His aged eyes swiftly scanned the contents of the scroll, and then he muttered to himself in surprise and suspicion.
"Hidden Cloud actually retreated?"
"This is bad... the pressure on the northeastern front will definitely increase! And Hidden Stone has made new moves as well..."
"Ah..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh, his brow furrowing in distress.
"Kirigakure landing from the Land of Whirlpools clearly means they have designs on Hidden Leaf, but Hidden Cloud has pulled its forces from the Hidden Sand front. That means the forces on the Hidden Cloud front absolutely cannot be moved for now. We can only make use of Hidden Stone's surplus troops and the idle forces within the village..."
"Fortunately, Hidden Sand has already lost the ability to start a war on its own. Otherwise, if they took this chance to interfere as well..."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the scroll in his hand with a troubled expression and rose to stand before the window beside his desk.
The Hokage Office Building was the tallest structure in all of Hidden Leaf. From this position, he could see much of the village. Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze instinctively settled on another three-story building to Hidden Leaf's southwest.
That was the headquarters of the Uchiha Police Force...
"..."
After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly spoke.
"We can only send the Uchiha Clan. It would take too long for the troops withdrawn from the Grass Country to reach the vicinity of the Land of Whirlpools. The village's remaining forces alone simply cannot hold out for long..."
"The Uchiha Clan... sigh... once this war ends, we'll give them everything we owed them from last time as well..."
As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, his brows knit even tighter.
At that moment, he suddenly found himself missing that old friend who had long since vanished—or rather, whose corpse could not be found...
"If Danzo were here, this matter would probably be much simpler... My abilities alone... are still not enough..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly did not wish to treat the Uchiha Clan so unfairly, but even if he did not want to, he had no choice. He dared not gamble the village on the Uchiha Clan's stability... He understood all too well the limits of his own abilities...
After casting one final glance outside, Hiruzen Sarutobi shut the window and returned to the chair behind his desk.
"Someone!"
Swish!
As soon as his voice fell, a figure swiftly entered from outside, dropping to one knee before the desk.
"Two orders. First, have the Uchiha Clan gather the remaining ninja forces in the village and depart tomorrow for the Land of Whirlpools. The clan head will serve as commander-in-chief and be responsible for blocking Kirigakure's invasion! Second, have Orochimaru leave tomorrow for the Hidden Stone front as commander-in-chief. He must stop all of Hidden Stone's acts of aggression! If they have any objections, tell them to come find me at the Hokage's office!"
"Yes!"
The figure answered in a deep voice, then vanished from the office in an instant once more, even shutting the office door behind him.
The orders quickly reached the Uchiha Clan and Orochimaru. Naturally, Orochimaru had no objections, but the Uchiha Clan had only recently been taken advantage of by Hiruzen Sarutobi. This time, they naturally could not remain entirely unreactive.
Fortunately, Mo had anticipated this long ago.
In his view, the Kirigakure battlefield was also an opportunity for the Uchiha Clan. After all, where else would they have a legitimate chance to leave with a large force of Uchiha fighters?
Mo's plan required such an opportunity to lay the foundations for the Uchiha Clan's future.
Thus, under Uchiha Mo's will, the dissatisfaction within the Uchiha Clan was temporarily suppressed, and they reached an agreement.
However, on the day of departure, an unexpected figure appeared among the ranks.
Beside Fugaku stood a young child with an immature face, shyly hiding behind him...
Chapter 85: Itachi Uchiha, the Raikage Takes Action
"..."
Itachi Uchiha timidly looked toward the youth ahead. Though he was rather mature for his age, he was only three years old. Moreover, this youth had just seized the position of clan head from his father, so it was only natural for him to feel afraid.
Fugaku patted Itachi's head twice and sternly said, "Itachi! Do not be disrespectful!"
At the same time, he turned to Uchiha Mo. After hesitating for a moment, he awkwardly said,
"C-Clan Head, this is my eldest son, Itachi Uchiha."
Mo looked at Fugaku, then shifted his gaze to Itachi Uchiha and asked coldly,
"What do you think his purpose on the battlefield is? To reduce the Uchiha Clan's population burden?"
