destroyed a town where the Cloud Village had stationed troops, with the help of Leaf shinobi as protectors.”

Tsunade, seemingly aware of Kabuto’s thoughts, spoke up, clarifying for him, Shizune, and Yamanaka Haiichi, who was reading the memory of a crow.

Having experienced the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, Tsunade knew the truth behind many so-called secrets. She was well aware of the alliance the Third Hokage had with Rikushi.

“Haiichi, have you retrieved any results?”

Sougen urged.

He could hardly sit here waiting any longer!

The flash of white light just now seemed to have come from where Tofuka and Naruto were.

“I got it, I got it!”

Haiichi exclaimed excitedly.

“It took a while since I don’t usually read animal memories…” Seeing Sougen’s steady gaze, Haiichi quickly cleared his throat and continued, “In this crow’s memory, I ‘saw’ that Shisui is still in the Barrier Corps building, fighting a man with an orange, spiral-patterned mask and a Sharingan. There’s also a strange figure resembling a pitcher plant with an odd face, probably another synthetic creature similar to those monsters.”

“Good.”

Sougen took a deep breath.

So, they had finally arrived!

Now, the positions of Hiruho, Homma, Uchiha Obito, and Jue were confirmed. With Akatsuki taking no action, no other hidden pawns seemed to be at play, meaning they could go all out!

There was no need to remain in the Hokage Building, guarding against hidden traps!

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 312: The Second Ability of the Mangekyo Sharingan?*

"Where to first?"

This was a decision Sougen had to make. Hiruko, Kazuma, and Uchiha Obito—these troublesome individuals—had scattered across multiple points, or perhaps they were acting independently. They appeared in different locations throughout the village, and leaving from the Hokage building, he could only choose one direction; covering multiple spots at once was impossible.

However—

He didn’t need to weigh the pros and cons himself.

Hiruko had already made the choice for him.

…

As the blinding white light of the forbidden technique Furious Rising Sky erupted, Hiruko, standing atop a strange bird, squinted his eyes at the familiar glow. "So, you’ve come, Kazuma. Are you alone, or have you brought some friends along for the fun?"

Of course, no one answered him.

Instead, a persistent buzzing noise beside him nagged on.

"Let go of my brother, you bastard!"

Uchiha Daohuo’s voice, full of rage yet completely helpless, screamed out.

Daohuo was a shadow of his former confident self, barely staying conscious by sheer willpower. Having lost his right hand and right leg, he couldn’t even stand, relying instead on a crumbling wall to keep from collapsing completely.

Compared to his fallen comrades,

He was still considered lucky.

Even though he had lost his right arm and leg, he was at least still alive, as Hiruko’s Lava Release had seared the wounds closed, leaving him with no blood loss—just excruciating pain. For now, he could endure.

But Daohuo had no mind to dwell on his own injuries.

Seeing his brother Uchiha Tiehuo being taken into the air by the strange bird, Daohuo roared with fury, attempting again and again to move his broken body, but he couldn't even stand.

"A backup obtained,"

Hiruko paid no mind to the crippled Uchiha Daohuo, nor to Tiehuo. To him, Tiehuo was merely a backup; he was still fixated on obtaining the Mangekyo Sharingan.

One reason he spared Daohuo’s life was that Daohuo no longer posed a threat. Another was to see if he could perhaps trigger a new Mangekyo Sharingan.

While studying the forbidden Goryō Enojutsu, he’d also pored over many forbidden texts in the village, including the Second Hokage’s research on the Sharingan. It was recorded that when an Uchiha experienced a significant loss or deep anguish, special chakra would surge to the optic nerve, changing the eye and triggering the Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Not enough time, not enough ‘love’? Or perhaps he lacks the potential?"

Hiruko stared at Daohuo for a few seconds, but saw no changes, feeling slightly disappointed.

However, this disappointment was fleeting.

It was just a small, inconsequential test.

If it succeeded, great; if not… well, that was expected. The Uchiha had only produced a few Mangekyo Sharingan wielders in recent decades. If just anyone could unlock it, the Mangekyo wouldn’t be so rare.

"Forget it; since Kazuma is here, there might be others around... best to speed things up. And the fact that no skilled ninja has shown up yet means I need to increase the pressure!"

Hiruko reasoned that perhaps Uchiha Sougen and Uchiha Shisui hadn’t shown up because his pressure was too light. After all, the mindless beasts he had summoned with Goryō Enojutsu were just cannon fodder.

He needed to add some weight to the scale.

So, he began to form seals.

Using the Summoning Technique.

More monsters appeared—his final reserves. These synthetic beasts weren’t limitless like weeds; they had taken him years to create, and today he would use them all in one go.

It didn’t bother him;

To ignite the flames of perfect evolution, one had to provide enough fuel.

The newly summoned monsters gathered among the ruins, merging under Hiruko’s command. Bird-like creatures, dog-like creatures, snake-like creatures—all combined into towering, three-story-tall monsters. With a unicorn-like horn, two wings, four legs, and two tails, each was a massive, armored beast in pale white.

And this time,

There wasn’t just one.

There was a whole swarm.

"What are those monsters?"

"Watch out—something big is coming!"

The Leaf Village ninjas shouted in alarm. Seeing the monsters open their jaws, the Jonin quickly instructed their squads to disperse. As expected, the beasts unleashed blasts of flame powerful enough to burn through concrete, and if not for the Jonin’s Earth and Water Release defenses, this attack would have caused serious casualties.

"Go forth, wreak havoc! Burn this village to ashes!" Hiruko laughed wildly, releasing the monsters. They spread their wings and surged deeper into the village.

