Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"The man should be Hozuki Mangetsu, the most outstanding genius among the younger generation of the Hozuki clan in Kirigakure, and also the wielder of the twin swords Hiramekarei among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The woman is Ringo Ameyuri, also a top genius in Kirigakure, and a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, wielding the Raito Kiba. Meeting them... well, you could only say it was bad luck."

Obito Uchiha gave a casual comment in a very familiar tone.

However, considering he once manipulated Yagura Karatachi as the (Reverse Mizukage) for a period of time, he wouldn't be intimately familiar with Kirigakure, even with that old codger Genji holding him back. But basically, he knew everything a Mizukage could possibly know, so information about people like Hozuki Mangetsu and Ringo Ameyuri was naturally within his grasp…

Yes, it's old information.

Collecting and organizing information about these geniuses is a very troublesome task, because geniuses share a common characteristic that makes countless mediocre people envious: unpredictable growth potential. For geniuses, the saying "If you don't see them for three days, you should look at them with new eyes" is really not an exaggeration.

"Also, if you want to seek revenge, I advise you to save your energy. Unless you can perfectly control the new power you just acquired, it's best not to make things difficult for yourself. If you're lucky, you'll just be asking for trouble, but if you're unlucky... you'll be courting death."

That's a very impolite statement.

"Humph!"

Kazuma gave an unpleasant snort, but he didn't deny it. "I understand without you saying it. And from the moment we chose this path, each of us was prepared to sacrifice ourselves for it. Compared to something as boring as revenge, there are more important things waiting for us to do."

Although he was very unhappy with what Obito Uchiha said, he also understood that Obito Uchiha was telling the truth. How troublesome was the enemy who could kill Kamanosuke, Unko, and Kogitsunemaru? Even if he personally took action, he might not be able to gain any advantage.

But this is only for now.

Once he fully masters this newly acquired power, the outcome will be uncertain.

"That's good! If possible, I hope you won't waste your life. I look forward to seeing if you'll refuse my invitation again next time we meet." Obito Uchiha said with a soft laugh, but only he knew the bitterness behind that calm laugh.

these days,

He had been traveling around searching for qualified candidates to join the Akatsuki organization.

Unfortunately, there are very few truly presentable individuals. Someone like Kazuma is already quite good. His patience is only a result of being forced by this unfortunate reality. You can't do without patience. Sasori of the Red Sand has disappeared to some unknown place, and there's no way to find him.

He did find the experimental subject with the immortal body from the Jashin Cult, but the problem was that the guy named Hidan was still a rather immature teenager. He wasn't in a hurry to recruit him and planned to observe him for a while first.

"My ideals will not change."

"is it?"

Leaving behind this perfunctory answer, space seemed to distort like a vortex, and Obito Uchiha was sucked into the vortex eye, leaving quietly as he had come.

"Kazuma?"

Tenmoku looked over with a puzzled expression.

“I know that this kind of cowardly guy can’t be trusted.” Kazuma spoke frankly about Obito Uchiha, “But I have to admit that he is indeed very capable. If it weren’t for his help this time, we might have worked for nothing.”

"Alright! As long as you know what I mean."

Tianmu was too lazy to argue any further.

As long as He Ma is still clear-headed and not misled... then there's no need to worry about being sold out and still helping the seller count the money.

"So what should we do next?"

At this moment, Tianmu looked at the team that had suddenly lost half its members, and a sense of desolation involuntarily arose in his heart. However, he quickly suppressed it with his strong will, for sadness and grief were the most useless things.

"Continue with your previous work."

Kazuma answered casually.

"Shouldn't we lay low for a while?"

“No… alright then! Let’s rest for a while before taking any action.” Kazuma readily agreed. He had originally planned to continue “hunting” around and practicing the forbidden technique [Soil of the Dead], but then he thought about what Obito Uchiha had said earlier.

that,

Sometimes being a little conservative isn't a big problem.

