Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

It was another scorching day. The sky was so clear it was almost unbelievable. Looking up, the sky looked like a flawless piece of azure glass, without a single cloud. The blazing sun shone down on the earth below without any obstruction.

"Hayate, who is this old man? Why would the adults personally come out to greet him?" At the entrance of the embassy, ​​Kurenai Yuhi stood in a corner of the crowd, nudged Hayate Gekko next to her, and asked in a low voice.

"It is the [traveler of service]."

Moonlight Gale was staring intently at the two people talking in front of him.

One of them was Zongxian, and the other was an old man with white eyebrows and beard, wearing a coarse cloth robe. He didn't look particularly special, except for his eyebrows and beard, which were much longer than those of ordinary people.

"A servant who travels?"

Kurenai blinked. "What a strange name?"

She clearly didn't know who this "Wanderer of the Trials" was.

"It's not a name, it's a title."

Moonlight Gale looked over with some surprise. "Red, you really haven't heard of this name?"

"No."

Kurenai honestly shook her head.

She genuinely didn't know what the name represented.

“Alright! But then again, the En no Gyōja was mainly active decades ago, so it’s not surprising that we don’t know him.” Gekko Hayate expressed his understanding. The reason he knew about the En no Gyōja was because he had seen the name in his grandfather’s training notes, and then he went to the library to look up relevant information. As a result, he was investigated by the Anbu because of this.

"The Enma is a title, just like how an adult is called the 'Flame Demon.' The Enma is also an honorific title. He is from the Tsuchigumo clan of Mount Katsuragi..."

He quickly and quietly explained to Kurenai what "Yakuno Gyōja" meant.

This title comes from a legend. It is said that a thousand years ago, there was a monk in the ninja world named En no Kakuno. This monk followed the Sage of Six Paths to study ninjutsu and Buddhism. After decades of hard training, he gained the power to command demons. Later, the Sage of Six Paths entrusted him with the task of sweeping away the demons that were causing trouble on the earth. It is said that he spent more than ten years to finally wipe out all the demons that were causing trouble. For this great achievement, the Sage of Six Paths bestowed upon him the honorary title of "Gyoza" (The Wanderer).

Even now, there are still many places that enshrine statues of this 'Yakugyosha', such as the Fire Temple.

This is the origin of the title "Erosion Traveler".

The real name of this Ennogyosha is Tsuchigumo Chihara. He comes from the Tsuchigumo clan of Mount Katsuragi, an ancient clan with a history of hundreds of years. He was once invited by the First Hokage to join Konoha, but unfortunately, the clan leader at that time was a stubborn conservative who adhered to the clan's rules and was unwilling to make any changes.

However, the Tsuchigumo clan had the right to refuse the First Hokage. Their clan possessed a forbidden technique with terrifying destructive power, as well as unique secret techniques passed down through generations. Tsuchigumo Chihara earned the title of "Yakunogyo" (Master of the Duty) by relying on the forbidden and secret techniques passed down in his clan.

"This is... so exaggerated."

Kurenai Yuhi's expression was strange.

Unexpectedly, this seemingly incomprehensible name, which is far less imposing than names like 'Flame Demon', has such an extraordinary origin.

"Unfortunately, the forbidden techniques of the Earth Spider Clan are top secret. I was investigated by the Dark Guard for checking the information of the Travelers in the village, but they found nothing and I got into a lot of trouble instead." Moonlight Gale sighed helplessly as he recalled that unfortunate experience.

However, he quickly cheered up, because after Zongxian and Yizhi Xingzhe finished their greetings, they began to move towards the embassy, ​​and their entourage had to follow.

The guest was not just the traveler.

Also present were the granddaughter and attendants who came with the traveler.

The embassy's reception room,

Zongxian sat down on the sofa, making no attempt to hide his curiosity as he looked at the person sitting opposite him, the Ennogyoja, and his granddaughter, Tsuchigumo Hotaru. Of course, the latter was only a six or seven-year-old child, about the same age as Fujika and Naruto. After a brief glance, he focused his attention on the Ennogyoja, Tsuchigumo Chihara.