Below,

The Leaf ninjas roared in defiance.

"Stop these monsters! Dammit, hold them back!"

"We can’t! Our shuriken and kunai don’t even reach them!"

"Even jutsu won’t work!"

With most of these flying monsters, the average ninja was helpless. This was why a giant bird had previously wreaked havoc until Naruto and Yakumo intervened, attracting Kazuma’s murderous intent.

Back on track,

The front-line ninjas could only watch helplessly as the monsters flew toward the village center, inwardly relieved that the Hokage’s advisor had issued an evacuation order, hoping the villagers had reached safety.

They couldn’t even turn back to assist because the earlier wave of monsters was still attacking.

"Look, there—!"

Suddenly, a wounded ninja at the rear shouted, and others turned to see giants standing throughout the village, blocking the monsters' path with long, thick staffs. Each giant had the same muscular physique, identical armor, and a large circular family crest with the word "Food" on it.

These were from the Akimichi clan.

And leading them was Akimichi Torufu.

The ground shook as the battle began, with eleven Jonin from the Akimichi clan, using their Super Expansion Jutsu, blocking nearly a hundred monsters, swinging their massive staffs to try and knock the flying creatures from the sky. However, the monsters were quick.

True, one had been knocked down by Tsunade’s punch before,

But that was a special case.

In situations where her hemophobia didn’t flare up, Tsunade's top-tier strength in the ninja world wasn’t diluted in the slightest. Whether it was strength or speed, she far surpassed the Jonin of the Akimichi clan. And back then, there had been just one monster to face, but now? Now there was an entire horde!

So…

Even though the Akimichi Jonin had appeared full of vigor at the start, when they actually engaged in the fight, they found it was anything but easy.

These merged creatures could fly, breathe fire, and even had explosive feathers. Unless they sustained a fatal wound, they could even regenerate to some extent... Torufu Akimichi was stunned. Following the instructions of Uncle Torufu, he’d chosen ten clan members to show their worth, hoping to earn some recognition for the clan.

But—

This was way harder than he’d anticipated!

When he saw the creatures flying overhead, he thought it’d be the perfect time for a bold entrance. Together with his companions, they used their Super Expansion Jutsu to intercept the creatures headed toward the heart of the village. But once they began fighting, they realized how tough these creatures were! If not for their close-knit bond and practiced teamwork, they likely would’ve been torn apart by the nearly hundred monsters. Yet, even so, they wouldn’t be able to hold out for long; after slaying a dozen creatures, every one of them was already wounded.

The most annoying ones were the flying beasts!

Each one of them was a nightmare to handle.

“Torufu, we can’t keep this up much longer.”

“I know.”

Gritting his teeth, Torufu shouted firmly, “Sato, hold the line! We can’t retreat. We represent the honor of our clan, and even if it means dying here, we must not take a single step back!” After all, if other clans were willing to shed blood for the village, the Akimichi clan couldn’t just sit back and avoid sacrifice.

He’d never been able to stomach the Sarutobi clan's infamous habit of charging in last and retreating first.

Back then, the Third Hokage had been in control.

He had never dared voice his opinion, not even to Shikaku or Inoichi.

“Torufu, well said! The men of the Akimichi clan aren’t afraid to die!” roared Tado Akimichi, who had fought alongside the Fourth Hokage against the Mist and Cloud ninjas. His voice thundered across the village.

The other Akimichi clan members shouted in agreement, whether out of genuine fearlessness or pure grit.

They all understood,

This was a moment when retreat wasn’t an option. Anyone who backed down would likely regret it more than if they’d died in battle here.

“All right, Tado, get out of the way—don’t block my path.”

A deep yet energetic voice sounded from behind. Tado instinctively turned to look, seeing a deep crimson glow he’d witnessed a few times before. A deep crimson katana whizzed past his ear, stabbing through a monster that had tried to ambush him from behind.

“Hey, Tado, are you distracted in the middle of a fight? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Sougen… Hokage Advisor-sama? What are you doing here?”

“Huh?”

A deep crimson Susano’o stood towering over the ground.

Standing atop Susano’o’s forehead, Sougen looked at Tado, baffled by his question. “What’s so strange about me being here?” As he spoke, Susano’o wielded its katana, slashing horizontally, stabbing forward, and slicing at an angle, wounding one monster and forcing two others back.

This was indeed a hassle!

Hiruko’s skills were truly something!

These creatures were tedious to deal with, and handling each one individually would undoubtedly cause massive economic losses for the village. Though the Leaf Village was wealthy, they couldn’t afford to be wasteful. The only option was to unleash the full force of his power.

Between three choices,

He decided to handle Hiruko first.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go after that lunatic Uchiha Obito, but Obito’s space-time jutsu made it nearly impossible to defeat him with overwhelming numbers, unless the opponents all possessed their own space-time jutsu. Unfortunately, Sougen had not mastered Flying Thunder God or any other space-time jutsu.

Even if he went to support Shisui,

There was no guarantee he’d make much difference.

And as for leaving Koma alone… well, as Hokage Advisor, he had to fulfill his duty. Even if rescuing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could be a valid excuse, he had his own principles and limits, and Yamanaka Inoichi had confirmed that Fujiwara and the others were unharmed.

In comparison,

Hiruko’s situation was growing increasingly dangerous, especially with these merged monsters appearing in groups. If they weren’t stopped, the village would be reduced to ashes.

“All right, enough talk. Tado, Torufu, move aside! You’re in my way!”

Sougen didn’t want to waste any more time.

He urged the Akimichi ninja to clear a path, impatiently.

