Chapter 58 Locked Uchiha (1)
Shikkotsu Forest Boundary.
After the clone of Livy introduced the various locations in the Forest to Shiroshi, it left Shiroshi alone and returned to its original body's location.
Shiroshi stood on top of a tall mountain, feeling that the natural energy here was even richer than below. If one were to cultivate immortal techniques here, the effect would be doubly effective.
Just as Shiroshi was overlooking the panoramic view of the Shokkotsu Forest, footsteps sounded behind him.
Without thinking, Shiroshi knew who had come. In the Shikkotsu Forest, besides him, there was only one human, Tsunade.
"Are you here to seek justice for the dead Leaf Shinobi? I've said before, I'm not eager to fight you."
Shiroshi tilted his head slightly, watching Tsunade approach.
There was still a coldness in her eyes.
After all, Shiroshi's actions in Konoha were too significant. The Leaf Shinobi below didn't know the specifics, but Tsunade understood some unknown details.
When Shiroshi left Konoha, he not only destroyed the village's structures but also took members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans with him.
Even worse, the 'caged bird' seal on the foreheads of those branch members lost its effect. The Hyuga clan was now in internal chaos, arguing endlessly, and there were concerns that the remaining branch members might also defect, creating an atmosphere of distrust within the Hyuga clan.
The situation wasn't any better with the Uchiha. The security team seemed to be in increasing conflict with the village, especially since the night of the battle with the Hokage, where Rui, a member of the Uchiha clan, participated.
"I'm just curious about why you incited so many people to leave Konoha. You can't possibly do nothing after taking so many people away."
Tsunade's expression was serious.
The priestess and the black beast-type spiritual beast that attacked the Hidden Grass Village were under Shiroshi's command. The reason for the attack on the Hidden Grass Village seemed to be related to the survivors of the Uzumaki clan.
Later, he instigated members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans to leave Konoha. Tsunade was very concerned that Shiroshi had some undisclosed secrets that could endanger the village established by her grandfather, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"So, you're interested in this kind of thing. Rest assured, I don't plan to do anything to Konoha. As for the Uchiha, let's leave that aside for now. The Hyuga people leaving with me was their choice; I never forced them to join. However, the inner desire for freedom in everyone's heart cannot be bound. When the caged bird sees the hope of flying freely, it will be fearless of life and death. Isn't that the truth, Tsunade-sensei?"
Shiroshi turned his head slightly, looking at Tsunade as she approached.
There was a hint of complexity in her eyes.
Even she, a member of the Senju clan, found it hard to stomach. It was too much to control the branch ninja with the curse seal, especially for the sake of protecting the Byakugan.
"That aside, what's going on with the Uchiha?"
Tsunade sighed, feeling that things were getting more serious.
"It's a historical legacy issue, quite complicated, and involves some undisclosed secrets. I'm sorry, but I can't go into the details."
Shiroshi thought of the awakening conditions for the Mangekyo Sharingan and felt that this was not something he could casually reveal.
Whether to outsiders or to members of the Uchiha clan, it was best to keep such secrets forever.
"For you, is the village really an indifferent existence? Sarutobi sensei trusted you so much; he mentioned more than once that you inherited the true will of fire as a Leaf Shinobi."
Tsunade looked at Shiroshi with a complicated expression.
Now, thinking back, being seen as a Leaf Shinobi inheriting the will of fire had become the biggest irony for him.
It could only be said that Shiroshi had hidden too deeply.
Until the moment he betrayed, no one would think of him as a person who would commit such treason, becoming a deserter.
Shiroshi did not answer the question, just sat down and stared, without blinking, at the misty landscape between the mountains.
"Or... is it because of what happened to Sakumo?"
Tsunade speculated again.
"You and your sensei really have the same way of thinking. On the night I left Konoha, the Third Hokage asked me the same question."
Shiroshi turned his head to look at Tsunade, with a somewhat helpless expression on his face.
"Then let me answer it again. A Leaf Shinobi named Sakumo Hatake is just that—a Leaf Shinobi. I feel sorry for his death, but I will never seek revenge on someone for that reason. If you're troubled by this question, you don't have to be. I have no interest in Konoha's affairs. It's about time for you to leave. As far as I know, Konoha is in a precarious situation right now."
Shiroshi reminded Tsunade that it was still the time of the Third Great Ninja War, and as the Fire Country's Konoha was under attack, the situation was extremely urgent.
Seeing that Shiroshi had no intention of continuing the conversation, Tsunade knew she couldn't get any useful information from him.
His face was no longer as gentle and polite as it was during his time in Konoha, or rather, this was his true face.
The gentleness and humility in the village were just disguises to gain people's trust.
