I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 89 Drag Others Down

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru, who had been busy with government affairs all day and was also exhausted after the Shadow Clones disappeared, was unaware that the Anbu had secretly planned a targeted attack against him.

Konoha's underground secret research lab.

Rubbing his temples, after finishing his official duties in the morning and resting with his eyes closed in the afternoon to prepare for the Shadow Clone Technique, he couldn't help but sigh that it was no wonder that only the protagonist could use the Shadow Clone Technique for cultivation.

The mental recovery alone has already stumped countless people; to put it bluntly, only those with excess physical energy can cultivate.

As Orochimaru entered the research room, he looked up and gave a hoarse laugh upon sensing his arrival. "Heh, Night Lord, come and see my masterpiece."

"Whether it's the Undying Reincarnation or the Impure World Reincarnation, both require a large amount of chakra as a foundation, just like the legendary Sage Techniques' natural energy, which both require a large amount of chakra as a foundation."

As soon as he entered, he was greeted by Orochimaru's endless stream of technical jargon. When he saw what Orochimaru was researching, he couldn't help but frown. On the experimental table, a prisoner was struggling and groaning in pain, his body covered with black markings.

"This is?"

Although he had already guessed what it was, Uchiha Yoru pretended not to know, while Orochimaru was filled with excited smiles upon seeing this.

"Yoru-kun, do you know that I don't know if the legendary Sage of Six Paths exists, but the legendary Sage Techniques really do exist. For example, the Fire Temple has a lineage of Sage Techniques, and there are also three forbidden places for summoning spirits, such as Ryuchi Cave."

"Sage Technique?" Uchiha Yoru pretended to frown, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Orochimaru-sensei, I've seen information about Sage Technique in my clan."

"Ordinary chakra is formed by the fusion and condensation of physical and spiritual energy in a balanced way, while Sage Chakra (Sage Power) is the power that is created by absorbing the natural energy around the body and combining it with one's own physical and spiritual energy in a balanced way. Ninjutsu (body and illusion techniques) that are activated using this power are called Sage Techniques."

Listening to Uchiha Yoru's vast knowledge, Orochimaru couldn't help but smile and nod, "Yoru-kun is indeed extraordinary compared to ordinary ninjas; he can even peruse these books and knowledge."

Ordinary ninjas might only pay attention to ninjutsu scrolls and the like, and wouldn't have the leisure to read other books. For Orochimaru, who had already embarked on a research path, this was far too narrow-minded.

"Ninjutsu activated using Sage Chakra is several times or even dozens of times more powerful than in normal state, and can even grant the user superhuman sensory abilities."

At this moment, Orochimaru was explaining the power of Sage Techniques at length, excitedly saying, "Not only is it extremely time-consuming to cultivate Sage Techniques, but the prerequisite for cultivating them is having a vast amount of chakra, which shuts out countless ninjas. But I discovered a person with a natural Sage Bloodline Limit. Do you know what that means?"

"This suggests that Sage Chakra in ancient times might not have been solely a matter of cultivation and inheritance, but perhaps also a bloodline inheritance, similar to Kekkei. If Sage Chakra existed, what about Sages? What was the Ninja Continent like before the emergence of ninjas? Did Sages truly exist in ancient times?"

Good heavens! Seeing Orochimaru's increasingly excited, perverse, and fanatical expression, Uchiha Yoru couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his eye. As expected of Orochimaru, he actually had so many conjectures. However, he did know what a sage looked like. The legendary Sage of Six Paths was the son of a woman.

"Night Lord, the research base in the north has discovered a boy who is born with the ability to absorb natural energy. Once he stays in a place with extremely strong natural energy, he will transform into a sage, but he will go berserk because he cannot control it. This is a sage bloodline, or rather, the bloodline of a sage. Did you see the curse mark on the test subject? This is the power I obtained through that boy."

Cursed Seal! So Orochimaru started developing the Cursed Seal around this time. Come to think of it, when Orochimaru defected, he even planted a Cursed Seal on his disciple Anko.

"Cursed Seal? Orochimaru-sensei, what's the connection between natural energy and the Reanimation Jutsu?"

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru showed a puzzled expression, while Orochimaru immediately revealed an amused smile.

"Night Lord, as expected, your thinking is the same as mine. We have long since transcended the narrow-mindedness of ninjas."