Tado shrank back; even though he was much older than Sougen, in front of Sougen, he couldn’t act like a senior. Glancing at Torufu, he silently asked what they should do. They’d just vowed not to take a single step back.

“Hokage Advisor-sama, sorry, we…”

“If you’re not leaving, at least get out of my way!” Sougen muttered irritably. This time, Torufu quickly stepped to the left, enduring two claw attacks from the monsters, which gouged chunks of flesh from his arm.

The other Akimichi clan members followed suit, shifting aside to make way for Sougen despite taking injuries.

Then—

“I’d originally saved this move to deal with a certain elusive individual, but since the chance never came... well, might as well show it off now. Besides, this isn’t the only ace I have up my sleeve.” Sougen looked up at the monsters flying chaotically in the sky. The six-pointed windmill pattern in his eyes began to spin, releasing a vast amount of ocular energy into his left eye like a rising tide.

In the next instant,

An invisible and colorless power shot toward the sky.

The flying creatures suddenly froze in midair, their bone-white bodies turning to a stony gray. From their claws, horns, and tails, the transformation spread across their entire forms in a matter of seconds.

The monsters had turned to stone.

“Whether out in the open or hidden in the shadows, to all you unwelcome guests of the Leaf Village... I present the ocular power of my Mangekyo Sharingan, Ishigami-Houmei!” Sougen blinked nonchalantly, turning nearly a hundred monsters into stone. The results were impressive, though at the cost of considerable ocular energy.

In the past,

His eyes would have bled a little.

But now, he could bear the cost without trouble. Though he had yet to attain the Rinnegan, his years of progress weren’t for nothing. He was continually moving forward, weathering all storms and trials, advancing tirelessly along an endless path.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 313: Stone Powers*

The eye techniques of the Mangekyō Sharingan can generally be divided into two categories. The first involves affecting the mind, like Kotoamatsukami, Kagutsuchi, Tsukuyomi, and others. These techniques could be seen as an enhanced form of genjutsu, targeting the enemy's mental state but unable to affect non-living objects.

The second category involves directly altering reality. Kamui and Amaterasu are examples of this kind; they act on both living and non-living things, creating observable changes in the real world.

Sougen’s left-eye technique, Ishikagahime, falls into this category. Its ability is straightforward: "petrification." It turns anything seen into stone—humans, animals, plants, soil, water—any tangible material can be petrified. However, energy-based phenomena like flames, lightning, and wind cannot.

Despite this minor limitation, the power of this technique is unquestionable.

In an instant, nearly a hundred enormous flying creatures were transformed into cold, immovable statues. What could have been a major disaster for Konoha was averted in a moment, leaving many people unable to react.

"What? It's… already over?"

Too fast! But then again…

Fast isn't a bad thing in times like these!

The injured at the backlines were the first to break into cheers. In the shinobi world, where a single person can destroy a small nation, shinobi revere true power as if they were fanatics. After witnessing Sougen's swift eradication of the creatures, awe and respect welled up.

Thunderous cheers echoed across the area where Konoha’s shinobi were stationed.

"Long live the Hokage's advisor! Long live the Hokage's advisor!"

Sougen’s appearance and actions gave the Konoha shinobi a boost of confidence, invigorating them with what felt like an infusion of courage and adrenaline. Their eyes glinted with excitement as they rallied against the remaining creatures.

"The battle isn’t over yet! Choza, Tōto, what are you standing around for? Move these stone bodies somewhere safe!" Sougen commanded.

Though evacuation had been completed in most areas, many shinobi were still carrying out their duties across the streets.

Choza Akimichi, Tōto Akimichi, and others snapped out of their daze, restrained their awe, and quickly swung their massive clubs to bat the falling statues far from populated areas, where they crashed into forests, crushing dense trees.

Dust rose from several places around Konoha, creating a scene that looked almost like a battlefield from a distance.

"Now, it’s your turn, Hiruko." Sougen looked toward the village gate. Unfortunately, Hiruko was beyond the reach of his ocular powers. Although Ishikagahime could petrify anything he saw, it only worked within the range of his ocular power.

Otherwise, looking at the sun might have petrified it too!

The concept of seeing and petrifying relies on the ability to project ocular power onto the target, with a range that varies depending on his eyesight.

Standing in his Susanoo, Sougen moved toward Konoha’s main gate.

---

*On the Roof of the Hokage Building*

Tsunade stood at the edge of the rooftop, gripping a railing that had been warped from her grasp, staring at the deep crimson giant.

"Mangekyō Sharingan… Susanoo…"

As a descendant of the Senju, though she had never witnessed Susanoo firsthand, she had seen her grandfather’s wistful expression and her great-uncle’s anger when they spoke of the Mangekyō Sharingan. These expressions were memorable, and she knew from childhood that Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo were no ordinary powers.

Now, she was finally seeing the Mangekyō Sharingan’s might for herself.

"This is the Mangekyō Sharingan of the Uchiha, capable of rivaling the power of Wood Release," she muttered. Even her usually steady heart felt a ripple, for as one of the top few in the shinobi world, she couldn’t help but feel affected seeing this immense, Senju-linked power.

If her heart had truly turned to stone, she would not have returned to the village, even if it was being erased from the map.

Her return showed her heart was not completely gone. She couldn’t abandon her homeland completely.

"Perhaps this is a sight my granduncle never imagined… And maybe… it’s not so bad."

As the cheers spread from the village gate to the Hokage Building, Tsunade listened to the echoing cries. She offered a complicated smile, muttering words only Shizune, beside her, could hear.

