The Kurama Clan is Slaughtered, My Konoha Friendship

Hyuga Shin smiled warmly and waved his hand.

"It's fine, Miya, no need to be so formal between us."

"Annoying... I've recovered, let's keep going."

"Huh... we're still fighting?"

"Of course. When we're on the battlefield together later, even a little boost in combat power is better than nothing."

"Just after eating, don't train too hard..."

"Shut up! Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

"Don't just spit out little flames anywhere!"

"I... cough cough cough... damn it, my injuries aren't fully healed, the jutsu's power is a bit lacking..."

However, in another corner of Konoha.

The Kurama Clan was in utter chaos.

"Immediately! Report to the Hokage immediately! This is definitely a provocation..."

"It's either Kumogakure or another village!"

"Tell the Hokage, the few members of the Kurama Clan who awakened their Kekkei Genkai are all dead..."

"The killer... is extremely brutal!"

Most of the Kurama Clan members were physically frail, and now tears streamed down their faces as they looked at the many corpses before them!

These corpses had died gruesomely, with clean wounds, yet that very fact made it all the more eerie.

The clan members were filled with grief and indignation.

After all, the Kurama Clan was once a ninja clan on par with the Uchiha Clan.

It was only because awakening their Kekkei Genkai was too difficult.

That they had declined.

But even so.

They never imagined they would be so casually slaughtered!

The remaining members of the Kurama Clan hastily sent a messenger rushing to the Hokage's office, hoping the Hokage would find the killer as soon as possible, avenge their dead clansmen, and restore justice to the Kurama Clan!

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing documents. Upon hearing of the Kurama Clan's tragedy, his expression instantly turned grave. He immediately ordered the Anbu to summon the other Hokage Advisors for a meeting.

"Sigh... the Kurama Clan..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew of this clan. Their Kekkei Genkai was extremely powerful, called "Super Illusions," capable of manipulating a person's five senses and inflicting real damage.

In Konoha's records, a former genius of the Kurama Clan could even achieve the unbelievable feat of interfering with reality.

That was no longer mere illusion, but some kind of far greater power.

But unfortunately... the Kurama Clan had been in decline for a long time.

"Who?"

"Who would target the declining Kurama Clan?"

"If it's an enemy, that means they freely invaded Konoha... If it's someone inside Konoha, then internal forces are moving against a ninja clan?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew even more solemn.

Soon, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō arrived to discuss countermeasures.

"This is definitely a provocation against Konoha! We must thoroughly investigate this matter, find out who it is, and then kill him!!" Danzō said angrily, slamming his hand hard on the table.

"Kumogakure is currently at war with us, so they are the prime suspects, but we can't rule out other villages causing trouble..." Utatane Koharu frowned as she analyzed.

Mitokado Homura also spoke: "It's possible... other villages want to drag Konoha into the water first, further escalating the war situation."

Danzō sneered: "War is unavoidable, Hiruzen. Whether this was done by someone inside the village or outside, it can only be framed as a conspiracy from outsiders!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then cast a sharp gaze at Danzō.

"What are you looking at me for?" Danzō was startled, then realized something and grew angry. "Hokage, you don't think I did it, do you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi tilted his head at him, his eyes conveying the question: Is it impossible?

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's political thinking, the possibility that someone from inside the village was responsible for the Kurama Clan's incident was not out of the question.

They had only recently decided to sacrifice Hyuga Shin to relieve pressure from the war.

And now Danzō immediately claimed it was definitely the work of despicable outsiders, an outsider conspiracy, intending to escalate the war.

"Hiruzen, you've gone too far." Danzō rebuked. "The Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai is hardly sustainable. Whether it has research value or not, it only exists in theory. Aside from the legendary reality interference, the Kurama Clan is just a super-nerfed version of the Uchiha. Researching the Kurama Clan is less worthwhile than researching the Naturally Evil Uchiha Clan."

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly withdrew his gaze.

Then he lit his pipe, took a slow drag, and exhaled a ring of smoke.

"First, have the Anbu launch a full investigation into this matter... Ensure we obtain leads in the shortest possible time. At the same time, strengthen Konoha's vigilance to prevent similar incidents from recurring."

"Offer condolences to the Kurama Clan, handle the funeral arrangements for the deceased, and provide some financial compensation—of course, medical compensation should be prioritized. Though the Kurama Clan may not need it..."

"If the investigation yields no results in three days, then pin it on outsiders."

"Also, ask the Kurama Clan members if they saw the perpetrator... Submit the intelligence, and I'll sign the highest-level wanted notice."

"Konoha must protect the interests of the ninja clans."

On the other side.

Hyuga Shin and Uchiha Miya emerged from the small forest after two hours of training, both panting heavily.

Uchiha Miya's legs were unsteady, supported by Hyuga Shin.

Afterward, the two went to eat, and while eating, they overheard villagers discussing the Kurama Clan incident.

The village wasn't large, and its hierarchy was clearly defined.

Civilians and ninjas—these were the two broad categories.

Among civilians, there were poor farmers, commoners, and the wealthy; among ninjas, there were civilian ninjas and clan ninjas.

And Konoha was built around the ninja clans.

The Kurama Clan, once a family that rivaled the Uchiha Clan, had now been breached, with the few who had awakened their Kekkei Genkai killed. It was truly a lamentable affair.

"The weak get slaughtered—that's only natural..." Uchiha Miya sneered coldly.

"Don't say that... That's too heartless." Hyuga Shin sighed.

"Just stating the facts."

"The Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai is extremely unique... But why kill them instead of abducting them? Could it be that the target wasn't their Kekkei Genkai?"

Inside Hyuga Shin's mind, in the Sea of Corpses and Blood mental world.

Su Nuo revealed a sinister smile...

He had no interest in this kind of "Konoha Friendship" between Hyuga Shin and Uchiha Miya.

At most, he was slightly surprised.

Normally, Uchiha Miya's blunt attitude toward friends would be unbearable for most people.

But Hyuga Shin, having absorbed all Negative Emotions, could tolerate it. With Hyuga Shin's unconditional acceptance, Uchiha Miya's bristling temper was soothed, and he stopped lashing out.

As for the Kurama Clan...

Well, he was the one who killed them last night.

After breaking free from his imprisoned state, Su Nuo immediately went and killed several members of the Kurama Clan.

No particular reason—he mainly wanted to see if, in the face of death, the Kurama Clan members could break through their limits.

They couldn't.

So, out of sheer malice, Su Nuo dressed up as Gojo Satoru and killed those frail individuals with a few slashes.

As for their illusions, Su Nuo's powerful Yin Cursed Energy enveloped him... rendering him completely immune.