The Second Elder and Zensui

Konoha

Hokage Building

At the top of the Hokage Building, in front of the railing, Naraku, dressed in his Hokage uniform, stood with his hands behind his back, next to an old man in a gray robe with a wrinkled face.

Naraku surveyed the Konoha before him, his expression solemn, and said in a deep voice:

"Elder Kyo, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, became Hokage in his twenties and served as the governor of Konoha for over thirty years."

I am now twenty-nine years old, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to remain in Konoha for another thirty years.

"Konoha, the era of our Uchiha Clan has arrived."

The marks of time etched themselves on Uchiha Kyo's face; the wrinkles made Elder Kyo appear even more menacing.

Naraku knew that the Second Elder Uchiha Kyo, although seemingly fierce, was actually a very tolerant elder, though he could be quite hot-tempered at times.

"Yes, I never imagined that I would live to see the Uchiha become the Hokage of Konoha. During the Warring States period, I was five years old when I followed the clan leader to the battlefield."

Having fought countless battles, and with all my loved ones gone long ago, it was only after the founding of Konoha that the Land of Fire finally found some peace and tranquility.

We no longer have to worry about the enemy breaking into our homes and killing us in our sleep while we're sleeping.

Uchiha Kyo seemed to be moved by the scene, his eyes welling up with tears.

Naraku sighed. He had summoned the Second Elder today because of his beloved grandson's matter. He gently comforted him, saying:

"Elder Kyo, those are all history now. This is a new era."

Naraku finished speaking, he paused for a moment and got to the point, saying in a deep voice:

"It's been over two months, and there's still no news of Zensui?"

Uchiha Kyo, and he said sternly:

"That little bastard! If I catch him, I'll beat him to death!"

Upon hearing this, Naraku sighed. Assassinating the leader was not something that could be resolved through fighting.

"Second Elder, your child sacrificed himself for the Uchiha long ago. Of your remaining grandchildren, Zensui was your most outstanding and beloved one."

Therefore, I have not yet revealed his crimes, and Zensui's rebellion is equally shameful to me.

As the leader of a clan, the fact that my closest bodyguard would betray me is something I'm ashamed to reveal. It would cast doubt on me in many people's eyes.

However, given the severity of the crime Zensui committed, I cannot condone it under any circumstances.

Even if it brings me shame, I will list Zensui as a traitor to my clan and Konoha missing-nin, so that my clan and Konoha Ninja will be wary of him, lest they be caught off guard and harmed.

It's been over two months, almost three. This is my limit, Elder Kyo, I hope you understand.

Naraku gazed down at the many green trees of Konoha below, and the ninjas who were jumping from the trees onto the rooftops and running around busily.

"That little beast! If you catch him, Naraku, don't show him any mercy! I and many of my clansmen have dispatched Ninja Cat scattered throughout the world to search for his whereabouts... If possible, please give me another week, Clan Chief..."

Uchiha Kyo's words were harsh, but in the end, even using respectful terms, he still pleaded with Naraku for leniency...

Uchiha Zensui was his most prized grandson, and he had pinned everything on this child, including secret techniques, Ninjutsu, secret stories, and serving as the clan leader's bodyguard.

This is not what he wanted to see.

"At most a week. I also have to take responsibility for the other clansmen, Elder Kyo."

Naraku looked at the distance with a hint of pity on his face.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! I will find Zensui and bring him to you!"

Second Elder Uchiha Kyo felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this, but thinking of his grandson whom he had been unable to contact for so long, he pursed his lips, his face filled with sorrow.

"I hope so..."

Yuho City

Ninja Tool Workshop

Inside the workshop, several burly men, shirtless, swung their hammers, clanging and banging as they hammered away at the iron.

One of them was Uchiha Inabi, who had been sent by Naraku to the Yuho City for training.

Having spent years licking blood from the edge of a knife, Inabi may not have honed much else in Yuho City, but he excels at weapon training.

They essentially failed Naraku's expectations. Naraku instructed Uchiha Hyaku and Uchiha Seki to have Inabi take charge of the Yuho City Security Department or the Anbu, to train them, and then return to assist him.

As a result, Uchiha Inabi, after serving Anbu Captain of the Yuho City for a period of time and inspecting the Ninja Tool Workshop, became addicted to the manufacture of Ninja Tools.

"The Inabi weapon, if a little bit of Chakra -conducting metal is added to it, then it can unleash a powerful Wind Style."

This is worlds apart from the weapons used by ordinary ninjas. It's just that the Chakra -conducting metal is too precious, and even we only have a few fist-sized amounts of its essence.

"I really want to create a few more divine weapons in my lifetime."

In the workshop, the sixty-something-year-old Jonin Baogui, seeing Inabi, couldn't help but boast, but his words were filled with a sigh.

Jonin Baogui, spent seven or eight years in Yuho City, watching it grow and develop. This peaceful environment allowed Baogui to calm down as well.

"Master Baogui, you truly deserve to be called the number one ninja craftsman in Yuho City. This kind of weapon that can be imbued with Ninjutsu is the technology that can enhance the strength of Yuho City!"

Ninjas find practicing Chakra nature transformation incredibly difficult, but with this weapon, they can easily achieve Chakra.

Although the Ninjutsu engraved on the weapon is rather simple, this is truly an ingenious craftsmanship!

Uchiha Inabi answered respectfully, completely forgetting what Inabi had told Naraku, and was immersed in the joy of forging a magical weapon.

He also became a disciple of Jonin Baogui, an Artisan Ninja, and is expected to inherit the title of the next Baogui.

"Inabi, your Ninjutsu is unparalleled, why would you want to study the art of weapon forging?"

Jonin Baogui, the son of Kisen, who is in his thirties, has never been able to understand Inabi's behavior.

"Haha, our clan leader often says that we can use the stones from other mountains to polish our own jade. Just like forging weapons, we can enhance our own strength, just like Chakra Armor."

Uchiha Inabi, however, was very interested and wanted to learn the forging techniques of the Artisan Ninja.

Upon seeing the appearance of the Inabi, the Jonin Baogui sighed and said:

"Inabi, our original Artisan Village was destroyed. The four of us, as the direct disciples of the founder, inherited the mission of restoring Artisan Ninja."

While our ninja tool forging skills are decent, they are worlds apart from those of our progenitor.

I still remember the last task our teacher gave us: to collect all the ninja tools, gather a massive amount of Chakra, and then go to revive the progenitor...

"The progenitor? Resurrection? Immense Chakra? A world of difference?"

Inabi carefully pondered these words, then his eyes lit up and he asked:

"Where? How do I revive? Is the technology really that advanced?"

Jonin Baogui was already over sixty years old, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but grin.

As high-ranking members of the Artisan Ninja Village, despite the Artisan Village's destruction, the leaders, led by Baogui, never forgot their mission to revive the progenitor.

They were quite secretive about their ninja tool forging techniques, which is why they readily taught Uchiha Inabi.

It was precisely because they could sense that Uchiha Inabi possessed a powerful amount of Chakra.