Testing

Uchiha Sōgetsu leaned sideways against the windowsill.

Moonlight from outside the window spilled in, bathing him in its glow. His loosely draped robe made him seem ethereal and detached.

He lowered his head and glanced at the pretty young girl curled up beside him like a kitten, her sleeping face peaceful. He could not help but sigh as he pinched his throbbing brow. "It seems the research into First Generation Cells must be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

After having a thorough exchange with Hikari, he had gained a clearer understanding of the Dojutsu known as Yachihoko.

Among the Mangekyo Dojutsu currently known to the Uchiha, Yachihoko might be the most terrifying ability of all, without question.

Unlike Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, it had no direct means of harming an enemy. Instead, it resembled an enhanced group version of Kotoamatsukami. By coming into contact with the caster's Chakra, it could completely dominate the target's mind and Chakra, erase the target's memories, implant false ones, and brainwash them into submission.

But that did not mean Yachihoko had no drawbacks.

Every ninjutsu came with risks and flaws. Of course, freaks like the First Hokage clearly could not be included in that calculation.

Yachihoko's most obvious risk was its consumption of ocular power. While it did not require a cooldown of several years after a single use like Kotoamatsukami, it continuously drained the caster's ocular power throughout the period of control. If too many people were controlled at once, it would be like a high-powered water pump, quickly leading to blindness.

As for its flaws, there was no need to worry too much. The Uchiha's ancestors had long since made up for them on Hikari's behalf.

The ancestors of the Uchiha Clan had specifically inscribed the two great Dojutsu, Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu, into Hikari's two Mangekyō Sharingan.

Tsukuyomi perfectly compensated for Yachihoko's flaw of requiring contact with the target's Chakra. Anyone illuminated by Tsukuyomi's light would be directly branded with a mark.

But using both great Dojutsu at once would intensify the consumption of Mangekyo ocular power.

It was practically a terrifying fuel-guzzling beast!

Even with the First Generation Cells implanted, unless he intended to treat her as a "disposable tool," it would still have to be used with caution.

Time passed amid his scattered thoughts, and the night went by without incident.

Early the next morning, after considering the matter all night, Hanzo finally decided to formally receive them.

Uchiha Sōgetsu put his Anbu mask back on and entered Spectator mode. Maintaining the identity and habits of an Anbu, he followed behind Tsunade and Hikari.

Amegakure's architectural style was quite unusual. Steel pipes crisscrossed throughout the village, twisting together into a distinctive sight. The tall towers were lined with dense pipelines and were generally not used as residences. Most of Amegakure's people lived in lower areas.

The Rain Ninja led them deep into a dark, damp passageway filled with pipes, its internal structure exceedingly complex.

Countless pipes intersected, and with the dim lighting and highly similar surroundings, it was impossible to distinguish the way with the naked eye. It was like an enormous labyrinth.

Hanzo was clearly terrified of death.

Building such an underground pipe maze would maximize protection against assassination and defend against invasions and attacks by foreign ninja.

Before long, they arrived at their destination: an ordinary Japanese-style door.

The Rain Ninja pulled open the door and stepped aside. "Please enter. Lord Hanzo is waiting for you in the room inside."

After passing through the corridor, Tsunade pulled open the door at the very end.

"It has been a long time, Princess Tsunade."

An elderly man in a kimono sat upright in seiza on the tatami.

A small table stood in front of him, holding two cups of tea that steamed heavily.

An iron respirator covered his face, and his hair hung loosely over his shoulders. Though he was no longer as strong and vigorous as he had been in his youth, and years of warfare had weakened his body, that did not mean he lacked intimidation. On the contrary, tempered by time, wisdom, and experience, he had become ever more ruthless and composed.

"You have grown old, Hanzo."

Tsunade showed not the slightest fear. She sat directly across from him, scrutinizing the man who had once defeated them.

"Save the pointless taunts."

Hanzo was deeply calculating. How could he possibly be provoked by a few words? Without even lifting his eyelids, he raised his tea and took a sip. "Tell me. What exactly have you come to see me for?"

"Tch, still as irritating as ever." Seeing that the old man remained unmoved, Tsunade felt thoroughly annoyed. She crossed her arms over her chest. "You have heard of the Warring States Sealed History, haven't you, Hanzo?"

"I have." Hanzo's brow creased slightly. Only then did he truly look at them as he spoke slowly and methodically. "Some dangerous figures sealed away during the Warring States Period. What? Did you come because of that?"

"Just to inspect it." Tsunade said provocatively, "I just wonder how much strength the legendary demigod still has."

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

The moment those words fell, the atmosphere in the room abruptly grew heavy. Hanzo, who had maintained the posture of an old man from beginning to end, now resembled a tiger baring its fangs.

Though he did not move at all, he still made people shudder with fear.

His ruthlessly aggressive gaze seemed ready to devour the three people present alive, while that frail, aged body contained power that inspired dread.

"Do not look at me with such frightening eyes, Hanzo."

Tsunade seemed entirely unconcerned. She picked up the tea on the table and said meaningfully, "Does staying in a place like this make you feel a little safer?"

"Shut up."

Veins faintly bulged at Hanzo's temples, and a trace of anger mixed into his low voice.

"As the demigod grows older by the day, can he still keep those restless people under control?"

Tsunade played with her teacup, a faint curve rising at the corner of the lips. "Hanzo, you are old. You no longer possess the breadth of spirit you had when you were young. You have become someone who pursues power, swept along by the desire to rule."

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

It seemed she had struck a sore spot. Blood vessels surfaced in Hanzo's eyes, and his rage was nearly beyond suppression.

"Seeing what you have become now truly disgusts me."

Tsunade set down her teacup and sneered. "Can you smell it, Hanzo? That rotten, filthy, rancid stench emanating from you."

Boom!!!

In an instant, the entire room shook violently.

An enormous surge of Chakra, like a flood carrying trembling killing intent, sent the nearby tatami flying.

In the blink of an eye, the clash of metal rang out with a sudden eruption.

A shockwave visible to the naked eye spread outward. Uchiha Sōgetsu reacted quickly, pulling Hikari into his arms before leaping back more than ten meters.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A large number of Rain Ninja quickly appeared around them, surrounding them with hostile expressions.

At the center of the smoke and dust, Hanzo and Tsunade's fists were locked evenly against each other. Yet both remained seated, while the nearby floor had cracked under the impact, fissures spreading like spiderwebs.

While in Spectator mode, Uchiha Sōgetsu finally understood why the Third Hokage had sent Tsunade along.

This was a test.

The Shinobi World was now filled with hidden currents, with another storm rising on the horizon.

At this critical juncture, Amegakure, situated at a strategic crossroads, had become Konoha's foremost concern.

Konoha needed to determine where Hanzo's loyalties lay and how much strength he still possessed. That was the Third Hokage's true purpose.

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

December 15th, heavy snow.

I fell on my way out this morning. Thankfully, my hand was fine, so I could keep writing. I'll buy a scratch ticket after work. I have had such terrible luck today that there is no reason I should not win!