Tsunade took a deep breath, her face returned to calm, and she left without dragging her feet.
Listening to the gradually fading footsteps, Shiroshi knew that his relationship with Tsunade had completely broken down.
But there was nothing he could do.
He had this awareness since the moment he left Konoha.
Regardless of the excuses he found for himself, that night's actions were aimed at dividing and destroying the village left by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
For Tsunade, that was a precious thing that no one was allowed to damage or desecrate.
By destroying these things, it was only natural for her to be hostile and angry.
If it weren't for the Shikkotsu Forest, they might have already engaged in a battle.
However, Shiroshi didn't care about these things.
There was still much he had to do, and he couldn't stop because of one Leaf Village.
The Third Great Ninja War had begun, and it was a rare opportunity for him.
Missing this chance, it would be difficult to have such a perfect development opportunity after the turmoil subsided.
"I'd like to go back quickly, but for now, let's familiarize ourselves with the environment here."
After all, the Forest had many treasures that were hard to find in the ninja world.
The Fountain of Life, which could be used for healing and assisting in the cultivation of immortal techniques, and the sturdy trees that could withstand the corrosive slime containing natural energy, were all valuable things worth paying attention to, helping with his various development plans.
"Let's first ask the Livy if we can make a simplified version of the Fountain of Life."
After all, the Fountain of Life on the mountaintop was too large, with varying depths. In the deeper areas, large spiritual beasts could swim freely.
Shiroshi planned to create some normal-sized healing hot springs outside, whether for personal use or commercial application, there were many unexpected benefits.
However, would this cause the hot spring industry in the Land of Hot Water to go bankrupt?
Shiroshi thought it was quite possible.
…
After Shiroshi left, there were naturally people lamenting his departure.
Because this incident happened unexpectedly to everyone.
Rui and Ayane had to find Shiroshi's clone, Raimei Maru, and Ameyu, who were still staying here and hadn't left with him.
"Did Father disappear?"
Upon hearing Rui and Ayane's narration while perched on the shoulder of Ameyu, Raimei Maru was astonished by Shiroshi's disappearance.
"We suspect he was summoned to the Shikkotsu Forest using the Reverse Summoning technique."
Rui explained.
In the office, on the scroll that signed a spiritual contract with the Shikkotsu Forest, Shiroshi's name appeared.
Both Rui and Ayane suspected that Shiroshi was summoned to the Forest by the slug sage of the Shikkotsu Forest.
"Shikkotsu Forest? I think it should be fine. If there's any danger, Father will definitely summon us for a battle. My sister and I are staying here, proving that Father's situation is very safe now."
Raimei Maru spoke.
"Use the Reverse Summoning technique to bring him back. The situation is quite worrying."
Raimei Maru's analysis was reasonable, but Ayane still felt it was too optimistic. In case Shiroshi faced an unimaginable danger and was defeated by the enemy before using the reverse summoning technique, such a situation was also possible.
"Alright, Mother, I'll immediately use the Reverse summoning... technique..."
Dangerous!
Raimei Maru felt a chilling cold piercing through its body, unable to help but shiver.
Rui's black and white eyes stared, like looking at a corpse, with a dark and terrifying gaze.
"What did you just call her?"
"Ah... that... it's not... just now was..."
Raimei Maru's dark face was covered in cold sweat, timidly stepping back and hiding behind Ameyu.
This Mother was terrifying.
She wouldn't want to swallow it here, would she?
Its flesh wasn't tasty at all.
Sour and bitter.
"Alright, it's just a child under two years old, after all, children speak without filters. The most crucial thing now is to quickly find out Shiroshi-kun's whereabouts."
Ayane intervened, her face smiling, looking quite pleased.
"Oh, yes, maybe Father is facing an unprecedented danger right now. I'll use the Reverse summoning technique to check."
Raimei Maru didn't know if Shiroshi had encountered an insurmountable crisis, but if it couldn't get through this, it felt like it would end up lying in the plate on the dining table tonight, becoming someone's feast.
After speaking, without waiting for Rui's reaction, Raimei Maru hoped Shiroshi would come back soon, serving as its shield.
Both these Mothers, whichever one, were truly terrifying.
One was straightforward but exerted strong pressure. Every time she stared, it made one feel an increasing amount of stress.
The other liked to smile, appearing kind and friendly, but was always provocatively sowing discord without considering the consequences.
It actually wanted a very gentle Mother who could pamper it every day and make lots of delicious things.
But thinking carefully, such a thing could only be fantasized about in dreams.
It's truly pathetic.
Raimei Maru began gathering chakra on its forelimbs. Its ninjutsu system was different from humans, and some techniques didn't require hand seals, directly usable.