Itachi immediately hid behind his father in fear, while Fugaku's expression stiffened. He hurriedly assured him,
"Please rest assured, Itachi is very obedient. I only wanted to start training him early. He won't affect the battle."
"..."
Mo turned away and ignored him, but inwardly, he was considering something else.
Under his subtle influence, Shisui's mindset now stood firmly on the Uchiha Clan's side. Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan would be the most important foundation behind Mo in the future. Since that was the case, he could try to make use of the top genius, Itachi Uchiha, for the clan.
With that thought, Mo slowly said,
"Have Shisui take care of him on the battlefield. The clan does not permit you to waste your energy on a child."
Given Fugaku's way of raising children, if Mo did not intervene, he could practically guarantee that even if Itachi stood with the clan in the future, he would become a complete lunatic.
Fugaku's stiff face trembled slightly. Clearly somewhat delighted, he looked toward Shisui and said,
"Is that all right? Then I'll have to trouble you, Shisui."
He had personally witnessed Shisui's strength during the Battle of Kikyo Pass, so naturally, he would not refuse.
"Huh? All right..."
Shisui was stunned for a moment, but he obediently agreed. Then he smiled, crouched down, and looked at the child hiding behind Fugaku's leg.
"Um... hello. I'm Shisui Uchiha. Please take care of me."
Perhaps it was Shisui's sunny smile, but Itachi froze for a moment before visibly relaxing. He stepped out from behind Fugaku and quietly replied,
"I... I'm... Itachi Uchiha. Please take care of me."
Mo withdrew his gaze and swept his eyes over the clansmen beside him and the ninja behind them. Expressionless, he said,
"Move out!"
"Boss! The spies in Hidden Leaf have sent word. This morning, the Uchiha Clan and the troops remaining in Hidden Leaf began moving in large numbers!"
A fair-skinned male ninja knelt on one knee and respectfully reported to the burly dark-skinned man before him.
"Good!" The Third Raikage immediately rose to his feet. As he headed for the entrance of the tent, he continued issuing orders. "C, immediately notify Sa Zhongyi to prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique! After I leave, you will lead the army in continuing the retreat. Make sure to speed it up! Though we are currently allies with Hidden Stone, there is no guarantee that old Ōnoki won't change his mind halfway through."
"Understood! But... Boss, if you go alone..."
C hesitated. He did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was obvious.
The Third Raikage's steps paused slightly. He turned back and said,
"If there are too many people, we won't make it in time. Besides, I have already communicated with the Mizukage. Kirigakure's forces will cooperate with my actions. We must kill that detestable Uchiha brat! Destroy Hidden Leaf's southeastern front and avenge the fallen warriors of Hidden Cloud!"
The dark-skinned brute spoke in a low voice, thick scarlet killing intent seeping through his clenched teeth.
Uchiha Mo had dealt Hidden Cloud far too severe a blow. The Third Raikage could not possibly give up this opportunity. Moreover, he had absolute confidence in his own strength. Even if Kirigakure turned on him after the deed was done, he was confident he could retreat safely.
"...All right."
Seeing that his leader had made up his mind, C did not try to dissuade him further. He swiftly rose and prepared to contact Sa Zhongyi.
A short while later, the two-meter-tall Third Raikage sat cross-legged atop a three-story-tall rubber platform. At his side stood C and a dark-skinned man.
"Lord Raikage, have you determined the destination coordinates?" the dark-skinned man asked, raising his head toward the Third Raikage.
"Sa Zhongyi, with your chakra, can you send me into the Land of Whirlpools?" the Third Raikage asked.
They were currently within the Land of Birds. Teleporting to the Land of Whirlpools would mean crossing half the Ninja World.
In the future, Hidden Cloud would produce a ninja with exceptional mastery over the Heavenly Transfer Technique—Mabui. She could send two people across half the Ninja World at once and precisely teleport the Amber Purifying Pot to her allies' side. But Sa Zhongyi was far less talented, which was why the Third Raikage asked the question.
"Th-This..."
Sa Zhongyi hesitated for a moment before answering,
"It would be rather difficult... but within the Land of Whirlpools, the only teleportation coordinate we have accurately mapped is that clearing near the Hidden Leaf border."