Moreover, compared to the forbidden technique "Soil of the Dead," which requires a lot of time and carries the corresponding stigma, the forbidden technique of the Tsuchigumo clan is much more convenient in terms of manipulation. It's a good opportunity to study and figure out this forbidden technique while hiding from the limelight.

Once the storm has passed,

Perhaps I'll be able to master this forbidden technique soon.

Then we can hunt stronger prey directly, and the Dead Soil Technique will be able to exert a greater effect.

then,

After leaving the clearing by the stream, Ma and the others used explosive tags to clean the ground before leaving, ensuring that no trace was left behind.

······

Shortly after they left,

A huge crowd surged to the scene. The identities of the people who came were obvious: Jiraiya, Hozuki Mangetsu, Shirakumo Hayama, and others. After a considerable period of communication and discussion, they decided to follow Jiraiya to see if they could rescue En no Gyoza, even if they could only bring back the body!

Later, I will go to the Daimyo's residence to visit the Hokage and seek his assistance.

pity--

Nothing at all.

There was only a patch of scorched earth, devoid of any remaining warmth.

"grown ups?!"

Dunbingwei looked desolate.

This outcome was expected, but people can't help but have a sense of luck. Even when faced with a life-or-death situation, most people still hope for that one-in-ten chance of survival rather than accept the inevitable death that has a nine-in-ten chance of happening.

That was exactly how Dunbei felt at that moment. He knew that the chances of the En no Gyoza surviving were extremely slim, but he still prayed for that tiny, almost impossible miracle to happen.

However, miracles did not favor Tobi.

The En no Gyōja is missing. If it were a younger person, there might be a chance to find him after he disappeared. However, the En no Gyōja is very old. Even if he was not executed, it would be difficult for him to survive after being kidnapped. With his old arms and legs, he would die with the slightest disturbance.

After realizing this cruel truth,

The light in Dunbei's eyes dimmed, but it hadn't gone out yet because of Tsuchigumo Hotaru. Now that Lord Ennogyoja was gone, taking care of Hotaru-san was his only and final mission.

"It's so clean!"

Hozuki Mangetsu wandered around the scorched earth twice, but found nothing. Not only did he not find the fake Kazuma, but he also found no trace of him. Not only him, but the sensory ninjas of Kirigakure also searched the area and found nothing.

"Alas! We're too late after all..."

Jiro sighed, clasped his hands together, and bowed to the scorched earth as a farewell to the Journey. Then he turned around and said, "Hakuun Jonin, Ambassador Hozuki, let's go to the Daimyo's residence now! If nothing unexpected happens, the Hokage's assistant should still be in the Daimyo's residence."

[Chapter 286. The Second Disciple]

Daimyo Prefecture, Konoha Embassy.

Today, because he was seeing off Ekuno no Gyoza and Jiroku, Sogen didn't make any fights. After seeing off Ekuno no Gyoza and Jiroku, he practiced until noon. After enjoying the lunch carefully prepared by the embassy's chef, he took a nap, which he hadn't done in a long time.

Then--

When he was awakened by hurried footsteps outside the door, he heard some unpleasant news.

The old man who was a wandering warrior died.

Upon hearing this news, any lingering sleepiness he had was completely dispelled.

He knew this outcome was inevitable. The old man was already in poor health, and even if Tsunade came, she wouldn't be able to save him. It wouldn't be long before he went to the Underworld to report to the Sage of Six Paths... He just didn't expect it to happen so quickly. He had just seen him off in the morning, and the bad news came back in the afternoon.

"Was it because of the forbidden techniques of the Tsuchigumo clan that Kazuma and the others attacked Tsuchigumo-senpai?"

After a brief period of depression, he regained his composure and, as usual, analyzed the message behind it. He quickly came to a conclusion, not that Zongxian's intelligence was comparable to that of the mental laborers in the Nara family, but rather that the matter was not difficult to deduce.

Putting aside everything else, the Traveler himself discovered the answer when he was attacked.