Speaking of its contract relationship with Shiroshi, it was actually a special contract.
It was more closely connected than the contracts between ninjas and summoning beasts.
The symbols of the successful reverse summoning technique spread on the ground, but soon these symbols began to reverse like time, recovering into Raimei Maru's body.
"What happened?"
"Father rejected my summoning."
Raimei Maru was a bit stunned, but quickly reacted and said.
Its contract relationship with Shiroshi had clear hierarchical levels. While it couldn't refuse Shiroshi's summoning, Shiroshi could decide whether to respond to the Reverse summoning technique according to the situation.
The good news was that it seemed Shiroshi, as a father, hadn't encountered any urgent events. It was just that there were some important matters to attend to, making it impossible to respond to the Reverse summoning technique.
The bad news was... its plan to find a shield had miscalculated.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the field was a bit delicate, Raimei Maru quickly jumped backward.
"Cough cough, I suddenly remembered that Father seemed to have given me a very important task before leaving. I'll try to get it done before Father comes back. Cough cough, that's it, both Mothers, I have something to do and will temporarily take my leave."
The powerful oppressive force in the air made it difficult for it to breathe.
At this rate, it felt like it would really die.
Saying this, without waiting for Ameyu to respond, its body directly turned into a brilliant blue lightning and dashed towards the depths of the forest, disappearing in an instant.
Ameyu tilted her head, looking puzzled in the direction her brother Raimei Maru disappeared.
If she remembered correctly, their father only asked the two of them to handle the wood on this side. Why did a new task suddenly pop up?
Little brother Raimei Maru was a big liar.
"Since that's the case, it seems we can only wait for Shiroshi-kun to come back to know what happened. It's not early anymore; I'll go back for a nap first."
Ayane stretched lazily; in this cold weather, she didn't feel like coming out of her room and needed someone to warm her.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave; I've been researching a new type of ninjutsu recently. I need an opponent with comparable strength. Can you be my sparring partner?"
Rui tried to speak with a calm tone.
Since leaving Konoha, she felt that this woman had become even more dangerous.
All day long, she would sway her shameless chest in front of her man.
No shame!
However, no matter how she looked at it, that part was completely unnecessary fat.
It was said that women with too much fat in their chest would experience shoulder pain due to excessive fat, affecting their combat capabilities.
"Well, in that case, there's no way. It's been a long time since we sparred. Speaking of which, I also want to know my current strength."
Ayane smiled amiably, agreeing to Rui's not impolite request.
During previous sparring sessions, she always suffered humiliating defeats. Clearly, she was just a Sharingan woman with such a flat chest, but if her strength was also relatively lacking, that would be great.
However, this time it's different. Her mastery of the Byakugan is beyond comparison with the past, discovering many practical and immensely powerful techniques. This time, victory is certain!
…
Konoha.
It's been a while since Minato was discharged. During his hospitalization, he felt discomfort and stiffness in his body. After taking the revitalizing potion developed by the Purple Orchid Company, on the first day of discharge, he almost recovered to the state before the injury.
Having narrowly escaped death, Minato now cherishes this second chance even more.
Regarding Shiroshi, he is naturally more vigilant.
After all, death is not an easy thing. Recalling the icy gaze Shiroshi had before his death, there is still an indelible shadow in his heart.
If he encounters him again, he must be more careful, and he should try to avoid too much contact in close combat.
However, Shiroshi's matter needs to be set aside for now. Although many ninjas in Konoha hate Shiroshi's actions that night—destroying the village and killing colleagues, wishing to dismantle him—currently, the most important thing is the battle with Suna and Iwa.
Compared to that, Shiroshi's threat is much smaller.
The reason the enemy chose that time was not only due to caution but also to demonstrate his power, proving that he could not truly shake the power of Konoha.
They can only use various loopholes for containment and tug-of-war.
On that night, the high-level ninjas in the village were only comforted by the presence of Kushina, so many times they couldn't bring themselves to strike.
Some lethal forbidden and secret techniques cannot be used easily.
Therefore, after that night, Konoha only symbolically sent out a pursuit team, but the main focus was still on Suna and Iwa.
After repelling Suna and Iwa, it wouldn't be too late to deal with dangerous renegades like Shiroshi.
War is approaching, and Minato also has to rush to the battlefield to fight against Suna and Iwa.
Before that, there is another matter to handle.
That is the formation of Minato's team.
After becoming a Jonin, Minato has not truly led a team of lower-ranked ninjas. He has always been forming temporary teams with others or carrying out solo missions.
A few days after being discharged, Minato felt that his body had recovered enough. The ninja school is also facing graduation. There are two graduates this year, and one is the genius ninja Hatake Kakashi, who graduated several years ahead and is now a Chunin.
