While things were unfolding on the front lines, the high-ups back in the Hidden Leaf Village were holding a meeting in the Hokage Building.
"The Uchiha are still hiding secret techniques!"
Danzo slammed his palm onto the table, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe to jump several times. He was furious about the Uchiha's hidden techniques.
Danzo believed he understood the Uchiha well enough—he even knew about secret arts like [Izanagi]. However, he had never heard of a technique that could one-shot a ninja so thoroughly. The victim's body had been shattered into pieces, appearing as if it had been crushed like a fly.
"That's enough, Danzo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him. Rumor had it that after receiving intense stimulation, an Uchiha could awaken eyes known as the [Mangekyo Sharingan] and gain special techniques, such as [Susanoo].
But such things only existed in written records. Only Madara Uchiha had ever awakened them back in the day; neither Hiruzen nor the other village elders or advisors had ever seen it.
"Hiruzen, what needs to be investigated now is whether Fugaku has awakened the [Mangekyo Sharingan] that Teacher Tobirama spoke of, or if it's just some other technique," Koharu Utatane stood up and said.
This distinction would determine the village's attitude toward the Uchiha and adjust their danger rating. That demon-possessed clan had to be guarded against. This was a concept Teacher Tobirama held before his death; otherwise, he wouldn't have assigned the Uchiha to the Leaf Police Force, effectively using it as a cage to confine them.
"Uchiha Fugaku hid a secret technique; his intentions are hard to discern," Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses.
If Fugaku had awakened the ability out of pain, it was an accident; conversely, if he had been hiding it all along, it was suspicious. Regardless, the Leaf would now increase its vigilance toward the Uchiha. When they were sent to the battlefield, the leadership had already anticipated such a situation.
"...Let Kiyoshi do it."
The image of Kiyoshi's back flashed through Hiruzen's mind. From their daily interactions, Kiyoshi seemed to deeply embody the essence of the [Will of Fire]. He could be used as a bridge to communicate between the Uchiha and the village. That way, any movement within the Uchiha would be known immediately.
"Once this matter is settled, have them return to the Leaf temporarily. Send the Hyuga ninjas to rendezvous at the Uchiha stronghold and guard that defensive line together," Hiruzen issued a series of orders.
An ANBU member emerged from the shadows of the Hokage's office, knelt on one knee, and left after receiving the orders.
"These are troubled times..."
Hiruzen picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a deep breath. Currently, the village still needed the Uchiha, and the war situation was unclear. Everything had to be handled with extreme caution.
...
Several days passed. In the woods.
"Everyone, be careful."
"Yes, Lady Mei."
A small squad of Hidden Mist ninjas listened to Mei Terumi's instructions. In the Blood Mist Village, strength was respected. Mei, with her terrifying talent and dual bloodlines, naturally became the commanding officer of this squad.
Genin were the main force of the war—effectively cannon fodder—while Chunin were already officers who could lead squads. These squads were divided based on ability and strength, different from the standard Jonin-led teams. Generally, the stronger the commander, the stronger the squad they led.
"Good."
Mei looked back at the six people and nodded with satisfaction. She gazed into the distance, where a man and a woman were walking through the forest ahead. They were their targets for today. The pair in front were Raiga Kurosuki and Ringo Ameyuri. Raiga had told them to follow secretly from behind while they scouted for a hidden Uchiha path.
...
Raiga Kurosuki still had white bandages wrapped around his body, and he carried his twin blades.
"You found a hidden Uchiha path here?" Raiga frowned as he looked at Ringo Ameyuri.
The faint sound of a flowing stream could be heard ahead. This was the battlefield from a few days ago. Raiga realized that if the Uchiha stronghold was nearby, they would have passed through here to reinforce the front. Having a secret path made sense; for Earth Style ninjas, digging a tunnel was easy.
"Yes."
Ringo Ameyuri's complexion looked better than before, though not as healthy as it had been right after Kiyoshi treated her with [Dark Medical Ninjutsu]. The effect was gradually fading.
"Keep leading the way," Raiga signaled for her to continue. He had wanted to bring more people, but Ringo had claimed that a large group would attract attention. It was logical, but Raiga suspected it might be a trap set by Ringo to challenge his position.
Therefore, he had kept a wary eye out and quietly had a squad of Hidden Mist ninjas follow him. In the Blood Mist Village, schemes and infighting happened almost daily. Raiga was used to this life.
As he walked behind her, he looked at Ringo's short stature. She was sickly and pale. He thought that if she changed her hairstyle and let her brownish-red hair down, she might look quite good, but her current style dragged her down.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, the sound of a kunai cutting through the air rang out. Raiga dodged instinctively as a kunai laced with electricity grazed his ear.
"So it is a trap, Ringo Ameyuri."
Raiga's face turned cold. He used the [Body Flicker Jutsu] to retreat a few steps and drew his twin blades. Seeing this, Ringo's pale fingers blurred as she quickly refined chakra and formed hand signs.
"Lightning Style: Earth Flash!"
Ringo quickly released the jutsu, and bolts of lightning manifested.
"Hmph," Raiga snorted and touched his twin blades together. "Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!"
Condensed Lightning Style chakra gathered into spheres of lightning.
Crackle!
Their currents collided, and a brilliant white light masked the area.
"Do it!" Raiga shouted.
However, instead of the Hidden Mist reinforcements he expected, the response was a blazing fire dragon.
Boom!
The intense heat of the flames made Raiga's pupils shrink. Who was it? Ringo had found other helpers! Raiga's heart tightened. Without time for a second thought, he immediately merged his twin blades and summoned lightning to coat his body. This was a jutsu he created by combining the special effects of his blades to summon lightning. It was called [Ninja Art: Lightning Armor]!
The flames instantly engulfed Raiga. Ringo, being prepared, had already jumped away and created a water wall in front of her with a Water Style jutsu.
"Damn it!" Raiga's face was so dark it looked like it was dripping water. Everything had happened too quickly; he had barely managed to summon his [Ninja Art: Lightning Armor] and had almost been roasted to a crisp by the flames.
***
Read 30 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666