Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

That summoned, pitch-black mouth, resembling a black hole, is not a power of the Human Realm. The Human Realm is capable of reading memories and capturing souls, but it does not have the ability to devour and digest souls. Devouring souls is a power belonging to the Hell Realm, which communicates with the power from the underworld to devour the souls of the dead.

And somehow, they learned the true name of that huge mouth—

Its name is 'King Yama'.

It feels somewhat like the 'Grim Reaper' summoned by the Reaper Death Seal Technique. If no corresponding counter-technique is used, it seems that even if the souls devoured by these beings in the underworld are summoned by a forbidden technique like Impure World Reincarnation, it will not take effect.

"The underworld... that's interesting."

Zongxian savored the feeling of wielding the power of the Hell Path, while also pondering how the Rinnegan established a connection with the Underworld. What mysteries lay within? These secrets were like honey fallen to the ground, enticing him to investigate.

Faintly,

Zongxian felt that all the secrets pointed to the Ten-Tails and the Divine Tree.

If it weren't for the forbidden technique of the Tsuchigumo clan that Kazuma possessed, which would dissipate and disintegrate upon death, he would really want to try swallowing another soul right now.

In the village, he mainly focused on the various supernatural powers of the Heavenly Path and the Outer Path. Although he spent time figuring out the powers of the other paths, they were ultimately ranked lower. This was the first time he had used the power of the Hell Path to devour a soul, and the experience was quite novel!

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.

"We're doomed!"

Hidden in the shadows, Hakuro gazed at the deep blue barrier. Without his Byakugan, he couldn't see what was inside, but just knowing that the Sixth Hokage had appeared there was enough to foresee the fate of Kazuma and Tsuchigumo Hakuro.

We're absolutely doomed.

"It's good that Obito refused this time. I didn't expect that another member of the Uchiha clan would open a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan. No, I must report this matter."

Looking at the sealed barrier,

White Zetsu didn't wait for the barrier to be broken. In any case, Kazuma and Tsuchigumo Shirou were definitely doomed. Although he was quite curious about what was happening inside the barrier, he didn't have the ability or the courage to peek inside. Rather than waiting here like an idiot, he might as well go and report the information first.

Another pair of Mangekyou Sharingan have awakened.

This is no small matter.

[Chapter 352 The Wind Never Stops]

After reading the memories of Kazuma and Tsuchigumo Shirami, the investigation into the massacre of the clan became unnecessary. Kazuma, the mastermind, was brought to justice, and Tenmoku, the accomplice, was also captured alive. Thus, all six radical members who defected from the Twelve Guardian Ninjas were finally apprehended.

Four people died, and two were imprisoned.

There are also some small fry who help Ma gather intelligence; we can just send our secret agents to deal with them.

but,

Uchiha Chihaya still led the girls to continue to Mount Katsuragi. Although the mission was practically completed, since they were already there, they still had to go and do some things to make up for any omissions. Even if it was just for Hotaru, going up the mountain was not a difficult thing.

Zongxian did not linger; he returned to the village with his prey, including horses and Tianmu.

As the Hokage,

He doesn't have time to wander around for long periods of time.

Especially since this time they left without telling many people in the village, if it were exposed, their ears would definitely not have peace for days. So it's better to go back as soon as possible. However... the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. Some things happen that no one can predict.

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.

The country of waves.

This is one of the many small countries in the ninja world that is not particularly remarkable. Although it is located at sea, it is quite far from the islands of the Land of Water, but close enough to the east coast of the Land of Fire. Although the Land of Waves was poor in the past, it was still able to make a living. Moreover, its geographical location saved the country from several ninja wars, so it was very lucky.

But perhaps it was precisely because they avoided the flames of several Shinobi World Wars that...

Someone has set their sights on this peaceful and tranquil country, intending to turn it into their own private paradise.

Gato, one of the wealthiest men in the ninja world, used various overt and covert means to control all the maritime transportation channels of the Land of Waves. For the Land of Waves, an isolated country, having its maritime transportation channels controlled was tantamount to having its lifeline held in its hands.

but,

Not everyone is willing to submit to Kado's clutches.

Tazuna, a top craftsman from the Land of Waves, is preparing to build a bridge connecting the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves. However, Gato clearly does not allow the bridge construction and hires assassins to kill Tazuna. But the old man is incredibly resilient and manages to evade the first wave of assassins. Realizing the danger, the old man stops his work and goes to Konoha to hire ninjas to protect him while he builds the bridge.

Coincidentally, at that time, Sogen's true form was on the journey to Mount Katsuragi with the members of Class One.

So, without Zongxian's knowledge...

Kakashi's Team 7 took on this mission, which was rated as C-level in difficulty. According to the information provided by Tazuna, although Gato had many assassins and ronin under his command, it was clear that even an ordinary old man like Tazuna could escape, which showed that they were all weaklings.

Therefore,

The difficulty level is only C.

To be honest, Kado was originally a target of the police department. At the time, the police department was short of funds and was planning to get some money from this fat pig to tide them over. Unfortunately, after studying the case, they found that it would be too complicated to operate. Kado had close ties with many high-ranking officials in Daming Prefecture.

finally,

This matter has been shelved ever since.

The proposal is still hidden in the police department's archives!

·······

"Useless, a bunch of useless trash. What use are you? I don't blame you for not being able to deal with the regular ninjas of the great ninja villages, but you can't even take down an old man who repairs a bridge. What do you think I'm keeping you around for?"

This is a villa located at the highest point of a hill in a small town on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.

