A Mad Conspiracy

Zhi Li took a deep breath. She felt it was necessary to search the secret chamber beneath Naka Shrine.

The succession of Clan Heads had thrown the entire Uchiha Clan into chaos. Deadly battles had become increasingly frequent, and each new Clan Head was more deranged than the last. If this continued, more innocent children would inevitably be dragged into it.

She made up her mind. If she returned safely to the village this time, she would get to the bottom of it. If the Secret Technique truly was to blame, then all of this had to be stopped.

Otherwise, the Uchiha Clan would have no future!

The group moved swiftly and soon reached the central area of the Blood Pond Clan Territory. The Bloody Scent grew even stronger. Amid the ravine-riddled ground lay a pool of scarlet blood, flowing like a sinister spring from the underworld.

"I heard the Blood Dragon Eye can control blood in battle. It seems the Blood Pond Clan never gave up training their ocular techniques all these years," Tong Ren remarked.

"That only proves they have been thinking about revenge every moment of every day. There was no way they would simply vanish without a trace." Orochimaru's brow furrowed deeper.

"Shh, quiet!"

Nian abruptly stopped. He crouched low, slipped his right hand into his sleeve, and silently gripped a Kunai, like a young wolf poised to strike.

"There are people in the house on the left!"

Zhi Li reacted quickly, immediately shielding everyone behind her. Her gaze turned sharp as she looked toward the inn along the left side of the street, fully on guard.

"You're a Sensor Ninja?" Tsunade asked in surprise.

"Mm... you could say that." Nian nodded slightly.

Zhi Li turned her head and asked, "Can you sense their exact numbers?"

"Seven people. Five men and two women. Their soul strength is average, but one man is very strong, almost as strong as Sister Zhi Li." Nian's answer was concise and efficient.

"Also, there's no need to go any farther in. My senses can cover the entire valley from here. Other than the people in the house ahead, there's no one else," he added.

"Can you confirm that?" Zhi Li looked grave. She had clearly entered work mode, meticulous in every detail.

"Unless they have some secret method to conceal their souls, they can't escape my senses."

"Then that's enough." Zhi Li composed herself and placed her slender hand on her sword hilt, ready for battle.

"Six against seven. The advantage isn't on our side." Jiraiya looked eager to fight. "But since they're all gathered together, we can wipe them out in one go!"

"However..." Nian hesitated. "These people don't seem to be ninjas, and they don't appear to have any intention of fighting."

At that moment, in his perception, the people in the inn seemed to be going about their normal routines. Those who were eating were eating, those who were drinking were drinking, and several were even asleep in the guest rooms upstairs.

"Xiao Gang, you three stay here for now." After thinking for a moment, Zhi Li said, "Hide yourselves first and be ready to support us at any time."

"Huh? Aren't we not supposed to leave your sight, Sister?" Jiraiya asked in confusion. The three Zhi Li referred to were the Hokage's direct disciples: the three of them.

Orochimaru explained, "Now that the Enemy Situation is clear, there shouldn't be any threats outside. Sister Zhi Li probably wants to test the waters and verify the intelligence. After all, we still don't know where the other Blood Pond Clan members went."

"Mm!" Tong Ren nodded. "If anything dangerous happens, the three of us Uchiha can still put up some resistance."

"But..."

"No buts!" Tsunade grabbed Jiraiya's arm, then turned and smiled at Zhi Li. "Don't worry, Sister. I'll keep an eye on this guy!"

"Sorry to trouble you. If something happens to us, the three of you must flee back to the village immediately. Don't hesitate!"

"Huh?" Tsunade's eyes widened at once.

Zhi Li smiled gently. "If something happens. I mean, if something happens."

"Fine."

"Orochimaru, you absolutely have to run!" Tong Ren looked uneasily at his friend.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't look back." Orochimaru smiled. "You two should worry about not making me avenge you someday."

"Oh, shut up~"

Zhi Li nodded. After giving them a few final instructions, she led Nian and Tong Ren slowly toward the inn and pushed open the door.

Meanwhile, in the Hidden Leaf Village.

"So this is the Uchiha of today? Rotten to the core!"

"A clan that should have been so pure has been corrupted into this state by the Hidden Leaf Village, trapped in the whirlpool of power and unable to escape. What a disappointment!"

"Of course. Wherever there is light, there is shadow. As long as there are winners, there will always be losers."

"The selfish desire to preserve peace leads to war. Hatred is born to protect love. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous!"

"My Uchiha..."

Suddenly, a childish voice interrupted a man's dark muttering.

"Mister, your ice cream is ready!"

At the dessert stall, the man in Sunglasses paused slightly. Only then did he take the two nearly melted ice creams and give up his spot to the little girl behind him.

He took a step to leave, then seemed to reconsider and bent down slightly. His waterfall-like black hair spilled forward.

He handed one of the ice creams to the little girl. Watching her accept it, a cold smile curled across his lips.

On the second floor of the Izakaya, Shin'yu and Light sat side by side. Compared to Shin'yu, who was leisurely admiring the scenery outside the window, Light was clearly more worried.

"Oh, Lord Madara isn't a child. What's there to worry about?" Shin'yu rested his chin on one hand and smiled faintly.

Light was speechless. "You were the one who suggested Lord Madara come out for a walk. You should take responsibility for it!"

"Fine. Since it's a request from Miss Light, I have no choice but to obey."

"Hmph, at least you... at least you listen." Light shyly looked away, hiding her blush behind a sip of tea.

Shin'yu narrowed his eyes slightly. In an instant, he sensed Madara's location, and a somewhat surprised smile appeared on his face.

At that moment, he had already removed the Black Satin. His Eyes, like Jade Black, shone with restrained brilliance, like a clear pool beneath the moon reflecting an endless sea of stars.

Years ago, he had discovered that the "Yang Power" genes Inside the body seemed to have stopped transforming. Every cell contained surging vitality, and the Eye Power in his Eyes had reached its peak. The Yin-Yang Fusion that had lasted nearly ten years was finally nearing its end.

Unfortunately, although his body was still evolving, the rate at which he grew stronger was now less than one percent of what it had once been. It was as slow as a snail. There seemed to be no point in continuing to evolve in silence and sealing away his power.

He did not have Old Madara's patience.

So he simply removed his blindfold, allowing his long-sealed eyes to see sunlight once more.

"Don't worry. Lord Madara has already returned."

As soon as he spoke, light footsteps sounded on the stairs. Uchiha Madara came over with two ice cream cones and sat across from them, casually handing one to each of them.

"I picked them at random. Just make do with them," he said flatly.

"I'm touched. Strawberry is my favorite flavor!" Shin'yu's eyes brightened slightly.

"Mm, and mint is my favorite too." Light took a small bite and covered her mouth as she giggled.

Suddenly, a violent explosion erupted from the distant street. Thick smoke billowed into the air, while the breeze carried a strong scorched stench and terrified screams!

"An... an explosion!"

"Oh no, it's a Human Bomb!"