Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

This caused Obito Uchiha, whose body was enveloped in deathly aura, to helplessly loosen his clenched fist, let out a deep sigh, and say nothing more. He simply stared blankly at the ceaselessly flowing waterfall, hoping... that Madara Uchiha's plan would proceed smoothly.

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.

"Kabuto-senpai, could this intelligence we have be a trap?" Uchiha Itachi, who had been silent the whole way, finally spoke up as they walked along the rugged mountain path, voicing his doubts.

"I do not know!"

"I can't help but answer," the pharmacist replied casually.

He glanced at Itachi Uchiha, pushed up his glasses with a finger, and asked with a smile, "What? Itachi, are you scared?"

"Yes."

Uchiha Itachi nodded without hesitation. "How long have we been in the Land of Lightning? And we've already so easily discovered that the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki are located in the Cloud Lightning Gorge. It's as if someone deliberately delivered this information to us. What awaits us in the Cloud Lightning Gorge may not just be the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, but there may also be Cloud Ninja ambushers waiting for us there."

"What you said makes a lot of sense. We can't rule out the possibility that the Cloud Ninja are planning to ambush us."

Kabuto nodded, acknowledging Itachi Uchiha's concerns.

This is a possibility that cannot be denied.

Their purpose in coming to the Land of Lightning was to obtain the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. After the Chunin Exams, the Hokage had urged the Cloud Ninja to return the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails as soon as possible. However, the Fourth Raikage chose to stall, not refusing Sogen's request but using various excuses to delay...

then,

After the second wave of envoys was tricked back by the Cloud Ninja,

Sogen signed a new order and handed it to Kabuto Yakushi, Itachi Uchiha, and Kimimaro Kaguya, instructing them to come to the Land of Lightning to capture the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails, at all costs, even if it meant going to war with the Cloud Ninja.

to be frank,

Kabuto Yakushi was already mentally prepared for a full-scale attack on Kumogakure.

As a result, shortly after they set foot on the land of the Land of Lightning, they captured a small squad of Cloud Ninja Anbu. In front of Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan, they easily extracted information from them that the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails were not in the Hidden Cloud Village, but were training in the Cloud Lightning Gorge, which was not far from the Hidden Cloud Village.

The intelligence came way too easily.

It's understandable to worry that it might be a trap... it's not surprising at all.

"However... it doesn't matter if it's a trap or not. Even if the Cloud Ninja ambushe us with the full force of the village, it doesn't matter," Kabuto Yakushi said confidently. "Even if we can't win... I'm confident enough to get us out of here."

That's what I meant.

It wasn't just Itachi Uchiha who stared at Kabuto Yakushi with suspicion, sizing him up from head to toe.

Kaguya Kimimaro, who had remained silent and acted like a wooden statue, also stared at Yakushi Kabuto, wondering what kind of trump card this Hokage's secretary had that made him dare to speak so arrogantly. Could it be that the Hokage had taught this secretary some kind of secret technique?

"I'm sorry, Senior Kabuto, I was being presumptuous."

Instead of pressing Kabuto about the source of his confidence, Itachi Uchiha apologized for asking the question.

"It's alright, it's alright. We're a team, it's normal to exchange ideas. Besides, the Hokage only told the three of us to act together, he didn't tell me to be the leader. Itachi, you... you're exaggerating. There's no need for apologies at all."

"I'm quite helpless," said Kabuto Yakushi.

This prodigy of the Uchiha clan appears gentle, polite, and amiable.

but,

In Dou's opinion,

Such people are the most difficult to get close to; it's hard to truly confide in them. Politeness and distance are often synonymous.

Fortunately, he didn't need to confide in this prodigy. With Itachi Uchiha's cunning and shrewdness, there was no need to worry that he would be a hindrance in the battle or hinder the execution of the mission. Just as they were talking, they finally reached the top of the rugged mountain path and stood on a rather spacious, flat stone platform.

"Finally arrived. This land of thunder is full of mountains, and my legs are about to break from climbing them."

Kabuto looked up at something higher.

A stone staircase leads straight up, and at the end of the staircase, on a stone platform, stands a building resembling a temple. The plaque in front of the temple bears the three characters "Yunlei Gorge." Looking at all this, Yakushi Kabuto breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Immediately,

They cheered up again.

Because he sensed two extremely powerful auras rushing out from the building above and heading towards them, Uchiha Itachi and Kaguya Kimimaro instantly assumed fighting stances, preparing to deal with the enemy's surprise attack.

only,

The two men did not attack them without saying a word.

"Uchiha Shisui... didn't he come?" It was Yugito Nii who spoke. This Two-Tails Jinchuriki quickly glanced around and didn't see Uchiha Shisui, but immediately lowered her gaze after noticing Uchiha Itachi.

"Lord Shisui is too busy with official duties to spare time for these small matters."

"I am a pharmacist," the doctor replied calmly.

There wasn't even a trace of fear on his face.

"A small matter?"

Killer Bee narrowed his eyes, avoiding Itachi Uchiha's gaze and staring at Kabuto Yakushi. He said in a very unpleasant tone, "Is capturing me and Yugito such a small matter? You're really despicable, Konoha ninjas."

"if not?"

Kabuto retorted, "Does the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki think he needs the Hokage to visit him in person? I'm sorry, but I don't think either of you are worth the Hokage's personal visit. We insignificant figures are more than enough."

Killer Bee's face twitched at the powerful kiss.

Ok!

That Hokage... they were indeed not qualified to have that Hokage come in person, and he knew this very well. Although he was defeated by the combined attack of three Susanoo, he had dealt with Sogen, who was not yet Hokage, after being captured, and knew how powerful Sogen was.

