Probing

Uchiha Sōgetsu leaned against the windowsill, tilted to the side.

A beam of moonlight from outside the window spilled in, illuminating him. His loose-fitting robe was half-buttoned, giving him an ethereal and solitary aura.

He lowered his head and glanced at the delicate girl curled up beside him like a kitten, sleeping soundly with a serene and pretty expression. He couldn't help but sigh, pinching the bridge of his rapidly furrowing brow. "Regarding the research on First Generation Cells, it seems we need to put it on the agenda as soon as possible."

After a deep exchange with Hikari, he had a clearer understanding of the Dojutsu known as "Yachihoko."

Among the currently known Uchiha Mangekyo Dojutsu, Yachihoko was perhaps the most terrifying ability, bar none.

Unlike Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, it didn't have the ability to directly harm enemies. Instead, it was more like an enhanced, group-wide version of 'Kotoamatsukami.' By coming into contact with the caster's Chakra, it could completely dominate the target's mind and Chakra, erase their memories, implant false ones, and brainwash them into control.

But this didn't mean Yachihoko had no drawbacks.

Every Ninjutsu had its risks and flaws. Of course, someone like the First Hokage, who was a cheat, clearly couldn't be included in this calculation.

Yachihoko's most significant risk was its consumption of Mangekyo power. While it wasn't as extreme as Kotoamatsukami, requiring years of cooldown after a single use, it continuously drained the caster's Mangekyo power while controlling targets. If too many people were controlled at once, it would be like a high-powered water pump, leading to rapid blindness.

As for its flaws, they weren't something to worry too much about. The ancestors of the Uchiha had already compensated for them on Hikari's behalf.

In Hikari's two Mangekyo Sharingan, the ancestors of the Uchiha clan had specifically engraved the two great Dojutsu, Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu.

Tsukuyomi perfectly compensated for Yachihoko's weakness of needing to come into contact with Chakra to control targets; any target illuminated by Tsukuyomi's light would be directly branded.

The problem, however, was that simultaneously releasing two great Dojutsu would exacerbate the consumption of Mangekyo power.

It was like a terrifying, oil-guzzling behemoth!

Even with the implantation of First Generation Cells, unless she was treated as a 'disposable tool,' caution was still necessary.

Time passed as his thoughts scattered, and the night was uneventful.

The next morning, Hanzo, who had considered it all night, finally decided to formally receive them.

Uchiha Sōgetsu put on his Anbu mask again and entered observer mode, maintaining his Anbu identity and habits as he followed Tsunade and Hikari.

The architectural style of Amegakure was peculiar, with steel pipes covering the village, intertwined and crisscrossed, forming a unique landscape. The numerous tall towers were densely packed with pipes, and people usually didn't choose to live in them. Most residents of Amegakure lived in the lower areas.

A ninja from Amegakure led them deep into a dark and damp pipe. The internal structure was quite complex.

Countless pipes intertwined, coupled with dim lighting and highly similar environments, making it impossible to discern with the naked eye. It was like a vast labyrinth.

It was clear that Hanzo was very afraid of death.

Building such an underground pipe labyrinth could maximize protection against assassination and resist invasions and attacks from foreign ninja.

Soon, they arrived at their destination, before an ordinary Japanese-style door.

The Amegakure ninja opened the door, stepped aside, and made way. "Please enter. Lord Hanzo is waiting for you in the room inside."

Through the corridor, Tsunade opened the innermost door.

"Long time no see, Princess Tsunade."

An elderly man in a kimono sat cross-legged on the tatami, his posture formal and upright.

In front of him was a small table with two cups of tea, steaming hot.

He wore an iron respirator on his face, and his hair was casually loose. Although no longer as strong and robust as in his youth, his body had weakened from years of constant warfare. However, this did not mean he had lost any of his deterrence. Instead, with the passage of time and the tempering of wisdom and experience, he had become even more sinister and composed.

"You've gotten old, Hanzo."

Tsunade showed no fear, sitting directly opposite him and scrutinizing the man who had once defeated them.

"Save your sharp tongue."

Hanzo, with his deep cunning, was not provoked by these words. Without even lifting his eyelids, he picked up his tea and took a sip, saying indifferently, "Tell me, what is it you want with me?"

"Tsk, still so annoying." Seeing that the old man was unmoved, Tsunade felt very displeased. She crossed her arms and said, "The Warring States Sealed History, you've heard of it, haven't you? Hanzo."

"I've heard of it." Hanzo frowned slightly, finally looking at them properly. He said slowly, "Dangerous individuals sealed during the Warring States era. What? Are you here for that matter?"

"Just checking," Tsunade said provocatively. "I just wonder how much strength the legendary Demigod still possesses?"

"Is this Konoha's intention, or yours?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy. Hanzo, who had maintained an elderly demeanor from beginning to end, now looked like a tiger baring its fangs.

Although he made no movement, he sent a chill down their spines.

His extremely aggressive and sinister gaze seemed as if it wanted to devour the three of them present. And within that frail, aged body, lay a terrifying power.

"Don't give me that terrifying look, Hanzo."

Tsunade seemed completely unfazed, picking up the tea on the table and saying meaningfully, "Does staying in a place like this make you feel safer?"

"Shut up."

Veins bulged on Hanzo's temples, his low voice laced with a hint of anger.

"Can a declining Demigod still suppress those who are restless?"

Tsunade toyed with the teacup, a smile curving her lips. "Hanzo, you've grown old. You no longer have the magnanimity of your youth and have devolved into someone who seeks power, driven by a desire to rule."

"I told you to shut up, Princess Tsunade!"

As if his sore spot had been poked, bloodshot veins appeared in Hanzo's eyes, and his anger was almost uncontrollable.

"Seeing you like this now, I truly feel disgusted."

Tsunade put down her teacup and sneered, "Do you smell that, Hanzo? The rotten, filthy, foul stench emanating from you."

BOOM!!!

Suddenly, the entire room shook violently.

A massive surge of chakra, like a flood carrying a chilling killing intent, sent the nearby tatami mats flying.

In a flash, the sound of metal clashing erupted.

Visible shockwaves spread out. Uchiha Sōgetsu reacted swiftly, pulling Hikari into his arms before leaping back a dozen meters.

Swish, swish, swish!

Soon, a large number of Amegakure ninja appeared, surrounding them with hostile expressions.

In the center of the dust cloud, Hanzo and Tsunade were locked in a stalemate, fists against fists, both still seated. The ground nearby, unable to withstand the impact, was covered in spiderweb-like cracks.

Observing from the sidelines, Uchiha Sōgetsu finally understood why the Third Hokage had asked Tsunade to accompany him.

This was a test.

The Ninja World was currently turbulent, with signs of great upheaval.

At this critical juncture, Amegakure, situated in a strategic location, had become Konoha's primary concern.

Hanzo's leanings and his true strength were something Konoha needed to ascertain; this was the Third Hokage's real objective.

The so-called investigation into the Warring States Sealed History was merely a superficial 'excuse'.

December 15th, Heavy Snow

I fell when I went out this morning. Fortunately, my hand is fine, so I can keep writing. I'll buy a scratch-off ticket after work. Things have been so miserable today, there's no way I won't win!