Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Multitasking is a skill that comes naturally after the Rinnegan is activated. There is no need to spend time practicing the skill of drawing a circle with the left hand and a square with the right. With real-time shared memories and vision, the instinctive differentiation of consciousness allows one to manipulate different bodies to walk, sit, lie down, fight, etc. at the same time. It is even possible to write six different works by six clones at the same time.

Yes,

This is instinct.

This is an instinct that awakens spontaneously after the Rinnegan is activated.

There's no need to worry about not being used to controlling clones, provided that these Rinnegan belong to Sogen himself. As for Nagato, who obtained the Rinnegan through transplantation... Sogen doesn't know. Perhaps he can only retrieve the corresponding memories after defeating and capturing Nagato alive.

"Nagato... don't be in such a hurry. This show doesn't need to end anytime soon. Please play along with me for a while!"

Zongxian's true form did not remain still for long.

On the ground,

The Heavenly Path clone continued its fierce battle with Nagato's Six Paths clones, while his true body continued to traverse the dark underground world, searching for that one thing. He wasn't sure if that thing was currently hidden in Amegakure, but putting himself in Nagato's shoes, Sogen felt that if he were Nagato, he certainly wouldn't leave something so important too far away from him.

That thing is very likely hidden somewhere in Amegakure where ordinary people cannot access it.

Therefore,

Zongxian left behind a Heavenly Path clone on the ground to impersonate him. As it turned out, if it hadn't been for Nagato's Human Path clone's surprise attack, the Heavenly Path clone's disguise would have been flawless. Not only did the enemy not notice it, but even his own people didn't detect any loopholes.

Anyway,

Zongxian assigned tasks to each of his clones.

Under the protection of the white cloak, his true form silently arrived in the underground world of Amegakure. This place was more than ten times larger than the surface area. The drainage system, which had been built up over hundreds of years, had long formed a terrifying maze. There were also many shelters, secret prisons and other places that were shielded by barrier spells.

Even if the Hyuga clan's ninjas came here, it would be difficult to search the entire place in a short time. Moreover, Zongxian did not want unnecessary people to get involved in this operation, and preferred to spend more time searching inch by inch himself.

Finding them would be ideal, but even if they don't... it's just a waste of time. In any case, the current situation in Amegakure is tilting towards Konoha. The longer it drags on, the greater their chances of winning will be. It's not too late to decide what to do once Shisui and the others have rescued Naruto.

After all, there are still unstable factors like Zetsu and Orochimaru whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

We must not underestimate the destructive power of these two, one a thousand-year-old ghost and the other a future thousand-year-old ghost. We can never be too careful when facing them. Kabuto Yakushi is one of the countermeasures he has prepared.

"There's plenty of time, let's wait and see!"

Accompanied by that ethereal murmur, Zongxian's figure slowly merged into the boundless darkness.

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 vast Amegakure was in complete chaos. The battlefield could be divided into three parts. The first part was the battle between Sogen's Deva Path clone and four of Nagato's Six Paths clones, led by Pain. Due to the weak combat power of the Hell Path, Sogen was actually fighting three against one. Sogen's Deva Path clone, relying on the Susanoo technique, fought Pain, the Asura Path, and the Preta Path to a standstill, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

The second battle was between Uchiha Chihaya and the Animal Path. Compared to the troublesome stalemate in the first battle, after the multi-headed dog summoned by the Animal Path collapsed and died, Uchiha Chihaya steadily gained the upper hand and was pressing the Animal Path.

The summoned beasts that Nagato has painstakingly accumulated over the years are being consumed at an alarming rate. However, judging from the situation, the Animal Path has no intention of retreating until the summoned beasts are completely exhausted or reach a certain standard.

As for the third place...

The battle between Uchiha Shisui and his group, who had thoroughly penetrated the heart of Amegakure, and Uchiha Obito and Deidara was a major one. Compared to the stalemate in the first battle, Uchiha Chihaya had a clear advantage in the second battle, while the Konoha group was at a disadvantage.

even if,

The person in charge of leading and commanding this team is Uchiha Shisui.

Originally, Shisui was suppressing Obito Uchiha, who also possessed space-time techniques. With Hinata Hyuga using all his strength to withstand Deidara's relentless bombardment, Hana Inuzuka and the three Anbu subordinates brought by Shisui charged forward with all their might, preparing to first rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki, and then fight Obito Uchiha and Deidara to the death.

only--

The advancing troops encountered an unexpected and formidable enemy.

A handsome young man with a mesmerizing appearance blocked their path with four subordinates. He immediately used a mysterious ice-escape technique, freezing Inuzuka Hana and her three ninja dogs inside a huge block of ice.

Ice Release?

Even Shisui, who was fighting Obito Uchiha, couldn't help but be distracted.

Although he had never witnessed the power of Ice Release, a bloodline limit, he had dealt with the Kirigakure during the Third Shinobi World War for a long time and had at least heard of it. He originally thought that this clan was as miserable as the Kaguya clan, no, they should be even more unfortunate than the Kaguya clan.

At least the Kaguya clan still has Kaguya Kimimaro as a descendant. If Kaguya Kimimaro can have more offspring, the Kaguya clan might be able to regain a place in Konoha in the future.

However, no descendants of this clan that possessed the Ice Release bloodline limit have been heard of living.

It is said that the Mist Ninja searched for the whereabouts of this clan under the supervision of the Fifth Mizukage, but unfortunately found nothing... Unexpectedly, they found the holder of the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai in Amegakure. Such a situation makes one sigh at the unpredictability of life.

"Shisui, are you underestimating me?"

Obito Uchiha's voice was cold and eerie.

