The Final Target

When Yan Hong emerged from the canyon carrying the four unconscious men, Fukuizumi Takuya outside had already been anxiously pacing in circles. Chikuma and the others, meanwhile, looked eager to jump into action, clearly intending to go in and search for him once the agreed time arrived.

The moment he saw Yan Hong emerge with the others, Fukuizumi Takuya let out a huge sigh of relief and hurried over, taking one person from Yan Hong's hands as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude. "Lord Yan Hong, thank you so much. I don't even know how I could possibly repay you."

"There's no need to talk about repayment. I already received a pretty good reward inside." Yan Hong waved a hand, then called out to Chikuma, "Chikuma, come help!"

Chikuma put away his slight disappointment at having missed another chance to show his skills. "Coming, Boss!"

With everyone working together, they quickly brought the four men back to Medicine Hidden Village. A faint white glow was already appearing in the sky; without realizing it, they had spent the entire night there.

Under Tian Lao's arrangements, Yan Hong and the others were each given rooms to rest for a while, while Tian Lao led people to treat the four unconscious men.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Yan Hong opened his eyes in bed. He tried to contact Mad Fang, only to receive no response. It was probably still digesting the life force. He wondered how much of its strength a single fruit could restore.

After tidying himself up, Yan Hong opened the door and found Tian Lao already waiting outside, with the four people he had brought out last night standing behind him.

"You're awake. I didn't expect you to really pull it off." Though Tian Lao's expression was calm, his eyes were filled with gratitude. After all, one of them was his own son. How could he truly feel nothing?

"Brother Yan Hong, thank you so much." Led by Tian Yuan, the four men immediately gathered around him and each expressed their gratitude.

After all, the amount of Sage Chakra the four had absorbed was not much, so they recovered quickly.

At Tian Lao's warm invitation, Yan Hong called over Chikuma and the others and shared a meal with Tian Lao's group.

At the table, Yan Hong expressed his intention to leave. "Since Tian Lao is unwilling to leave the mountains, we'll take our leave. If I have the chance in the future, I'll definitely come visit you again."

Rather than answering, Tian Lao smiled and asked, "You drank the medicinal wine from that gourd yesterday, didn't you? How did it feel?"

"It felt wonderful." Yan Hong sincerely thanked him. "I've never felt so relaxed before. I have to thank Tian Lao for the medicine."

Tian Lao nodded, then suddenly pointed at his son. "Actually, I'm not the only one who can make that medicinal wine. A Yuan's skill in preparing medicines has already reached seventy or eighty percent of my level."

"Hm?" Tian Yuan, who had been seriously focused on eating, froze for a moment and pointed at himself. "Father, are you calling me?"

Yan Hong narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, Tian Lao?"

Tian Lao took a sip of his nourishing soup and spoke unhurriedly. "As for me, I'm used to life here. The outside world is full of fighting and killing, and I grew tired of it long ago. But A Yuan and the others are still young. It would be too wasteful for them to hide away in this mountain ravine with an old man like me. If they're willing, you can take them away from here."

"Oh?" Yan Hong's eyes lit up. He had not expected such a pleasant surprise after the turn of events, and immediately thanked him. "Thank you for your help, Tian Lao."

"Don't thank me. If they're unwilling, you can't force them."

Yan Hong said solemnly, "Of course. No matter how many are willing to come with me, I'll treat them like members of my own clan."

Tian Lao smiled in satisfaction. "Those words are enough."

After the meal, Tian Lao specifically gathered everyone in the village together. Yan Hong personally explained his request to recruit them, and they were allowed to make their own choices.

Because Yan Hong had helped them the night before, the people of Medicine Hidden Village already had a favorable impression of him. Besides, not everyone wanted to remain in the village for the rest of their lives. Soon, more than a dozen young people expressed their willingness to return to Flame Hidden Village with him, including the four men he had rescued yesterday.

"Then I'll leave them in your care. If you ever need help, you can also come to Medicine Hidden Village and find me."

At the village entrance, Yan Hong and Tian Lao said their farewells. Yan Hong smiled faintly and replied, "Don't worry, Tian Lao. We may see each other again very soon."

"Oh?" Tian Lao seemed to realize something. "Could it be that you..."

Yan Hong did not answer. He turned to Chikuma instead. "Chikuma, escort everyone from Medicine Hidden Village back to Flame Hidden Village. I'll go alone to the Uzuki Clan's territory. I hope they haven't joined Konoha yet."

"Huh? Boss, you're going alone? You don't need our help?"

"I'm practically half an insider with the Uzuki Clan, so there shouldn't be any trouble. Besides..." Yan Hong shook the wine gourd. "Now, I can fight without holding back. A second-rate clan doesn't pose much of a threat to me."

Chikuma's disappointment was plain to see. "Ah..."

"Just wait. Once we get back, there'll be chances for all of you to take action. It probably won't be long."

"You said that last time too," Chikuma muttered softly. Still, he ultimately agreed. The two parties then went their separate ways. Chikuma and the clan members escorted the people of Medicine Hidden Village back to Flame Hidden Village, while Yan Hong headed alone toward the final destination of this operation.

Land of Fire, Uzuki Clan territory.

The Uzuki Clan's territory was built within a forest. Dappled sunlight fell across the clan's houses, while dense green vegetation surrounded the area, making it seem as though it lay within a natural verdant barrier.

Inside the central pavilion, a white-haired old man was quietly bent over a desk, writing something. Though his hair and beard were both white, he was full of vigor. His deep, bright eyes were like sharp swords, as if they could see through all things in the world.

Tap, tap, tap...

At that moment, a set of footsteps approached from afar, breaking the tranquil scene.

A middle-aged man hurried over at a brisk jog, but upon seeing the old man's figure, he instinctively slowed down. He walked quietly to the old man's side and simply stood there, watching him write and paint.

After a long while, the old man finally completed his last stroke. He nodded in satisfaction before speaking. "A Ri, what is it?"

The middle-aged man named A Ri immediately replied, "It's nothing major. Konoha has invited us to join them again. This is already the third time. What do you think...?"

The old man rose from his chair, an imposing yet restrained aura radiating from him. "Have you found out who killed Sarutobi Sasuke?"

"Uh... I have." A Ri hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but held it back. "But... I think revenge may be difficult."

"Hmph. Sasuke was our benefactor. How can we leave a debt of gratitude unpaid? No matter who the enemy is, the Uzuki Clan will fight him to the death!" The old man's face was filled with fury. "Tell me. Who was it?"

A Ri sighed and could only speak helplessly.

"According to reliable information, the man who killed Lord Sasuke was named Uchiha Yan Hong. He was also the... third leader of the Uchiha Clan."