It's Kado's territory.

now,

The short, stocky man wearing brown sunglasses had a fierce look on his face as he angrily cursed his subordinates for their stupidity and incompetence. He had already cursed them severely a week ago, but today he received intelligence that that old guy Tazuna had gone to Konoha and hired a team of Konoha ninjas to start building the bridge again.

matter,

It's getting complicated.

This caused Kado's mood to plummet, and he couldn't help but unleash another torrent of abuse on his incompetent subordinates.

Of course, simply cursing won't solve the problem. Since Tazuna has hired Konoha ninjas, it's impossible for him to hire any more Konoha ninjas to work for him. This isn't to say that Konoha ninjas have any moral fastidiousness, but rather that they need to consider whether their employers are good or evil.

However, Konoha ninjas are forbidden from having their cake and eat it too.

Being hired by opposing sides means that the hired Konoha ninjas will have to kill each other, which is absolutely forbidden. Harming comrades is a major taboo in the village.

As for hiring Cloud Ninja or Mist Ninja... that won't work. Konoha is currently at its peak, and these guys don't dare to clash with Konoha ninjas. If they conceal or deceive, they might even provoke retaliation from Cloud Ninja or Mist Ninja afterward.

Fortunately, Cardo is no pushover either.

On the surface, he is a super-rich man who runs a transportation business, but in reality, he mainly deals in smuggling drugs and various contraband. He has deep connections with the underground world that cannot be brought to the light of day. Because his subordinates are so incompetent that he has to deal with things in order to prevent them from getting out of control, he has contacted the underground world and hired experts to help him solve the problem.

"Sir, they're here! They're here!"

A subordinate dressed as a ronin swordsman rushed over.

"They've finally arrived!"

Kado perked up immediately, losing all interest in reprimanding his useless subordinates. He waved his hand and said, "Get out of here, all of you. Don't crowd around and get in my way. You guys go and tell everyone to be on their toes. I have a distinguished guest to entertain."

This time,

He didn't recruit any lone, unaffiliated experts.

Instead, they were members recruited from the renowned Akatsuki organization in the underworld. Gato dared not neglect members with such organizational backing. This cunning tycoon knew very well that the ninja world ultimately followed the rule of the strong ruling the world, and no amount of wealth was useful in front of those true strongmen.

The reason he dared to attack the Land of Waves

He wants to turn the Land of Waves into his own paradise.

One very important reason is that the Land of Waves does not have its own ninjas. Yes, this country is not only not a ninja village, but it does not even have a ninja clan. It can be said to be a pure land in the ninja world where girls have never been defiled by ninjas.

You can act like a tyrant here without worrying about provoking those troublesome ninjas.

We entered the living room.

Kado immediately noticed two guests sitting in chairs, wearing black trench coats embroidered with red clouds and straw hats with wind chimes. No, one was sitting, and the other was squatting or lying down. In short, they looked very strange. Fortunately, Kado was quite knowledgeable and knew that there were many strange people among ninjas.

The person sitting there had no visible face; only their exposed palms were pale, like those of a corpse in a morgue freezer.

Kado is very familiar with corpses.

Because among the contraband he smuggled were corpses, the sale of corpses was forbidden in the ninja world, regardless of the size of the country, as it would only bring misfortune to the graves of nobles and lords. In addition, the corpses of ninjas contained many secrets, so the sale of corpses was strictly prohibited.

The other person squatting was even more mysterious; their face was also obscured, and frankly, their hunched and enormous posture looked quite bizarre.

"These two are from the Akatsuki organization..."

"Stop talking nonsense and tell us about the mission."

The man squatting on the ground rudely interrupted Kado, his hoarse and unpleasant voice making Kado frown.

However, considering the Akatsuki organization's notorious reputation in the underworld, he took a deep breath and didn't dare treat the two men in front of him like he had reprimanded his subordinates. He said directly, "The target is a bridge builder named Tazuna. He is currently building a bridge connecting the mainland and the Land of Waves under the protection of Konoha ninjas. Just kill Tazuna, and you can do whatever you want with the Konoha ninjas."

"Konoha Ninja..."

Do you have any intelligence?

"I only know a few names. The Jonin leading the team is Kakashi Hatake, and there are a few Genin whose names are... what was it again? One is Sasuke Uchiha, and the other two..." Kado didn't remember the other two names, and he only recited the remaining names after his secretary came over.

"Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno."

Wait until he finishes speaking.

The man sitting in the chair let out a chilling, sinister laugh.

"Naruto Uzumaki... Interesting."

"What? Stinky Snake, is there something wrong with this name?"

"No, I've only heard about it."

"Hmph, so secretive, you stinky snake. Don't let me catch you by the tail, or I promise I'll kill you."

As they spoke, the two of them were already walking towards the outer room, completely ignoring Kado.

Kado stood frozen in place until the two figures disappeared through the doorway, then roared, "What are you all standing there for? Go keep watch over the bridge!" He didn't dare utter a sound in front of the Akatsuki's experts, because he knew that these Akatsuki members were truly ruthless killers who didn't blink an eye. Unlike the ninjas from the major ninja villages who had various entanglements, if he angered these people, even if he was their employer, he might not get any benefits.

The reason why the underground world is the underground world is...

Because they abandoned the established order and rules, what decent rules could a world made up of a bunch of trash and rotten people have? The only irrefutable truth is the law of the jungle. In short, it's a complete mess. If it weren't for the fact that their subordinates were too useless, and the huge sunk costs already incurred in blocking the maritime lifeline of the Land of Waves, they would have no other choice but to grit their teeth and carry this out to the end.

He had no choice but to recruit members of the infamous Akatsuki organization to help him.

Normally,