The wooden splinter in his hand grazed Shisui's shoulder and tore his clothes. Fortunately, Shisui reacted quickly and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to dodge it before being cut. In the blink of an eye, Shisui and Uchiha Obito fought two more rounds.

"I'm just a little surprised; I didn't expect you to have such a trump card up your sleeve."

Zhi Shui speaks the truth.

He didn't believe the Akatsuki had no trump cards, but he hadn't expected that their trump cards included such a powerful Ice Release ninja.

It doesn't take long to observe; just seeing the young man easily freeze Inuzuka Hana and the three ninja dogs makes it clear that he is a master. Even Shisui... to be honest, wouldn't be entirely confident of succeeding in one strike.

When I saw that boy,

Shisui couldn't help but recall his past self and Zongxian.

"Hmph, that's not our Akatsuki's trump card." Uchiha Obito sneered at this moment. Although his smile was hidden by his orange-red vortex mask, making it impossible to see his face clearly, it was enough to feel his malice.

"Not one of yours?"

Shisui raised an eyebrow slightly and asked a question.

At the same time, the Sky Blade wrapped with sharp wind blades in his hand slashed down, shattering the wooden spikes in Obito Uchiha's hand and leaving a thin, long scar on the outside of Obito Uchiha's right arm. However, the scar had already healed when Obito Uchiha reappeared in a flash.

"of course not."

New wooden spikes appeared in Obito Uchiha's hand.

Without any hesitation, he answered, "That brat named Haku and the other few trash are Orochimaru's subordinates."

He decisively betrayed Orochimaru.

Orochimaru?

Still water and furrowed brows.

This name... is worth his utmost care.

Putting everything else aside, Zongxian had repeatedly told him to be careful if he ever encountered Orochimaru in the future.

"Shisui, it's not just me you need to be careful about. If I were you, I would leave here on my own and report Orochimaru's matter to your Hokage. This conflict between us and you was caused by that guy Orochimaru. If we're not careful, we might all end up falling into that venomous snake's trap!"

"Hmph, you talk too much nonsense."

Shisui was not swayed by Obito Uchiha's instigation.

because,

Zongxian was even more wary of Orochimaru than he was.

In all the plans made before this operation, there were special notes to be careful of a man named Zetsu with a pitcher plant-like face and two-toned features, as well as Orochimaru. It was necessary to be constantly wary of these two guys' sneak attacks, so there was no need for me to go and remind them.

Furthermore,

It is absolutely impossible for him to abandon his subordinates.

but--

The problem now is that Obito Uchiha and Deidara have received reinforcements, while his own side is showing signs of weakness. If he doesn't find a way to turn the situation around, he may have to go and rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki all by himself.

The three subordinates he brought with him from the Anbu this time were Yamanaka Bun, Aburame Torune, and Tenzo. In addition, Sogen also entrusted Hyuga Himon and Inuzuka Hana, two sensory ninjas, to him.

There seem to be quite a few people.

But the enemy is even more troublesome.

It goes without saying that Obito Uchiha was suppressed by him, but Deidara... this S-rank rogue ninja from Iwagakure, although young, his strength truly deserved the S-rank rogue ninja wanted poster. His terrifying bombardment tactics had almost made Hinata Hyuga foam at the mouth, forcing Aburame Torune and Tenzo to come to his aid. Only by working together could the three of them stabilize the situation again.

Then--

At this critical juncture,

Bai makes his appearance.

Even though Yamanaka Fu had sensed the arrival of Haku and his group in advance, as soon as the battle began, Inuzuka Hana, who was trying to test the waters, and her three ninja dogs were immediately frozen into a large block of ice by Haku. Seeing that the situation was not good, Tenzo hurriedly came to the rescue, snatched back the ice block that had frozen Inuzuka Hana, and protected it from being smashed into pieces. All four of them died instantly.

[Chapter 381 The Art of Phosphorous Necrotic Insects and Parasitic Necrotic Ghosts]

Wood Release?

It was Wood Release?

The vines wrapped around the huge block of ice and dragged it directly to their side. The one who did this was none other than Tianzang, who wore a cat-face mask with red and green patterns. He was an ordinary-looking member of the Dark Guard, just like any other member in the conventional sense.

however,

This seemingly unremarkable member of the Anbu managed to use the Wood Release bloodline limit.

"Wood Release?"

This time,

Now it was Obito Uchiha's turn to frown.

Beneath his orange-red swirling mask, his brows furrowed. He couldn't help but connect this Wood Release technique with the White Zetsu that had been captured by Uchiha Munegen and his own lost legs. Was this the result of the Konoha ninjas' research on White Zetsu? Or were there other possibilities?

"Stab!"

A moment's distraction.

The sharp blade of the Sky Blade left another wound on his body, forcing Obito Uchiha to suppress that tiny distracting thought. Fighting this troublesome guy, Shisui Uchiha, he really dared not even spare a moment. If it weren't for the special ability of his Kamui to teleport part of his body to another dimension, even a moment's distraction would be enough to take his life.

There's no way to focus on the battle over there.

His responsibility and expectation was to keep Uchiha Shisui occupied and prevent him from wreaking havoc on the battlefield, while waiting for good news from Pain's side.

He was unaware of the appearance of the second pair of Rinnegan; Black Zetsu had not informed him of this, and he was still pondering a solution to the problem on his own.

but,

Even if you knew, it wouldn't seem to make any difference.

If he doesn't stay here to restrain Uchiha Shisui and free him up to act freely, the situation might collapse in an instant. Although the current situation is tilting in Konoha's favor, it's not yet time to determine the outcome, and the future remains uncertain.

Even though Uchiha Munen has awakened the Rinnegan, compared to Nagato, who has mastered the Rinnegan for decades, he still seems quite green.

after all,