Old Matters of Cloud and Thunder, Three People Make a Tiger

The bonfire blazed, illuminating the night sky over the wilderness.

Amidst the rustling of leaves, faint screams and distant commotion could be heard.

Three figures sat in silence around the fire.

Uchiha Setsuna glanced at the other two before speaking with a grave expression:

"The true danger of this mission stems from an unexpected development."

"Just half a month ago, the Chinoike Clan submitted their plea for forgiveness to the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning for the third time."

"However, the envoy sent back by the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was killed en route, with a bounty placed on his head at the Underground Exchange."

"The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was enraged and decided to continue imprisoning the Chinoike Clan."

"Desperate, the Chinoike Clan knew they had no other path and secretly contacted Kumogakure."

"Kumogakure will send people to liberate the Chinoike Clan, and in exchange, the Chinoike Clan will be integrated into Kumogakure, becoming a Kekkei Genkai Family of Kumogakure."

Uchiha Seiichiro was immediately confused: "Isn't the Chinoike Clan itself a Kekkei Genkai Family of the Land of Lightning? How could they agree to such terms with Kumogakure?"

Uchiha Ci shook his head slightly. Having read the original work, he had a guess.

During the Warring States Period, a daughter of the Chinoike Clan married into the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning's family as a concubine.

Not long after, the Daimyo died of illness, and the Chinoike daughter was subsequently subjected to jealousy and slander, leading to her entire clan being exiled to the Valley of Hell.

To put it bluntly, the Chinoike Clan had already managed to become nobles. Naturally, they were unwilling to lower their status and join Kumogakure to fight and kill.

They would rather continue to be imprisoned in the Valley of Hell, hoping for a day when they could be pardoned and once again become great nobles of the Land of Lightning.

Now that the hope of pardon was shattered and there was no prospect of improvement, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and join the ranks of those barbarians in Kumogakure.

Kumogakure, on the other hand, was happy to oblige. With the Ninja World War imminent, the Chinoike Clan was a considerable combat power.

It was even possible that the envoy who was killed was a move by Kumogakure.

Understanding this, Uchiha Ci felt as if a thick fog had lifted, revealing a clear sky.

Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna did not explain much to Seiichiro, only stating grimly:

"You only need to know that the greatest danger now is Kumogakure. That's enough."

"Therefore, the immediate priority is to safely reach the Valley of Hell and rendezvous with the Uchiha Clan Members there."

"Night is falling soon. Seiichiro, you and Ci will take turns on watch and set up alert traps around the area."

"That's all. Go do it."

Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna waved his hand dismissively, giving the order to Seiichiro.

Seiichiro, not having received the answer he wanted, was instead assigned a lot of dirty and tiring work. Frustrated, he grumbled and got up.

At this moment, Uchiha Ci's eyes lit up slightly, and he asked:

"Then why don't we travel at night?"

"In this situation, shouldn't we reach the Valley of Hell as soon as possible?"

Seiichiro sneered, casting a disdainful glance at him.

"Ridiculous!"

"Kid, you haven't even read the Ninja Code, have you?"

"Should I read it to you? The first rule is that ninjas should avoid marching at night as much as possible to prevent ambushes."

[Uchiha Seiichiro disdained you.]

Looking at the subtitles floating before his eyes, Uchiha Ci couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

The logic was sound, but if they followed the normal procedure and set off tomorrow morning, wouldn't the lurking Kumogakure ninjas be waiting for nothing?

He had left the village for three things: battle, battle, and more battle!

Moreover, Uchiha Ci's suggestion was not without basis.

At this thought, Uchiha Ci smiled and stood up:

"It's a case-by-case analysis."

"Tonight is dark and windy, with no moon. Forget ambushing people, I can't even find toilet paper to wipe my backside. Plus, we're Uchiha. I don't know what you're afraid of?"

Ci's confidence stemmed from the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan.

Even in pitch-black darkness, with the Sharingan's dynamic vision and its ability to perceive chakra flow, Kumogakure's ambushes would pose no problem for the Uchiha.

If this were to happen, Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Seiichiro would have a high chance of breaking through Kumogakure's preset defenses.

