Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

It was as if more than ten explosive tags were stacked together and detonated simultaneously.

The sharp wind blades actually amplified the power of Zongxian's Fire Sword, which had a short charging time. The swirling flames instantly took the assassin's life, and the corpse, which was almost instantly dried out by the high temperature, was thrown away.

Even the notoriously cold-blooded and ruthless Mist Ninja,

When they saw their companion's miserable end, the other two attackers were also stunned for a moment. That momentary hesitation was enough for Zongxian to catch their trail. He immediately sheathed the long sword in his left hand and waved the flame fan in his hand. The storm dispersed the surrounding mist and even scraped off a layer of the ground, forcing the two mist ninjas who had used earth-escape techniques to sneak out.

but,

Clearly, these two assassins, like the one who was burned to a crisp by Zongxian earlier, were true trump cards, not just some small fry used to make up the numbers. Just their impressive hardening techniques showed that they were probably not nobody in Kirigakure.

Almost instantly, forced to emerge from underground, the two completed hand seals, their refined chakra poised to erupt.

"Escape·Earth flow······"

"Escape from Earth..."

A skeletal hand, wreathed in deep crimson flames, swept across the two with lightning speed, sending them flying like a ball. In their haste, they were preparing to use offensive ninjutsu and had no time to change hand seals or use hardening techniques to protect themselves. All they could hear was the mournful cry of their own bones, unable to bear the weight.

A tearing pain shot straight into my mind.

then,

Consciousness completely plunged into darkness, and I knew nothing more.

"If you want to see, then open your eyes wide and look carefully."

Protected by those deep crimson ribs, Zongxian's gaze wandered. Just now, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, a conjecture suddenly appeared in his mind: perhaps the purpose of these Mist Ninjas was never to assassinate Yagura Karatachi, nor to assassinate him.

perhaps,

This is just them probing their own weaknesses!

Recalling this sudden assassination attempt, these Mist Ninja attackers, who initially made a grand show of attacking Yagura, have now focused even more manpower on his side. However, with such a small force, trying to kill Sogen is nothing short of a pipe dream. The mastermind behind it shouldn't be so naive.

Therefore, the most likely explanation is that this was just a test.

of course,

If this was meant as a test, it would be an exaggeration. So, Sogen hadn't initially considered this possibility. But now that he had, regardless of the truth, Sogen wouldn't hesitate to let the Kirigakure ninja witness the power of the Uchiha clan once again!

One of his purposes in going to Kirigakure was to intimidate the Kirigakure ninja.

This will remind these Kirigakure ninjas, who have been isolated overseas for a long time and are inevitably somewhat arrogant, that they are merely descendants of those who were defeated by the Senju and Uchiha and driven out of the continent, and who banded together for warmth, even though Konoha has now lost the glory of the Senju.

but--

The Uchiha clan's fire fan crest is still intact!

Then,

Whether you are this shadow or that shadow, a tailed beast or a jinchūriki, you must obediently submit to the power of the Uchiha.

"Not bad!!"

Zongxian's lips curled up, and he was actually quite pleased. He didn't dislike this unique 'welcome ceremony'. Adhering to the virtue of reciprocity, he thought about giving a fun return gift. "Well, this... consider it a greeting gift for my first visit to the Land of Water!"

Susanoo raised its left hand.

Three deep crimson tomoe spun in his palm. These were the [Yasaka Magatama]. As the number of tomoe increased, they became a technique that could directly counter the Tailed Beast Ball. This was a technique that all Susanoo users who had normally awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan could use.

The magatama was thrown out.

The next second, a dazzling light shone in the port, and a deafening explosion drifted from the land to the sea, like ripples caused by a stone thrown into a pond. The shockwave that spread outwards tore apart the nearby Mist Ninjas. Whether they were real bodies or clones, without powerful means of survival, they could not withstand the attack of the [Yasaka Magatama].

When the smoke and dust cleared,

Not a single person could be seen standing where the shockwave swept through.

······

It is located about one kilometer away from the port.

