Clear sunlight illuminated the courtyard.
Summer was reaching its end.
The morning breeze was crisp and clear. Madara Uchiha sat on the tatami mat in his room, looking with a blank and bewildered expression at a scroll of fabric delivered to him by a rat.
This was the exact same green fabric as Yanbai's clothing.
Just by seeing this fabric, Madara Uchiha knew whose hands it came from.
Sure enough, that unusually plump rat was related to Yanbai.
Madara Uchiha opened the fabric strip with a complex expression, upon which were written neat and elegant characters using a fine brush.
The contents inside were:
How to precisely control chakra to use Lightning Release to electrocute a wild boar, method analysis:...
How to precisely control chakra to use Taijutsu to punch a wild boar to death, method analysis:...
How to precisely control chakra to use Fire Release to quickly depilate a wild boar, method analysis:...
How to precisely control chakra to use Water Release to wash pork, method analysis:...
How to precisely control chakra to use Wind Release to slice pork, method analysis:...
How to precisely control chakra to use Fire Release to roast meat, method analysis:...
Schematic diagram of human skeletal structure, dissection experience, which can be used to dissect and cut apart animal remains...
Schematic diagram of major human vital points, killing with a single strike, the difference between animals and humans is not very large, universal...
Comparative analysis of wild spice forms and special poisonous herbs...
Looking at that dense collection of recipes comparable to an alternative martial arts manual.
Madara Uchiha was left speechless and shocked.
This was a solemn yet somewhat abnormal recipe, filled with bloodshed, violence, poisoning, and dismemberment techniques.
After repeatedly reviewing this solemn recipe.
Madara Uchiha finally understood something.
While Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were sparring and chatting, Yanbai was actually alone, quietly practicing on the side according to his own bizarre methods.
Yanbai looked like he was playing around, but he was actually practicing amidst his play.
Moreover, he pushed himself to the limit through this method of precisely controlling chakra.
Even if he got injured in the process, Yanbai could quickly use his innate talent to instantly recover to his peak state.
Even something like cooking could be used by Yanbai for practice.
Yanbai used jutsu to hunt fierce beasts, and Yanbai still used jutsu to cook.
It could be said that every move Yanbai made was a form of practice.
Looking at this care-filled recipe, a trace of heaviness washed over Madara Uchiha's heart.
No wonder Yanbai was this strong.
Many days had passed, and he wondered just how strong Yanbai would continue to grow. This was already perverted...
Unknowingly, Yanbai had already left him and Hashirama Senju far behind.
Earlier, when Yanbai had secretly stolen a head start right under their noses, they had actually been completely oblivious!
Madara Uchiha clenched the "recipe" in his hand, a trace of stubborn fighting intent igniting in his heart. He could no longer remain dejected; he was going to grow stronger.
Madara Uchiha quickly got up and rushed toward the main kitchen of the Uchiha Clan compound.
The Shinobi World of the Warring States period.
Ninjas were still armed groups based on clans.
Every Shinobi Clan would be hired by countries large and small to participate in wars.
All kinds of large and small countries were waging war against one another to expand their territories for their own interests.
In Yanbai's eyes, their so-called wars between two countries were like two county towns fighting.
A slightly larger war between two countries was like two county towns beating each other up;
A slightly smaller war between two countries was like a brawl between two villages.
Seizing territory was the desire of powerful nobles and daimyo, as well as the mission of the Shinobi Clan.
When military force was insufficient, the Shinobi Clan stepped in to make up the difference.
In this era of constant warfare, civilians suffered immensely, and Shinobi Clans were hired by various countries to participate in wars.
The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan, deemed the strongest groups, were both "industry benchmarks" and the objects of contention for hire among various nations.
Because of this, whenever someone hired the Senju Clan, the opposing faction would definitely hire the Uchiha Clan.
Because only the Uchiha Clan could counter the Senju Clan, both sides frequently engaged in group fights, ultimately becoming mortal enemies.
Your clansmen killed my clansmen, and my clansmen killed your clansmen.
Such hatred began to breed from a young age.
As time went on, the two clans became irreconcilable blood enemies.
That was why there was such a ninja rule: never tell your surname to a stranger;
For you had no way of knowing whether this stranger was a friendly force "carrying Italian pasta" or an enemy force "dragging an Italian cannon".
The Pine Forest.
This place was the territory of the Date House, where small states were divided and bandits were rampant.
The Date House hired the Senju Clan to defend against the invasion of the Saionji House.
Senju Longshu walked out of the encampment and into a spot touched by sunlight.
However, because the sky was still covered with a blanket of clouds, it only made this place slightly brighter than the inside of the camp.
Gloom shrouded the surroundings, and Senju Longshu stood there unmoving.
Since this operation brought along the Young Clan Head Hashirama, Senju Longshu put more thought into his strategy. To ensure Hashirama's safety, he had Hashirama go into Pinefrost City to pick up supplies, while he himself remained at the outer edge of the city.
Endless gloom and cold enveloped the area.
Reflected in Senju Longshu's pupils were vast rolling hills.
Hmm?
Senju Longshu felt a stir in his heart.
The wind rustled with a soughing sound.
An inescapable killing intent radiated toward this side from an unknown location.
If it were an ordinary person corroded by such killing intent, they would undoubtedly fall into immediate shock.
Feeling this oppressive aura, Senju Longshu's expression remained calm. Without any wasted words or idle chatter, he launched an attack.
"Mountain-Cleaving Hand!"
With a loud boom, Senju Longshu knew the visitor meant no well. He instantly blasted out the unique technique derived from the resilient physique of the Senju Clan.
The earth trembled with it, and Senju Longshu's figure swayed along with it.
The ground split apart the very next moment, emitting the roar of a fiend.
The cracked surface of the earth and fractured trees turned into alternative weapons, radiating toward the surroundings.
With a few brief, miserable screams, several men wearing the distinctive combat attire of the Uchiha Clan bore the brunt of the impact, sent vomiting blood by the tree stumps and shattered rocks mixed with mighty internal energy.
The disturbed Uchiha Tajima wore an indifferent expression, while another Uchiha clansman beside him rapidly performed hand seals.
"Hah-!"
He forcefully exhaled a breath.
"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
That Uchiha clansman spewed a massive wave of fire resembling a sea toward the front, covering an enormous range.
The towering heat wave melted flesh and dissolved bones, and the shattered rocks and trees used as weapons turned to ashes before they could even reach close to Uchiha Tajima.
The Taijutsu of the Senju Clan? Nothing special!
A chilling, cold sneer appeared on Uchiha Tajima's face.
Senju Longshu's expression was grave, and he could not help thinking to himself: As expected of the Uchiha Clan, to actually unleash this level of Fire Release on such a scale. That move just now was simply flawless in its defense.
The Uchiha clansmen looked cold and stern, cold on the outside and hot on the inside, every single one of them acting like an arrogant badass incarnate.
Without a word, taking advantage of the fact that the flames had not yet weakened, Uchiha Tajima began to sprint forward at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people.
Senju Longshu's expression was grave, that blazing, raging fire-like chakra aura pressing in from all directions as if it were there and yet not, making it impossible to find a target to counterattack.
Having just utilized shattered rocks and trees to intimidate the Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan immediately returned the favor using the exact same method...
Senju Longshu drew his long saber, unable to help thinking to himself: There is nothing for it but to meet this head-on!
Before you continue