"Empty Zone"

Thus, Ebizo could only frantically control his puppets in an attempt to defeat Tsunade while desperately racking his brains for another way to break the deadlock.

However, it was already too late.

Sakumo Hatake had already intercepted the Hidden Sand Village elites who had come as reinforcements near the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain.

And then, there was no then.

Sakumo Hatake, known as Konoha's White Fang, had always excelled at dealing with puppet masters.

Along with Uchiha Yasashiro and the elites from Konoha's various ninja clans who had followed him into the Land of Wind.

The Hidden Sand Village reinforcements, led by Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, were wiped out completely by Konoha without any surprises.

However, although the plan had succeeded and the results were remarkable, Sakumo Hatake had ultimately failed to achieve his full objective.

After all, his original target had been Chiyo, once known as the "Flower of Hidden Sand," not her son and daughter-in-law.

At the same time, an inexplicable, vague premonition arose in his heart—the war between Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village was far from over...

The scene returned to Yin Jie.

After taking a moment to recover, he continued learning Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique and Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique from Fugaku, two Fire Release techniques that were likewise famous throughout the ninja world as signature techniques of the Uchiha Clan.

And, unsurprisingly, he mastered them instantly.

Then, after resting for a while, Yin Jie repeatedly performed the three C-rank Fire Release techniques he had just learned, thoroughly integrating them into his understanding before

It was worth mentioning that although Yin Jie was only six years old, his chakra reserves were by no means small. By Fugaku's estimate, they were comparable to those of a Chunin, perhaps even slightly greater.

Preparing to press on and learn more ninjutsu.

Fugaku mysteriously interrupted the lesson. After informing Uchiha Mikoto, he took Yin Jie directly out of the village and headed toward its northeastern region.

Yin Jie was utterly confused by this, but he knew Fugaku would not harm him. So he allowed Fugaku to lead the way toward their unknown destination.

The scenery changed continuously along the way, until Fugaku led him through an exceptionally hidden entrance into the ground and deep into the sprawling network of underground caves.

Only then did he finally realize and clearly understand the purpose of their journey.

His memories from his previous life contained information about this underground cave network.

This was a special area beneath the northeastern part of the Land of Fire known as the "Empty Zone."

It served as a supply base for ninja tools exclusively used by the Uchiha Clan, as well as the habitat of the Ninja Cat Clan, a group of summoned beasts that had cooperated with the Uchiha Clan for generations.

And if Yin Jie remembered correctly, the Uchiha Clan's greatest source of intelligence was Cat Granny, who lived in the "Empty Zone" and ran a ninja tool shop exclusively for the Uchiha Clan.

"Tap..."

"Tap..."

"Tap..."

Crisp footsteps echoed clearly through the maze-like underground network.

Just then.

Whoosh!

Accompanied by the sharp sound of air being torn apart, a white blur tinged with a hint of red and possessing a considerable amount of chakra inside its body darted before Fugaku in Yin Jie's Sharingan vision. Its green eyes stared fearlessly at Fugaku.

Their eyes met, and then—

"It's Fugaku! Meow~"

The white blur spoke in a deep voice, though the somewhat adorable meow at the end revealed its identity as a ninja cat.

At the same time, with a soft smack, the white cat gracefully and lightly leaped onto Fugaku's shoulder. "Are you here to ask Cat Granny for intelligence? Meow~"

It was obvious that the white cat and Fugaku were quite familiar with each other.

But before Fugaku could answer, the white cat continued questioning him, its tone half scrutinizing and half curious.

"And who is this Uchiha brat beside you? Why haven't I seen him before? Meow~"

The white cat's highly expressive gaze stirred something in Yin Jie's heart. He had heard Uchiha Yasashiro talk about the Ninja Cat Clan and knew that Yasashiro had signed a summoning contract with them, but he had never had the chance to see one at the front-line camp.

So this was his first time dealing with an intelligent creature that could use chakra and speak human language.

Staring intently at the white cat, whose fur looked exceptionally soft and smooth, Yin Jie subconsciously reached out with his "evil claws," intending to pick it up from Fugaku's shoulder.

After all, this was a talking ninja cat. Wasn't that far more exciting than those ragdolls, Persians, and silver shaded cats from his previous life?

However, his attempt failed as the white cat nimbly hopped away, dodging his grasp.

"Hey! Fugaku! You still haven't answered my question! Meow~"

Fugaku watched the amusing interaction between Yin Jie and the white cat with a smile in his eyes, secretly delighted.

It seems Yin Jie really likes ninja cats. Bringing him here was the right choice.

Then, composing himself and letting his smile fade, he replied, "This is Yin Jie, Uchiha Yin Jie. He is a genius who has just returned to our Uchiha Clan, so naturally you haven't met him, Luna."

After a slight pause, Fugaku shook his head, denying Luna—the white cat's—first question.

"And this time, I've brought our genius here to find him a future partner, while also having some ninja tools custom-made for him."

"Now then, Luna, take us to see Cat Granny first!"

The "Empty Zone" had been the Ninja Cat Clan's home for generations. Combined with the various barriers established with the Uchiha Clan's full support, this place had long since been made utterly impregnable.

It could be said that without a ninja cat familiar with the route to guide them, even members of the Uchiha Clan would need to expend considerable effort to reach its deepest part.

Along the way.

Shadows of various colors continually darted past the two humans and one cat, racing over shattered bricks and tiles that resembled a spiderweb.

Although the shadows moved swiftly, Yin Jie could still clearly track their movements through his Sharingan.

Every one of them was a ninja cat that had mastered chakra, and even the weakest among them could rival a Genin.

Before long, guided by the white cat Luna, the two finally reached the deepest part of the "Empty Zone."