---

*Outside the Barrier Team’s Headquarters*

Zetsu barely paid attention to the battle between Obito and Shisui anymore. He could see the struggle between two shinobi who controlled time-space jutsu was in deadlock. Young Obito might have once been defeated by Minato's Rasengan, but that was in the past.

Obito was no longer a sixteen-year-old kid.

Now, at his peak, he wasn’t easily defeated. Sougen's earlier success lay in Obito’s unfamiliarity with his eye techniques, leading to a quick failure. Now, fighting Shisui, who wielded Flying Thunder God, Obito was on high alert.

Furthermore, the secret of Kotoamatsukami was exposed due to Zetsu, so Shisui couldn’t finish things quickly.

In the long run, though, Obito might have the edge; in a prolonged battle, chakra reserves become a major factor.

Zetsu looked up at the crimson Susanoo in the distance with relief. Sougen Uchiha, that scheming opponent, possessed dual eye techniques. Some Uchiha only wielded a single ocular power, with both eyes offering unique uses of it, while others like Sougen had distinct abilities in each eye.

Obito was down an eye, so he didn’t know what his Mangekyō Sharingan’s other technique could have been.

Sougen’s dual techniques, one to devour others' mental energy and one to petrify, were very different but both exceedingly difficult to counter.

Then again, how many of the Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan techniques were ever mild?

"Hiruko…"

Zetsu watched the deep crimson Susanoo striding toward Konoha’s main gate, wondering if Hiruko could withstand Sougen’s monstrous power. He hadn’t initially expected Hiruko to be able to cause real trouble for Konoha.

However, that "Ghost Yara Technique" turned out to be unexpectedly impressive.

After combining four different bloodline abilities, Hiruko's power made a significant leap. Previously, he was just a mid-level Jonin whose skills were primarily in research. But now, with four bloodline limits fused into his body, Black Zetsu, who had been secretly observing, thought Hiruko might be able to give Uchiha Sōgen some trouble.

Might, though—whether he could truly succeed would still need to be proven through action. Speculation alone wasn’t reliable!

Hiruko furrowed his brows. Uchiha Sōgen had just casually wiped out his carefully crafted creation in an instant... The feeling was far more overwhelming than anything the intel files had described. And the technique that turned things to stone—was that an ocular technique of the Mangekyō Sharingan?

Recalling the notes he’d read from the Second Hokage, Tobirama.

They mentioned that the Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan wielded terrifying ocular powers, including certain common abilities like Susanoo. But beyond those, each Mangekyō possessed unique abilities, and Tobirama had warned specifically about these individually held techniques.

Right...

The notes also indicated that most Uchiha ocular techniques activate through visual contact.

In other words, the best way to avoid their power was to avoid looking directly at their eyes—or even being seen by them. The Second Hokage had written “Remember” three times in a row after this point, seemingly due to a memorable encounter with the Uchiha.

“Any shinobi with some experience knows to avoid eye contact with the Uchiha. But making sure the Uchiha can’t even see you... that’s not easy at all!” Hiruko murmured, relaxing his brows. He said it would be difficult, but in his heart, he wasn’t afraid.

If this were before, he would have probably been running by now.

But times had changed.

Now, only one step away from perfect evolution, he no longer needed to flee like a dog, as he had when hunted by the Sannin.

This time, He would not run.

At the very least, he would face Uchiha Sōgen head-on and see what would happen afterward!

For this power that he’d carefully planned and pursued over more than a decade, he had intense confidence.

“Since you’re using Susanoo, then... let me play along, Uchiha brat!” Hiruko formed seals with his hands and shouted loudly, “Behold! Witness the power with which the First Hokage defeated Uchiha Madara—Wood Style: Wood Human Technique!”

In an instant,

Countless Leaf shinobi watched in shock and disbelief as a towering, fierce-looking wooden figure, more than ten meters tall and resembling a wrathful deity, rose from the ground. It stood at the ruins near the main gate of the Leaf Village, which had been turned to rubble by the battle.

“Is that... Wood Style?”

“What the hell is going on?”

“Why Wood Style?”

Even those who hadn’t eaten pork had at least seen pigs run.

The name “Uchiha Madara” was taboo in the village, and most didn’t know its significance. But the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, whose face looked down on the village from Hokage Rock every day, was legendary, and stories of his feats, especially with Wood Style, were widespread.

Seeing such a massive wooden figure, it was hard not to associate it with Wood Style.

“This can’t be... Wood Style, the First Hokage’s Wood Style... That’s impossible!”

But while the Leaf shinobi on the front lines reeled from the shock, Hiruko, standing on the wooden giant’s head, had no time for those beneath him. His real concern was the advancing Susanoo.

“Wood Style: Wooden Dome Wall.”

A series of wooden pillars emerged from the top of the wooden giant’s head, curving to form a domed barrier, shielding Hiruko inside. The dome closed, making it look like a large bump on the wooden giant’s head. Though not very aesthetically pleasing, the defense was so tight that he didn’t need to worry about being in Uchiha Sōgen’s line of sight.

The downside was that his view was restricted to narrow gaps left in the dome.

But that wasn’t a big problem.

This wasn’t a battle between ordinary shinobi. With colossal figures in play, he only needed a general sense of things, and Hiruko was confident that he wouldn’t lose his footing.

Then,

Through the gaps in the dome... wait, what’s going on?

In his limited field of vision,

Hiruko saw Susanoo leap into the air, executing a powerful flying kick toward him. Its speed was so fierce that it looked like a bolt of lightning crashing down from the heavens. Hiruko’s face turned serious, but he didn’t panic. The wooden giant responded, lowering its stance, sliding its steps, and crossing its arms in front of its chest to brace for impact.

