Taking Izuna Uchiha's remains
Ban's pace slowed almost imperceptibly by a fraction.
This vibrant and peaceful daily life is the image of peace that he and Hashirama have pursued for half their lives.
But he only paused slightly; his steps did not stop, and he continued to walk forward step by step.
Walking along the path in the Uchiha Clan District, marked by the passage of time, familiar scenery comes into view, leading to the ancient stone steps of the Naka Shrine.
Ban strode forward and pushed open the shrine's wooden door. The heavy door turned, emitting a dull, long creak that broke the silence of the courtyard.
The candles inside the hall had long since burned out, and the deep night enveloped the entire main hall. Only the sparse Gecko pierced through the window lattices, falling neatly onto the bluestone floor, creating a patchwork of mottled shadows.
He walked slowly to the back of the main hall and stopped in front of the stone wall covered with ancient spells.
With a swift hand Hand Seals, the densely packed sealing patterns on the wall lit up one after another. The faint light traveled along the veins of the runes, and the heavy stone wall slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a sloping stone staircase leading to the underground.
The air in the underground chamber was much colder than above ground, mixed with the dampness of the earth and the musty smell of old wood, and it was so quiet it was almost solemn.
Six Paths Stone Tablet stood silently at the end of the secret chamber, their inscriptions, weathered by a thousand years of wind and frost, gleaming with a cool, faint light in the leaking moonlight.
Beside the stone tablet, a low stone tomb has been quietly lying dormant for decades, undisturbed by anyone.
The tomb has no inscription or markings, only a layer of faint, almost invisible Sealing Jutsu that isolates it from all external disturbances. Decades of wind and rain, and the changing times, have left no trace on this tomb.
Ban Jing stood quietly before the tomb, remaining there for a long time.
After a long while, he slowly bent down and gently placed one palm on the surface of the seal.
The fine, intricate patterns of the technique spread out like ripples on water, then slowly dissipated.
He gently moved the top stone slab of the tomb, his movements extremely slow, as if afraid that even the slightest noise would disturb the deceased who lay there in eternal rest.
Natsu stood quietly behind him, not daring to disturb this thought that belonged only to him.
The Yaoyu and Yakumi guarded the entrance to the secret room, their postures upright and solemn. The Sharingan in their eyes gleamed with a cool light in the dim underground, concealing the deepest and most solemn respect of the juniors for their seniors.
Once everything was settled and everyone left the shrine the way they came, the deep night had completely enveloped the entire Leaf Konoha.
Ban held the well-sealed sample box in both hands and solemnly handed it to Natsu.
His posture was devout and solemn, as if he were handing over not just a handful of remains, but also the obsession and expectations that had been building up over half a lifetime.
Natsu reached out and took it, carefully tucking it into her sleeve, her tone calm and resolute.
"When I get back, I'll have Vallen immediately begin gene matching and cell activity testing."
"As long as the remains are well preserved, and once you have received the Light of Susanoo and all your physical indicators are completely stable, we will immediately begin preparations for the Impure World Reincarnation."
He nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
He looked up and gazed into the distance, first glancing at the silent torii gate of Naka Shrine standing in the night, then turning to look at the distant Hokage Rock.
On the rock face, the head of the First Hokage is only half-carved, hanging alone on the mountaintop, hiding a period of time and entanglements that are not yet complete.
Throughout his life, from the fierce battles of the Sengoku period to joining Hashirama with Hashirama to establish Konoha and lay the foundation for a prosperous era, he was rooted in this land for a long time.
He once thought that this Leaf Konoha was the end of his destiny.
But now, the road ahead has a completely new direction.
That future wasn't in Konoha, nor in Flame Ninja Village, but on a remote, unknown, and unexplored Isolated Island overseas, in a completely new world belonging to the Uchiha.
Natsu put away the sample box, took the lead, and walked towards the Konoha Gate.
The Yaoyu and Yakumi followed closely behind, with Ban Luo trailing behind, step by step, steadily leaving the village that held half a lifetime of love, hate, and entanglement for him.
Standing before the iconic main gate of Konoha, he paused once more, gazing intently towards the direction of the rushing Naka River.
A gentle evening breeze carried the last scents of fireworks from Konoha.
With just one glance, he withdrew all his gaze, no longer lingering, and stepped out of Konoha territory completely.
In the darkness ahead, Natsu had already completed the Flying Thunder God seal. Layers of silvery-white spatial ripples spread out, standing out conspicuously in the pitch-black night.
"I'm home."
With a soft whisper, Ban responded gently, stepped into the dazzling light of the space, and never looked back.
In the deep darkness outside Konoha Castle, the distinctive silver-white lightning of the Flying Thunder God flashed and disappeared in an instant.
Natsu, bearing the marks, Yaoyu, and the Yakumi, completely Space Rend and rushed off into the distance.
On the open space where everyone had just stood, strands of wood-attribute Chakra quietly gathered and condensed.
A Wood Release Clone shape steadily and without the slightest hesitation, turning and slowly walking towards the Senju Clan District's territory.
In the dead of night in the Senju Clan District, only Tobirama's study was still lit by a solitary lamp.
The official documents on the desk were piled up like a mountain, several times heavier than usual.
Ever since Madara decided to leave Konoha with Natsu, Hashirama has been listless and lost all his former efficiency in handling government affairs, with his document review efficiency greatly reduced.
Left with no other choice, Tobirama had to take on his brother's duties as well, working tirelessly day and night.
He rubbed his aching temples, forcing himself to work despite his exhaustion, but his senses remained constantly on edge.
The next second, a powerful and domineering Chakra suddenly filled the courtyard without warning, abruptly and forcefully shattering the tranquility of the night.
Years of battles honed his instincts instantly, and Tobirama clenched a Kunai Tobirama, a burst of Flying Thunder God lightning flashing between them.
In a flash, he landed steadily in the courtyard, facing the source of the Chakra.
A familiar figure stood in the center of the courtyard.
It was Uchiha Natsu, or more accurately, his Wood Release Clone.
The clone's posture was relaxed and casual, with his hands behind his back. He had no murderous aura whatsoever, yet he exuded a compelling presence.
Gecko poured down, falling on his Sharingan, where the scarlet pupils gleamed with a cold, eerie light, both serene and profound.
He gazed silently at the Senju Clan brothers standing side by side before him, his tone calm and even, yet his words were like a final, cold, and unquestionable verdict.
"There are some things that are inconvenient to say in the Hokage Building. Before leaving, I made a special trip to the Senju Clan District."
"I understand your wariness and hostility towards the Uchiha, Tobirama. I can understand that caution. But my tolerance has always had its limits—the survival of the Uchiha Clan cannot be shaken by anyone."
He slightly raised his eyes, his pupils suddenly becoming sharper.
"If you harbor any illusions and intend to take advantage of Madara's departure and the resulting leaderlessness to purge the Uchiha clan members within Konoha's borders and exterminate them all, then I wouldn't mind completely eradicating this threat and wiping out the fledgling Senju Clan from its very roots."