Everyone has a talent for spreading rumors, even ninjas.
I don't know when it started, but Konoha circulated such news: Princess Tsunade owed huge gambling debts, and pre-mortgaged the land deed to repay the debt.
For a time, Konoha's economy experienced large-scale fluctuations, and real estate prices also soared. It was in this environment that a weapons store named "Italian Cannon" quietly opened next to Ichiraku Ramen.
In line with the principle of making a fortune silently, Uchiha Chen disappeared for several days in a row, which made Tsunade who blocked him extremely angry. In this way, time passes slowly. Finally the fifteenth arrived.
This day is an important day. Konoha's largest clan, Uchiha Clan, will hold a sacrificial event. All members who have activated Sharingan will go to Naka Shrine to participate in ancestor worship.
When dusk fell, Uchiha Chen and Mikoto set off towards the shrine together.
At this time, the sun was slanting like a dull old man, stretching the two shadows. There was a hint of coolness in the October dusk. Pieces of clouds flowed rapidly, and through them, golden light spread. The wind blew by, making the river water make a swishing sound.
"Chen, look, what a beautiful river."
Mikoto pointed at the sparkling river and said.
"Yes, it is indeed beautiful."
Looking at the Naka River in front of him, Uchiha Chen was a little surprised.
Naka River is the only river that flows through Konoha. Most people know this river, but few people know that this is actually where Konoha Hidden Village begins.
It was here that Hashirama, a boy, met Uchiha Madara, who also had the same dream.
Two middle school boys got to know each other through fate.
Then, they flirted here, had trysts here, talked about their dreams here, and made a private decision here for the rest of their lives.
And then... it was here that the two of them broke up completely.
So it is no exaggeration at all to call the place where Konoha begins. But this place that carries dreams is also buried with blood and tears.
Warring States Period has been fighting here for thousands of years, Uchiha Clan and Senju Clan have also been fighting here for thousands of years. The river drowned countless bodies.
Then it was also here that Shisui entrusted his left eye to Itachi and then committed suicide by drowning in the river. The last chance to change the fate of the Uchiha Clan disappeared in this vast river.
The millennium Naka River can be said to have witnessed the joys and sorrows of Shinobi World. This is a veritable place of blood and tears.
Looking at the river, Uchiha Chen's thoughts began to spread like grass. He was not sure whether he could change Uchiha Clan's fate. Where can he take the future?
At this moment, the voice of Mikoto interrupted his thoughts——
"Chen, Naka Shrine is here."
After hearing Mikoto's words, Uchiha Chen raised his head and saw a huge vermilion Torii Gate in front of him. I saw Torii Gate engraved with Uchiha Fan and bloody Tomoe.
At this time, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy stood under Torii Gate, seemingly waiting for someone. When he saw Uchiha Chen and Mikoto, he quickly walked over.
This person is Young Clan Head - Uchiha Fugaku of the Uchiha Clan.
"Chen, Mikoto, long time no see." Uchiha Fugaku approached and took the initiative to say hello.
"Yeah, long time no see Young Clan Head." Uchiha Chen showed a slight smile, not particularly close or exclusive.
Mikoto then nodded.
"Didn't you agree not to call me Young Clan Head? Just call me brother Fugaku."
He put his left hand on Uchiha Chen's shoulder and smiled warmly, as if the two of them were very familiar with each other.
In fact, it can't really be called a familiarity. Since second grade Uchiha Yama asked the two to move around more, Fugaku did find Uchiha Chen several times.
For the purpose of communication, the two have fought many times, but every time Young Clan Head was defeated miserably.
But Fugaku seems to be enjoying it. Of course he is not an SM anymore. This is just a way for Uchiha Yama to win over the genius Uchiha Chen.
Maintaining one's family through blood and binding one's family with friendship, there is no better way than this. If it were an ordinary person, they would have already given up on the patriarch's family.
"Okay, let's go in quickly." Fugaku's eyes were very hot, and then he held Uchiha Chen's hand tightly and walked towards the shrine.
Throughout the whole process, he didn't mention anything about what he had been waiting for a long time.
Led by Fugaku, several people used a long-handled wooden spoon to clean their hands by the pool in front of the shrine before entering the shrine.
The interior of the shrine is very tall and wide. The high platform in the middle enshrines the tablets of the Uchiha Clan clan chiefs from past dynasties.
Uchiha Chen looked up, but something was beyond his expectation. Because the name on the last tablet is actually Uchiha Shimada.
What's going on?
You must know that Uchiha Yama was only sixteen or seventeen years old when Ban left the village. This age is definitely not enough to be a clan leader. There is at least one clan leader in the middle.
The tablet without Madara is very simple. After he left Konoha at that time, he was equivalent to rebelling against the clan, so he was removed from the clan. But what about the tablet of the clan leader behind Madara?
After thinking about it, Uchiha Chen decided to ask teacher Orochimaru. This kind of thing happened not long ago, Orochimaru he must know.
"Quiet."
Uchiha Yama appeared in the hall. At this time, he was wearing the unique clothes of the clan leader and holding the Uchiha Fan used by the clan leader in his hand.
I almost laughed out loud when I saw this Uchiha Chen. He remembered that this Gunbai was taken away by Madara, so this one...
It must be a copycat.
This is too pitiful.
After the main hall was quiet, Uchiha Yama began to lead the tribe to worship their ancestors.
"Please ancestors bless the family bloodline to continue."
"Ask your ancestors to bless your family with prosperity."
"God bless Uchiha Clan!"
After a vigorous worship ceremony, the secret gathering finally began.
Inside Naka Shrine's main hall, under the seventh tatami counting from the right, is the Uchiha Clan secret meeting place.
"Come on, let's go in."
After Fugaku finished speaking, he walked towards the depths of the building. Uchiha Chen followed his figure without hesitation and walked towards the underground passage. Mikoto followed Uchiha Chen.
After the tribesmen walked down one after another, the exit of the passage was automatically closed and replaced by an extremely ordinary tatami.
After walking forward for more than ten minutes, they finally came to a huge Secret Chamber. What caught Uchiha Chen's eyes were two torches. They were burning slowly there, and the flickering flames reflected the mysterious color of the entire Secret Chamber.
There are two Uchiha Clan and Gunbai signs on the wall. In front of Gunbai is a very old-looking Stone Tablet.
The Stone Tablet left by Sage of Six Paths is the place where all the secrets are buried.