The collision came as expected,

With a thunderous crash, the wooden giant staggered backward, its arms covered in a web of cracks, retreating more than ten steps before coming to a stop. Hiruko’s delighted laughter echoed from within the wooden dome.

He’d blocked it!

He had blocked Susanoo’s attack.

So Susanoo wasn’t that overwhelming after all!

“Now, it’s my turn to strike back.” Hiruko muttered, pouring his chakra into the wooden giant, quickly repairing the cracks on its arms. He prepared to counterattack, but... then he noticed the giant’s arms starting to turn to stone. Not just the arms, but even the wooden dome was beginning to petrify.

Ishigon-Hibai—

This ocular technique affected not only living beings but inanimate objects too—even a wooden giant was no exception.

“Wood Style, huh?” Sōgen looked at the wooden giant with a slight surprise.

But he wasn’t too shocked.

He already knew about the alliance of enemies like Uchiha Obito, Hama, and Hiruko against the Leaf Village. Though he hadn’t anticipated exactly this, he found it within reason. After all, it would be no great feat for Uchiha Obito to provide Hiruko with a White Zetsu proficient in Wood Style.

“Well then... Perfect, I’ll use you to test the power of Ishigon-Hibai.”

Sōgen’s voice contained a thrill that others would have missed. Fighting against weak opponents had become monotonous. In fact, over the years, he found himself missing the thrill of the Third Shinobi World War, those intense days of life and death.

Back then,

The battlefield was filled with enemies he couldn’t defeat, making every day like dancing on a knife’s edge.

One wrong step, and he’d have faced absolute ruin.

Those days were grueling, agonizingly long, and yet... exhilarating.

Once he’d gotten over his initial terror, he found himself drawn to the thrill of walking the line between life and death. But as his strength grew, the thrill of battle faded, and it had been a long time since he’d encountered any real challenge from his usual opponents.

So now,

He genuinely looked forward to seeing what Hiruko could do.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 314: Will a Cherry Tree Grow on Me Too?

Hiruko’s performance did not disappoint Sougen.

Although he forcibly acquired the Wood Release kekkai genkai through the Chimera Technique, Hiruko demonstrated impressive mastery over it. When his wooden creation began to petrify, he remained calm. In the past, Hashirama Senju had used Wood Release to defeat Madara Uchiha multiple times. While Hashirama’s personal strength was undeniable, the unique traits of Wood Release were also irreplaceable.

Each kekkai genkai has its own advantages.

For instance, Storm Release combines the piercing power of Lightning Release with the flexibility of Water Release, allowing for lasers with adjustable directions and angles. Lava Release offers various forms, not limited to magma; it can also produce materials like lime and rubber, making it incredibly versatile.

This versatility was why Hiruko selected Lava Release as one of his fused kekkai genkai.

Then there’s Boil Release.

This particular kekkai genkai is fascinating, with both internal and external applications. Internally, it’s best exemplified by the "Steam Ninja" Han of Iwagakure, the Five-Tails’ jinchuriki, who uses steam to boost his speed and power, charging like a wild train.

Externally, the Hidden Mist ninja use it skillfully, producing corrosive acid mist to damage enemies. The wide attack range, combined with their Hidden Mist technique for ambushes, makes it formidable.

Hiruko carefully selected Storm, Lava, and Boil Releases, considering them ideal under the circumstances. However, none of these are the strongest. After years of relentless research and refinement, Hiruko's Chimera Technique could fuse five kekkai genkai within a single body.

The final two kekkai genkai are Hiruko’s trump cards:

Wood Release and the Sharingan.

Wood Release, known to rival the Uchiha clan’s Mangekyō Sharingan, has unique properties.

According to common understanding, Wood Release is formed by combining Earth Release and Water Release—accurate but incomplete. Earth and Water Release provide its structure, but it’s the infusion of Yang Release chakra that brings it to life.

This Yang chakra infusion is crucial.

Unlike other kekkai genkai like Ice, Lava, or Storm Releases, which create lifeless objects or rely on energy, Wood Release brings life to its creations. Plants aren’t dead; they’re living entities capable of embodying the vitality of Yang Release chakra.

This endless life force is the true strength of Wood Release.

For Hashirama Senju, Wood Release was essential in unleashing the full potential of his Sage Body, symbolizing Yang Release's ultimate power.

The wood construct might seem like a lifeless creation.

However, with Hiruko as its controller,

Its roots lie not in the ground but in Hiruko himself.

The wood construct continued petrifying, but Hiruko countered by intensifying his chakra flow. As long as there was enough chakra, the wood would regenerate and resolve the problem.

Sure enough,

With more chakra, the petrified parts began to peel away. New, vibrant branches sprouted, replacing the petrified sections, filling the gaps like muscle, even though some branches also turned to stone. Hiruko simply regenerated new ones to repeat the process.

The battle

Could soon devolve into a battle of endurance.

"Not bad," Sougen chuckled lightly, ending his *Stone Petrification Technique*. He was not averse to an endurance battle with Hiruko, but it was tedious. A more intense battle style was needed.

In the next instant,

Taking advantage of the still-repairing wood construct,

Sougen’s *Susanoo* launched an attack. A blazing sword crashed onto the construct's shoulder. Hiruko reacted quickly, dodging the flaming blade with a tilt, sacrificing the shoulder instead of the head.

Unexpectedly,

As the sword struck the shoulder,

The flames roared higher as if fueled, blazing with intense brightness. In a flash, the scorching fire consumed the construct's left arm and nearly half its torso.

"Uchiha-Style: Inferno Blade, Susanoo-enhanced version."

