After being revived, Uchiha Chen gazed silently at the scene before him, a complex emotion rising in his heart.
He watched Uchiha Izumi collapse onto his gradually dissipating corpse. In that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Without hesitation, he pulled her tightly into his arms, feeling her faint breathing and trembling body. He lowered his gaze to the girl in his arms, who had fainted from overwhelming grief, and felt filled with guilt and remorse.
My acting just now was really terrible... Uchiha Chen sighed inwardly. He realized that his actions might have caused Uchiha Izumi immense pain, but at the same time, he was relieved that the scene he had improvised had produced an unexpected effect.
He gently stroked Uchiha Izumi's cheek, trying to offer her a little warmth and comfort.
Then he opened the system panel and, sure enough, saw the notification that the mission was complete.
Just as he had expected. What surprised him, however, was that a special favorability option had appeared beside Uchiha Izumi's portrait in the system, and it had already been locked automatically.
According to the system's explanation, once favorability passed a certain threshold, it would lock automatically. This meant that no matter what Uchiha Chen did from then on, Uchiha Izumi's feelings for him would only keep growing and would never diminish. The discovery left him both delighted and a little guilty. He could only make it up to her properly in the future.
At the same time, the system showed him the rewards for completing this mission. The most notable were the Mangekyo Sharingan technique Kamui and an Eternal Youth Pill. These rewards would undoubtedly give him a considerable boost in his upcoming actions.
Looking at the Kamui granted by the system, he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement.
This ocular technique was an incredible ability. In the original story, Obito had only one eye, yet still managed to stir up trouble for so many years. How could he not be excited at the prospect of possessing a pair?
But when he looked at the person in his arms, his excitement gradually faded.
Holding Uchiha Izumi tightly, he hurried away from the place and soon returned to the clan head's home.
As soon as he entered, he saw Mikoto, dressed simply and looking calm. He handed Uchiha Izumi to her, asking her to help wash and clean her up, then let her rest properly.
He watched Mikoto carry Izumi away in a hurry and enter a room. Taking the opportunity, he claimed the ocular technique Kamui.
When he felt the tremendous surge of ocular power, a question suddenly surfaced in Uchiha Chen's mind: he wasn't sure whether his Kamui Dimension was connected to Uchiha Obito's. To avoid being attacked while using Kamui in the future, his Mangekyo Sharingan began to turn slightly. He planned to go in now and take a look.
As ripples spread through space, Uchiha Chen's figure began to distort, then vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, in the underground base of Root in Konoha, Shimura Danzō sat upright with a gloomy expression, quietly awaiting good news from those sent out.
Not long ago, after being mocked at Konoha Hospital, he had immediately sent people to gather detailed information on Uchiha Chen.
According to their intelligence, Uchiha Chen had once been an exceptionally rare genius, skilled in Fire Release, Lightning Release, genjutsu, and Taijutsu.
In the past, he had always presented himself as cold, distant, and aloof.
Surprisingly, however, over the past month his personality had undergone a drastic change, and he had become exceptionally gentle and amiable.
What was more, yesterday, a fierce battle between ninja had broken out within the Uchiha Clan.
According to the information Uchiha Fugaku had passed along, an unidentified ninja had secretly infiltrated the Uchiha Clan Compound, apparently searching for something in secret.
When discovered, the two sides fought to the death, and the mysterious ninja was ultimately killed.
Since the intruder had carried no marks or insignia that could prove his identity, it was impossible to determine who he really was. With no other choice, Uchiha Fugaku had decided to report the incident to Lord Hokage today.
At this, Danzō's brow furrowed slightly. His eyes revealed a trace of impatience as he demanded, "What does any of this have to do with Uchiha Chen?"
The Root ninja remained composed and replied evenly, "According to the results of our investigation so far, there are clear traces of a barrier around the site of the battle.
That place happens to be where Uchiha Chen lives. However, the previous reports never mentioned anything about Uchiha Chen.
So I believe the Uchiha Clan may be trying to conceal important information."
After hearing this, Danzō's thoughts began to race.
A battle on such a large scale had caused destruction far beyond what an ordinary elite ninja could manage.
Even judging by his own strength, he might not be able to achieve such a thing.
So how could a ninja that powerful have remained unknown, with no reputation at all?
The so-called "intruder" was probably just an excuse. This was nothing more than a farce staged by the Uchiha Clan themselves!
Their real purpose might be to conceal the existence of a newly emerged ninja in their clan with Kage Level strength.
At the thought, Danzō couldn't help feeling a surge of wariness.
Why were they going to such lengths to keep this secret?
At this thought, Shimura Danzō couldn't help but feel alarmed.
Especially considering how drastically Uchiha Chen's attitude had changed over the past month, and how those two had just been chatting and laughing with Hiruzen Sarutobi—it all stirred up suspicion in him.
Could the Uchiha Clan be planning to change its stance and vie for the next Hokage Position by currying favor with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Namikaze Minato?
At the thought, Shimura Danzō suddenly felt that the Hokage Position was slipping further and further from his grasp. A vicious look appeared on his face.
He would never allow that to happen!
He immediately beckoned a Root member over and ordered, "Go call the Fire Killing Squad. I have a mission for them." Then he closed his eyes to rest and quietly waited for them to arrive.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
At the sound of heavy footsteps, Shimura Danzō slowly opened his eyes and looked at the three figures standing before him, two large and one small.
The Fire Killing Squad had arrived. Looking at the three people kneeling on one knee before him, silent and still, Shimura Danzō spoke without expression. "You're here."
I have a mission for you!