"Konoha?"
The guard captain called Yamada frowned slightly, and a trace of wariness flashed across his eyes, though his attitude did not soften in the slightest.
Behind him, the three guards simultaneously placed their hands on their shinobi tool pouches, clearly ready to act at any moment.
Hearing this, the researchers nearby all stopped what they were doing and looked over. Low murmurs spread through the room.
"Why would Konoha shinobis come here…"
"Are they here for that monster again?"
"This is going to be troublesome…"
Just as the atmosphere gradually became tense, the red-haired woman turned around.
Her appearance was delicate, with pitch-black eyes. She wore a white skirt along with a sleeveless purple top. On her shoulders was a mesh-like chainmail, and at her waist hung a shinobi tool pouch.
However, she was not wearing any shoes and stood barefoot.
Shizune pointed at the red-haired woman and lowered her voice as she spoke to Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, look at her hair… it looks very similar in color to Miss Kyoko's."
Tsunade gave a slight nod.
This woman did indeed resemble Uzumaki Kyoko.
And her hair was also red.
The Uzumaki clan had long since scattered across the shinobi world, nearly wiped out. Tsunade had not expected to encounter another survivor here.
The red-haired woman had clearly heard Shizune's whisper and also saw Tsunade and Kiyohara's group.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Tsunade, as if she sensed something, and her brows furrowed slightly before shifting her attention to Kiyohara.
At that moment, the red-haired woman suddenly spoke.
She stepped past the researchers and walked forward, first nodding to the guard captain.
"Captain Yamada, I will handle this."
Then she turned to face Tsunade and Kiyohara.
"My name is Honoka."
Uzumaki Honoka did not directly state her surname, only giving her given name.
"Honoka…"
Tsunade looked at her, becoming increasingly certain that the other party was also a member of the Uzumaki clan.
It almost felt as though every time she went out with Kiyohara, they would run into another Uzumaki descendant.
If they could bring her back to Konoha, it would surely help the Uzumaki clan regain its strength there.
"You said you are investigating the large sea monster attacking fishing boats. Can you describe it in detail?"
Kiyohara gestured toward Yujojo behind him.
"We encountered and rescued a victim. She was controlled by some kind of cursed mark and transformed into a half-human, half-fish creature. She attacked passing ships and captured living beings. She guided us here, saying that the voice controlling her and its source likely come from deep within this island."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Additionally, after we landed, we were attacked by unidentified shinobi and mutated summoned beasts. Their methods are consistent with biological modification techniques."
Encouraged by Shizune, Yujojo timidly stepped forward half a step and brushed aside the hair at the back of her neck, revealing a remaining patch of scales.
Uzumaki Honoka's brows knit together.
She walked over to Yujojo and gently touched the scale with her fingertip.
A faint blue chakra flowed from her fingers and seeped into the skin.
After a few seconds, she withdrew her hand, her expression turning serious.
"This kind of experiment involving the fusion of humans and summoned beasts, or human modification, has never been conducted by us."
Uzumaki Honoka shook her head.
Human experimentation was a clear red line.
No matter how much one modified summoned beasts, it could still be justified as scientific research.
But once human experimentation was involved, it would easily provoke universal condemnation.
"As for the large sea monster you mentioned, we may have encountered it as well," Honoka said.
She turned slightly toward the guard captain.
"Let them in, Captain Yamada. If this trouble was caused by that creature, then we indeed need more information."
Captain Yamada remained silent for a moment before finally stepping aside.
"Please, come in."
Honoka made a gesture of invitation.
"Some matters require a more detailed discussion."
Passing through what appeared to be a simple wooden door, the interior revealed an entirely different scene.
The underground space was far more expansive than expected. Along the carved rock walls, several rooms were distributed on both sides of the passage.
Honoka led everyone into a larger room that seemed to serve as both a meeting room and an archive.
The walls were covered with maps of the Summoning Island and diagrams of biological distributions. The long table was scattered with research notes and data reports.
"Please, have a seat."
Honoka gestured for everyone to sit, while she herself stood in front of the map.