Sougen casually coined the name.

Despite his mastery of all five chakra natures, Fire Release remained one of his most potent techniques. His ability, *Demonic Fire Release*, had aided him through his toughest early years, and it wasn’t without use today.

His Fire Release techniques,

Unmatched in power!

One strike obliterated nearly half the wood construct’s body, proof of his strength.

"Looks like you’re still falling short."

Sougen had hoped Hiruko would put up more of a fight. But that didn't mean he’d go easy. Holding the title of Hokage advisor, aiming to be the Sixth Hokage, Sougen felt bound to his responsibilities.

With a resigned sigh,

Susanoo struck again.

Another *Inferno Blade* sliced through the construct’s massive body. Hiruko’s Wood Release, even with Yang chakra, was far from the First Hokage's caliber. The destroyed wood couldn’t regenerate fast enough to keep up with Sougen’s destructive pace.

One slash followed another.

In seconds, the massive construct lay in pieces.

Most of its body had burned to ashes, while the remaining fragments flew off harmlessly under Sougen's control, sparing the village of any further harm.

“What...is this?”

Engulfed in magma and steaming with white-hot vapor, Hiruko leapt into the sky, darting away from Konoha. His mind was a whirl, unable to comprehend what had gone wrong.

Why—

Why was he once again running from Konoha?

He wielded Wood Release!

Even the Mangekyō Sharingan couldn’t stand against it.

He might not be as powerful as the First Hokage, but Sougen certainly couldn’t match Madara Uchiha. He had at least a 60% chance of winning—so why…why was he left retreating in such a disgrace?

From beginning to end, his construct hadn’t even managed a single punch before being obliterated.

This was pure…

Humiliation!

“Sharingan…right, the Sharingan.”

Hiruko remembered his contingency plan.

He summoned the monstrous bird hidden behind enemy lines, where Uchiha Tekka awaited. Sougen’s strength was overwhelming; Hiruko hadn’t expected such an onslaught. With his own reserves nearly drained, he abandoned plans to take Shisui or Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan.

Instead, he’d settle for a standard three-tomoe Sharingan, evolve it, and unlock the perfect immortal form. Then…

The monstrous bird took flight.

But—

“Hiruko, what do you intend to do with my clansman?”

The voice from behind made Hiruko instinctively turn around.

He saw that the large Susano'o had vanished, and Uchiha Sougen was chasing after him on the back of an enormous black bird. But that wasn't the worst part. The real trouble began when, in a moment of carelessness, his eyes met Sougen’s, and his heart nearly stopped.

It was over! He was going to turn into stone!

But—

“Huh? Where am I?”

Hiruko blinked as his vision was filled with vibrant green cherry trees.

“A space-time technique? No… no, this has to be genjutsu.”

After the initial confusion, Hiruko immediately realized his predicament: he had fallen into Uchiha’s genjutsu. This was going to be tough to escape. He tried every possible technique to break free, but no matter what he did, nothing worked.

He was still trapped in this cherry tree forest.

Around him,

There were tall and short cherry trees, which had already bloomed, leaving only lush green foliage.

As a researcher and a specialist in biology, identifying tree species was easy for him; he could tell at a glance. But that didn't help him escape his current situation, especially when he noticed his body was half-buried in the ground.

He had a terrible feeling about what was coming.

“What’s the matter? Have you already given up?” Sougen asked, appearing in front of him.

“This isn’t ordinary genjutsu, is it?”

“Oh? Why do you think that?”

“I can feel my mental energy being drained.”

Hiruko looked up at Sougen. Funny enough, despite their fierce battle, it was the first time he had seen Sougen this close. Of course, Hiruko considered it a battle; Sougen likely saw it as a minor skirmish.

If you asked Sougen,

He would say it was nothing more than a silly farce!

“I can feel it… something’s consuming my mental energy. Ah! It’s sprouting… will a cherry tree grow out of me too?”

As he spoke, green buds began to emerge from Hiruko’s body.

He immediately recognized them as cherry tree buds and felt a sharp, stabbing pain, as if needles were piercing him from within. The roots were anchoring into his body. Even though this was just a manifestation of his consciousness and not his physical body, the pain was vivid and real.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to end this that easily. You might die eventually, but not yet,” Sougen said quietly.

After Hiruko fell victim to the "Sakuyahime" dojutsu, his life and death were entirely under Sougen’s control. Keeping him alive was far more valuable; even though information could still be extracted from a corpse, there was always a risk of losing something crucial.

Hiruko opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But the cherry tree grew rapidly, its branches heavy with buds.

As his mental energy was drained, he couldn’t even concentrate, let alone speak. He could endure the searing pain, but he couldn’t resist the exhaustion and drowsiness washing over him.

His consciousness

Plunged into darkness.

Returning to reality, Sougen reached out and grabbed Hiruko, who was in free fall. He then glanced at the large black bird grasping Uchiha Tekkai. With a mere glance, the bird fell victim to "Ishikagami," transforming into a lifelike stone statue.

Then,

Sougen pulled Tekkai, the unlucky soul, from the statue’s grasp, snapping off the stone bird’s claws in the process.

With a light stomp, the black bird turned around, heading back to Konoha.

As they approached the large gates of Konoha, Sougen deliberately slowed down, raising his captive high for the Konoha shinobi, who were still fighting the remaining monsters, to see. “The attacker has been subdued! Clear out the remaining stragglers!” he shouted.

Countless eyes looked up at him,

Seeing Hiruko in Sougen’s grasp. After a brief silence, an overwhelming cheer erupted, “Glory to the Fire Shadow’s Advisor! Glory to the Fire Shadow’s Advisor! Glory to the Fire Shadow’s Advisor!”

