"Lately, I've had some ideas about genjutsu, and I need the clan's help!!"
At those words, Uchiha Haruki couldn't help shuddering. "G-genjutsu? Why would you want to study genjutsu?!"
"I learned the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique from the Scroll of Seals. Its effects gave me a new idea!" Suifeng said.
"What idea?!"
"A more advanced genjutsu based on the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. I'm still working out the details, but I need some material on genjutsu!"
"Fine. I'll have someone send you what we have!"
"I don't just need the clan's records. I also need the Kurama Clan's genjutsu records, preferably their secret techniques!"
"The Kurama Clan?!"
Uchiha Haruki furrowed his brow. He knew the Kurama Clan well. Though they had fallen into decline and become a minor clan, as one of the few genjutsu clans in Konoha, their skill in genjutsu was in no way inferior to the Uchiha Clan's. But he also knew that the Kurama Clan's genjutsu came from their Kekkei Genkai, so the Uchiha Clan hadn't studied it much. "You need their genjutsu?! Their techniques come from their Kekkei Genkai. Ordinary people can't use them."
"I don't need their Kekkei Genkai. Not everyone in the Kurama Clan has it, either. I need the genjutsu they developed from it to control the five senses!" Suifeng said.
The Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai was rather uncanny. Because of its strange nature, very few people could awaken it. Usually, only one or two people in a generation awakened it, and sometimes none did for several generations. Yet the clan was still known for its genjutsu, which meant their techniques didn't rely entirely on their Kekkei Genkai. They had likely developed related genjutsu from it, and that was what Suifeng was after.
"Fine, I'll see what I can do, but..." Uchiha Haruki hesitated. "Suifeng, the war has started. It's been decided that our Uchiha Clan will mainly be responsible for defending the Land of Fire's coastline against Kirigakure. You need to be ready."
"Kirigakure?" Suifeng seemed to think of something and smiled. "I'm looking forward to their arrival!"
"Suifeng, this is for you!"
At Konoha Gate, squads of shinobi in green flak jackets were ready to set out. With so many people gathered to see them off, the place was packed and noisy. They were heading to the battlefield.
Suifeng stood among a group of Uchiha shinobi, his short stature making him stand out. b(￣▽￣)d
Rin's cheeks flushed as she handed him a brand-new equipment pouch. "Please be careful out there!"
A whistle rang out—
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Rin's face turned as red as a ripe persimmon, and she ran off as if fleeing.
"That's youth for you!!"
Hideki hollered without a care, then a "thump" turned his yell into a scream as he went flying.
Not far away, a young Uchiha who felt as though he had a green hat on his head glared furiously, his blood-red eyes bulging as he clenched his fists tight.
"Suifeng, you bastard!"
Going to war was a shinobi's fate. After a brief farewell, they set out.
The war had only just begun: Konoha against Sunagakure.
Sunagakure had lost its Kazekage and blamed Konoha. Konoha, of course, refused to take the blame. That was what had started the war.
Of course, Suifeng and the others weren't headed to the Sunagakure front.
The Uchiha Clan was mainly responsible for the defense line around the Land of Water and Kirigakure. The Land of Water hadn't made a move yet, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, the Bloody Mist was busy slaughtering its own people, driven mad with bloodlust. Who knew if they might suddenly get it into their heads to charge into Konoha and kill everyone?
Hadn't Juzo Biwa done exactly that before?
At the thought of Juzo Biwa, Suifeng thought of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Thinking of them brought to mind two youthful men dressed like frogs.
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 and fame, enjoying their finest hour. They were also the perfect targets for him to make a name for himself.
As he remembered it, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had run into Duy while besieging Guy, Ebisu, and the others. But Guy and the rest were still at the Ninja Academy and hadn't graduated, let alone gone to war. They probably wouldn't be sent to the battlefield until the fighting was at its fiercest—and they would definitely be sent to the Kirigakure front.
So, should he save Duy?
It was a choice.
Duy was just a perennial Genin at the moment. No one had ever taken him seriously, so he wasn't aligned with any faction.
Suifeng wasn't just trying to prevent the Uchiha Clan Massacre. He also had to scheme against the Hokage faction. Weakening its strength by any means necessary was the way to go.
But was Might Duy worth saving?
Guy might belong to the Hokage faction in the future, but that was only in the future. People like Guy and Duy were single-minded. With a few careful moves, there was a chance he could win them over.
Think about it from the Hokage's perspective. Even if someone like Guy was utterly loyal to you, you still wouldn't tell him all your secrets, would you? It might shake his faith.
Then he'd shake their faith, and build it back up again!
From Suifeng's perspective, the father and son were both useful.
"So, start by being friendly. Make more friends and fewer enemies—that's the Chairman's wise advice!"
"Suifeng, the defense line around the Land of Water is under Nara Shikaku's command. It's mainly defensive. Our Uchiha Clan's job is to patrol the coastline and use our Sharingan to scout for enemy movements, preventing surprise attacks by the Mist Ninja!" Uchiha Fugaku said, watching Suifeng's solemn expression. "The assignment should be fairly easy. Just watch out for small groups of Mist Ninja infiltrating or scouting."
"I understand, Lord Fugaku!"
"I'm not worried about your abilities, but I am worried about Danzo. He's been sent to the front lines for now, but he's always used underhanded methods. Be careful he doesn't make a move against you in secret!"
"I don't get it. What kind of person is this Danzo, anyway? He breaks the Chunin Ninja Exams rules and gets away with it. He has people abduct someone in the middle of Konoha's main street and gets away with it. Now everyone knows he's plotting against me in secret, and he still gets away with it. Why?!" Suifeng complained indignantly. "Aren't we Uchiha supposed to be the strongest ninja clan? Why do we have to put up with him?!"
"This..." Faced with Suifeng, his little face flushed with anger and indignation, Fugaku was at a loss for what to say.
That was right. Why?
Why could Danzo run wild while they could only react? Why could he blatantly break every rule while they had to keep their hands tied?
When had the Uchiha been bullied this badly without daring to say anything—or even being able to say anything? If Suifeng hadn't pointed it out, would they have even noticed the problem themselves?
When had the clan become so slow to react? When had it become so suppressed without even realizing it?
Suifeng's seemingly innocent words struck at the heart of the matter, every one of them!
It was as though something had been shattered, something torn open...
For a moment, Fugaku was lost in confusion!
Before you continue