As he spoke, Shaoyu Hand Seals, and chakra surged within him.
This time, the commotion wasn't very big, but a cold, powerful, and eerie aura began to permeate the air.
" Summoning Technique - Agito!"
A thicker plume of black smoke dissipated, revealing a grotesque chimera beast with a bird-like upper body wearing a mask and a serpentine lower body.
Agito.
Its enormous single eye swept across the surroundings, finally settling on Shaoyu. It bowed its head slightly in obedience, and the dangerous aura emanating from it made even the battle-hardened Terumi Iroha, feel a chill run down her spine.
"This is Agito, one of my summoned beasts."
Shaoyu explained calmly.
"It is powerful enough to deal with almost any Kage Level threat, and possesses a variety of special abilities, excelling in stealth and defense. While I am away, it will lurk near the Terumi Clan tribe's territory."
"If the Mizukage or his direct forces launch a sudden attack on the Terumi Clan, or if you sense a deadly danger, immediately recite the summoning contract fragment I taught you in your mind. Agito will then appear to protect you until the crisis is over or I return."
Shaoyu then conveyed a brief mantra for guiding spiritual energy to Terumi Iroha.
This is only a temporary authorization; Agito still Shaoyu, but it is sufficient for summoning and basic defense in critical moments.
Terumi Iroha stared in utter shock at the terrifying monster before her.
He had long known that Shaoyu's strength was unfathomable, but seeing such a strange and powerful spirit beast in person still exceeded his expectations.
With this guard, the safety of the Terumi Clan and the other three families was undoubtedly greatly increased.
No wonder he's his son-in-law.
" Shaoyu very much, Lord Shaoyu!"
Terumi Iroha bowed deeply, this time with genuine gratitude.
"With it here, I feel much more at ease. You can leave with peace of mind. Here in Kirigakure, I will follow the plan and lead the clan to lie low, waiting for the right opportunity."
Shaoyu nodded, gave a few more instructions on the details, and then had Terumi Iroha quietly leave with Agito, who was still concealing his presence.
Next, Shaoyu, using the identity of " Mizunotsuki Uha," gave the same explanation to the hospital and family that he was "going out for further studies," and took care of some necessary cover-up work.
So... let's go!
Shaoyu is extremely fast.
Departing from the coast of the Land of Water at dawn, he traversed the seas almost by skimming the surface, propelled by the propulsion generated by his Limitless precision in maneuvering and his own powerful physique.
As the sun began to set, the familiar outline of the forests of the Land of Fire came into view.
He did not enter Konoha through the main gate.
He circled around to a secluded cliff on the side of the village, where the defensive barrier was rendered useless by his Six Eyes.
With a few subtle chakra node interferences and the Body Flicker Technique combined, he easily infiltrated the village as if returning home, without alerting any patrols or sensory squads.
Konoha is as prosperous as ever, with people coming and going on the streets, exuding the vitality unique to peacetime.
Konoha is indeed rich...
But this vitality was quickly replaced by a solemn and sorrowful atmosphere as they approached the Uchiha Compound.
From afar, Shaoyu could see the group of buildings that were now covered with black and white cloth curtains and white paper lanterns.
The air was filled with the faint scent of burning incense and the faint, suppressed sound of sobbing.
At the entrance to the Uchiha Compound, layers upon layers of wreaths were laid out, and white mourning couplets fluttered gently in the breeze, bearing condolences from various clans, departments, and even the Hokage's office.
People dressed in black or dark clothing came and went, mostly members of the Uchiha, their faces bearing genuine sorrow.
There were also a few representatives from other families or envoys sent by the Konoha High Command, whose expressions were much more complex, ranging from polite mourning to inquisitive scrutiny, and even a subtle sense of alienation.
After all, the Uchiha Clan has a really bad reputation.
Shaoyu stood in the shadows of a nearby alley, quietly watching this scene.
Uchiha Tiandao... This man, who constantly battled and maneuvered with the higher-ups for the sake of his clan's survival in Konoha, died just like that.
He died from an old wound from decades ago, in an era that appeared peaceful but was actually turbulent beneath the surface.
Shaoyu's gaze swept across the crowd coming and going. He spotted several figures from the Anbu wearing animal masks, hidden in inconspicuous corners, like silent watchers.
He disguised himself even more thoroughly, concealing all his presence, and slowly walked towards the entrance of the clan's territory.
The closer you get, the stronger the atmosphere of sorrow and solemnity becomes.
The air seemed to grow heavier.
He could clearly hear the chanting and faint sobbing coming from the direction of the mourning hall.
He paced slowly around the outskirts of the clan's territory, his Six Eyes scanning everything around him silently, like the most precise radar.
The movement of people, fluctuations in chakra, subtle fragments of conversation, defensive arrangements inside and outside the building...
A massive amount of information flowed into his mind and was quickly analyzed and processed.
"Clan head... Lord Fugaku, he..."
"I heard that the Lord Hokage himself came to pay his respects..."
"The days to come... sigh..."
"Those guys... the Anbu are still outside..."
"What about Elder Setsuna..."
Shaoyu thought for a moment.
Go see Elder Setsuna; he doesn't have many years left to live.
After all, he is the oldest man in the Uchiha Clan.
Deep within the Uchiha Compound, Elder Setsuna's residence was also shrouded in an atmosphere of mourning, but compared to the hustle and bustle of the front yard, it appeared more secluded and heavily guarded.
As the most senior and influential Hawk Faction leader in the clan, Elder Setsuna naturally had many loyal clansmen sentries around his residence during this sensitive time.
However, all of this was useless to Shaoyu, who possessed Six Eyes.
They precisely avoided the sight and perception of all sentries, both visible and hidden, minimizing the traces of their presence.
Finally, he appeared silently in the shadows of the courtyard corridor outside Elder Setsuna Setsuna's study.
The study was lit, the window was half open, and a slightly hunched but still imposing old man was sitting at the desk. It was Uchiha Setsuna.
He seemed to be flipping through some files, his brow furrowed, and an aura of heaviness and worry emanating from him.
The Elder Setsuna stopped, put down the scroll in his hand, and his sharp gaze instantly turned to the window. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into solemnity and a trace of imperceptible relaxation.
He calmly put down the file, walked to the window as if just to get some fresh air, glanced across the courtyard, and said something almost inaudibly.
"Come in, but be careful."
Shaoyu's figure seemed to emerge from the shadows, and in the next moment he appeared in the study, the window closing silently.
" Elder Setsuna."
Shaoyu nodded slightly.