Let the Slaughter Begin!

Meanwhile.

Chinoike Gosho had slipped out of Hell Valley.

After a quick disguise,

he had planned to head straight for Kumogakure.

Then his clan's network of informants, established over many years, suddenly told him

that a large force of Cloud Ninja was circling outside Hell Valley.

Chinoike Gosho felt as if fortune had smiled on him. "Hahaha! I can't believe it. I was just getting sleepy, and a pillow fell right into my lap."

One of his subordinates looked puzzled and hesitated before speaking:

"Lord Gosho, that's a sizable force of Cloud Ninja. They must be on an important mission. I'm afraid they won't be of any help to us."

Hearing this, Chinoike Gosho waved a hand:

"Don't worry. I have a plan. Lead the way."

Then he gave a cold laugh:

"Hmph! Those increasingly arrogant Uchiha can't keep their mouths shut."

"Every time the Uchiha change shifts, I ask the new leader what he likes."

He flicked his Bat Fan, his expression scornful and arrogant, and continued:

"During this month, while Uchiha Genmei was still on the road, all they did was boast about their clan's genius and his achievements."

"They even said that the new Police Superintendent was a genius who had slain Guihao."

"Heh!"

He paused.

A glint flashed in his sinister eyes. "Everyone knows what the famous Third Raikage is like."

"A Kage who regularly stays behind to cover his subordinates isn't merely protective of his own. This force is passing by Hell Valley—I don't believe it's a coincidence!"

A short while later.

In a small valley some twenty or thirty kilometers from Hell Valley,

Dodai was holding a strategy meeting with the jōnin.

They were discussing how to deal with Uchiha Genmei while minimizing their own losses.

Watching his companions debate enthusiastically,

Dodai felt a headache coming on. Having a Kage who protected his own was certainly a good thing, and everyone knew what this mission was about.

Everyone was in high spirits.

They might have had it easy, but Dodai was the one with a headache. The Raikage had promoted him ahead of schedule for his exceptional strategic mind.

After this, he'd be the one haggling with the Feudal Lord.

Just then,

a messenger ninja walked in.

"Honored sirs, Lord Hell Warden requests an audience."

Interrupted by the sudden news, the jōnin looked at one another.

Lord Hell Warden? Wasn't that the head of the Chinoike Clan? How had he gotten out under the Uchiha's watch?

And why would he dare come out?

Without a summons from the Feudal Lord, he wasn't allowed to set foot outside Hell Valley.

Dodai considered this for a moment, his expression composed.

He gestured:

"Bring Lord Gosho in."

A moment later,

Chinoike Gosho entered the temporary meeting room.

He greeted everyone with due courtesy, and the jōnin quickly returned his greetings, not daring to slight him.

After all,

the Chinoike Clan leader was a noble of the Land of Lightning and a potential client who might hire them for a mission.

After exchanging pleasantries,

Dodai got straight to the point:

"Please explain why you've come, Lord Gosho. We're in the middle of an important mission."

"Is that so?"

Chinoike Gosho raised a butterfly fan to cover his mouth, his expression turning sly. "I won't waste your time. You're here to take Uchiha Genmei's life, aren't you?"

Dodai's expression didn't change, and the jōnin around him kept their composure as well.

A ninja's professionalism wouldn't let them give themselves away over such a simple probe.

Dodai replied impassively, "We can't discuss our mission with you, my lord. Please state your purpose directly."

This was troublesome.

Watching Dodai remain unmoved, Chinoike Gosho felt a headache coming on.

It seemed he'd have to offer something substantial.

He leaned forward slightly, his expression grave, and said:

"Very well. I'll get straight to the point. I want to hire you to kill all the Uchiha in Hell Valley."

"In exchange, our clan is willing to give up our official status and join Kumogakure as ninja!"

"We're also willing to contribute our years of accumulated wealth to Kumogakure!"

The next day.

In the Police Force's office,

Uchiha Genmei looked at Gabimaru and instructed him:

"I won't say much more. I'm taking you on as my retainer. I'll discuss the details of the arrangement with Clan Leader Gosho later."

"Your clan's status won't hold you back, so don't worry."

Gabimaru's brow relaxed, and he bowed.

"That's wonderful. Thank you, my lord."

At that, Genmei smiled faintly. "Gabimaru, you should call me 'master.'"

Gabimaru replied loudly, before he'd even raised his head:

"Yes, Master!"

"By the way, take this good-luck charm. Bring it home and have your wife wear it."

Gabimaru took the charm and asked, puzzled:

"Didn't you already heal Yui completely, my lord?"

Uchiha Genmei smiled faintly.

He explained:

"I did bring your wife back from the underworld. This charm contains a special medicine of mine that can stabilize her condition and prevent it from returning."

"Thank you, Master!"

Moved, Gabimaru put away the charm and left the office, heading home.

After watching Gabimaru leave,

Uchiha Yuta, who had been observing for a while,

spoke hesitantly:

"I saw you make that charm in the office. It doesn't contain any so-called special medicine, Lord Genmei."

Uchiha Genmei walked over to the window.

He watched the boy heading home outside:

"I told you before, didn't I? Gosho will give Gabimaru a surprise. This is just insurance."

"Enough about that. Add preparations against an incursion by Kumogakure or other outside enemies to yesterday's deployment!"

At that,

Uchiha Yuta's eyes widened.

He asked in shock:

"You suspect Gosho will hire Kumogakure to attack us? That would be unlawful. How will he explain himself to the Feudal Lord afterward?"

"When people are pushed to the brink, they'll do anything, Yuta." Genmei glanced at him as he replied.

"Go on. I have preparations to make, too."

Late that night.

The Military Police Force members were focused on their duties.

Suddenly,

a forest in one part of Hell Valley

erupted with a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.

A hundred bolts of lightning merged into one and surged toward the Military Police Force base like an avalanche!

The enormous commotion had already alerted the Uchiha.

Facing the situation,

Uchiha Yuta calmly issued an order:

"So there really are rats! Is everyone ready?"

The Uchiha of the Military Police Force answered in unison: "Ready, sir!"

He nodded.

Uchiha Yuta said, "Activate it!"

[Uchiha Flame Formation!]

A deep crimson light descended into Hell Valley like the edge of the abyss.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!

The earth shook and mountains trembled!!!

The light rose above the earth like a deep crimson Wall of Sighs, enclosing all of Hell Valley!

It was an invincible barrier formed from Asura Hellfire!!

The immense lightning bolts were like the feeble fists of infants before it, collapsing at the slightest touch!

"What?!"

"What is that?!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The Cloud Ninja in the forest were utterly shocked. This was a combination technique that required over a hundred people to perform during wartime!

Yet they were powerless before this barrier!

"Of course you wouldn't know. This barrier is made of the fires of hell."

"It only takes one person to activate it, but I was worried something might go wrong, so I had three jōnin help me!"

"Who knew it'd only be a bunch of useless weaklings like you? I was being too cautious!"

"Who's there?!"

The Cloud Ninja looked toward the voice.

Standing on a tree branch,

with the moonlight behind him, his expression was hard to make out,

but his pair of scarlet, bewitching Sharingan

shone brilliantly!

"Who am I? Wasn't I your target from the start?" Uchiha Genmei tilted his head.

"You're Uchiha Genmei?" Dodai looked at the boy before him and felt that this was going to be troublesome.

What oppressive presence!

"That's right. Now let the slaughter begin!"

Genmei grinned, baring a cruel smile.

Beneath the moonlight, the scarlet demon appeared!