"About five years ago, the Summoned Beast Enhancement Association, a transnational organization composed of merchants, nobles, and some shinobi from various countries, established this research facility on the island. Their original goal was to study genetic enhancement of summoned beasts and cultivate stronger, more obedient, and more commercially valuable species."
She spread out a report, densely filled with experimental data and hand-drawn sketches of various creatures.
"In the first few years, the research did yield results. They successfully bred new species such as the backstab-enhanced spined wolf, acid-spitting toad, and hardened carapace beetle, all of which sold for high prices on the shinobi world's black market."
Her expression grew more serious.
"However, three years ago, the higher-ups of the association were no longer satisfied. They initiated a top-secret project codenamed Infinite Evolution."
Uzumaki Honoka pointed to a location on the map marked with a red circle.
"The core idea of the project was to forcibly fuse the genes of multiple powerful summoned beasts to create an ultimate organism with limitless evolutionary potential."
"They believed that if they could control such a creature, they would gain an inexhaustible supply of powerful summoned beasts."
"Foolish."
Tsunade shook her head.
She understood very well how dangerous such an endeavor was, and she was also astonished by how these people were willing to risk their lives purely for profit.
"Anyone with even a basic understanding knows the risks of genetic fusion."
"Yes, but the temptation of profit was too great," Honoka replied with a bitter smile.
"The association collected a large number of summoned beast samples from various regions."
She paused, her voice lowering.
"The experiment continued for two years. During that time, there were four major loss-of-control incidents, resulting in the deaths of thirty-seven researchers. The association had no choice but to hire more shinobi for security. That was when I was recruited."
She opened another file, revealing a blurred photograph attached to it.
In the image was a massive cultivation tank, inside which floated a constantly writhing mass of flesh with an indescribable form. Various biological features appeared on its surface.
Scales, feathers, carapaces, tentacles.
They twisted, merged, and split as if alive, as though they possessed their own will.
"Subject Number Eighty-Nine. They called it the Ultimate Summoning Beast."
Honoka's voice trembled slightly.
"It possessed vitality and an evolutionary speed far beyond expectations. During one accident, it devoured three researchers and gained partial chakra manipulation abilities."
"And then?" Kiyohara asked.
"Then it escaped."
Honoka closed her eyes.
"The association attempted to capture it, but all six squads they dispatched went missing. The only information we received indicated that the creature was devouring other summoned beasts on the island at an astonishing rate. With each species it consumed, it acquired part of their abilities."
She opened her eyes and looked at Kiyohara.
"The mutated summoned beasts you encountered were most likely its creations. Through direct consumption and genetic plundering, it forcibly transformed other organisms into its own variants."
"As for the fishmen attacking fishing boats… to be honest, I cannot be certain whether that is its work. According to our records, it has never shown interest in humans, let alone transforming them into half-human, half-fish creatures."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
This was not the work of the Ultimate Summoning Beast.
"Is it possible," he began slowly, "that aside from the creature your research facility created, there is another force on this island? One that possesses some form of cursed mark technology capable of human modification, and is using the island's unique environment to conduct experiments?"
Uzumaki Honoka's pupils shrank slightly.
This was something they had never considered.
They had always assumed that all the disasters were caused by the Ultimate Summoning Beast, which was why they had focused entirely on capturing it.
"You mean… the creators of those fishmen are not the same as the source of the Ultimate Summoning Beast?"
"It is just a hypothesis."
Kiyohara stood up and walked toward the map.
"And we have also captured someone related to this."
His gaze fell on Ni.
After extracting information from her, Kiyohara had not killed her.
Instead, he intended to see whether he could obtain the Chimera Technique as well.
Hiruko had passed this technique on to his subordinates, though likely only partially.
They could fuse with summoned beasts, but could not integrate bloodline limits.
Uzumaki Honoka also noticed Ni. She had never seen this woman before.
"Well, it seems that for tonight, this is as far as we can go."
After further discussion, Uzumaki Honoka and Kiyohara's group reached a preliminary agreement for cooperation.
Kiyohara and the others agreed to search for the Ultimate Summoning Beast together, while the research facility would also assist in locating the sea monster.
The sea monster was the primary objective of this mission, but for Kiyohara, finding the Ultimate Summoning Beast was equally indispensable.
