Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Not only him, but also Kurama Rin and Kurama Unkai beside him, including the female doctor, all looked disappointed.

"I've already said, to save someone, go to a doctor; to kill someone, go to a ninja; to eat meat, go to a butcher. You've come to me, an amateur, to treat and save people... Well! You're lucky! If it really is some kind of terminal illness, I might not have any solutions, but..."

"Huh? Zongxian, do you... do you have any ideas?"

Kurama Congyun interrupted Zongxian in a fit of anger.

"Let me finish! I mean, I'm not good at treating illnesses, but the problem is that this child's problem isn't some rare or difficult disease. To be precise, it's not even an illness. You, Senior Congyun, are aware of this, aren't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have specifically come to me?"

As he spoke,

Zongxian glanced sideways at Anma Congyun.

"Zongxian, do you really have a way?" Kurama Tsuneo excitedly grabbed Zongxian's sleeve.

"Sigh! How many times do I have to say it?" Zongxian sighed, flicking away Kurama Congyun's sweaty hand. "I've already said, this isn't an illness. This problem is within my area of ​​expertise, and if nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to solve it."

"It's good that it can be resolved, it's good that it can be resolved."

Kurama Soun's mood fluctuated wildly, like surfing. He breathed a sigh of relief after receiving accurate information. He didn't think Soun would speak carelessly. Otherwise, if he couldn't resolve Yakumo's troubles, he might not only fail to gain the Kurama clan's friendship but also incur their enmity.

Once he calmed down and his thinking returned to normal, Kurama Murakumo realized that he seemed to have been tricked by Sogen's wordplay.

However, he couldn't get angry at all right now. As long as Zong Xian really had a way to solve his daughter's troubles, he would not care about being teased or even... Never mind, he couldn't give Zong Xian a chance. That kid had always been cunning and wicked. Who knew what kind of bad ideas he could come up with!

"Big brother, can I really walk and run normally like everyone else?"

The little girl in the wheelchair is named Yakumo Kurama.

She is the daughter of Kurama Murakumo, the patriarch of the Kurama clan. This five-year-old child inherited the illusion technique called "Five Senses Domination," which was passed down through generations of the Kurama clan. However, it was this power inherited in her blood that caused the little girl to suffer from birth.

The overwhelming mental power caused her body and mind to lose their balance. Her still-developing body was overwhelmed by her own talent, making her so weak that she could barely walk. She would get dizzy after just a few steps and could only sit in a wheelchair, moving like a puppet on strings, following the will of others.

"It shouldn't be a big problem."

Zongxian squatted down, looking at the little girl who was so thin she was almost skin and bones, her pale face making one wonder if she would faint at any moment, and answered softly.

"Can I become a ninja too?"

Kurama Yakumo's eyes were wide open; perhaps because he was too thin, his dark eyes shone like jewels.

"Ninja?"

Zongxian raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Why do you want to become a ninja?"

"Because everyone else likes playing ninja games, but I'm the only one who can't!"

"I see! Becoming a ninja shouldn't be a problem, with your talent! You'll definitely become a ninja someday, but... there's a condition." Zongxian's face showed the kind smile he used to give his younger sister when coaxing her with snacks.

"what?"

Although Yakumo Kurama was physically weak, he was still very quick-witted.

Moreover, because he couldn't go out to play with other children, he spent most of his time at home listening to his father or mother read storybooks and looking at picture books together, so he understood the meaning of the word "premise".

"You must become my apprentice!"

Zongxian said with a smile.

"Zong Xian?"

Kurama Congyun, standing nearby, cried out in astonishment.

However, Sogen ignored him. The entire Kurama clan, numbering in the hundreds, was not as valuable as Kurama Yakumo alone. It would be a real shame to let such a fine talent go to waste. The Kurama family's bloodline limit, [Five Senses Domination], touched upon the essence of Yin Release techniques, possessing the power of 'genjutsu ni jin' (illusionary techniques brought to life). It could be said to be an excellent subject for studying Yin Release techniques.

"How about it? Little sister, how about becoming my apprentice? Don't let my young age fool you, even your father wouldn't be a match for me!"

"Okay! As long as you can really make me a ninja, big brother!"

The little girl agreed very quickly.

They didn't even consult their parents.

"Don't worry! Don't worry! I always keep my promises!" Zong Xian smiled happily and reached out to pat the little girl's head. "Also, remember, you have to call me Master from now on!!"

[Chapter 48. The Strange Movements in Kirigakure! (Seeking votes! Seeking investment!)]

Kurama Yakumo's weakened body limited his daily activity time. He only talked to Sogen for a short while before getting tired and yawning. Kurama Rin then took him to rest, leaving Kurama Soun and Kurama Unkai, the two brothers, to keep Sogen company.

"Um, Zongxian, what you were saying just now... were you joking?"

"how?"

Zongxian glanced at him sideways, "You think I'm not qualified to take on disciples?"

"Zongxian, I'm not joking with you." Kurama Tsurugi felt a headache coming on.

"I'm not joking," Zongxian said seriously. "And to be honest, besides me, I doubt Konoha can find another person who can guide Yakumo to discover her talent. To put it bluntly, keeping that child in your clan is like letting a pearl go to waste!"

"Also, Senior Congyun, as mentioned before, you are actually aware of the reason for Yakumo's problem, right? Otherwise, with so many people in the village, I don't believe you just stumbled upon me by chance. Your clan... should have records related to Yin Release?"

Kurama Murakumo shook his head helplessly. "Were we discovered? As expected, we couldn't hide it any longer... You're right. Our clan has some notes about Yin Release, left behind by our clan's predecessors who awakened their bloodline limits. They say that the origin of our clan's bloodline limits comes from Yin Release, which is exactly the same as the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan."

