Naruto Bloodline Theory? It's Just Trash

The guards greeted them excitedly.

Just as they were about to enter,

three figures emerged from inside.

Of the two male ninjas, one had a round nose, while the other was...

"Uchiha Clan."

Shennong recognized the identities of all three.

And—

"It's actually Fugaku the Fierce Eye."

Fugaku Uchiha had made his name during the Second Shinobi World War.

He was slightly younger than the Sannin.

He had been an active ninja for many years.

Since Konoha was the chief culprit behind the destruction of Empty Village, Shennong naturally knew him.

But Mingren's attention was on the round-nosed Uchiha. "That nose and face shape look somewhat familiar..."

He looked like a blend of Kagami Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha.

"Could he... be Shisui Uchiha's father?"

Mingren watched their backs as the three Uchiha departed.

As though sensing his gaze, the three Uchiha turned around at once. After taking in one another's appearances, they turned and left again.

Shennong said, "It seems Konoha can no longer wait to give its answer. They even sent the arrogant Uchiha Clan..."

Due to their bloodline, the Uchiha Clan tended to look down on everyone else.

Thus, generally speaking, the Uchiha Clan was not suited for diplomatic negotiations.

Now, even Fugaku Uchiha, the leader of the Uchiha Clan, had been sent.

That meant Konoha had issued Amegakure its final ultimatum.

So, Hanzo's answer would be...?

Inside the tower.

Hanzo turned around, smiled faintly, and greeted them.

After having his granddaughter Asuka leave first,

Hanzo scrutinized Shennong.

He wanted to see what kind of person could raise Amakawa Mingren.

"Lord Hanzo, there is no need to concern yourself with my existence. I merely know a little medicine. If you do not mind, I can help treat your village's injured ninjas."

The corner of Shennong's mouth curled upward.

He knew Hanzo's focus was his disciple.

That was nothing.

His goal had always been to overthrow the Five Great Nations and unify the Ninja World.

How Hanzo regarded him did not matter.

"Physician Shennong, you must be weary from your journey. If you do not mind, please rest for a while first."

Hanzo slowly raised a hand, signaling his subordinate to arrange accommodations for Shennong.

After Shennong took his leave,

the entire room fell silent.

Outside, the pattering of rainwater entered their ears in a steady rhythm.

"These past few days, thank you for looking after my granddaughter. I hope she has not caused you any trouble."

Hanzo spoke first, gesturing for Mingren to sit.

The two sat down on the mats.

"I raised my granddaughter alone. I was too busy in the past and had little time to guide her. Fortunately, the child did not stray down the wrong path."

Many members of the second generation had traits such as arrogance and unruliness.

Hanzo was grateful that his granddaughter was sensible.

But precisely because she was too sensible, Hanzo felt even more regret in his heart.

If his granddaughter acted spoiled, caused trouble, and displayed all the ways of a pampered child,

then he could have formed an alliance with Konoha with a clear conscience.

But now, it seemed—

the more sensible his granddaughter was, the less he could let go of his hatred toward the people who had killed his son and daughter-in-law.

Because only revenge could bring peace to the heart of his sensible granddaughter, who had lost her parents' love.

"This is your first time in Amegakure, isn't it? What do you think?"

Hanzo put aside the matter of his granddaughter and changed the subject.

"There is sorrow and panic in ordinary people's eyes. Most of the ninjas have gone numb."

Mingren described what he had observed.

Even with the Demigod protecting Amegakure,

years of warfare and endless deaths would still leave people feeling despair and pain.

"Yes, your observations are sharp..."

Hanzo nodded faintly.

"In the Ninja World, there are already few who care about rank-and-file ninjas and common people... Most people who enter Amegakure only see its steel urban structure..."

He shook his head.

"The war has lasted far too long. My subordinates do not say it aloud, but the sentiment of war-weariness has long since spread among them..."

Then Hanzo raised his head and looked directly into Mingren's eyes.

"Do you think... we can win?"

Could Amegakure

stand against the Five Great Nations?

Would the three Ninja World Wars and this endless strife ever have an outcome?

Was there truly any meaning in continuing to wage war?

"Let those who wish to fight continue fighting. Repay blood with blood, repay grievances with grievances. As for those who do not wish to fight, or lack the ability to fight, we will protect them and fight in their stead."

Mingren gave his answer without hesitation.

By saying this, he naturally showed that he understood Hanzo's thoughts.

He could roughly guess what Fugaku Uchiha and the other two had said.

Nothing more than Konoha issuing threats and trying to intimidate Hanzo... and so on.

"I'm tired. I'll find somewhere to eat and rest."

Mingren stood, intending to end the conversation there.

"I don't know what you think, but my thoughts are simple. Revenge... is only natural. Resisting invaders is also only right. If someone wants to play the saint, or chooses to forgive, I will not say anything. But... they had better not jump out to stop others, because only the people involved have the right to decide whether to fight or not."

With that, Mingren left.

New Turmoil

"This way, please."

After leaving the tower,

Mingren followed Ryu to the residence Hanzo had arranged.

"From now on, you and Physician Shennong will live here."

Ryu, who possessed the Kekkei Genkai Swift Release, had previously been Asuka's teammate and protector.

A week had passed.

Without seeing the Young Lady,

he had naturally felt some doubt.

When he saw Asuka appear, he finally relaxed.

The affection written all over his face could not have been more obvious.

After all, this was the world of Naruto Ninja. To some extent, most people were quite simple.

When it came to schemes, Tobirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Black Zetsu were already the peak.

Even so, their goals and thoughts were actually easy enough to guess.

But Mingren did not care about such matters.

Nor did he feel any particular like or dislike toward Ryu's Kekkei Genkai.

Because Mingren understood very clearly that what he opposed was the idea and mindset of Bloodline Theory,

not humanity itself.

Mingren looked over the somewhat old house before him. Ryu explained, "This was the residence of Young Lady Asuka's parents..."

"In other words, she lives here too?"

Mingren asked.

Asuka's parents had already died in battle. Did that mean she was the only one left guarding this home?

"Yes."

Ryu nodded slightly, unable to understand why Lord Hanzo had arranged for the two guests to stay here.

Even if he intended to invite them into Amegakure, this was still rather strange.

"If you need anything, call for someone outside. Meals will be delivered on time..."

After giving them a few instructions, Ryu left.

Yet from the expression he occasionally revealed when looking back, he clearly did not understand Hanzo's decision.

"That boy has some issues."

Shennong walked over from the side, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"The human heart is darkest. I can sense his dissatisfaction with us. Those Negative Emotions will sooner or later become a vortex of jealousy and hatred..."

An amused expression appeared on Shennong's face.

Observing the darkness in people's hearts was his pleasure. It was also what made him a Sobering Realist, and it greatly helped perfect Dark Chakra.

"..."

Mingren said nothing and simply walked into the courtyard.

In the Original Work,

after Amegakure split apart, some of its ninjas defected to Pain.

In other words,

Hanzo's rule was not one hundred percent secure.

It was inevitable that traitors would emerge among his subordinates.

Fortunately, at most, this only counted as a civil war within the Land of Rain.