As long as he could find the Ultimate Summoning Beast and kill it, he would be able to fulfill the last wish of Toad Kiyohara, and there was a very high chance that he would inherit the bloodline of the toads.
Kiyohara felt a great deal of anticipation toward this.
Human "senjutsu" did not seem to grant immortality, because even someone like Hashirama, who could instantly enter Sage Mode, had died relatively young, likely living only around fifty or sixty years.
Of course, compared to the average lifespan of around thirty years during the Warring States period, that was already considered quite long.
However, Hashirama's cells retained astonishing vitality even after his death.
He had inherited the "body of a sage," possessing immense life force.
This made him a must-have fusion material for villains throughout the shinobi world, as no matter who they were, they would try to fuse with his cells to enhance their strength.
Yet, every sacred land in the shinobi world had beings that could achieve longevity. Not even counting the sages behind each sacred land, even their subordinates such as the three great snake princesses, as well as Fukasaku and Shima, could all live for several hundred years.
Their vitality might not even surpass that of Hashirama, yet they were able to live far longer than him.
Kiyohara estimated that this was likely the difference between species.
If he could inherit the bloodline of the toads, perhaps he too could gain longevity through senjutsu.
After all, senjutsu had originally been created by non-human beings. It was initially meant for toads to refine sage chakra, and only later did humans forcibly learn it.
Otherwise, why would people develop toad-like characteristics as they trained?
"Please follow me."
Uzumaki Honoka spoke.
She led Tsunade, Kiyohara, and the others to a residence, arranging for them to stay there temporarily.
This residence was located outside the research facility, beneath the dense forest.
Having proper rooms to stay in was certainly more comfortable than sleeping in tents.
However, when Kiyohara entered his room, he did not immediately go to sleep.
He closed his eyes and sensed the flow of natural energy in the surroundings.
This place was relatively close to the base of the volcano, and Kiyohara could feel that the natural energy here was somewhat more abundant.
At that moment, an extremely faint crackling sound came from the bushes in the northeast corner.
It was like the sound of a dry branch being stepped on, yet in Kiyohara's perception, there had been no living presence in that location just a moment ago.
The other party had moved there in an instant, at a speed so fast that even the flow of air had no time to react.
Kiyohara opened his eyes, his body springing up like a coiled spring.
Almost at the same time, a figure flashed out from the bushes.
It was a man dressed in a white robe, with long hair tied into a ponytail behind his head. He wore a pure white mask that covered his face, leaving only the lower half and his eyes exposed.
Under the moonlight, his figure appeared somewhat illusory, as if he could merge into the air at any moment.
With just a single light step, he appeared in the middle of the room as if teleporting.
That speed even surpassed the Body Flicker Technique enhanced by Lightning Release, so fast that not even an afterimage could be left behind.
'Swift Release…'
The term flashed through Kiyohara's mind instantly.
It was said that Swift Release could even approach the speed of light.
Of course, how effective it was still depended on the user.
The man in white also seemed surprised by Kiyohara's reaction speed. He had only just entered, yet Kiyohara had already rushed out.
A trace of surprise flickered in the eyes beneath his mask, but his movements did not pause in the slightest. He raised his right hand, spreading his fingers toward Kiyohara.
With a sharp sound, five invisible wind blades tore through the air, slashing forward at speeds surpassing sound.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Wall!"
The gourd at Kiyohara's waist trembled as dark golden sand poured out like flowing water, forming a golden wall in front of him to block the incoming blades.
The wind blades collided with the gold dust wall, producing a harsh grinding noise. Golden grains were sliced away and scattered, yet the wall itself only bore a few shallow marks.
"Oh?"
The man in white let out a soft sound of surprise, his voice muffled behind the mask.
He seemed somewhat taken aback that Kiyohara could block the attack, but more than that, there was a hint of playful interest.
At that moment, the door to the house was suddenly pushed open.
Tsunade rushed out first. Although her hemophobia prevented her from fully engaging in battle, her combat instincts brought her to the scene immediately.
Close behind her were Shizune, Kurenai, and Rin, all of whom had already entered a combat-ready state.
