Iwagakure~
In the early hours of the morning~
Boundless darkness completely enveloped Iwagakure.
The pitch-black sky hung low, without a single glimmer of starlight. A biting wind swept up stone chips and scraped past the cold stone buildings with a low moan.
The entire village was deathly silent. Only a few ninja guards stood scattered along the streets, their expressions taut, an oppressive killing intent hanging around them.
At the village's highest point stood the Tsuchikage Residence. Its massive stone gates were solemn and cold, the surrounding barrier glimmering faintly. Security was even tighter than during the day.
A dark figure abruptly landed. The masked Anbu ninja was wreathed in cold air, his presence chilling and ruthless to the extreme.
The Anbu ninja reported:
"Lord Tsuchikage, the mission to seize the Kirigakure Secret Scroll failed."
Click~
The gate opened. Dressed in his Tsuchikage Robe and still not having retired for the night, Ōnoki flew out using the Light-Weight Rock Technique and asked gravely:
"They only had one Jonin, and I sent them to launch a surprise attack. How could they still fail?"
His voice was filled with bewilderment and anger.
The Anbu first bowed respectfully, then continued explaining:
"Lord Tsuchikage, Uchiha Lei suddenly intervened, causing the mission to fail."
"What? Uchiha Lei?"
Ōnoki exclaimed.
His brows knitted as unpleasant memories from eight years ago surfaced. Then he waved his hand and said helplessly:
"Then forget it. If they failed, they failed!"
"Lord Tsuchikage, we can't keep leaving Uchiha Lei unchecked. His Wood Release can create vast forests now."
The Anbu ninja reminded him anxiously.
Ōnoki froze for a moment and began weighing the pros and cons:
Uchiha Lei is growing too fast. Leaving him unchecked really will be a huge problem.
*But I can't do anything about him. If the