Standing atop a residential building, Qingkou let out an incredulous groan. His hands were forming hand seals, and the veins around his right eye bulged like small snakes. He had opened his white eye, and although he hadn't removed the black blindfold, it didn't actually obstruct his vision.

X-ray vision is just one of the basic functions of the white eye.

In fact,

He had been standing here since the assassination attempt at the port began, observing Uchiha Munen in place of the elderly, frail, and immobile Master Yuan. This was a task personally assigned to him by Master Yuan. He was not required to interfere with the battle at the port; his task was simply to observe the leader of the Konoha delegation, the young clan head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Munen.

Just as Zongxian guessed,

This was indeed a test.

However, it was not under the control of the Master. The instability within Kirigakure was not an illusion. The various iron-fisted policies implemented when Yagura was manipulated led to the emergence of many rebels in Kirigakure, such as Juzo Biwa. Even the Master could not say that he could control everyone.

It is true that the Master of the Yuan Sect has a status comparable to, or even surpasses, that of the Mizukage.

However, this does not mean that all Mist Ninja will obey Master Yuan's orders.

The oppressive rule actually fostered many people who despised authority. They hated the Mizukage who cruelly slaughtered his comrades, and they also disliked the old and decaying Genji. Zabuza Momochi was a typical example.

Even among the trusted confidants personally trained by Master Yuan, there are those who harbor ulterior motives, such as Meguro.

What Genji did was simply to let Meguro and those self-proclaimed future rebels of Kirigakure naturally blend together. These audacious guys devised this assassination attempt on the Fourth Mizukage and the Konoha delegation. Seeing this as a good opportunity for observation, Genji sent Ao out.

"Is this... Susanoo?"

Qing muttered the name his master had told him, gazing at the monster that, even before revealing its full form, was already exuding power like a tailed beast. He could barely maintain his composure and had to pinch himself hard to calm his turbulent emotions.

"So that's what Master Yuan wanted to see? This kind of thing..."

Indeed, Kirigakure is not a force that can contend with in its current state, Qing thought to himself. Even though he knew the truth perfectly well, there were still some things he was unwilling to say. However, he finally understood why Master Yuan had sent him to observe Uchiha Munen.

[Chapter 128: Performing a Double Act]

On the nameless island, Zongxian also used Susanoo to sever the head of the wooden doll summoned by White Zetsu. Although it was only a fleeting moment and did not last long, the presence of that enormous creature was so strong that many people saw the deep crimson Susanoo, which resembled a demon god.

In his letter to his master, Yagura mentioned Susanoo, but to be honest, he didn't know much about it. During his time, the Uchiha clan's Susanoo was already a legend of the past, and he had never deliberately gone to the library to learn about anything like it before.

Not only Yagura Karatachi, but Mei Terumi also wrote a letter, mentioning Susanoo in the same letter. However, at least Yagura Karatachi knew the name Susanoo, but by Mei Terumi's generation, they had no idea what Susanoo was. They could only describe it with words and sentences such as "deep scarlet", "human form", "as huge as a tailed beast", and "wielding a huge sword", relaying her observations to Genji.

Upon receiving the letter, Master Yuan's long-dormant memories were awakened.

Back when Kirigakure hadn't even been established yet, he went to the newly established Konoha with the First Mizukage—or rather, Byakuren—wanting to challenge Hashirama Senju, who was already famous throughout the land at that time. However, before they met Hashirama, they encountered Madara Uchiha.

then,

In Yuan Shi's memory, Bai Lian, who had never been defeated, suffered her first defeat in her life.

The power known as Susanoo left an indelible impression on Master Yuan. In his mind, Byakuren was already incredibly powerful, but Madara Uchiha displayed a power that surpassed Byakuren, making him realize what it meant to be outmatched and to be truly enlightened.

Since then, Bai Lian, who used to be known as a fearless 'fierce one', has become much gentler and more skillful in dealing with people!

"Susanoo? Is this the true power of the Sharingan?"

Qing muttered to herself.

