Return to the Clan Grounds

Jin and Yan exchanged a glance. Though they did not understand why he had to be so cautious, they still solemnly accepted the order. "As you command, Young Master Mo!"

While the members of the Hyuga Branch Family were still immersed in the thrill of revenge and the bewilderment of their sudden change in status, Qin Mo's next move plunged them into even deeper shock.

Qin Mo calmly reached into his wide sleeve and took out four large crystal bottles.

The bottles were clear and crystalline, filled to the brim with Water of Life that radiated rich life energy!

The amount in each bottle was enough to drive any clan in the ninja world mad.

Qin Mo casually tossed these four priceless treasures toward Hyuga Tosei.

Almost by reflex, Hyuga Tosei caught them in a fluster.

Holding the four bottles of Water of Life was like holding four heavy mountains of gold. Hyuga Tosei was completely stunned.

"This... my lord... this is...?" Hyuga Tosei's voice was dry, and he could barely form a complete sentence.

The Branch Family ninja behind him were filled with disbelief and astonishment.

"Water of Life." Qin Mo's tone was so flat it was as if he were introducing a cup of plain water. "All of you have hidden injuries to some degree, especially after being tortured by the Caged Bird for so long. Your meridians and organs must have suffered serious damage.

Take it and divide it among yourselves. Recover as quickly as possible. I'll need your strength for the next operation."

That understated sentence was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, raising towering waves in the hearts of the Hyuga Branch Family!

In the past, Branch Family members like them had been worth less than dogs in the eyes of the Main Family. If they were injured, being given the cheapest herbs to apply was already considered a favor. If they were gravely wounded and on the brink of death, they might even be abandoned outright.

When had they ever imagined that one day they would be able to touch such a divine substance?

Let alone four whole large bottles, handed to them so casually, so trustingly, for them to distribute on their own!

"My... my lord..." The scar-faced ninja's lips trembled. "This... this is too precious... your subordinate... your subordinate does not deserve..."

Hyuga Ryusuke's face burned. Just moments ago, he had still been full of doubt and resentment toward Qin Mo's recruitment.

Now, as he looked at those four bottles of treasure that symbolized trust and care, then compared them to the Main Family's constant exploitation and harsh treatment of the Branch Family, the enormous contrast left him so ashamed he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He abruptly dropped to one knee and knocked his forehead heavily against the ground. "Ryusuke was foolish! I actually dared to question my lord earlier! Please punish me, my lord!"

"Please punish us, my lord!" The other Branch Family ninja who had been disrespectful earlier also knelt one after another.

Tears streamed down Hyuga Tosei's aged face. He turned to face all his clansmen. "My clansmen! My lord treats us with sincerity and has bestowed such a sacred item to heal our pain! This kindness and virtue are like giving us new lives!

From this day forward, we of the Hyuga Branch Family—no!

All of us of the Hyuga Clan! In life, we shall be my lord's blade; in death, we shall be my lord's shield! If any of us harbors a second heart, may heaven and earth destroy us!"

"In life, we shall be my lord's blade! In death, we shall be my lord's shield!"

"If we harbor a second heart! May heaven and earth destroy us!"

One hundred and twenty Hyuga ninja who had just gained new lives let out a deafening cry from the bottom of their hearts.

This oath was no longer merely due to the pressure of circumstance or an exchange of interests. They had truly been won over by this "generous treatment" and willingly offered up their loyalty!

Qin Mo only nodded slightly, his face still showing little emotion. "Elder Tosei, distribute it as soon as possible and let everyone recover."

Madara and Izuna watched from the side, a trace of emotion flashing through their eyes as well.

Although they knew Qin Mo had tampered with the Water of Life, his means of controlling people's hearts truly left them deeply impressed.

After watching the shadow clones depart with the two groups, Qin Mo turned to Madara and Izuna and said, "Big brother, second brother, we should head back."

On the return journey, Crimson Snow could not help asking in a low voice, "Young master, why did you specifically remind the two seniors to retreat? Could the Hyuga Main Family still have hidden strength?"

Qin Mo said with a solemn expression, "Caution keeps the ship sailing for ten thousand years. Besides, I keep feeling that... there's more to this matter than meets the eye."

Hearing this, Izuna laughed. "Mo, you're too cautious. The Hyuga Main Family is already a turtle in a jar. They can't stir up much trouble."

Madara, however, gave Qin Mo a meaningful look.

He knew better than anyone that if the Hyuga Main Family could make Qin Mo, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, so wary, then perhaps they really did have some trump card hidden away.

By the time everyone returned to the Uchiha Clan Grounds, it was already early morning.

In front of the clan gates, Uchiha Tajima was waiting with a group of elders.

"Father!!!" Madara, Izuna, and Qin Mo stepped forward and saluted.

Uchiha Tajima's gaze passed directly over Madara and landed on Qin Mo. "How did it go?"

Qin Mo smiled faintly. "Everything went smoothly. The Hyuga Branch Family, the Hozuki Clan, and the Snow Clan have all sworn allegiance to us Uchiha."

When the elders heard this, shock appeared on all their faces.

Subduing three great ninja clans in a single day—what an astonishing achievement!

Uchiha Tajima's pupils also contracted sharply, but he was the clan leader, after all. He forcibly suppressed the storm raging in his heart. "Tell me the details!"

Qin Mo nodded slightly and began to recount everything clearly and methodically...

A moment later, after Qin Mo finished his account.

Everyone looked at Qin Mo, this excessively young yet seasoned, meticulous, decisive junior, and the admiration in their eyes had already turned into deep reverence and a trace of indescribable fear.

This boy not only possessed outstanding talent; his political schemes and grasp of human weakness were simply monstrous!

"Good!" Uchiha Tajima's voice contained excitement and satisfaction that were difficult to suppress. "All of you did extremely well! Far beyond this old man's expectations!"

The elders also nodded in agreement one after another. The gazes they directed at Qin Mo and the other two were filled with unprecedented approval and expectation.

"There is a more important matter at hand." Uchiha Tajima restrained his emotions and regained the dignity of a clan leader. "The negotiations with the Senju Clan are tomorrow. This is of the utmost importance and concerns our clan's future plans.

You have been running around all night, and your minds and spirits are worn down. Go back and rest at once. Preserve your strength and meet the Senju Clan in the best possible condition!"

"Yes, Father!" Qin Mo, Madara, and Izuna replied in unison, saluted respectfully once more, then turned and walked toward the depths of the clan grounds.

Izuna patted Qin Mo on the shoulder. "Mo, we'll be counting on you tomorrow."

Qin Mo answered with a gentle smile.

Madara, however, seemed somewhat silent. He walked at the very front, his steps appearing steady, but his gaze drifted slightly, as if he were pondering something extremely important.

When the three reached a fork in the path, Izuna and Qin Mo each headed toward their own courtyards.

However, after Madara returned to his residence and changed into a blue kimono, his figure suddenly flashed, alerting no one.

Like a shadow blending into the morning wind, he sped toward a hidden river outside the clan grounds at an extremely fast pace.

When Madara arrived at the riverbank, a familiar figure was standing quietly by the water, gazing at the flowing river.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, the boy turned around in surprise and delight.