The Uchiha Clan's Blind Swordsman

A scientist's thirst for knowledge is not so easily satisfied.

Therefore, rather than guarding against Orochimaru in the shadows, it is better to bring him out into the light.

In the short term, Orochimaru poses no threat.

And by the time he does become a threat.

Because of the system, Chiba will have already become strong enough.

Then, the threat will naturally vanish.

Self-strengthening is the fundamental truth.

"You shouldn't have appeared here!"

Chiba looked at Kurenai Yuhi, whose small face was pale with fright, and sighed.

Appearing was fine, but the timing was all wrong.

Kurenai Yuhi clutched her neck, still lingering in fear after regaining her senses.

"Lord... Lord Orochimaru... why did he suddenly attack me?"

"Because you appeared in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Kurenai Yuhi had heard nothing.

Chiba's Observation Haki would not deceive him.

However, Orochimaru would not think so.

Seemingly shaken, Kurenai Yuhi even forgot the reason she had come here in the first place.

At this moment, she only wanted to return home as quickly as possible.

But Chiba blocked her path.

"You shouldn't go back today..."

"Why?"

"Because if you go back right now, you'll be found dead in the wilderness by tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi was stunned with fear.

Chiba's tone held not a hint of a joke.

Furthermore, the attack from Orochimaru just moments ago made her realize that she seemed to have been dragged into something truly terrifying.

"Wh-why?"

"The more you know, the closer you get to death. Under these circumstances, do you still want to know?"

Chiba spoke quietly.

"If you want to listen, I can tell you. Of course, you can also choose not to believe me and turn around to leave... I won't stop you!"

Saving Kurenai Yuhi was merely an act of momentary goodwill.

If she didn't believe him, Chiba wouldn't bother forcing the issue.

After all, back at the Dumpling Shop, he had beaten Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi had kindly warned him; it counted as a good connection.

Having just experienced Orochimaru's attack, how could Kurenai Yuhi dare not to believe him?

She nodded frantically like a chick pecking at rice.

"I believe you, I believe you! And... don't tell me!"

She didn't want to die yet.

She was only twelve years old, with her best years still ahead of her.

Who was Orochimaru? One of the legendary Legendary Sannin. If he truly wanted to kill her, she would be dead for certain.

Right now, trusting Chiba was Kurenai Yuhi's only way out.

And it had to be a blind trust.

"But, if I don't go home, my family..."

"Use whatever method you want, just make up any excuse!"

Kurenai Yuhi nodded in terror, having no choice but to form hand seals and create a Shadow Clone to go home and deliver the message that she wouldn't be returning tonight.

ps: Begging you masters for your data!!!

Chiba understood Orochimaru's personality.

Cautious and prudent.

He wasn't sure if Kurenai Yuhi had heard the conversation between himself and Chiba.

However, simply appearing at the scene was enough for him to decide to silence her.

But in the midst of it all, there was, after all, an extra variable: Chiba.

Orochimaru wanted to possess Chiba, or more accurately, he wanted to study the secrets hidden within him—the secrets of an invisible Sharingan that seemed to originate from the void.

Therefore, he had no choice but to compromise with Chiba on the surface, abandoning his plan to kill Kurenai Yuhi.

However, Chiba could not be Kurenai Yuhi's guardian for the rest of her life.

He could only demonstrate to Orochimaru an unwavering resolve to protect her, which might be the only way to dispel Orochimaru's intention to silence her permanently.

Orochimaru knew that Chiba was someone who cherished his companions.

Otherwise, Chiba would never have let Itachi leave in the first place.

Thus, by making Orochimaru believe that Kurenai Yuhi was Chiba's companion, it might just allow her to survive this crisis.

At the same time, if Orochimaru gave up on the idea of killing Kurenai Yuhi, it would mean he believed today's events would not be leaked.

After all, the secrets Chiba harbored were no fewer than Orochimaru's own.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen were to discover Chiba's true intentions, his methods would certainly not be this gentle.

"Alright, my Shadow Clone has already sent the message out; I told my father I accepted a mission!"

Kurenai Yuhi stayed by Chiba's side, having completely lost her previous composure.

She looked terrified, as if she feared she might meet an untimely death at any second.

Chiba, however, was not worried.

Whenever there was a threat, his Observation Haki would provide advance warning, so there was no need to fear a sudden attack.

After sheathing his cane sword, Chiba formed hand seals and created a Shadow Clone.

He also needed to go home and tell Koizumi that he wouldn't be returning tonight.

Chiba could not possibly bring Kurenai Yuhi home.

He would never do anything that might drag Koizumi into danger.

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

"Find a place to stay for the night."

Watching Chiba head toward a secluded area, Kurenai Yuhi felt a bit anxious.

"In a situation like this, wouldn't it be better to find a place in a crowded part of the village?"

"I see. You think that if there are many people around, Orochimaru won't strike? That is one of the Legendary Sannin; if he wants to kill you, he can do it in an instant, even in the middle of a crowd!"

"Besides, entering the village would only draw attention. Do you want to be the center of attention?"

The blind man of the Uchiha Clan.

Anyone walking through the village would always turn their heads for a second look.

And if this blind man were accompanied by a female companion, rumors would surely spread throughout the Leaf Village by the next day.

"Then... then forget it. I'll listen to you!"

Kurenai Yuhi certainly did not want to attract attention.

She just wanted to keep a low profile and survive this incident safely.

She prayed in her heart that as long as she didn't die, this would remain her secret forever.

Orochimaru was just too terrifying.

She really, truly did not want to die!

"Since that's the case, follow me."

Leaning on his cane, Chiba walked toward the Uchiha Clan's district.

Along the way, Kurenai Yuhi followed Chiba closely, looking visibly frightened.

At the same time, watching the way Chiba navigated, Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but wonder in her heart.

Is he really blind?

If he couldn't see, why was he so valiant and heroic in battle?

She couldn't figure it out.

Chiba deliberately bypassed the more populated areas of the Uchiha district, and after about ten minutes, they arrived at a small building.

The building looked clean and tidy, and after opening the door, the floors were spotless.

However, Kurenai Yuhi saw no signs of anyone living there.

"Chiba, this place is..."

"I lived here before my parents passed away."

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

Upon hearing that Chiba's parents had passed away, Kurenai Yuhi felt she had spoken out of turn and apologized immediately.

"It's nothing."

"Although no one has lived here for a long time, Koizumi and I come by every few days to clean up. The water and electricity are still running, so staying the night won't be a problem."

After resting briefly, Chiba stood up once more.

"Let's go, Kurenai Yuhi."

"Where to?"

"There's no food here, but the Uchiha Clan's forest is right next door. We can go hunting—come with me!"

"Oh, right, okay!"

The sky gradually began to darken.

Before the sun had completely set, Chiba dragged a wild boar back to the small house.

Kurenai Yuhi followed closely behind him.

Her expression was one of shock.

She had been stunned by Chiba's swordsmanship yet again.

She had wanted to prove her worth and be the first to catch some prey.

However, she hadn't even caught sight of the boar before Chiba had already finished it off.

It was too fast, and too unexpected.

At the same time, there was an indescribable elegance and detachment in the moment he drew his blade.

How could such maturity, composure, and strength exist in a five-year-old child?

A short while later, a bonfire rose steadily in front of the small house.

After roughly dressing the boar, Chiba set it over the fire to roast.