As for the search for the Uzumaki clansmen, Uchiha Anlan arranged for a small squad from the Red Guard Army, along with a Hyūga branch family member, to accompany Uzumaki Minako.
With such a lineup, they could move freely through most of the ninja world.
The matter of Uzumaki Karin's care also required no concern from Minako.
Within Infinity Castle, it was no problem for the merchant guild to find a few experienced wet nurses.
After several "friendly exchanges," Tsunade had more or less settled down as well. There was no longer a need to keep constant watch over her.
After reviewing the day's matters, Anlan returned to his gentle haven, holding his soft, fragrant, beautiful wife, and spent the night in comfort.
Meanwhile, the situation across the ninja world fell into a strange calm—like the stillness before a storm.
The Uchiha's actions had opened the eyes of the leaders of every major village.
Yet years of compliance, combined with the relatively stable power structures and利益 distribution brought by the "one country, one village" system, only made them rethink their own positions.
To turn that stirring into action, they still needed a real spark.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure.
The Tsuchikage's office was brightly lit.
Having received the battle reports, Ōnoki was pleased with the achievements of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails jinchūriki on the front lines—but uneasy about the Kumogakure forces gathering nearby.
There were no true allies in the ninja world.
Only wolves brought together by利益—ready to bite each other at any moment.
Ōnoki wrote several instructions for the eastern front and handed them to the waiting ANBU.
As the room fell silent, the old man—grandson of the First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, and one who had witnessed Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama—slowly rose from his seat, floating into the air.
He drifted to the window, gazing up at the brilliant stars.
Behind him hung a plaque personally inscribed by his grandfather:
"Will of Stone."
"Uchiha… trying to carve out a new path again?"
His voice was hoarse, yet carried the weight of stone.
The upheaval in the eastern Land of Fire lay clearly before him.
Yet he felt no ripple in his heart.
No matter how landscapes changed or eras turned, the nature of stone did not.
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down…"
Ōnoki withdrew his gaze and turned back, eyes sweeping over the plaque.
As if conversing with the will of his predecessors.
What Iwagakure needed to do was simple—
Temper its own "Will of Stone."
Strengthen its current power and stabilize its front lines.
At the same time, watch closely.
Observe the Uchiha—the "lead wolf."
See how far they could go, and what kind of chain reactions they would trigger.
When the winds became clear…
When the path was proven viable…
Or when the old order cracked beyond repair—
Only then would Iwagakure move, steady as stone, to seize the greatest利益.
Let those at the front bear the risks.
Ōnoki had made his decision.
Konoha's northeastern front.
After several successful defenses, the situation suddenly collapsed.
Shimura Danzō, having exhausted every scheme, stared at the figure wrapped in blazing blue lightning—
Like a wrathful god.
That figure tore through Konoha's carefully constructed defensive formations with pure brute force.
Flames and wind blades struck him, yet he endured them head-on—
And with a single punch, shattered the massive Earth-Style wall at the core of the defense into dust.
Danzō's expression darkened.
A deep sense of helplessness surged within him.
Why had he encountered such a monster—one comparable to a tailed beast in human form?!
"Hell Stab — Two-Finger Nukite!"
No tricks.
Only absolute speed—and overwhelming penetrating power.
Combined defenses shattered like paper.
Elite jōnin trying to block him were pierced and torn apart with ease.
The coordination of the Ino–Shika–Chō formation was useless before his speed and strength.
The Hyūga's Byakugan could only glimpse a flash of lightning—too fast to react.
Danzō stood atop the collapsing command post.
His carefully designed defenses—
Were as laughable as he himself.
Troops were deployed.
Root elites were sent in suicidal interception attempts, using forbidden techniques and poison.
But before the Raikage—
The embodiment of both the "strongest spear" and the "strongest shield"—
All schemes and sacrifices were meaningless.
His perfected Lightning Release Chakra Mode granted both unmatched offense and near-invincible defense.
Ordinary ninjutsu couldn't harm him at all.
The collapse began at a single point—
Then spread like a landslide.
Without formation, facing the surging Kumogakure forces—
Konoha's army began to crumble.
Defenses fell one by one.
Squads were surrounded and annihilated.
Screams and explosions echoed endlessly.
"Danzō-sama! The left flank has completely collapsed!"