"Hehe, because I discovered that the natural energy of the Cursed Seal Sage Technique can erode spiritual power, that is, the soul, and at the same time, it can greatly enhance the abilities of ninjas. Natural energy is too profound, there must be more abilities that we have not yet discovered."

Orochimaru spoke with a fanatical excitement, while Uchiha Yoru looked enlightened after listening. No wonder Orochimaru placed a cursed seal on Sasuke in the original work; it was probably not just to seduce him, but to corrupt his mind.

"Orochimaru-sensei, this is the 'Caged Bird' cursed seal scroll sent by Hyuga Hizashi, along with research funds."

Uchiha Yoru smiled and revealed the purpose of his visit. Upon seeing this, Orochimaru let out a hoarse laugh and licked his lips, saying in a hoarse voice, "Yoru-kun, the Hyuga branch family's matter is not easy to resolve. Over the years, the branch family has had its elite members study it."

Even so, Orochimaru still took the scroll. He wasn't very interested in undoing the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird Jutsu, or rather, he didn't have enough energy right now, so how could he possibly help a branch family member of the Hyuga clan?

Orochimaru has been researching the forbidden techniques of Reanimation Jutsu and Impure World Reanimation, and he's also in charge of Root's so-called Wood Release restart plan. Now he's working on the Cursed Seal. It's fortunate that this is a world of ninjas, otherwise Orochimaru would have already given up long ago.

The study of Sage Art's natural energy not only strengthens Orochimaru but also gives him more energy to research forbidden techniques.

"Teacher, you said that although this caged bird is a cursed seal, it is still considered a derivative of sealing magic. Can it be sealed with a sealing magic?"

Uchiha Yoru smiled and expressed his opinion. Orochimaru shook his head and said, "Yoru-kun, sealing techniques are different from the five elemental ninjutsu. Studying sealing techniques requires not only talent, but also precise control. You can study them, but don't go too deep."

Orochimaru didn't want his disciple to waste his talent on sealing techniques and waste time, as sealing techniques were clearly difficult to learn and master.

Despite this, Orochimaru still tilted his head back, and a chilling sound came from his throat as a large snake emerged from his mouth. Then, the snake spat out a scroll that was several times larger than its own body.

"Hehe, Lord Ye, these are the sealing techniques I've collected. You can choose one or two to learn specifically. After all, life is too short. To achieve your dreams, you need to be strong enough not to die at the hands of any powerful opponent."

Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed in the room as he spoke with a laugh. Uchiha Yoru nodded and shrugged, indicating that he understood. However, he also realized that his teacher probably developed a series of strange and rogue ninjutsu because of this very mindset.

You could say Orochimaru's ninjutsu isn't powerful, but it's definitely the most diverse and strangest, especially in terms of survival techniques, which can be called the best in the ninja world.

……

Under the cover of night, outside a grand and solemn courtyard in the Uchiha clan's territory, Uzuki Yugao appeared absent-minded. This time, she wasn't pretending at all; she genuinely felt panicked. Was she really going to do this for the Anbu's mission?

"Xiyan, this is the captain's house. It seems the captain hasn't returned yet."

Nakata Yoshiko spoke with a hint of timidity. Looking at Yugao's young face, she couldn't help but smile bitterly, and finally shook her head with a self-deprecating smile.

"Xi Yan, it's not too late for you to back out now. Think about it yourself, is mortgaging your own house and all your savings from the past years enough?"

It is very immoral to drag someone down with you. At this moment, Nakata Yoshiko was obviously feeling a bit guilty. However, after hearing this, Uzuki Yugao had a forced smile on her flustered face.

Under the moonlight, she saw Nakata Yoshiko's timidity and the guilt in her eyes as she looked at her. At that moment, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and she smiled sadly. She never expected that the person who cared about her in the end was the one she had schemed against.

Thinking of this, Uzuki Yugao gave a miserable smile. "Miko-nee, my parents are from ordinary families and live in an apartment. Even if we sell the house, we can only raise 300,000 to 500,000 taels at most. With my savings, we can only raise about 500,000 taels. Three million in debt! Not 30,000 taels. Miko-nee, I really have no other choice."

At this moment, Uzuki Yugao, who was acting, seemed to have truly placed herself in the role, and Nakata Yoshiko sighed softly after seeing this scene.

