Konoha.
Orochimaru didn't even hold a funeral or succession ceremony for his teacher before starting preparations for war.
Ordinary villagers were housed in shelters, and ninjas patrolled the area day and night.
The barrier that originally covered the entire Konoha was modified and shrunk, with enhanced defense and sensory capabilities.
The ninjas scattered in various places were also recalled, completely emptying the border.
"Orochimaru..."
Is it really necessary to go to this extent?
Mitokado Homura frowned and said, "The Uchiha rebellion is indeed serious, but the border is not protected. What if other ninja villages take the opportunity to invade?"
Orochimaru gazed into the distance and said coldly.
"Even if the Land of Fire is conquered by them, it doesn't matter. We can just fight back later."
"The most important thing now is to have a future."
"If my repeated emphasis still fails to make Elder Mitokado understand..."
"Uchiha Madara."
"Just think of Kagami Uchiha as Madara."
"You... you saw that man with your own eyes, didn't you? The current Kagami Uchiha..."
"Possessing equal power!"
"I understand... Orochimaru, you should go and rest for a while. You haven't had a proper rest these past few days."
Although Orochimaru becoming the Fourth Hokage was not entirely to the liking of the old men.
But these are extraordinary times, and we can't worry about that now.
Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then turned and said.
"Those two, stay here and guard this place. The sensory ninjas must not stop for a moment."
——
Orochimaru passed through layers of barriers and arrived at the most secluded place in Konoha.
The location of the Book of Seals.
He had infiltrated once before and learned the Eight Branches Technique and some forbidden techniques related to the soul and body.
Walking here with dignity and integrity, it feels somewhat different.
Mastering all the skills in the world has always been his dream, and it has never wavered to this day.
That's why he needs eternal life.
There was a technique that he cared about a lot, which could even be considered a different kind of immortality.
That is the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu developed by the Second Hokage.
The souls of the dead are summoned back from the Yomi, and the living are sacrificed to them.
This is an extremely evil and despicable technique. Tobirama Senju used this technique and was despised by the Second Tsuchikage Mu, Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and others.
Orochimaru studied this Cursed Technique for a period of time, and in his opinion...
This is an extremely useless technique; the summoned ninja is not much stronger than the living person used as a sacrifice.
He only absorbed a portion of the knowledge and used it in his own method of achieving immortality.
But now...
Perhaps... this is our trump card for a future counterattack!
Yes, Orochimaru has already decided that he will lose this battle against Kagami Uchiha.
It's not just his own judgment.
The old man said more than once that only the First Hokage could defeat Uchiha Madara.
A white snake slithered out from Orochimaru's sleeve, swallowed the entire Scroll of the Book of Seals, and then vanished with a bang.
He stared silently at the empty space and gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"Old man, I can't do what you did and die for this village."
"Survival is the most important thing, and there are still so many interesting things waiting for me."
"But..."
"No matter what, I've become Hokage. At least I'll stay here with my life."
A dimly lit corridor.
Danzo waited, leaning on his cane.
Orochimaru stopped and looked at him, somewhat impatiently.
"What are you trying to say now?"
"I'm not an old man who will always indulge you!"
"Indulgence?"
Danzo sneered, "We conducted Wood Release research together. Hiruzen tolerated me, but didn't he tolerate you?"
"If you're going to spout this nonsense, please leave."
Orochimaru walked past without expression.
"Orochimaru, only Wood Release can deal with the Sharingan."
"The time is not right yet. If Kagami Uchiha really reaches the level of Madara back then..."
"We can lie in wait and continue to study Wood Release. Sooner or later, we can create a Wood Release ninja as powerful as the First Hokage!"
Orochimaru stopped, his cold, serpentine eyes Danzo.
He said sarcastically.
"Just like back then, are you going to back down again?"
"Heh, Danzo, you are not qualified to cooperate with me."
"You don't deserve to live either."
"Let me be blunt: if I win, your best outcome will be imprisonment."
"If Kagami Uchiha wins, I will tell him all your information. Do you think the Uchiha Clan ... will let you go?"
"Don't even think about hiding, Danzo."
"Without the village's protection, you won't even be able to get past Hatake Sakumo."
"You think I'm a coward who's afraid of death?!"
Danzo's face trembled slightly, filled with extreme anger.
Orochimaru slowly walked away, his indifferent voice drifting back.
"Think what you want, it doesn't matter."
"The old man needs your shadow, but I don't."
"The so-called Hokage..."
"Not only the light of the village, but also the darkness of the village."
Thirty kilometers from Konoha.
Ninjas moved through the dense forest, their unintentional release of killing intent startling birds into flight and causing beasts to crouch.
At the head of the group, Kagami Uchiha was dressed in dark blue with the Uchiha Clan Crest embroidered on his back.
Sode no Shirayuki and long sword Narukami hung at his waist.
Among the Uchiha clansmen following closely behind, Shinka's aged eyes were slightly moist.
When he was just old enough to remember things, he leaned against his mother's chest and pointed to the person walking away in the sunset.
I asked.
Who is that?
He still remembers his mother's answer.
"That is our clan leader, Uchiha Madara."
"The hero who led us from the Warring States Period to peace..."
"Where is he going?"
His mother hugged him tightly, tears wetting his cheeks.
"Mom doesn't know... but Mom can't go with him..."
Mom... I already have you.
The Uchiha Clan is reluctant to let go of this hard-won peace.
In a few more years.
Shinka's mother died during a mission.
He later learned that... his mother could have survived if she had received timely medical attention...
However, because she was a member of the Uchiha clan, even ninjas with less severe injuries received treatment earlier than her.
Wipe away the moisture from the corners of your eyes.
Mother...
Did you see that?
This boy gave me the answer.
The Uchiha Clan doesn't need to go anywhere.
Konoha is the hometown of the Uchiha.
Our hometown.
——
As the outline of the village came into view.
Kagami Uchiha's lips gradually curled upwards, and he smiled heartily.
As he moved, he clasped his hands together, and his immense chakra seemed to materialize, stirring up a whirlwind.
A layer of blue-purple energy swirled around Kagami Uchiha's body, creating a dreamlike and illusory scene.
The earth roared as if it were being torn apart.
The crack continued to extend, tearing the barrier apart!
Flames flowed from the cracks in the ground.
A sense of turbulence and upheaval is brewing.
Countless rocks burst forth from the ground, shaped like sharp blades.
The massive rock blade was covered with scorching magma.
In an instant, the seemingly peaceful town was transformed into a lava hell!
Dragon Vein - Earth Core Movement - Cliff Sword!