He was very curious about the purpose of this wandering traveler's visit.

Yes,

The traveler was not a guest invited by Zongxian.

During this time, he had been challenging powerful fighters from all over the Land of Fire who were temporarily residing in the Daimyo's residence. However, En no Gyosha was not in the Daimyo's residence. To be precise, since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, this old man had been living in seclusion in Mount Katsuragi. This time, En no Gyosha took the initiative to visit him, and he came as an ally of Konoha Village.

This status as an ally is not a lie.

The Tsuchigumo clan was indeed an ally of Konoha, and not the kind of subordinate that was completely dependent on Konoha. The two sides established an equal and mutually supportive alliance. During the Second Shinobi World War, the Tsuchigumo clan helped Konoha ninja fight against the Kumo ninja on the front lines. It was during that battle with the Kumo ninja that he used the Tsuchigumo clan's forbidden technique to destroy the town occupied by the Kumo ninja, thus becoming famous throughout the ninja world.

As a condition for inviting the Tsuchigumo clan to help, Konoha and the Tsuchigumo clan formed an equal and mutually supportive alliance, agreeing that Konoha must rush to the rescue of the Tsuchigumo clan when they are in need or when they are in crisis. This alliance was established by the deceased Third Hokage.

perhaps,

Is this the purpose of the messenger's visit?

"Senior Tsuchigumo, this may be a bit presumptuous of me to say this, but... rather than beating around the bush, I think it's better to ask directly to avoid any misunderstandings. Is there something you need for this sudden visit?"

There was no more beating around the bush.

Instead, they went straight to the point.

Zongxian had already gone through enough of the small talk at the door, and it would be really tedious to chatter on for another half a day.

The Enno Gyōja sat calmly on the sofa, his composed demeanor befitting his name. Even when faced with Zongxian's somewhat aggressive gaze, he remained unmoved. "I have come to visit the Hokage to assist you in confirming something."

The old man spoke slowly.

His hoarse, deep voice was filled with a sense of vicissitude and decline.

"Is it an alliance?"

"...No mistake."

The old man nodded in agreement.

"The alliance I made with the Third Hokage stipulated that Konoha must come to the rescue when my Tsuchigumo clan faces an insurmountable crisis... I would like to ask, does Konoha still intend to acknowledge this alliance?"

Yi Zhixing stared intently at Zong Xian, awaiting his reply.

"This question... Tsuchigumo-senpai, I am merely an assistant to the Hokage. I have no authority to handle such an important matter. You have come to the wrong person to ask me. You should go to the Hokage-sama for this question. Only the Hokage-sama can answer your question."

"Although I'm so old that I can barely walk, my mind isn't so old that it can't work. I know the Fifth Hokage, although I'm not very familiar with him, but I do know his character. If it were him, would he deny the alliance between my clan and Konoha? What I want to confirm is whether Konoha will still recognize this alliance in the more distant future?"

"The more distant future?"

Zongxian laughed. That's a very interesting thing to say!

"Senior Tsuchigumo, I don't quite understand what you mean by that?"

“That Fifth Hokage was a contemporary of the Third Hokage. Although he is younger than me, he is not young anymore. The future still belongs to young people like you, the Hokage’s assistant.” The Enno Gyōja looked at the excessively young Hokage’s assistant in front of him, his face remaining calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Since hearing the news of the Third Hokage's death last year, and learning that he died in a less than honorable manner, he has been worried about whether Konoha would still honor the alliance. After all, if Konoha intends to deny the achievements made by the Third Hokage, then the alliance will be broken sooner or later.

Especially as he gets older, he can already sense the approaching presence of death.

In the days to come,

There's very little left.

He couldn't close his eyes in peace until he could confirm whether the alliance was valid. After all, the Earth Spider Clan hadn't produced any outstanding successors in the past few decades, and the few promising successors had all been sacrificed one after another because of the spying attracted by the forbidden technique.

This has led to the embarrassing situation of having no successors.

Once he dies

The Earth Spider Clan, possessing forbidden techniques, is destined to become a delicacy in the eyes of many.

