The Daimyo's Funeral! The Uchiha's Former Site!

Following the map Tobirama Senju had given him, Lin Hai traveled day and night.

Five days later, he arrived in a remote area within the Land of Fire.

Looking at the ordinary village before him, with smoke curling up from its chimneys, Lin Hai frowned deeply.

"Something's wrong. The map marks the Uchiha's former site somewhere nearby. But the people in this village—not only have they never seen an Uchiha, they've never even heard of that surname."

Lin Hai asked around the village for an entire day, but found nothing.

At dusk, the setting sun was red as blood.

Feeling somewhat discouraged, Lin Hai sat on a bluestone slab at the village entrance, repeatedly comparing the map as he sank into thought.

"Could Lord Tobirama's map be wrong? Impossible. He has no reason to deceive me over this."

Just then, a hoarse yet somewhat surprised voice came from behind him.

"Young man, you won't find where you're going with an old map like that."

Lin Hai spun around.

An old man leaning on a cane was standing some distance away, though Lin Hai had no idea when he had appeared.

The old man's gaze was fixed on the fan-shaped clan crest on the back of Lin Hai's clothes, the symbol of the Uchiha Clan. An unusual light flickered in his clouded eyes.

Lin Hai's heart stirred. He quickly rose to his feet and bowed respectfully.

"Sir, do you know the place marked on this map? I'm looking for my clan's former settlement."

The old man slowly walked over and sat beside the bluestone slab, letting out a long sigh.

"I never thought that, before this old man goes into the ground, I would see this symbol again. A legendary clan that people both revered and feared."

"Sir, do you know where the Uchiha's former site is?" Lin Hai suppressed the excitement in his heart.

The old man tremulously raised a hand and pointed toward a towering mountain wreathed in mist and clouds in the distance.

"The place you seek lies deep within those mountains. Back then, it was a true forbidden ground. Ordinary people wouldn't even dare approach it."

Lin Hai hurriedly handed over the map. "Please, sir, show me the way."

Squinting at it, the old man traced a line across the map with a withered finger.

"Enter the mountains from here. After about two days on the mountain paths, you'll see an enormous lake."

"There's a hidden cave beside the lake. Pass through it, and you'll find the place you seek."

"Thank you, sir!"

After safely escorting the old man home, Lin Hai did not delay for even a moment. Turning around, he shot toward the mountains like an arrow loosed from its bow.

Land of Hot Springs, Kumogakure Allied Forces camp.

"Lord Gold! Lord Silver have returned in triumph!"

With that booming announcement, the entire camp erupted.

Two burly men with six whisker-like markings on their cheeks strode arrogantly into the camp, carrying enormous ninja tools on their shoulders.

The Kumogakure ninja around them gazed at them with fervor and worship.

On a high platform in the distance, a muscular man with short white hair watched the scene with a gloomy expression.

He turned and descended the platform, heading straight for the Second Raikage's office tent.

"Teacher!"

The white-haired man dropped to one knee, his voice filled with dissatisfaction.

"Gold and Silver have won another battle. Their prestige in the army is becoming impossible to suppress!"

"If this continues, your position as Raikage may well..."

The Second Raikage set down the document in his hand and raised his head, his gaze calm.

"You are my direct disciple and the future Third Raikage. You should understand my concerns."

"We are deeply mired in war right now. This is precisely when we need capable people."

"Gold and Silver may be unruly, but they are Kumogakure's heroes. As long as they continue killing our enemies, I can tolerate them."

"But, Teacher!" The white-haired man grew anxious.

"The two of them have always paid lip service while defying you behind your back. If someone in the village secretly fans the flames, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"Hahaha!" The Second Raikage laughed loudly. "You're overthinking it!"

"In terms of military merit, you are no less accomplished than them. In a one-on-one fight, neither of them is your match."

"They merely rely on the Sage of Six Paths' ninja tools. Do what you should do and withdraw."

Helpless, the white-haired man could only salute and take his leave.

After walking out of the tent, he looked at Gold and Silver, surrounded by crowds in the distance. A ruthless glint flashed through his eyes.

Teacher is too merciful. It seems I'll have to make preparations ahead of time. I absolutely cannot let those two lunatics destroy Kumogakure!

Okayama Castle, capital of the Land of Fire.

As the heart of the strongest nation in the shinobi world, Okayama Castle was incomparably prosperous and also the gathering place of the Land of Fire's ancient noble houses.

While the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was still alive, these nobles had been forced by Hashirama's overwhelming power to keep their ambitions in check and behave themselves.

But with Hashirama's death and Konoha deeply embroiled in the First Shinobi World War, the ambitions of these great families began to swell wildly.

They assassinated the daimyo, intending to reduce the new daimyo to a figurehead and seize all authority in the Land of Fire for themselves. They even sought to meddle in Konoha's military command.

Today was the day of the "Daimyo Review," which would determine whether the new daimyo would ascend to the throne.

The atmosphere inside the review hall was strange.

The young daimyo sat in the seat of honor, forcibly suppressing the fury in his heart.

In the vast hall, only a handful of the Land of Fire's prominent nobles had come.

Moreover, every one of them looked arrogant, showing no regard for him whatsoever.

Fortunately, I secretly received the Second Hokage's support yesterday. Otherwise, they might have directly removed me today! The young daimyo secretly rejoiced.

The appointed time arrived.

Hatake Sakutsuki, the general responsible for the keep's defenses, stepped forward and respectfully said, "My lord, it is time for the review."

The young daimyo took a deep breath, swept his gaze over the few noble representatives who looked down their noses at everyone, and spoke coldly.

"Everyone. My late father was assassinated. A nation cannot go a single day without a ruler."

