One Night (7)

Two figures gradually emerged from the shadows in the rear.

They were two men clad in black robes; the one on the left was none other than the uncle Kurama Yakumo had spoken of, Kurama Yeqiong, while the other was Kurama Yewu.

Ueno Kei stared at the two newcomers with a grave expression. He hadn't sensed their approach in the slightest, which meant their strength was absolutely far superior to his own.

Ueno Kei's muscles tensed, his eyes filled with extreme caution. If it were possible, he would have chosen to turn and run immediately.

Whatever the mission was, it was all secondary.

But as things stood, slipping away unnoticed was impossible, so the only option left was to strike first. With this thought in mind, Ueno Kei focused all his attention on the two figures before him.

The moment they showed the slightest opening or gave off any sign of attacking, Ueno Kei would strike without hesitation. Whether he was their match or not was no longer a concern for him.

Not acting meant certain death, but acting offered a glimmer of survival. Ueno Kei placed his right hand gently upon the hilt of his Lingyu Blade.

"Heh, if that weren't the case, would Uncle and Third Uncle have come to see Yakumo?" A mocking smile appeared on Kurama Yakumo's face, leaving Ueno Kei slightly stunned.

The young girl looked to be about his own age, yet her demeanor and presence were nothing like what a ten-year-old girl should possess.

"Yun..." Kurama Yeqiong said with a look of shame.

However, Kurama Yewu, standing to the side, was not the same. He glared, shouting angrily, "Yun, is that any way to speak to your uncle? Furthermore, your uncle is the head of the Kurama Clan; how can you be so rude!"

"Hmph, head of the Kurama Clan? Then I must ask, did the Kurama Clan head come here for revenge? Can you seek justice for the vengeful spirits of my clan who have perished?"

Kurama Yakumo's expression shifted abruptly, her face twisted with hatred.

Her entire face became distorted by that look of hatred, making her appear terrifying. Although Ueno Kei didn't know what had happened, it was clear the other party had no intention of attacking him.

Ueno Kei wouldn't do anything to draw their attention either.

Instead, he kept a watchful eye on the movements of the three, slowly shifting his body toward the grass behind him, step by step, fearing he might attract their notice. If he could just reach the shrubbery behind him and leap into it, he should have a decent chance of escaping.

Konoha's reinforcements were surely on their way, and since the other party had already achieved their objective, they certainly wouldn't go out of their way to hunt him down.

Of course, he had to remain vigilant in case they noticed his movements and decided to kill him on the spot; if that happened, he would have no choice but to fight for his life.

Hearing Kurama Yakumo talk back to him like that, Kurama Yewu's face grew even more irritated. Annoyed by his niece's lack of decorum, he took a step forward as if to discipline her or say something further.

Kurama Yeqiong reached out to stop the impulsive Kurama Yewu, shaking his head at him.

He turned his head, speaking gently with a hint of apology: "Yun, Konoha is too vast—so vast that our clan is merely a somewhat powerful ant in its eyes. But, Yun, you are different. You are the genius of our clan, seen only once in a century. Only you can wield and control the Kurama Clan's genjutsu at will. Moreover, with your unique talent to turn the illusory into reality, you will surely become a ninja who shakes the ninja world in a dozen years, becoming a female ninja even more powerful than Senju Tsunade! When that time comes, our clan will surely be able to claim justice!"

As Kurama Yeqiong spoke, Yakumo's head gradually lowered, as if she were weighing the credibility and feasibility of her uncle's words.

Kurama Yeqiong tried to persuade Kurama Yakumo with earnest words, feeling a slight sense of joy as he saw her appear somewhat moved.

He knew that his niece had a very eccentric personality, and after the death of her parents, she had become even more withdrawn and strange.

She was not only exceptionally hostile toward Konoha but also held no good feelings toward her own clan, as she stubbornly believed that her parents' tragic deaths were caused by Konoha's actions and her clan's refusal to intervene.

Now, he could only persuade her cautiously rather than force her, or it would surely produce the opposite effect. Besides, even if he were to force the issue, Kurama Yeqiong had no absolute confidence. It was laughable, really—a man with the strength of a Jonin feeling a sense of dread when facing his ten-year-old niece.

Yet, anyone who had seen Kurama Yakumo—including the Third Hokage, Yuhi Kurenai, and members of the Kurama Clan—would never mock Kurama Yeqiong for it.

Because Kurama Yakumo was the most perfect bloodline successor in the history of the Kurama Clan. She could perfectly manipulate a person's five senses to cast genjutsu. Simply put, as long as you possessed sight, hearing, smell, touch, or even taste, Kurama Yakumo could trap you in the genjutsu world she created.

And the most terrifying thing was that Kurama Yakumo's genjutsu was completely different from traditional genjutsu.

In the ninja world, the genjutsu used in combat generally fell into two categories: trapping the enemy in an illusion so they couldn't break free, allowing for an easy finish in reality; or inflicting mental damage to leave the enemy exhausted and in pain.

The power of Kurama Yakumo's genjutsu did not lie in these two, but in the aforementioned ability to turn the illusory into reality. Once trapped in the genjutsu world created by Yakumo, whatever she did to you there would have corresponding consequences in reality. For example, if Yakumo cut off your head, your head would be severed in the real world as well.

It was a direct and simple way to eliminate an opponent. This was the secret technique of the Kurama Clan, rumored to be comparable to or even surpass the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyo Sharingan: the Five Senses Genjutsu!

Cannot fight, and dare not fight—that was Kurama Yeqiong's most honest thought. Standing before his niece, whom he hadn't seen in over two years, he felt her terror even more acutely. It was as if some kind of monster resided within her—cold, cruel, and fearsome.

He had to persuade her first and take her away from here; he would deal with the rest later. Otherwise, Kurama Yeqiong couldn't imagine what would happen if they were caught by Konoha's pursuers, nor could he imagine the unfavorable consequences if Kurama Yakumo refused to leave with him.

Kurama Yakumo's lowered face wore a cold expression. She remained unmoved by her uncle's words, listening coldly until she suddenly let out a few cold laughs.

This startled Kurama Yeqiong, who was still trying to persuade her, and a very ominous premonition surfaced in his heart.

"Uncle, is that all you have to say? Then... you can go to hell!!" Kurama Yakumo, who had been looking down, suddenly snapped her head up, her face filled with bloodthirsty killing intent.

Her eyes turned blood-red.

"Oh no, Yewu, run!" Kurama Yeqiong's expression changed instantly. He quickly formed hand seals and retreated rapidly.

Beside him, Kurama Yewu reacted the moment Yeqiong moved. His feet slid, and he followed his brother's lead, retreating backward.