Snow Ninja Trio

Uchiha Yaowan traveled within the Land of Fire.

In a forest typical of Land of Fire, Yaowan arrived at a clearing.

The mechanical door, blending seamlessly with the earth, opened with a clatter of hinges, revealing metal steps.

"You've arrived."

The leader of the Sky Ninja, named Shinno, led his men to greet Yaowan, only to receive a slight nod in return.

Ignoring the fawning smile on Shinno's face, Yaowan stepped into the deepest part of the underground.

Shinno seemed used to the other party's style, calmly dismissed his subordinates, and followed Yaowan's pace alone.

The Sky Ninja Village, overestimating its own strength, attacked Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War and was subsequently destroyed after a counterattack.

Shinno led his remaining troops and went into hiding in the Land of Fire.

This force, which harbors hatred towards Konoha, was noticed by Yaowan. With Jigen's permission, he brought high technology from the Ōtsutsuki to Shinno.

With the help of the Ōtsutsuki, Shinno's Sky Ninja quickly built the Angkor Fortress and equipped it with new equipment that was almost unheard of in the Shinobi World.

"I heard that Konoha will be holding the Chunin Ninja Exams soon, which is a great opportunity for us."

Shinno, feeling that the Sky Ninja were now capable enough to avenge himself, cautiously observed Yaowan's expression.

The price he paid for obtaining the power of the Ōtsutsuki was that the entire Sky Ninja Village became Outer Circle member of the Dawn Organization, and whatever he wanted to do, he had to get the consent of the Inner Circle members.

Glancing sideways at the overconfident Shinno, Yaowan inwardly scoffed at the other's shortsightedness.

Having merely equipped himself with some Scientific Ninja Tools and undergone some human modifications, this old man actually believes he can conquer Konoha?

"Madness."

Yaowan said coldly.

Facing Yaowan, who was much younger than him, Shinno decisively adopted a kneeling sliding motion. "I'm very sorry, I was too hasty."

It's not that he was humble; rather, Yaowan's first meeting with him had been so impactful that he had no choice but to bow his head.

Just recalling their first meeting made Shinno's healed wounds seem to bleed again.

"But..."

Yaowan seemed to have thought of something and suddenly changed his mind, "Small-scale harassment is acceptable."

The loss of White Zetsu has meant that Yaowan has not obtained any useful information about Konoha for a long time.

Just as Kazashiro had been searching for them, Yao Wan was also waiting for an opportunity to obtain information about Konoha.

Konoha Research Bureau...

Although the technology of the Ōtsutsuki was far beyond what the Shinobi World could catch up with, but--

The Konoha Research Bureau is controlled by Orochimaru, the most mysterious of the Sannin Orochimaru.

Yaowan decided to send out the newly acquired pieces to test the opponent's strength.

After paying a hefty price for a luxury restaurant package, Kazashiro finally managed to get Uchiha Hikari to hand over his sample.

Upon receiving the sample, Hiruko immediately conducted an experiment to see if it could adapt to the Hashirama Cells. Three days later, good news arrived on Kazashiro's desk.

Uchiha Hikari can be inoculated with Hashirama Cells.

Even light works! Fugaku, just how unlucky are you to be so unrelated to Hashirama Cells?

After shifting to a more comfortable sitting position, Kazashiro glanced at Itachi, who was engrossed in handling his affairs, and wondered if Itachi was also an unlucky fellow who missed out on Hashirama Cells, just like his pathetic father.

As for Shisui, after Kazashiro confirmed it repeatedly, it seems that Body Flicker Shisui, who possesses the almost invincible Dojutsu 'Kotoamatsukami' in the original work, did not awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan at all because he did not need to worry about the relationship between his family and the village.

So, you're really becoming Root electrician, aren't you?

Watching Shisui effortlessly resolve the lighting system malfunction in the Hokage's Office, Kazashiro didn't know what to say.

"Teacher, as you requested, the Kikyo Mountain Fortress has been vacated, and all contestants will be residing there."

Seeing that Kazashiro's gaze remained fixed on Shisui and refused to look away, Itachi coughed lightly and took out the fruits of his labor.

"Oh, thank you for your hard work. By the way, since you and Shisui are both here, let me explain the team's composition to you."

This Chunin Ninja Exams includes team matches, so Kazashiro needs to assign teammates to Itachi and the others.

"Itachi, Shisui, and Hikaru, the three of you will form a team."

Hikaru, who had been standing by the window chewing gum, almost swallowed the gum when he heard that he was also involved.

"Don't rush, I'll take you to the Daimyo's Mansion for a good meal after this is over. I remember you really liked that sushi restaurant last time we went, didn't you?"

Hearing that there was something delicious to eat, Guang's expression brightened a bit, and he continued to look out the window with a pout.

"Teacher..."

Hikari's complexion improved, but Itachi's complexion did not.

What kind of power does light possess?

That's someone who possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan and can activate Susanoo.

By letting such a powerful player participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams, are you trying to kill all the other candidates from other ninja villages?

Kazashiro seemed to have guessed Itachi's thoughts. After giving him a handsome smile, he reassured him, "Don't worry, Itachi, Hikaru knows his limits, right?"

Uchiha Hikari remained silent, only chewing his gum incessantly.

"Oh, right, you'll also need to keep an eye on Haku and Kimimaro."

Remembering that his two younger brothers would also be participating in this competition, Kazashiro adjusted his posture once again.

"Hmph, of course."

Guang had a pretty good impression of the two little ones, especially Bai, whose cooking skills had surpassed her foolish older brother's, making him her favorite chef.

Outside Konoha, Black Zetsu only revealed himself after seeing that Fugaku hadn't followed him.

"That stupid guy actually managed to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

After confirming that it was safe around him, Black Zetsu transformed into Red Zetsu for the umpteenth time, slamming his fists into the nearest tree trunk.

After Yaowan became out of control, he placed his new pawn on Fugaku.

But to everyone's dismay, no matter how he tried to guide him, that fool Fugaku showed no intention of acting according to the altered content on the stone tablet, and continued to live a leisurely retirement life of eating, sleeping, and taking leisurely strolls around the clan's territory.

"Damn it, even if I get the Rinnegan, it'll be meaningless, won't it?!"

Thinking of the Rinnegan that he had stolen from Madara, Black Zetsu gritted his teeth in anger.

It's all Yaowan's fault. If it weren't for him, I would already be nestled in my mother's arms, enjoying the maternal love I've been missing for thousands of years.

Footsteps suddenly sounded, and Black Zetsu vanished into the ground almost instantly.

"Oh dear, was it just my imagination? I had a feeling someone was muttering to themselves nearby just now."

A pink-haired female ninja wearing strange armor appeared where Black Zetsu had just been standing.

"Hmph, you're being a bit too sensitive, Tsurugi Hyōga."

Nadare Rōga, with his ponytail, wore a disdainful expression. Behind him, Fuyuguma Tōri remained silent, observing the surrounding situation.