"Xiyan, I don't know if what I did this time was right or wrong, since I dragged you into this mess. But I have a piece of advice that I hope you will take to heart."

Seeing Yuuka Uzuki nod gratefully, Yoshiko Nakata gave a bitter smile and sighed, "Once you take this step, you will lose your dignity, and you will never forget it from now on."

"If you're only after money, then listen to me: don't get pregnant. Once we've agreed on the terms, given the magnanimity of a wealthy family, it will be over in two or three years at most. Just be careful during this time and try not to get caught. Forget about this experience and start anew."

Upon hearing Nakata Yoshiko's advice, Uzuki Yugao lowered her head and forced an awkward smile. "Yoshiko-nee, do you think you can forget about this? Once you do it, you'll have to carry the burden for the rest of your life."

Seeing the despair on Uzuki Yugao's face, Nakata Yoshiko sighed softly, "Captain Night is a very good person. Although there are many grudges among the powerful clans, the Uchiha are different from other major clans. Their pride is ingrained in their bones, and they would not bully women."

"With Captain Night's identity, she will become the Hokage's disciple and an elder of the Uchiha clan. Being a secondary wife (concubine) might not be so bad."

As she said this, Nakata Yoshiko stepped forward and gently tidied the slightly messy purple hair on both sides of Yu Yan's temples with her fingers. After combing it behind her ears, she whispered to comfort her, "Being a woman from a wealthy family is not shameful. Moreover, Captain Ye is a strong person. With his status, strength, and family position, he will not lack women."

"You'll understand matters of the heart in time. Ninjas follow the strong, and women depend on the strong—that's an unchanging truth," Nakata Yoshiko said softly, as if making an excuse for herself, which made her feel much lighter.

"Yugao, I didn't agree to be a second wife, not because the other party was unwilling, but because of my child." Nakata Yoshiko showed a resolute smile when she talked about her child.

"My child has never seen his father since birth, and I can't let the Nakata family line break off with me." No one understands her heartache. Not only did she raise her child alone, but she also had to endure all kinds of rumors and gossip over the years.

She was a widow; most people would have remarried long ago, but she didn't. She was protecting the last remaining members of the Nakata family. (In Naruto, a woman's surname changes after marriage; for example, Haruno Sakura later became Uchiha Sakura.)

"Miko-nee." At this moment, Uzuki Yugao forced a smile. She wanted to say thank you, but she couldn't bring herself to say those two words. After all, this was something that was difficult to talk about.

It's been widely rumored that Nakata Yoshiko had an affair with someone from the Uchiha clan. This is why the Anbu were able to include her in their plans, as it would have been perfectly reasonable for them to bring her to the Uchiha clan's territory.

"Xi Yan, you don't need to say anything. I don't know if what I did was wrong, and I don't know if you will regret it in the future. Right now, I just want to say that it's not too late for you to regret it."

At this moment, Nakata Yoshiko seemed to have let go of her burden. Her last words came from the bottom of her heart. As for what the other party did, she could no longer control it. After all, the other party had come to her for help, and she knew this was the only way to save the other party.

She was saving a silly girl.

Under the moonlight, the solemn house was lit up, while on the street under the night sky, Nakata Yoshiko walked slowly toward another house with her head down.

……

It was already dark when they came out of the research base, and there was no one on the streets. Uchiha Yoru shook his head with a smile. No wonder researchers are all crazy people who work day and night. They really don't feel the passage of time.

A dark shadow flashed by, and the ninja's physical abilities allowed him to leap swiftly back to his courtyard under the cover of night.

Suddenly, Uchiha Yoru's brows furrowed, and three tomoe appeared in his dark eyes, spinning around. With his crimson Sharingan spinning, he stared solemnly at his room.

The living room light was on; someone was there! But who would come to his house?

The clan head? Or Elder Setsuna? There's no one in the Uchiha clan who's so unruly. Hizashi? Impossible. The rigidity of the Hyuga clan seems to be ingrained in their very bones. How could that be?

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind, but as he pondered, his hand gripped the Kusanagi sword at his waist, and as he squinted, venomous snakes began to crawl out from his sleeve.

Thank you to reader '15046310665965404' for the 100000 Qidian coins, thank you to the guild leader for the generous donation, and thank you for the extra chapters promised on the day of release. Thank you to all the brothers for your support.

(End of this chapter)