The cheers echoed through the sky.

It sounded like thunder under the clear sky.

This rush,

Was intoxicating.

Power… truly was a beautiful thing! Yet Sougen did not allow himself to indulge for too long. He forced himself to snap out of that euphoric state.

Capturing Hiruko was only the beginning; there were other issues awaiting him—Uchiha Obito and Homare… both were troublesome. Obito, in particular, with his Kamui dojutsu, could escape if he put his mind to it, making him difficult to capture.

Even with Homare,

A shadow clone alone might not be enough.

His forbidden technique, Anger Manifest, gave Homare a recklessness that was dangerous. To be sure, he needed to go himself. At that moment, Sougen’s eyebrows raised slightly. His eyes shifted as he looked in the direction of the Uchiha clan’s territory.

That area—

Was where the Uchiha shrine was located.

Just now, the barrier he had placed in the shrine’s underground chamber had been broken.

“They still haven’t given up, huh? And at a time like this… quite a move, Sasori!”

(The chapter ends here.)

*Chapter 315: Sasori, You’ve Got Skills!*

The Naka Shrine.

The Naka Shrine is an important building for the Uchiha Clan. Over the thousand-year history of the Uchiha Clan, they have relocated their territory numerous times, but every territory always includes a Naka Shrine. This isn’t some gathering spot set up to indulge the Uchihas’ fondness for gatherings.

Secret meetings like these developed under the pressure of the Third Hokage and Danzo.

In the past, the Naka Shrine was just a place for the Uchihas to enshrine ancestral relics. The so-called relic was a stone tablet, readable only in a specific order with the Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan, and Rinnegan. However, most Uchiha clansmen had no idea about its significance—only a small group like the clan leader and elders knew the secret.

Frankly, the secret was hardly useful. For generations, Uchiha elites assumed the Mangekyo Sharingan was their ultimate power, dismissing the stone tablet’s contents. Back then, the world was chaotic, and the Uchihas were known for their fierce spirit, having little interest in peace.

Madara Uchiha was the only one who deciphered the stone tablet with the Rinnegan, making him the sole Uchiha to awaken the Rinnegan in a thousand years.

And, he was also the only Uchiha to be misled by it.

Since Sōgen broke the Uchihas’ predicament, secret gatherings quickly became a memory of the past, and the Naka Shrine became desolate. Ordinary clan members rarely visit without a reason. Now, with everyone having duties outside the Police Force, the clan is busy, and idle wanderers are nowhere to be seen.

So, Sōgen transformed the underground space of the Naka Shrine.

He set up a hidden laboratory.

He left Sasori there to work nonstop, practically a 24/7 job. Over the past few years, he produced plenty of useful inventions, although many of them couldn’t be openly used due to their origins and applications. Despite his power, even as Hokage’s advisor, Sōgen was still second in command.

If Sasori’s experiments were exposed, it wouldn’t topple Sōgen, but it would be unpleasant.

Thus, for the past few years, the underground lab beneath the Naka Shrine has been a black hole in Uchiha territory. Only a few trusted insiders knew about it; most clan members had no clue of the lab’s existence, where countless prisoners and criminals vanished.

“Finally, I see the sun again!”

Sasori stood on the stone steps of the Naka Shrine, gazing up at the sun with a sense of renewal.

He had been imprisoned underground for over five years, never once seeing daylight. His puppet body freed him from many human needs, yet even a homebody like him didn’t want to go five years without sunlight.

During these years, he never gave up on escaping.

Sōgen hadn’t placed close guards on him, although all weapons in his puppet body were removed. For a master like him, one doesn’t necessarily need weapons to kill. Basic guards around him were ineffective, and binding him up wasn’t practical.

Instead, Sōgen had set a monitoring barrier. If Sasori broke it, Sōgen would sense it instantly, and with Shisui’s teleportation ability, capturing him would be easy.

But—nothing in the world is flawless.

As one of the ninja world’s top researchers, Sasori managed to bypass the shrine’s barriers and assemble a signal receiver, creating a monitor to access the village’s surveillance undetected.

So, when Hiru attacked today, he knew his chance had come.

Then,

He seized it.

Breaking through barrier after barrier with ease, he emerged on the surface. Due to Hiru’s attack, the Uchiha Clan elders had called everyone to regroup defensively, including the two injured guards who usually monitored the shrine.

“Uchiha Sōgen… I’ll repay your hospitality someday.”

Sasori, basking in the sunlight, shot a lingering glance at the Naka Shrine behind him before heading toward the village’s northeast corner.

He wanted to use this chance to get back at Sōgen, perhaps by targeting the clan’s weak members. Puppet masters never hesitate to prey on the vulnerable, and ninja work isn’t exactly a noble calling.

Beyond guarding duties, they often assassinate important figures or steal classified files.

If world peace ever came, ninjas would likely find themselves unemployed.

The only reason he abandoned his revenge plan was that he deemed the risk too high. Even without Sōgen, the Uchiha Clan isn’t easy to mess with. Wasting time here would only invite trouble once Sōgen returned. For now, escaping was the priority.

He had had enough of that dark, underground space with no sunlight or rain.

Let someone else enjoy that endless 24/7 grind!

He was done with it!

So,

Sasori ran.

Without looking back, he escaped.

He brought nothing with him—his human puppets had long been confiscated by Sōgen. Over the years, he hadn’t managed to keep much, and what he did have was constantly seized by Sōgen, who checked on him frequently.

His signal receiver was always dismantled after use, the parts repurposed for other equipment.