"The forbidden technique of the Tsuchigumo clan... is a bit troublesome!" Zongxian muttered to himself, stroking his chin. However, it was only "a bit troublesome." To think that a forbidden technique could destroy Konoha was far too presumptuous. Even Orochimaru wouldn't dare to utter such arrogant words.

This issue,

It's not that serious.

Before him, Jiraiya, Dunbei, Tsuchigumo Hotaru, Hozuki Mangetsu, and Shirakumo Hayama filled the long sofa and two single sofas in the guest room.

Fortunately, Ringo Ameyuri couldn't stand sitting there in a daze, so she went to the training ground to train by herself.

otherwise,

The embassy's reception room might need an extra chair.

However, after serving tea, the current Konoha envoy to the Daimyo's residence secretly made up his mind to buy a new, larger sofa the next day. This old one should be replaced. Of course, no one present cared about the sofa. The guests held their breath and waited for the Hokage's response.

"I think I understand the situation now."

Zongxian changed his sitting posture, crossed his legs, and put his hands together on his lap. He looked very relaxed and at ease. In any case, the people in front of him were not strangers. Baiyun Yeshan had fought against the Cloud Ninja under his command. After the battle, he had personally awarded him a reward. After all, he was a Jonin-level expert, and it was worth remembering his name and appearance.

Since we're not strangers, there's no need to put on a serious act.

“Manyue, you’ve done a great job. Although the relevant departments haven’t been officially established yet, this is your first achievement. You will receive all the rewards you deserve.” Zongxian didn’t immediately steer the conversation toward the unfortunate death of the Yizhi Xingzhe.

It may sound heartless to say this.

But reality is just that cruel and messed up.

Indeed, during his temporary stay at the Konoha embassy, ​​the traveler and Sogen got along quite well. They would drink tea and chat every day, discussing their experiences in cultivation. They had a strong sense of friendship despite their age difference. Unfortunately, the time was too short, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that their friendship was superficial.

Therefore, when Zongxian heard the news, he only felt unhappy, not sad at a deeper level.

"I'm really looking forward to your reward."

Hozuki Mangetsu had a faintly ferocious smile on his face, but Sogen knew that this guy really did have that smile, as did Ringo Ameyuri. It was mainly because their sharp teeth, like those of sharks, gave off a murderous aura when they were exposed.

I don't know how the Mist Ninja grew those two rows of sharp teeth.

It's understandable that the Hozuki clan's lineage is hereditary, but what about Kisame Hoshigaki and Ameyuri Ringo? Or is it due to the influence of the Land of Water's environment? Speaking of which, the environment in the ninja world can indeed affect certain characteristics of ninjas.

The most prominent feature is its chakra nature.

Sand Village has many Wind Release ninjas. Ninety percent of the Land of Wind is desert, and the winds seem endless. By the way, the number of Sand Village ninjas skilled in Earth Release is second only to Wind Release ninjas. Rock Village, on the other hand, has many Earth Release ninjas. The Land of Earth is full of mountains and even has a unique climate phenomenon called 'Rock Rain'.

The Cloud Ninja live atop a treacherous peak, where thunder roars year-round, hence the name of the Land of Lightning. Lightning Release ninjas are everywhere. As for the Mist Ninja, needless to say, surrounded by the sea, the village is teeming with Water Release masters.

In other words, Konoha is located in the most prosperous and fertile land in the ninja world. The climate has four distinct seasons and is generally favorable with no significant extreme weather characteristics. As a result, the ninjas in the village are born with a natural balance of the five major chakra natures.

"I won't let you and Yuri down."

Zongxian pulled his wandering thoughts back and shifted his gaze from Hozuki Mangetsu's face to Shirakumo Hayama. "Hayama, right? You did well too. You were able to assess the situation and make reasonable choices. Don't worry about Mangetsu and the others taking action. I'll explain things to you."

"Yes, Assistant Hokage."

Baiyun Yeshan answered in a serious and methodical manner. He was just that kind of upright person, unlike Hozuki Mangetsu who was so bold.

but,