In an open space near the school, Minato held the team member information he received from the Hokage. It recorded the graduation scores of the two graduates and their future development paths.
While Minato was contemplating how to interact with his team members in the future, footsteps approached.
The person had silver-white hair, wore a face mask, and carried a well-crafted short knife on the back. Minato recognized it as the former Leaf ninja Hatake Sakumo's weapon—the White Fang Short Sword.
The identity of the person was self-evident, Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang.
Graduating at the age of five, becoming a Chunin at the age of six, a genius child.
His future was eagerly anticipated even by the higher-ups. With Kakashi's talent and growth rate, surpassing his father Hatake Sakumo, was only a matter of time.
However, after the White Fang incident, he closed off his heart, not communicating with anyone. He acted according to his own principles, disregarding the lives and safety of teammates, with only the mission-first ideology in his heart.
He would ruthlessly abandon anyone, even a comrade, if they obstructed the mission.
"Are you Hatake Kakashi? Hello, I'm Namikaze Minato, the Jonin who will lead your team from now on."
Minato took the initiative to greet him with a smile.
Kakashi just nodded indifferently, his eyes showing no emotion. After nodding to Minato, he leaned against the side, hands crossed in front, waiting for the arrival of others.
Minato didn't mind, but it also confirmed that Kakashi's indifference to the rumors among the crowd was not false.
And... the three former subordinates of his deceased father are now renegades of Konoha...
Minato couldn't help but wryly smile, feeling that Kakashi's inner world had become even more closed.
The Hokage truly gave him a difficult task.
Not long after, another person hurriedly ran over.
Wearing goggles, he gave off a clumsy and absent-minded vibe. If such a person were a ninja, he would probably be the type that made people feel insecure.
Uchiha Obito.
"Sorry, sensei. When I was on my way here, I happened to come across an old lady who had fallen. I spent a little time helping her and taking her back home."
Obito knew that coming late might leave a bad impression on the Jonin in charge, so he sincerely apologized.
"It's okay. Although you're late, there's a reason for it. Besides, today, I mainly wanted to meet all of you; it's not a mission. But when it comes to actual missions, try not to make such mistakes."
Minato didn't punish Obito but requested him to be more cautious and not careless during official missions.
For ninja executing missions, a serious attitude towards time is crucial.
"Understood. Uh, I'm Uchiha Obito, and starting today, I'm a member of this team."
Obito rubbed his nose, smiling confidently.
Minato was also infected by Obito's cheerful smile. This Uchiha ninja named Obito was indeed a strange one—a lively and cheerful character that was hard to imagine within the Uchiha clan.
"I'm Namikaze Minato, the Jonin of this team. The other two are Nohara Rin and Hatake Kakashi. You should know them both."
Minato gestured for Rin and Kakashi to come over.
Upon seeing Rin and Kakashi coming together, Obito pursed his lips, finding it somewhat amusing.
"This is always the case back in school. You should already have a ninja's awareness; being a Genin is no longer just being a student."
Clearly, Kakashi was addressing Obito's tardiness.
"Alright, you two. You used to be classmates, so get along well."
Minato intervened in time.
"Yes, I understand, Sensei Minato."
The scene of cooperating with this guy was entirely unimaginable for Obito. Looking at Kakashi's lifeless eyes, Obito felt somewhat gloomy.
Minato looked at Kakashi, and Kakashi sighed helplessly, saying, "As long as he doesn't drag me down, I don't mind."
Minato was finally satisfied, smiling.
"Now that everyone is here, let's do a practical exercise."
"A practical exercise?"
"Don't worry, it's a very simple exercise. It's just to understand your abilities conveniently, and then I'll decide what kind of missions are suitable for you."
Minato smiled.
"Great! Sensei Minato, and Rin, watch this. My debut mission will definitely be a high-difficulty A-rank mission!"
Obito suddenly felt his blood boiling.
Minato smiled awkwardly.
Rin also sighed helplessly, thinking Obito's bold words were too unrealistic. After all, it's not common for a Genin to start with an A-rank mission.
Kakashi, as always, looked at the idiotic scene.
Minato led the three of them to a nearby training ground.
On the open space, a head slowly protruded, with pale skin and a strange and creepy smile on its face. The eyes were firmly locked onto Obito's back.
"Kind and friendly Uchiha, a bit lacking in the head, easy to control... It seems that what Lord Madara is looking for is this kind of idiotic Uchiha."
(Chapter End)
Hey, sorry about the wait! Life's got me tied up with studies right now, leaving me with less time for this story. Updates might be a bit unpredictable for a while. Thanks for understanding!