But,

It wasn’t as if he worked for Sōgen for five years without gaining anything.

He harvested plenty from White Zetsu’s corpses.

Next, all he needed to do was leave Konoha and gradually build up his strength. One day, he might have the chance to reclaim his honor.

However, after breaking free from the barrier surrounding the Uchiha clan, Sasori, focused solely on fleeing, failed to notice a white shadow peeking through the trees in the forest, watching his retreating figure as if it had discovered some incredible treasure.

“Wow, he sure runs fast… and his timing is impeccable. He really isn’t as honest as he appears,” Sougen muttered, calm and collected. Sasori’s escape was indeed unexpected, but on reflection, it also made sense.

It was strange for someone like Sasori to behave himself. He had previously been restrained because he lacked opportunities to stir trouble; now that he had finally found one, it was no surprise he was acting out.

And besides,

If he ran away,

So be it!

After all, his initial goal had been achieved; Sasori’s research results were all that mattered.

Of course, if they crossed paths again next time, he would definitely go for a clean kill. It would depend on whether Sasori had the sense to stay hidden in some corner of the ninja world. He wouldn’t bother looking for trouble, but if Sasori foolishly sought him out, then Sougen couldn’t be blamed for turning hostile.

Sougen didn’t dwell on the matter as he rode atop the dark bird, making his way to the barrier team's base. He planned to assist Shisui and see if they could team up to take down the deranged Uchiha Obito. Between Obito and Homura, he ultimately chose the former.

Homura was a threat,

But not a significant one.

He had a forbidden technique, the Heavenly Wrath, that was indeed worrisome. However, relying on that one technique to destroy Konoha was unrealistic unless all the skilled ninjas in Konoha were wiped out first. In comparison, Uchiha Obito posed a greater threat. Honestly, if he could deal with Obito beforehand, it would be better. The Kamui technique was quite troublesome.

Uchiha Obito, wielding Kamui, was like a mosquito on a summer night; it buzzed relentlessly when the lights were out, yet vanished without a trace when the lights came on. While mosquitoes were merely annoying, the destructive power of Obito was enough for Sougen to take seriously.

“Shisui, put in more effort!”

As Sougen approached the barrier team’s building, now clearly in sight, he took a deep breath. His crimson eyes glowed like six-pinwheels spinning. Taking down the slippery Obito was not suited for the Susanoo, as that kind of large-scale attack would be nearly ineffective.

Rather than relying on such broad attack methods,

It would be better to aim for a more precise technique.

He descended quickly,

Spotting the two figures still entangled in battle.

They truly were... just two indistinct shapes, flickering like a poor signal on a display screen. Their speed was so fast that Sougen could only catch glimpses of their blurry forms.

Fortunately,

That was enough.

The Mizuhana Sakuya technique required eye contact with the target, but the Ishi Nagahibi technique was less complicated. As long as the target was within range, everything could be petrified. Standing on the back of the dark bird, Sougen focused on the two fighters locked in combat.

Then—

The Ishi Nagahibi technique was activated!

Invisible and colorless chakra was unleashed into the room.

The walls, riddled with cracks and holes, took on a grayish-white hue. Even the lakes and rivers could be turned to stone as long as there was enough chakra to sustain it. And this was merely a concrete structure.

“Ah!!!”

A sudden scream pierced the air.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

In the next instant, a burst of blood erupted indoors, revealing Shisui’s figure, drenched in killing intent, wielding the Kū no Tachi. The blade was stained with bright red blood, and on the floor lay a pair of severed legs. It looked like he had almost cut the target in half.

“Damn it! He still got away!”

Shisui stared at the severed legs on the ground, frowning in frustration.

He turned to Sougen, forcing a smile. “Sorry, Sougen, I still failed. That guy ran away too quickly! I was hoping to take his head while you created the opening, but all I managed was to cut off a pair of legs.”

“That is quite unfortunate; such opportunities are rare.”

Sougen sighed softly.

“However, I’m more pleased that your Flying Thunder God technique can deal with that guy. After taking such a heavy loss, he shouldn’t treat Konoha like a public restroom anymore. And... it’s not entirely without gain; those two legs are still valuable.”

Uchiha Obito’s severed legs lay on the ground.

The difference was apparent from the cut; one leg had a pale severed edge with no blood, while the other had a puddle of blood splattered nearby. Shisui was no stranger to the former leg, having seen the white corpse Sougen brought back, along with the results of Sasori’s research from that body.

He had no interest in the pale leg.

But the latter... the bloodied leg could potentially help identify the masked man. With Konoha’s current medical technology, that wasn’t difficult at all. The Uchiha clan possessed many relics from Uchiha Madara, making it simple to extract genetic information for identification.

“Sougen, this...”

“Put it away. Go find Yakushi Nono for help with the identification. If it’s not Uchiha Madara, then compare it with the genetic information of all the clan members. Not just the living; any deceased members from whom we can gather genetic information should also be included, especially those fallen members whose bodies were never recovered.”

“...Sougen, the way you say it, sounds like you’ve already concluded the masked man is not Uchiha Madara.”

Shisui carefully sealed the two severed legs in a scroll, even scraping up the bloodied area with the Kū no Tachi.

“Don’t you think so? You’ve crossed paths with that guy, too. Do you really believe that kind of hiding and sneaking fellow is the real Uchiha Madara?” Sougen chuckled softly. “Don’t joke around; if Uchiha Madara had only that little ability, it would be terribly disappointing.”

“Alright, enough chit-chat. Once you’re done tidying up, hurry up and use the Flying Thunder God technique to get to Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto and the others might still be in danger!”

(End of chapter)