Uzumaki Honoka also arrived from the direction of the research facility, her hands already forming the initial seal for a sealing technique.
"Who are you?!"
Tsunade demanded sharply.
Hiruko did not answer. He merely slowly shifted his gaze, sweeping across everyone present.
When his eyes landed on Kiyohara's face, his gray-blue eyes narrowed slightly.
He felt that his luck this time was quite good.
Kiyohara possessed both the Sharingan and the Magnet Release bloodline limits, and nearby there was also a red-haired Uzumaki descendant, another form of bloodline inheritance.
And Tsunade herself was from the Senju clan.
So Hiruko began to consider his options.
Should he capture all of them in one fell swoop and then defect from Konoha, or should he simply take Kiyohara's life and pretend ignorance, continuing to remain in Konoha for a while longer?
However, while Hiruko was still pondering, Kiyohara was not idle.
With a flick of his hand, three gold dust shuriken shot out, flying directly toward Hiruko.
Hiruko's figure flickered, effortlessly dodging the shuriken.
"Whoever you are," Tsunade's voice turned cold, "attacking Konoha's shinobi requires an explanation."
Hiruko let out a low chuckle.
"An explanation? What explanation do I owe you? This island, everything here, will soon become part of my collection."
His figure vanished once more.
This time, his target was directly Rin.
"Be careful!"
Kiyohara's gold dust had already been prepared.
A dark golden tide surged up from the ground, transforming into dozens of giant hands that grasped toward the white figure.
Hiruko's left hand turned pitch black as he directly blocked the gold dust hands.
Steel Release.
Kurenai quickly formed hand seals.
"Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"
An invisible genjutsu spread outward, but Hiruko only paused for a brief moment. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes beneath the mask.
Dark Release.
The Yin Release chakra from the illusion was directly absorbed.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
Kurenai immediately changed tactics, sending several sharp wind blades toward Hiruko.
At nearly the same time, red chakra surged from within Rin as the power of the Three-Tails responded instinctively.
She slammed her hands onto the ground.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
The water dragon intertwined with the wind blades, rushing toward Hiruko with overwhelming force.
Yet Hiruko did not dodge. He raised his left hand, and in his palm appeared a black vortex-like seal.
"Dark Release: Absorption Hole."
The wind blades and water dragon vanished the instant they touched the seal, as if swallowed by the sea.
Not only the ninjutsu, but even the fluctuations of chakra were completely absorbed by that eerie black vortex.
"What?!"
Kurenai and Rin exclaimed at the same time.
The black vortex in Hiruko's palm began to rotate in reverse.
"Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!"
The absorbed Wind Release and Water Release chakra mixed and recombined, transforming into countless streams of water and wind blades that were fired back outward.
"Sealing Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Uzumaki Honoka acted in time.
Golden chakra chains shot out from behind her, weaving into a net in midair and blocking the incoming attack.
However, fine cracks appeared on the surface of the chains, and Honoka herself let out a muffled groan, clearly having suffered a considerable impact.
Seeing this, Tsunade inwardly confirmed that Uzumaki Honoka was indeed a member of the Uzumaki clan.
Only members of the Uzumaki clan could use a secret technique like the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
"Uzumaki fuinjutsu…"
Hiruko raised his brow slightly.
If he did not already have the Sharingan, obtaining this bloodline limit would indeed be quite good.
His gaze lingered briefly on Honoka's red hair before shifting back to Kiyohara.
But now that he had the Sharingan, that was what he desired even more.
Because the Sharingan fit perfectly into the cycle of the Five Elements he was pursuing.
And when the moment of the golden ring solar eclipse arrived, Hiruko would be able to complete the perfect fusion of five bloodline limits at Mount Sumeru.
At present, he could only use different bloodline limits individually.
In the next instant, Hiruko's figure split into dozens of afterimages, charging toward Kiyohara from all directions.
Each afterimage appeared completely real, a visual deception produced by Swift Release.
Kiyohara's Sharingan spun.
Within the vision of his three-tomoe eyes, the afterimages gradually faded, leaving only a single real trajectory rapidly approaching.
An ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan might not be able to see through it clearly, but Kiyohara could see it with absolute clarity.
(End of Chapter)