Not to mention that the Sixth Hokage even awakened the legendary Rinnegan, a fact personally confirmed by his elder brother.

Having made almost no significant progress in strength over the past few years, Yugito and I are truly not worthy of the Sixth Hokage's personal visit.

but--

"Kid, I admit I can't beat your Hokage, but... don't underestimate us! Even that bastard Uchiha Shisui hasn't shown up. Do you really think the three of you can handle me and Yugito? You're too arrogant!!!"

Chirabi was furious.

It was no coincidence that he and the two Yukito met at Yunlei Gorge.

After the Fourth Raikage returned from the Chunin Exams held in Konoha, he held a three-day meeting with the village's leadership. Ultimately, A personally explained the situation to them: Kumogakure lacked the strength to wage war against Konoha, but they were also unwilling to simply hand him and Yugito over to Konoha...

We can only compromise.

They were left in the Cloud Thunder Gorge, and the intelligence was passed to the Konoha ninjas so that the Konoha ninjas could deal with him and Yugito themselves, thus avoiding a direct conflict with Konoha... Killer Bee did not express any anger at being abandoned as a result.

He understood his elder brother's difficulties.

Moreover, he was not hesitant to give his life for the sake of the village.

Konoha wants the Eight-Tails... Well then, let them come! Let's see if they have the ability to take it. I originally thought it would be Uchiha Shisui. Yugito lost to Uchiha Shisui twice, and Killer Bee has also witnessed Uchiha Shisui's strength. If he were to lose to Uchiha Shisui in the end, it wouldn't be unacceptable.

However, what they didn't expect was that all the Konoha ninjas who came were a bunch of nobodys.

That's not quite right.

Kabuto Yakushi, as Sogen's secretary, rarely had any record of taking action, so let's leave that aside for now. However, Itachi Uchiha and Kimimaro Kaguya had already distinguished themselves in the last war, and they have also been active in carrying out missions over the years, so they are not truly unknown figures.

However, in Kirabi's view,

These three young people are still not as good as Uchiha Shisui's group.

"Whether you're arrogant or not, you'll soon understand, Eight-Tails Jinchuriki." Kabuto retreated rapidly and shouted, "Itachi, Kimimaro, it's up to you now! I'll cover for you! Don't worry about anyone bothering you; I'll handle any trouble that comes your way."

[Chapter 476 Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi]

Hidden Cloud Village.

The Fourth Raikage was neither handling official business in his office nor training his physical body today. Instead, he sat alone atop the highest peak in the village. After deliberately sending someone to leak the location of Killer Bee and Yugito Nii to the Konoha ninja, he came here alone.

Because from here... you can see Yunlei Gorge.

"Lord Raikage, that Konoha ninja team has met up with Killer Bee and Yugito." Tsuchida stood at the back, quietly reporting the latest intelligence.

Have they met yet?

Ai closed her eyes, her expression contorted in agony. "By... Yugito, it's my fault for being incompetent!!!"

He desperately wanted to head to Cloud Thunder Gorge right now and, together with the few audacious Konoha ninjas left behind by Bi and Yugito, make Konoha understand that the Cloud Ninja were not to be trifled with... But he couldn't. Konoha was too strong now, and the Hidden Cloud Village couldn't afford the consequences of going to war with Konoha.

The last defeat already cost us so much of our resources. Turtle Island is gone, the Six Paths Ninja Tools are gone, and even a copy of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode training method was given away. If we are defeated by Konoha again, even handing over all of our Storm Release and Magnet Release bloodline limits might not satisfy Konoha.

For the sake of the village,

He cannot act impulsively.

One should not act recklessly because of a momentary impulse.

He had to consider the bigger picture because he was the Fourth Raikage.

"Lord Raikage, Yugito might not necessarily lose to you." After a moment of silence, seeing the Raikage in pain and self-blame, he could only offer these words of comfort.

"Tsuchidai, don't try to comfort me! You've also dealt with the Sixth Hokage before. Even Yugito Hiwa was once in Konoha's hands, and his trump cards were all figured out. Since the Sixth Hokage only sent this group of three, it means they are extremely confident in dealing with Yugito Hiwa."

Ai said in a low, hoarse voice.

The earthen platform remained silent for a moment.

He knew this perfectly well; he only said it to comfort Lord Raikage.

Sometimes being too clear-headed is not a good thing. The feeling of being powerless and only able to watch is too agonizing. It's as if your heart is being slowly fried in a frying pan, forced to taste this not intense but endless pain.

"Have the intelligence unit keep a close eye on the battle at Yunlei Gorge, and make sure they don't miss any information about those Konoha ninjas... that's something Hiwa Yugito got with his life." A straightened his back, the pain in his heart hadn't lessened in the slightest, but the duty of the Raikage compelled him not to continue to be dejected.

No matter how painful it is, he has to stand up straight.

"Yes, Lord Raikage."

Despite his pain, Tu Tai couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

Although the village has faced considerable difficulties in recent years, it is fortunate that they have a reliable Raikage to guide them forward, preventing them from being completely defeated. However... the village's fortunes have truly declined drastically in the last two years!

That damned Konoha, however, is at its zenith.

It's really infuriating.

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.

Yunlei Gorge

On the stone platform beneath the temple-like building atop the mountain, the battle had already broken out. In an instant, the four were locked in a fierce duel, with Killer Bee wielding seven swords and launching a sharp offensive against Uchiha Itachi. He was practically transformed into a rolling wheel of blades, crushing towards Uchiha Itachi.