Awesome! Elder Shana!

The fine rain drizzled, and the night wind had inexplicably softened. Although it still carried the chill of spring, hope unfurled at that moment.

The flickering light from the Third Hokage's pipe was exceptionally conspicuous in the night. Ninja from Kumogakure followed behind the ninja of Konohagakure.

They stood near the main gate of the Hyuga Clan. The light emanating from the courtyard enveloped them, yet they hid their faces in the shadows...

The Third Hokage and the ninja he brought remained silent, as always. But this silence now represented an acknowledgment.

When the smoke obscured the Third Hokage's entire face, Qing Xuan finally spoke, "The true leader of Kumogakure, let's make a deal!"

Water droplets gathered from the mist on Dodai's hat brim and flowed down the corner of his eyes. He narrowed his eyes, "Tell me about it."

Qing Xuan said loudly, "Do you remember the Battle of Iwagakure?"

Everyone present flinched collectively.

Dodai's heart trembled even more. He narrowed his eyes even tighter, as if suddenly thinking of something, and a cold sneer appeared on his lips, "Your father died there."

The killing intent that had been directed at him instantly intensified. That stinging sensation made Dodai's scalp tingle. He was certain that if Uchiha Qing Xuan nodded, he would be torn to shreds by the Uchiha instantly.

But something unexpected happened. The Uchiha, usually extreme and violent, were surprisingly quiet.

They just stared at him silently, like...

A pack of wolves led by an alpha!

Realizing the situation, Dodai looked at Qing Xuan again, his mood growing heavier.

"Your Third Raikage died even earlier!"

Qing Xuan clicked his tongue. He sounded like a heartless and despicable villain, taunting, "Do you know what my dad looked like when he found that old man?"

The Scarlet Eyes were filled with malice at that moment.

"He looked terrible!"

"Bastard!"

A roar erupted from behind Dodai. Before he could react, that figure had already pierced through the rain and lunged towards Uchiha Qing Xuan, who was standing with his hands on his hips, laughing maniacally.

"Wait! Stop him!"

Looking at the pair of malevolent Three Tomoe eyes opposite him, Dodai roared, trying to stop it, but it was too late.

"Swish..."

Amidst the light clinking of chains, like fine rain, a snake-like flash suddenly coiled up from the Uchiha. It writhed ferociously and instantly climbed onto the female ninja's body, then, under everyone's gaze, pulled gently.

A hoarse voice, like a chant, spoke mockingly.

"I bloom in the midst of slaughter, just like a flower in this wind and rain..."

The chains retracted, blood bloomed like a flower, and finally, the corpse fell into the cold rainwater, splashing mud and water.

[General Character: Kumogakure's Nosa's fate has changed. Reward: One Bronze Treasure Chest. Congratulations to the host for obtaining - One Kumogakure Intermediate Taijutsu and Kenjutsu Skill Book!]

"Hooray! Elder Shana!"

Qing Xuan cheered towards his back, earning nods of approval from the surrounding Uchiha.

In the cold, falling rain, Dodai's face was ashen. Looking at the pale face in the mud, its eyes wide open in death, it was like a declaration of war sent by the Uchiha.

It was as if they were telling Dodai – from now on, the negotiating party has changed.

From the Hyuga to the Uchiha.

Dodai clenched his fists, his palms full of rainwater.

Sharingan!

These bastards used genjutsu!

"Drip, drip..."

In the flickering firelight, the Third Hokage continued to smoke silently. The Konoha ninja behind him also remained silent, as always.

"This is just a warning."

In the dense night, the six-year-old Uchiha stood under the protection of pair after pair of Scarlet Eyes and spoke coldly in a language Dodai was familiar with.

"My father is not to be insulted!"

A chill enveloped Dodai's heart again. He looked at the face that almost overlapped with Ryuu Uchiha's and finally sighed.

This child has potential.

Even though he had reminded himself from the beginning not to underestimate Uchiha Ryuu's son, he had still underestimated this child.

"Uchiha Qing Xuan, what do you want to trade with Kumogakure?"

Dodai finally behaved, just like the Kumogakure ninja behind him.

"Where were we just now?"

Qing Xuan's voice rang out again. He seemed to have transformed back into the optimistic, cheerful child who knew nothing of the world's dangers. Perhaps this was his comfort zone.

"Oh, right! They fought side-by-side. My dad respected the Raikage's bravery, and the Raikage also admired my dad's responsibility. The two of them cherished each other, and then the Third Raikage suddenly had a bold idea."

"What do you think he wants to do?"

Dodai frowned at his sly smile, but he had to answer, "Hell Stab, One-Finger Nukite!"

Such a blatant spoiler completely disrupted Qing Xuan's interest in continuing his story. He pouted, his tone growing much colder, "Wrong, it's Three-Finger Nukite. The Third Raikage looked cool, but he was stingy even when he was dying. My dad's Three Tomoe were fully activated, and he only copied this thing."

Dodai's eye twitched, his teeth grinding, but he didn't dare to retort. He was afraid it would turn into Four-Finger Nukite later.

He seemed to have an answer in mind and asked, "Ryuu Uchiha also died in that battle, so I'm curious how you know all this?"

Qing Xuan raised an eyebrow, wanting to say "Guess," but that would be too anticlimactic, so he said directly, "My dad's letter to me explained it very clearly."

"He did die in that battle, but his shadow clone escaped."

At this moment, Dodai finally confirmed his suspicion. He couldn't help but breathe a long sigh of relief, thinking, As expected.

In the flickering firelight, the man's eyes shone brightly, but his tone was indifferent.

"So, you want to use this to get Kumogakure's forgiveness for the Hyuga?"

He suppressed his inner thoughts, but his words were like the most vicious insult, deeply etched into the eyes of every Hyuga ninja.

Qing Xuan was displeased, "Why should we?"

He glanced at the Uchiha behind him. "The Hyuga are rivals with the Uchiha for the top spot among the noble clans, so they are our opponents. We Uchiha won't help our opponents solve their problems."

Immediately, bursts of laughter erupted from behind him.

The Hyuga ninja angrily raised their heads, their eyes regaining their brilliance at this moment.

Dodai's brow furrowed even tighter. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Qing Xuan no longer wanted to argue with him. Perhaps he felt the time was ripe, so he waved his hand, "Alright! Uncle, figure something out. You're no longer qualified to decide what happens next. Send your leader."

The Kumogakure ninja felt bewildered, but Dodai understood. However, he still hesitated.

At this moment, another clap of thunder sounded.

The season of Awakening of Insects, spring thunder rumbles, and all things are reborn.

Amidst the thunder, a voice that shook people's hearts even more than the thunder quietly sounded.

"Have you found the Third Raikage's corpse all these years?"

Lightning flashed, just like the Third Hokage's pipe!

In the light, the astonishment on the faces of the many Kumogakure ninja seemed to freeze at this moment.