Innocent Words, Heart-Piercing Truths

"Recently, I've had some ideas regarding genjutsu and I need the clan's assistance!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Haruki couldn't help but shiver. "Gen-genjutsu? How did you ever think to start researching genjutsu?!"

"I learned the Darkness Technique from the Scroll of Seals, and the effects of this jutsu gave me a new idea!" Suifeng said.

"What kind of idea?!"

"A deeper level of genjutsu based on the Darkness Technique. I'm still deducing the specific effects, but I need some reference materials on genjutsu!"

"Fine, I'll have someone send them over to you!"

"It's not just the clan's archives I need; I also require the genjutsu materials of the Kurama Clan, preferably their secret techniques!"

"The Kurama Clan?!"

Uchiha Haruki frowned. He was very familiar with the Kurama Clan. Although they had declined into a minor clan, as one of the few genjutsu-specialized clans in Konoha, their prowess in the field was by no means inferior to the Uchiha. However, he also knew that the Kurama Clan's genjutsu stemmed from a bloodline limit, which was why the Uchiha had never conducted much research into them. "You need their genjutsu? Their techniques are rooted in a bloodline limit; ordinary people can't use them."

"I don't need their bloodline limit. Not everyone in the Kurama Clan possesses it. What I need are the genjutsu techniques they developed to manipulate the five senses based on that bloodline!" Suifeng replied.

The Kurama Clan's bloodline limit was peculiar. Precisely because of its strangeness, very few could awaken it—often only one or two per generation, or sometimes none for several generations. Yet, the clan remained famous for genjutsu, which proved that their techniques did not rely entirely on the bloodline itself. It was highly likely they had developed related genjutsu derived from it, and that was Suifeng's true target.

"Alright, I will find a way, but...!" Uchiha Haruki hesitated. "Suifeng, the war has begun. It has been preliminarily decided that our Uchiha clan will be responsible for the coastline of the Land of Fire, guarding against Kirigakure. You must prepare yourself."

"Kirigakure, is it?!" Suifeng seemed to recall something and smiled. "I look forward to their arrival!"

"Suifeng-kun, this is for you!"

At the gates of Konoha, teams in green flak jackets were fully equipped and ready to depart. With the crowd of people seeing them off, it was chaotic and noisy—they were heading to the battlefield.

Suifeng stood among a group of Uchiha ninjas, his short stature making him quite conspicuous. b(￣▽￣)d

Rin, her face flushed, handed a brand-new ninja tool pouch into his hands. "Please, you must stay safe!"

A whistle blew.

Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Rin's face turned as red as a ripe persimmon, and she ran away as if fleeing.

"This is youth!!"

Hideki shrieked recklessly, and then with a "bang," his shriek turned into a scream as he was sent flying backward.

Not far away, a certain young Uchiha boy who felt his head was turning green with envy stood with a face full of bitter resentment. His blood-red eyes were practically bulging, and his fists were clenched tight.

"Suifeng, you bastard!"

Going to the battlefield is the fate of a ninja. After a brief farewell, they embarked on their journey.

The war had just broken out: Konoha versus Sunagakure.

Sunagakure had lost their Kazekage and tried to pin the blame on Konoha. Naturally, Konoha wasn't willing to carry that burden, and that was the cause of the war.

Of course, Suifeng and his group were not heading to the Sunagakure front.

The Uchiha clan was primarily responsible for the defense line near the Land of Water and Kirigakure. Although the Land of Water hadn't made any moves yet, one must always be on guard. Besides, the current Bloody Mist was caught in a cycle of self-slaughter, turning everyone into lunatics. Who knew if they might suddenly lose their minds and rush into Konoha to wreak havoc?

Hadn't Juzo Biwa done exactly that before?

At the thought of Juzo Biwa, Suifeng thought of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and thinking of them reminded him of two energetic men in frog suits.

The war with the Land of Water hadn't started yet. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were at the height of their power, famous and glorious—the perfect targets for him to establish his reputation.

In his memories, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist encountered Might Duy when they cornered Guy, Ebisu, and the others. But right now, Guy and the others were still in the Ninja Academy, not yet graduated, let alone ready for the battlefield. They probably wouldn't be sent out until the war reached its most intense phase, and they would certainly be on the Kirigakure front.

So, should he save Might Duy?

This was a multiple-choice question.

Duy was currently just an eternal genin, never valued by anyone, so he wasn't aligned with any faction.

Suifeng's goal wasn't just to prevent the Uchiha massacre; he also had to scheme against the Hokage faction. Finding every way to weaken their strength was the true path to victory.

But was Might Duy worth saving?

Although Guy would become part of the Hokage faction in the future, that was only the future. People like Guy and Duy were single-minded; if one used the right methods, there was a chance to win them over.

Looking at it from the Hokage's perspective, even if someone like Guy was loyal to you, you wouldn't tell him all your secrets, as that would shake their convictions.

Then, he would shake their convictions and reshape them!

From Suifeng's perspective, this father and son could be utilized.

"So, start by showing goodwill. Make more friends and fewer enemies—that is the Chairman's golden advice!"

"Suifeng, the defense line of the Land of Water is currently under the command of Nara Shikaku. This line is primarily defensive. Our Uchiha clan's mission is to patrol the coastline, use our Sharingan to scout for enemy movements, and prevent surprise attacks from the Mist Ninja!" Uchiha Fugaku said, looking at the solemn-faced Suifeng. "The mission is relatively easy; just watch out for small-scale infiltration and reconnaissance by the Mist Ninja!"

"I understand, Fugaku-sama!"

"I'm not worried about your strength, but I am worried about Danzo. Although he has been sent to the front lines, his methods have always been dark. Be careful of him acting against you in the shadows!"

"I don't get it. Who exactly is this Danzo? He broke the rules of the Chunin Exams and faced no consequences. He sent people to kidnap others on the streets of Konoha and faced no consequences. Now, everyone knows he wants to target me in the shadows, and he still faces no consequences. Why?!" Suifeng said, his face full of defiance. "Aren't we the Uchiha, the strongest ninja clan? Why do we have to endure him like this?!"

"This...!" Facing the flushed, indignant Suifeng, Fugaku didn't know how to explain it.

Yes, why indeed?

Why should Danzo be allowed to act recklessly while we are forced to play defense? Why can he blatantly break every rule in the book while we remain shackled by them?

Since when did the Uchiha become so bullied that we dare not speak up—or rather, are unable to speak up? If Suifeng hadn't pointed it out just now, they wouldn't have even realized the problem themselves.

Since when did the clan become so dull? Since when had the clan been suppressed to this extent without even realizing it?

Suifeng's words, seemingly spoken with the reckless candor of a child, were piercing to the heart!

It was as if something had been shattered, as if something had been torn wide open...

For a moment, Fugaku was plunged into confusion!