He understood why the Hyuga clan, with its Byakugan, had always been subordinate to the Uchiha clan in Konoha. The Byakugan's extremely strong support abilities were ultimately just that—supportive. It could see through the Sharingan's genjutsu, but it was helpless against such a behemoth that was comparable to a tailed beast.

At the very least, Ao, who possesses the Byakugan, couldn't think of any way to counter Susanoo.

······

port,

Susanoo stopped at the second form, merely growing flesh and tendons on its skeletal body, wrapped in an outer garment of chakra. It did not summon the Susanoo sword, and under the control of Muneaki, it launched wave after wave of fierce attacks on the attackers with its bare hands.

He could feel the depletion of his eye power, but having made a huge profit from Obito Uchiha, this depletion was nothing. Moreover, he wondered if it was just his imagination, but he found that as he used the power of Susanoo again and again, while his eye power was being depleted, his control over Susanoo was becoming more and more smooth and effortless.

If his initial use of Susanoo in battle was like fighting while wearing 'armor', then...

Now, this set of 'armor' is becoming integrated with his skin and flesh, and at some point in the future, it will no longer be a metaphor, but a reality, as he uses it as an extension of his own body.

"Bang!!!"

Another punch landed on the ground, shattering large chunks of brick into dust. The overwhelming power displayed by Susanoo finally crushed the courage of the few remaining attackers. After their leader was smashed into a pulp by the falling fist, the remaining attackers, having lost their leader, completely collapsed.

"Run! This isn't human, it's a demon, a demon from Konoha!!"

"I don't want to die!!!"

"Help me, someone help me! My leg is broken."

They were destined to be caught off guard. When Sogen unleashed the Susanoo, a powerful weapon, the Konoha ninjas instinctively distanced themselves from its vicinity. Every family in Konoha whose history extended back to the Warring States period had records of Susanoo.

Previously, there was no need for it, so naturally no one bothered to learn about it. But now that Susanoo has reappeared, the documents and records left by our ancestors that had been buried in the dustbin of history have once again been put on the table. The heads and elders of various clans are studying them, and the more they study them, the more they realize why the Uchiha clan is so powerful.

The scattered Konoha ninjas laid down a large net, blocking every possible escape route.

port,

It became Zongxian's hunting ground.

"Clan Chief Uchiha, please have mercy. I will definitely give you an explanation for this assassination attempt. Please show some respect for now."

Yagura dragged two unconscious Kirigakure Jonin to the front of Susanoo. Looking up at the enormous creature before him, his hoarse voice was filled with deep exhaustion. The combined physical and mental fatigue made even breathing feel incredibly tiring.

However, after dealing with the three Jonin who were holding him back, he still forced himself to come over despite his exhaustion and beg Sogen not to go on a killing spree. Most of these attackers were young Kirigakure ninjas in their teens to twenties, and they were all quite talented. Yagura Karatachi really couldn't bear to see them die here like this.

About five or six seconds passed.

The deep crimson flames receded like the receding tide, and Susanoo vanished. Sogen walked leisurely to Yagura and said in a deep voice, "Lord Mizukage, I will await an explanation from Kirigakure."

"Please rest assured, Uchiha clan leader, even if Kirigakure has to sell everything it owns, we will still make sure you are satisfied."

Yagura, watching the Susanoo disappear, first breathed a sigh of relief.

He immediately made a solemn promise.

The Mizukage and Uchiha clan leader didn't need to intervene after that. The attackers, whose will had been broken, offered no resistance to the surging Mist Ninja returning from the front lines and surrendered without resistance, becoming dejected prisoners.

Just as they were gathering the prisoners,

Uchiha Shisui, who had previously gone far away, returned to Sogen empty-handed.

"Clan leader, it is my incompetence that allowed Meguro to escape. Please punish me."

Shisui knelt on one knee, lowering his head in shame.

"Did Meguro escape?"

Yagura was standing next to Sogen. He was slightly surprised when he heard the information brought by Shisui. It seems that Meguro has improved his skills quite a bit. He actually managed to escape from Uchiha Shisui.

"Ran away?"