To avoid the worst possible outcome, he had been investigating the current situation of Konoha these days. After some investigation, his gaze fell on a young man named 'Uchiha Sogen'. Looking at the various records listed in the intelligence report, he suddenly saw the man who was almost invincible throughout the ninja world and was known as 'Shura'.

however,

Back then, the First Hokage suppressed that Asura.

There is no second Hashirama Senju in Konoha now.

then,

He was certain.

As long as Uchiha Munen doesn't die, Konoha will eventually produce a Hokage from the Uchiha clan. So, after learning that Uchiha Munen was temporarily staying at the Daimyo's residence, he took his granddaughter and old servant and left Mount Katsuragi, which he hadn't left for many years, to visit the head of the Uchiha clan and the Hokage of Konoha.

He wanted a clear answer here.

Only after confirming this answer,

Only then could he close his eyes in peace.

Of course, this is on the premise that the answer is the ideal answer. If you get a less than ideal answer, then you'll have to think of another way.

"Interesting! Truly interesting!"

Zongxian's smile grew even wider.

He looked at the old man and asked, "Senior Tsuchigumo, aren't you worried that you might misjudge the situation? If you bet on the wrong thing, the entire Tsuchigumo clan might be implicated."

There always has to be a choice!

Yi Zhixingzhe replied calmly, "I can't be a fence-sitter who pleases neither side, can I? Even if I make the wrong bet, there's nothing to regret. I've done everything I can for the family, and even if I go to the underworld, I won't be ashamed to face my ancestors."

"Moreover, I don't think I'm mistaken. To put it somewhat presumptuously, I haven't wasted my seventy-odd years of life." He pointed to his eyes. "These old eyes have seen many people, and a hero like the Hokage who assists you is one of the best I've ever seen in my life."

This is the truth from his heart.

Looking at Uchiha Sogen in front of him, he couldn't help but think of that terrifying man who was like a demon god, the man who, if it weren't for the First Hokage's intervention, would have almost uprooted all the ninja clans in the Land of Fire that refused to join Konoha's invitation.

[Chapter 275. The Restless Shadow]

Should I agree or not?

The question itself is not important at all.

Although Zongxian didn't have a good impression of the Third Hokage, he didn't intend to condemn the entire group because of it. He only disliked the Third Hokage as a person, and he wouldn't deny everything related to the Third Hokage.

"As long as our allies don't do anything to hurt each other's feelings first, Konoha will never betray their allies."

Facing the gaze of the servant,

Zongxian spoke frankly and clearly about his true thoughts.

Regardless of the circumstances, En no Gyōja himself did indeed provide assistance to Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War.

It's important to understand that Konoha was indeed in a difficult situation at that time. The Sannin had not yet shown their brilliance, and the Third Hokage needed to stay in Konoha. Danzo and Sakumo Hatake were the only two people managing the situation on the front lines, but they were still stretched thin. The assistance from the Enno no Gyoza was a bit of an exaggeration to say that it was a lifeline for Konoha at that time, but it was by no means an achievement that could be easily ignored.

Therefore,

According to Zongxian, as long as the Tsuchigumo clan doesn't do something stupid, such as being tricked by Kazuma and others into opposing Konoha, then Konoha has no reason to break this alliance.

Upon hearing Zongxian's assurance, a smile appeared on the aged face of the Enjo-gyosha.

"Although the Earth Spider Clan is no longer as glorious as it once was, it is by no means a treacherous clan." With Zongxian's words, the Earth Spider Clan should be able to continue peacefully for the next few decades unless something unexpected happens. As for whether they can regain their former glory, that depends on whether their descendants can live up to their potential. He, an old man who is about to die, can't care about that anymore.

He did not doubt the truthfulness of Zongxian's words.

Ninjas are not ashamed of deception in battle. In fact, deception is the norm in ninja battles. Some ninjas even believe that 'lies' are the essence of ninjutsu. Deceiving and killing opponents is not necessary. There is no need to pursue powerful forbidden techniques. Kunai can cut the enemy's throat. There is no need to use ninjutsu to tear off the ground nearby.