"At the meeting four days ago, I noticed that your spiritual energy suddenly increased by leaps and bounds! At that time, I was thinking that if it were you, you might be able to help solve Yakumo's problem... But I really didn't expect you to take on a disciple!!"

Four days ago?

Zongxian wasn't too surprised.

In the years since the end of World War III, he has kept a low profile and has never shown his skills in public. However, almost all the enemies who have witnessed his actions have been killed by Yama, the King of Hell. There were enough witnesses to the commotion four days ago.

perhaps,

At the time, Kurama Murakumo wasn't the only one who saw through Zongxian's secrets. To be honest, Zongxian wasn't sure what those shrewd people who gathered together had discovered. However, Zongxian knew that as long as his own power was strong enough, it didn't matter if others knew about certain secrets.

So I didn't take it to heart.

He didn't care too much about these things, and said, "Senior Congyun, I don't want to say the same thing a third time. Yakumo is the finest talent, and I don't want to see you waste her talent. In terms of Yin Release and Genjutsu, no one in Konoha can compare to me. As for the problems with Yakumo... it is naturally my responsibility as her master."

The saddle-horse and the clouds were speechless.

What else could he say?

Thinking about it carefully, it might not be a bad thing that Yakumo was accepted as a disciple by Sogen. The Uchiha clan in the past were certainly not easy to deal with, and the current Uchiha clan is still not easy to deal with either. The police officers patrolling the streets still can't get rid of their bad habit of looking down on people.

but,

As long as Uchiha Mugen remains standing.

The Uchiha clan was destined to stand strong, as the terror and power of the Mangekyou Sharingan were recorded in the Kurama clan's documents.

Moreover, even putting aside the Mangekyou Sharingan, Sogen himself thought it was quite good. With such a master, there shouldn't be any worries about Yakumo going astray in the future...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Just as Zongxian was taking on a new apprentice, thousands of miles away at sea, a village shrouded in thick fog carried an indelible stench of blood, and corpses were being carried out of the village by the flowing water through its network of waterways.

last night,

Kirigakure Jonin and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Juzo Biwa, after repeatedly postponing his mission, finally chose to launch a rebellion in an attempt to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage. However, he was defeated, wounded, and fled the village.

Instead of pursuing Juzo Biwa, the Fourth Mizukage launched a new purge in the village!

The water in Kirigakure Village was stained blood-red.

"Obito, you've gone too far!"

Inside the secret chamber, a strange, two-faced creature resembling a pitcher plant emerged from the ground. Looking at the pile of corpses of the Mist Ninja Anbu members in the chamber, the white-faced creature exclaimed in astonishment.

"No matter how many Mist Ninjas die, it won't be enough!"

Wearing an orange striped mask, Obito Uchiha sat atop the mountain of corpses, his icy gaze piercing through the mask's single hole. "Everyone in this village... deserves to die!!!"

The mountain of corpses, still bleeding profusely, proved that his cruel killing intent was no joke!

"Jue, what happened? Didn't I tell you not to bother me while I'm relaxing unless it's something important!"

"It's Konoha."

Black Zetsu opened his mouth, and his gloomy, hoarse voice was so harsh it hurt people's eardrums.

"The Uchiha clan has a new clan leader."

"…Uchiha Fugaku stepped down?" Uchiha Obito blinked; this news was interesting!

“That’s right, that’s right!” White Zetsu answered cheerfully, “The Uchiha clan held a meeting in a secret room under that shrine. Uchiha Fugaku has been ousted from his position as clan leader, and the new clan leader is a guy named Uchiha Mugen, who seems to be only fifteen years old!”

"Uchiha Sōgen?"

The familiar name made Obito Uchiha feel disoriented, recalling certain memories buried deep in his heart.

If I remember correctly, unlike myself, a bottom-of-the-class student at the ninja academy, Uchiha Munen, although younger than me, was known as one of the twin stars of the Uchiha clan, alongside Uchiha Shisui. They were from completely different worlds in the past…

Who would have thought that Uchiha Munen would become the head of the Uchiha clan?

"Oh right, I almost forgot to mention, the Greatsword Samehada is in the hands of Uchiha Mugen. Also, during a high-level meeting in Konoha, he suddenly fought with Shimura Danzo, leaving Danzo in a coma and unable to move. According to my clones' observations, it seems he has activated the Mangekyou Sharingan."

A dazzling array of complex messages followed.

Even though Obito Uchiha was no longer the bottom-ranked kid at the Konoha Ninja Academy, the sheer amount of information still gave him a headache, and it took him half a minute to sort out the general outline.

"Has the kaleidoscope been activated?"

Obito Uchiha rested his chin on his hand, hidden beneath his mask, and remained silent in thought.

"How about it, Obito? I feel like this Uchiha Mugen is an unstable factor! Should we try to take care of him?" White Zetsu urged Obito to take action, as if afraid he'd be idle for too long.

"The Mangekyou Sharingan... It's too risky to act rashly before knowing its full potential." As the wielder of the Mangekyou Sharingan, Obito Uchiha knew better than anyone just how powerful its eye techniques were!

In his opinion,

Compared to the Uchiha who have awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, the Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beasts are honestly not much of a threat.

"By the way, Zetsu, you just said that Samehada is in the hands of Uchiha Sogen?" Uchiha Obito suddenly asked.

“This is what my clone saw with his own eyes.”

Bai Jue was absolutely certain.

"Samehada... In that case, maybe we can still make use of it!!" Obito Uchiha turned to look at the Fourth Mizukage, who stood motionless in the corner of the room like a puppet!

[Chapter 49. My Beloved Disciple! (Seeking votes and investments!)]

"Master!"