"Why have the others still not appeared after I summoned you here today? Must the position of daimyo remain vacant forever?"

A noble elder rose to his feet with a false smile.

"Your Highness, there is no need to rush. The great families are discussing certain details concerning your succession. After all, the Land of Fire cannot be entrusted to an incompetent person. Once we have reached an agreement, we will naturally give Your Highness an explanation."

"How dare you!"

The young daimyo slammed his palm against the table, laughing from sheer rage.

"No need to make this so troublesome! Today, right here, we will settle this matter!"

"As it happens, the Second Hokage has time today. Invite the Second Hokage into the hall!"

"Invite the Second Hokage into the hall!"

"Invite the Second Hokage into the hall!"

"..."

The samurai outside shouted the announcement one after another.

To the few noble representatives, however, each proclamation sounded like a death knell.

The doors to the hall slowly opened.

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, entered wearing the white haori symbolizing Konoha's highest authority.

The five conspicuous characters on his back—"Second Hokage"—carried boundless pressure.

He walked steadily into the hall, his blade-cold gaze sweeping over the terrified nobles.

"Today is the day of the Daimyo Review, the Land of Fire's grandest ceremony. Yet your families have treated it with such contempt!"

Tobirama's voice was like the bitter wind of winter. "You deserve death!"

Having said that, Tobirama turned toward the young daimyo and bowed.

"My lord! I believe we should kill the chicken to scare the monkeys!"

"Any family absent today shall be considered traitors. Their titles should be stripped, their nine clans exterminated, as a warning to the rest!"

The entire hall fell deathly silent!

Exterminate nine clans?!

Those murderous words made the nobles present feel as if they had fallen into an icy abyss.

A noble representative who was usually accustomed to throwing his weight around pointed at Tobirama in fury, his finger trembling.

"You... you're nothing but a brute! A ninja! The Land of Fire has not even decided on a daimyo yet. What right do you have to spout nonsense here..."

Tobirama did not even spare him a glance. He cut him off directly and turned his gaze toward Hatake Sakutsuki.

"General of the guard, what is the punishment for disrespecting the Hokage before the hall and scorning the daimyo's legitimate authority?"

Cold sweat broke out across Hatake Sakutsuki's forehead. He knew Tobirama was using this as a pretext.

Gritting his teeth, he answered despite himself, "For lesser offenses, flogging. For grave offenses, death."

Tobirama looked at the young daimyo again. "What does my lord think? Should this man receive a light punishment or a heavy one?"

The young daimyo was ecstatic inside, but he put on a grief-stricken expression. "This man has no respect for his superiors. Punish him severely!"

Upon hearing this, the noble representative flew into a rage and was just about to curse aloud.

Splat!

Without any warning, a hair-thin yet incomparably sharp jet of high-pressure water shot from Tobirama's fingertip!

It instantly pierced through the noble's throat!

Blood sprayed everywhere!

Before he could even scream, he fell stiffly into a pool of blood and died on the spot.

The hall instantly descended into chaos. The remaining noble representatives were so terrified that they collapsed to the ground, and some even wet themselves.

As though he had merely crushed an ant, Tobirama expressionlessly sought the young daimyo's instruction.

"Please give the order, my lord! I will lead the troops to immediately purge the capital and exterminate every last traitor who failed to attend!"

Hatake Sakutsuki was scared out of his wits.

If this god of slaughter truly wiped out the nobles, the Land of Fire would immediately descend into enormous chaos.

He hurriedly dropped to his knees and loudly tried to dissuade him.

"My lord, you must not! You must not act rashly! Some families may simply have been delayed by pressing official duties!"

"I suggest that we immediately send out orders for them to come at once! We must not begin a slaughter!"

Just now, the young daimyo had nearly been infected by Tobirama's killing intent and blurted out his agreement.

Hearing Sakutsuki's advice, he also came to his senses and realized that it was not yet time to completely flip the table.

"General Hatake is right. Deliver my order: summon the lords who have not arrived and have them come at once! Immediately!"

Just as the guards prepared to relay the order, Tobirama coldly added, "When you deliver the order, do not mention that I am here. Just say that the daimyo requests their presence."

Hatake Sakutsuki shuddered from head to toe.

This Second Hokage was determined to shut the door and beat the dogs—to begin a massacre!

Had the Hatake Clan made the right choice in siding with Konoha?

Meanwhile.

Deep underground in the Land of Fire, within a massive cavern where daylight never reached.

An enormous humanoid statue resembling withered wood stood in the shadows.

On a stone seat beneath the statue, an aged, white-haired old man sat cross-legged.

Suddenly, the earth before him churned.

A bizarre creature, completely pale and with only half a face, emerged from the ground.

"Lord Madara!"

White Zetsu grinned mischievously at the old man on the stone seat.

"I found an interesting little brat. Someone from the Uchiha clan is heading toward our secret base from back then."

Madara Uchiha, seated on the stone throne, slowly opened his eyes.

A pair of violet eyes covered in rings of mysterious ripples—the Rinnegan!

In the absolute darkness, those eyes radiated a terrifying pressure that made one's heart tremble.

"Oh?"

Madara's voice was hoarse and weak, yet his aura of sovereign majesty had not diminished in the slightest. "Who is it?"

White Zetsu bared his teeth. "By bloodline, he's your descendant. He looks like a promising young sprout."

Madara fell silent for a moment before slowly closing his eyes.

"Go and test his mettle. See whether he is qualified to become my pawn."

"Remember, do not expose your identity. It is not yet time for us to return to the light."

"As you command~"

White Zetsu's body slowly sank into the ground, leaving behind an eerie chuckle.

"If I break him, don't feel too bad for him~"