Life-Saving Grace

Kusagakure.

"The time is almost here, Mui. What are you still hesitating over?"

"The situation in Konoha could erupt at any moment. This is our chance!"

Several people wearing zodiac masks were berating Mui.

This was because they had spread the claim that whoever could open the Box of Ultimate Bliss would become a hero of the village.

Quite a few people had taken the bait. Some did it for the village's honor, while others did it for their ideals.

They all wanted to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

What they did not know was that these Elders wearing zodiac masks did not truly understand the Box of Ultimate Bliss. When there was not enough Chakra—

Anyone who tried to open the box would be devoured by the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

Mui himself had once been brainwashed by these Elders, intending to have his son, Muku, open the box.

But after his son Muku and Ryūsetsu had saved an Uchiha clansman some time ago—

The wall of information around him had been broken down.

Though he did not know how the other party had learned that Muku was meant to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss—

It was precisely because the other party knew this information that he had told Mui several crucial things.

"The Box of Ultimate Bliss is a devil's box that requires Tailed Beast-level Chakra to open."

"Whoever opens the Box of Ultimate Bliss will have their soul and body sucked into it, where they will suffer torment for all eternity."

"If you want Muku to live in hell forever, then let him go."

Senyo had said these words in front of Mui, Muku, and Ryūsetsu.

Moreover, Ryūsetsu had been terrified upon hearing this. No matter what, she refused to let Muku open the box.

In truth, Muku had never been fully confident about opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss. After Senyo said that, he abandoned the idea as well.

Now that the Elders were questioning Mui again, he felt even less certain.

"Let someone else try first. I think Muku is still lacking in some respects."

"Hmph! Such a precious opportunity, and you refuse to cherish it."

The Elder in the ram mask snorted coldly.

But since Mui was unwilling, they could not force him.

After all, Kusagakure did not have many jōnin, and Mui had great potential.

"Since you are unwilling to let Muku do it, withdraw."

Mui said nothing more. After giving a bow, he withdrew.

When he stepped out of the Secret Room, he found Muku and Ryūsetsu waiting outside.

"Father..." Muku did not quite dare to look at Mui's face.

After all, they had put a great deal of effort into securing this opportunity.

Mui had struggled with the decision before, but once he gave it up, he felt completely relieved.

No matter how much Mui wanted to revitalize Kusagakure, he would not dare gamble with his son's life.

"Come on, Muku, Ryūsetsu. Let's go get something to eat." Mui patted Muku on the shoulder.

Muku and Ryūsetsu both breathed a sigh of relief. They were overjoyed that Mui had not risked Muku's life.

The three of them went to a ramen shop by the street.

Mui ordered three bowls of ramen. As he ate, he listened to Muku and Ryūsetsu tell him some amusing stories.

About twenty minutes later, just as they were nearly finished eating, a Kusagakure ninja rushed over in a panic.

"Lord Mui."

Mui set down his chopsticks. "Did it succeed?"

The man slowly shook his head. Mui's expression turned grave.

"Did Juushi go? Is he still alive?"

"Juushi went, but..."

"Juushi was eaten. Not even a body remained."

"They said there wasn't enough Chakra."

Muku and Ryūsetsu's faces instantly turned pale. Mui waved a hand. "I understand. You may leave."

The Kusagakure ninja bowed and departed.

"Father, what Senyo said was true." Muku and Ryūsetsu both looked deeply shaken.

"Whoever opens the Box of Ultimate Bliss will have their soul and body sucked into it, where they will suffer torment for all eternity."

Mui showed little expression, but Senyo's words resurfaced in his mind.

Fine beads of sweat still covered his temples.

"Let's go!"

Mui's voice was somewhat hoarse as he led the two still-shaken people back home.

As the three walked, Mui slowly spoke.

"Senyo saved our lives. How are the mother and daughter he asked us to look after before he left?"

Muku immediately replied.

"That mother was already on the verge of death and had little healing ability left. I secretly swapped her out already; everyone else thinks she's dead."

"Her daughter, Karin, is taking care of her."

"After Jonin Ryuzaki died, no one knew that Karin had the same healing ability as her mother, so no one paid them any attention."

"They're very safe now."

Muku and Ryūsetsu had taken Senyo's request very seriously.

Senyo had been badly injured at the time and had worried that there would not be enough time.

That was why they had found Karin and her mother.

In order to recover quickly and return to his clan, Senyo had also bitten Karin once.

Then, he had traded the secret of the Box of Ultimate Bliss for the safety of Karin and her mother, saying that he would send someone to pick them up later.

Mui had only half-believed him before, but now it seemed that Senyo's words had been true.

As expected of one of the great clans of the ninja world. They knew even secrets that the Grass Ninja themselves were unaware of.

"Send them some more supplies. Senyo might send someone to pick them up at any time."

"Yes, we understand."

Mui and Ryūsetsu exchanged a glance, both filled with gratitude and lingering fear.

Uchiha Clan Compound.

Senyo, whose consciousness had returned to his body, was about to go to sleep.

Suddenly, a series of dings sounded in his mind.

It was a notification that the Bond Value of someone connected to him had increased.

Senyo opened it curiously.

He discovered that the third stars of Mui, Muku, and Ryūsetsu had all lit up.

Their bonds with him had reached Level Three—the level of a life-and-death friendship.

Could it be that the Box of Ultimate Bliss's sacrifice period had passed?

After all, Muku and Ryūsetsu had saved his life. It would have been too unreasonable to simply watch Muku get devoured by the Box of Ultimate Bliss afterward.

Senyo clicked on Muku's third star.

"Ding, Muku's Level Three Bond has been unlocked."

"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Fire Style: Hōzuki Lantern."

Senyo rubbed his chin. Although this Fire Style was a secret technique, the Uchiha were already experts in Fire Style. It could only be considered better than nothing.

Next, he opened the third stars of Mui and Ryūsetsu one after another.

"Ding, Mui's Level Three Bond has been unlocked."

"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Fire Style: Heavenly Prison Sealing Technique."

This technique was Mui's signature skill, and even among Fire Style Sealing Techniques, it was exceptionally powerful.

It happened to fill the gap in Senyo's lack of sealing techniques.

Senyo happily accepted the technique.

In an instant, all the principles and methods of using this sealing technique appeared in his mind.

Next was Ryūsetsu.

Senyo rubbed his hands together in excitement and anticipation. Open!

"Ding, Ryūsetsu's Level Three Bond has been unlocked."

"Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique (Unavailable)."

Senyo's eyes flew open in excitement! It really was this secret technique!

But what did this "Unavailable" mean?

Senyo moved his consciousness toward it.

The Host lacks the relevant bloodline. Using this secret technique will double its consumption.

Senyo's cheek twitched twice. Dragon Life Reincarnation Technique was already a one-life-for-one-life technique.

How was he supposed to save anyone with only two lives?

Huh, it seemed like he actually could.

Senyo's ocular technique, Imperial Command, could fill shadow clones with vitality.

It looked like once Itachi brought the person back, he would have to start planning for that thing.