As for him, Uchiha Ci, having not awakened his Sharingan...

In such a battle, he would absolutely not survive!

This way, he could gloriously sacrifice himself for nothing!

Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna heard this and couldn't help but raise his eyes slightly, looking at the gathering clouds in the sky.

Senior Kiyochiro let out a cold laugh.

Kiyochiro took two steps forward, grabbed Uchiha Ci by the collar, and yanked him up. He brought his head close to Ci's ear and said coldly in a low voice:

"Uchiha Ci, I'll tell you one more time—"

"Because of you, I got dragged into this higgledy-piggledy mission!"

Uchiha Kiyochiro gritted his teeth, his gaze icy, his tone filled with disdain:

"Who do you think you are?"

"How dare you question the Ninja Code compiled by the Second Hokage?"

"Do you know how many ninjas in Konoha die every year because they don't heed the Code's advice?"

As his words fell, silence descended, the wind and clouds stilled.

Uchiha Ci looked calmly at Kiyochiro, clearly seeing the cold, indignant eyes of the other man.

He paused, then said indifferently:

"Senior Kiyochiro, the reason ninjas climb over walls is because it's the most convenient way."

"And if smashing through the wall is more convenient,"

"Then for ninjas, smashing through the wall to advance is also an option."

Uchiha Ci curled his lips, glanced at the other man, slapped his hand away, and said coldly:

"You've got it backward."

As these words landed, a deafening, crisp sound exploded by Uchiha Ci's ear.

[Clang!]

Hot springs are mostly found in riverbeds within valleys, and the Land of Hot Water, famous for its hot springs, is generally a landscape of high mountains and deep valleys.

From the Land of Fire to the Land of Hot Water, from hilly terrain to high mountains.

Crossing the deep valleys between the high mountains is the only way to cross the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water.

At this moment, Under a large tree behind the pass, two ninjas in Kumogakure attire, carrying long swords on their backs, were leisurely roasting meat with great satisfaction.

Another, slightly younger Kumogakure ninja frowned and asked:

"Senior Ramui, Senior Dodai, is it okay to be so relaxed and let our guard down?"

"Moroi, you're too tense." The older Ramui was very calm, even offering a roasted rabbit leg, and then explained:

"We have Yugakure Ninja we sent to keep watch ahead."

"As soon as there's any commotion, we'll receive a signal immediately."

"Besides, the Uchiha aren't made of iron. They've been traveling all day and are exhausted. Knowing there's danger ahead, why would they show themselves?"

"Get some rest. This time, the Uchiha are sending that old thing Uchiha Setsuna. Tomorrow will be a fierce battle."

"We must make sure he dies here, so we can ensure the Two-Tails Jinchuriki destroys the garrison troops at the Valley of Hell."

Moroi glanced at the lineup of the three men and, after some thought, relaxed.

An Elite Jonin, a Jonin, and himself as a Special Jonin.

No matter how you looked at it, taking down an aging Uchiha was a sure thing.

Moreover, none of the three present were simple characters.

Ramui, a veteran Jonin, had survived since the Warring States Period, experienced the peace talks of the Second Shinobi World War, and had personally witnessed the Nine-Tails transformation of Kinkaku Ginkaku. Countless terrifying battles hadn't defeated this old Jonin, who could be described as old but still strong.

Dodai, an Elite Jonin, one-eyed, wearing a black hat, was the right-hand man of the Third Raikage. He possessed the Kekkei Genkai Futton and had recently served as the chief examiner for the 'Kinkaku Ginkaku' ability. In his prime, his strength was close to Kage Level.

And he, Moroi, a Special Jonin, was the first captain of the Kumogakure Barrier Squad and the confirmed successor to the Barrier Squad Leader. His Fuinjutsu, inherited from the Uzumaki Clan, could immobilize even a Jonin who wasn't paying attention.

The three of them could be considered top masters in Kumogakure!

With such a lineup, even another Jonin squad wouldn't be their opponent!

Kumogakure had truly spared no expense for the Chinoike Clan to join their village this time!

Just waiting for the leader of the Uchiha Hawk Faction to arrive, They would bury him and his entire squad here!

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