Blood Pool Clan

A faint, bloody stench drifted through the dim valley floor, stirring ripples across the blood pool.

By the pool, Miyakenichi, the current clan head of the Blood Pool Clan, sized up the black-clad young man before him. His scarlet eyes held horizontal pupils like those of a frog, filled with hatred and revulsion.

On the other side, Yan Hong was likewise observing this rather tragic clan. The harsh environment had left every one of them looking haggard, their gaunt faces openly displaying their fury.

Yan Hong gave a soft laugh. "Looks like life hasn't been easy for you."

"Thanks to you." Miyakenichi stopped the restless clansmen behind him and said gravely, "What? Has the Uchiha Clan finally decided to wipe us out completely?"

Yan Hong waved Mu down, telling him not to be so tense, then stepped forward lightly. "Let me introduce myself first. I'm Uchiha Yan Hong. I know your clan doesn't think highly of us Uchiha, but compared to hatred, I believe you yearn for freedom more."

"Uchiha Yan Hong? The younger brother of the current Uchiha Clan head?" Miyakenichi frowned. "So what exactly do you want?"

Yan Hong raised a finger and pointed through the air at the Blood Pool Clan. "I'll let you out and give you back your freedom."

"What?!"

"How is that possible?"

"Don't believe them!"

His words stirred up a tremendous uproar. The Blood Pool ninjas behind Miyakenichi immediately erupted, some excited, some skeptical, and some filled with an intense longing for freedom!

Miyakenichi was visibly stunned as well. A trace of daze flashed through his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and raised a hand to silence the commotion behind him.

"Are you representing the Lightning Country, or only the Uchiha Clan?"

"I represent only the Uchiha Clan."

"I see." Understanding dawned on Miyakenichi, and a hint of disdain appeared on his face. "If I'm not mistaken, you want to absorb the Blood Pool Clan?"

"As expected of a clan head." Yan Hong praised him. "That's right. I'll let you out, and in exchange, you will obey the Uchiha Clan's orders."

"Heh heh heh..." Miyakenichi sneered. "You want us to submit? On what grounds? You speak of freedom? If we capture you, we'll have the right to negotiate all the same!"

Whoosh—

The moment he finished speaking, a brilliant red light flared in Miyakenichi's eyes!

Boom—

Within the dead-silent valley, waves of blood surged. A blood dragon rose from the blood pool, shattering the raging winds with a howl as it dove straight at Yan Hong!

"Lord Yan Hong, watch out!"

"Hmph. Mu, stand back. I alone am enough!"

Boom—

The blood dragon descended from the sky and smashed into the spot where Yan Hong had been standing. The ground split apart, leaving behind a bowl-shaped crater!

Before the blood dragon arrived, Yan Hong had already vanished. With his feet touching the earth, he transformed into a Rippling Swallow, passing over the blood dragon and rising with the wind. As his gaze narrowed, he saw Miyakenichi following close behind!

Imprisoned in Hell Valley, Miyakenichi naturally carried no weapons. Moving like a dragon emerging from the sea, he clenched his right fist, tore through the air, and drove a punch at Yan Hong's face!

Before the iron fist even reached him, the tremendous force of the punch had already tossed aside the loose hair on Yan Hong's forehead, revealing a pair of scarlet Sharingan!

Under the Sharingan's insight, none of Miyakenichi's movements could escape Yan Hong's notice!

Yan Hong made no unnecessary movement. He merely raised his left hand, precisely caught Miyakenichi's wrist, then drove a knee into his abdomen!

Bang—

His knee struck Miyakenichi's waist and stomach, and a ring of air exploded from his back. Before Miyakenichi could block, his entire body shot away like a boiled shrimp, tracing a straight line through the air before crashing into the blood pool!

Boom—

It was as though a meteor had fallen into the calm pool. A towering wave exploded upward, ripples spreading outward layer by layer before turning into a shower of blood that fell back onto the surface!

"Clan Head!"

"Don't come over!"

Just as the clansmen behind him tried to rush forward, Miyakenichi stopped them with a harsh shout!

Whoosh—

Yan Hong landed on the ground once more. Looking at Miyakenichi half-kneeling on the water's surface, his face held no mockery as he said calmly, "Although I'd like to fight the strongest warriors from every nation in the Shinobi World, your condition is far too poor right now."

"They say there are two dragons and one worm in the Uchiha Clan. Looks like it's all nonsense." Miyakenichi wiped the bloody water from the corner of his mouth and said in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid we'll pretend to surrender, then betray you after we get out?"

Yan Hong replied indifferently, "Even after you leave, the Lightning Country will still hunt you down. Only the Uchiha Clan is willing to shelter you. The situation within the other great nations is already largely settled; no one wants a first-rate clan disrupting things at a time like this. The smaller nations don't dare offend the great ones. The Shinobi World may be vast, but there has long been no place left for you."

Splash—

Miyakenichi rose to his feet, his gaze locking onto Yan Hong in the distance!

Blood Dragon Eye: Genjutsu!

"Hm?" Yan Hong lowered his head slightly, watching as his body suddenly began to rot and swell, scarlet light swirling in his eyes!

Sharingan: Genjutsu Reflection!

"Pfft!"

Suffering a mental backlash, Miyakenichi instantly spat out a mouthful of blood. His body swayed as he stared coldly at Yan Hong. "Then what if we join the Senju Clan? Aren't you letting us out because you want us to help you fight the Senju Clan?"

Yan Hong did not grow angry at his resistance. He answered, "Indeed, the Senju Clan is a good choice. Senju Hashirama is willing and strong enough to protect you. But surely you've heard of the personality of this God of Shinobi."

Without waiting for Miyakenichi to speak, Yan Hong continued, "The ones you hate most should be the Lightning Country. We Uchiha were merely a blade they used. I don't believe the Blood Pool Clan has no desire to take revenge on the Lightning Country. Do you think Senju Hashirama would start a war against the Lightning Country for your clan? On the contrary, I believe that for peace between the two nations, he would hand you over."

"Then why should we believe the Uchiha Clan?"

"Because we are willing to give you a chance for revenge. And because I can kill you right now."

Yan Hong's voice was so cold it carried not a trace of warmth, and Miyakenichi fell into thought. As he pondered, he looked back at his clansmen, his eyes filled with faces yearning for freedom.

The valley fell silent once more. After a long while, Miyakenichi finally said, "Hell Valley isn't controlled by the Uchiha Clan alone. We can't get out, so anything we say is a waste of time."

Yan Hong smiled faintly. "Very well. Then watch with peace of mind. Mu, let's go."

Watching the two men depart, the clansmen behind him gradually gathered around. "Clan Head, are we really going to join the Uchiha Clan just like that?"

"Do you intend to stay here forever?" Miyakenichi's gaze was complicated.

"The Uchiha Clan's third-in-command? As expected, troubled times produce remarkable people."