The Heavenly Transfer Technique required no medium for teleportation, but it relied on coordinates. Though convenient, it could directly teleport objects or ninja into tree branches or rocks, causing immediate injury or death!
"It's fine. Set that as the destination!"
The Third Raikage waved his hand, utterly unconcerned.
"Do we not need to notify Lord A and Lord B in advance to receive you?" Sa Zhongyi asked anxiously.
"No. I will act alone and retreat immediately after killing him. Making a spectacle of it would only risk leaking the news and causing unforeseen complications."
"All right... I understand... Lord Raikage, please prepare yourself!"
Sweat beaded on Sa Zhongyi's forehead as he replied nervously.
As the wielder of the Heavenly Transfer Technique, he understood more than anyone the danger of using it to transport a ninja. For that reason, even though the Third Raikage had proven that he could endure the risk, Sa Zhongyi still felt nervous.
"Begin."
In comparison, the Third Raikage appeared far more relaxed.
Sa Zhongyi nodded solemnly, swallowed, and formed a hand seal before him.
"Heavenly Transfer Technique!"
As his voice fell, blue light suddenly enveloped the Third Raikage's body. Then, with a flash of light, his figure vanished from the teleportation platform with a swish...
Within the Land of Whirlpools.
The Third Raikage landed safely. He turned and surveyed the surrounding scenery. After confirming that he had not been sent to the wrong location, he began mapping out the shortest route from Hidden Leaf's headquarters to the Land of Whirlpools.
A short while later, the dark-skinned brute with the exaggerated physique slowly turned around. After choosing a direction, lightning burst across his body, and he shot forward!
Chapter 86: Black Zetsu! The Third Raikage!
Deep underground beneath Hidden Leaf's southeastern border forces, Black Zetsu controlled a white creature as it continued following the Uchiha forces above.
In a sense, Black Zetsu truly was a genius.
He made use of White Zetsu's "plant person" trait. After killing its consciousness, he used his "spiritual fusion" ability to control the dead White Zetsu's movements.
White Zetsu itself was an exceptionally special creature. After death, its body's state of existence completely became like that of trees, air, or stone. As a result, Black Zetsu, residing within its body, could conceal his own presence even more perfectly, ensuring that "Indra" would not discover him.
As for the actual effect...
Seeing that Uchiha Mo showed no abnormalities above, Black Zetsu felt that his concealment was flawless.
"..."
Uchiha Mo withdrew his attention. His pupils narrowed slightly as he began scanning the surrounding area with Clairvoyance.
Since Black Zetsu had appeared again, Mo was certain that something unexpected was highly likely to happen next...
Yes. From the moment Black Zetsu had actively followed the group and set his sights and attention on Uchiha Mo, Mo had already discovered his presence.
In addition to enhancing Clairvoyance and Wind Ear, Heavenly Insight had further elevated Mo's already considerable sensory abilities. Moreover, after becoming familiar with it for some time, Mo no longer needed to deliberately shift his gaze. With a mere thought, he could perfectly control his sensory abilities.
Mo did not expose Black Zetsu directly as he had last time, instead continuing to feign ignorance. However, he had not forgotten Black Zetsu's ambitions toward him. Thus, although his usual sensory range was already extremely broad, he still proactively used Clairvoyance to investigate the distant surroundings.
Before long, when Mo's gaze swept over a dense forest within the Land of Whirlpools ahead of the group, near the Hidden Leaf border, the dark-skinned man with the absurdly muscular build entered his field of vision.
The dark-skinned brute hid among the thick foliage. If Clairvoyance did not possess the ability to sense presences, it would likely have taken some effort to notice him.
"Is that... the Third Raikage?" Mo frowned slightly.
According to the original timeline, the Third Raikage should currently have been entangled with Rasa on the Hidden Sand battlefield. Even if Hidden Cloud's repeated setbacks on the Hidden Leaf battlefield due to Mo had caused him to return early for reinforcements, at most he should have been betrayed by Ōnoki and ultimately beaten to death by a group while covering his comrades' retreat. No matter what, he should not have appeared in this place...
As he pondered, Mo inconspicuously glanced at the ground beneath his feet, silently confirming a certain suspicion.
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