"The Raikage has locked onto headquarters—we must retreat immediately!"
"Danzō-sama—we can't hold!"
Defeat reports flooded in.
Danzō's face turned ashen.
His grip on his cane tightened until his knuckles whitened.
The front line had broken.
The situation was lost.
"Relay orders… all units… retreat to the second line with alternating cover!"
The command was issued—
But it was nothing more than a chaotic rout.
Konoha's ninja fled in disarray.
Kumogakure forces roared in pursuit, lightning screeching through the air as kunai cut through the wind.
Danzō himself barely escaped—
Protected by loyal Root operatives, using summoning techniques and complex substitutions to slip out of the Raikage's lock.
Looking back—
He saw Konoha's banners burning and falling.
Bodies in Konoha flak jackets littered the ground—many his own carefully trained subordinates.
'Tobirama-sensei…'
For a moment, he felt as though he had returned to the past.
Then, under urgent shouts, he clenched his teeth—
Swallowing the blood in his throat and his unwillingness.
He did not look back again.
Disappearing into the shadows, fleeing the battlefield in disgrace.
At the center of the battlefield—
The raging lightning gradually subsided.
The Third Raikage—A—stood atop corpses and broken weapons.
His massive body was stained with blood.
Lightning faded from his skin, releasing white steam.
He looked around.
Everywhere—
Kumogakure banners.
Konoha's collapse.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA—!!!"
His wild, triumphant laughter thundered across the battlefield.
Drowning out the cries and crackling flames.
He stepped onto a pile of Konoha corpses, raising his head toward the heart of Konoha.
"Trash of Konoha! This is what happens when you stand in the way of Kumogakure's supremacy!"
His laughter echoed like a savage war hymn.
Kumogakure ninja roared in celebration.
Morale soared.
The surviving Konoha ninja turned pale, fleeing faster.
"Continue the slaughter—!!!"
The Raikage pointed forward like a blade.
"All forces—advance! Crush them!"
"No prisoners! No delays! Only speed! Only destruction!"
"Shatter Konoha's spirit on their own land!"
"For the Raikage-sama!"
"Kill them all!"
The Kumogakure army surged forward like a black thunderstorm.
The ground trembled beneath them.
The air itself seemed torn by killing intent.
Under the northeastern sky—
Thunder roared.
The Raikage glanced toward the Land of Wind, killing intent blazing in his eyes.
"Since I'm done playing with Konoha… let's see how many guts Sunagakure has for killing my men."
The next morning.
While Konoha's northeastern front had collapsed, its army routed and hunted down, and Danzō missing—
Infinity Castle remained peaceful.
Cool morning light filtered through soft curtains, casting gentle patches of brightness.
The lingering warmth of the previous night contrasted with the awakening city outside.
In the bedroom—
Anlan stood before the mirror.
Behind him, Mikoto carefully adjusted the collar and sleeves of his dark clan attire.
Morning light outlined her gentle profile.
Her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes.
Serene. Beautiful.
Anlan's gaze fell upon her reflection.
Those soft red lips…
He couldn't resist.
Leaning slightly, he kissed her.
Warm. Soft.
Enchanting.
"Ah…"
Mikoto paused, a faint blush rising to her ears. She shot him a soft glare, her voice low and intimate.
"Stop… your collar will be crooked."
There was no anger—only sweetness.
"Who told my wife to be so irresistible?"
Anlan chuckled.
He didn't tease further, letting her finish dressing him.
In the mirror—
They stood together.
A handsome man with sharp features softened by warmth.
A beautiful woman, graceful and radiant.
Perfect harmony.
At the dining table—
A warm aroma filled the air.
Da Ju had prepared breakfast:
Sweet omelet, perfectly grilled salmon, rich rib soup, and pickled vegetables.
The black cat sat elegantly on a cushion, tail swaying rhythmically.
Nearby, Da Ju carefully pushed deboned fish toward the silver cat, its round face full of hopeful anticipation.
Across the table—
Botamon was dozing while eating.
Its head dipped… dipped…
Then at the last moment—
It snapped awake, took a bite, chewed with closed eyes—
And repeated.
The black cat's eyelid twitched.
Each time Botamon's head dropped, its paw instinctively moved to catch it—
Then stopped midair.
Repeatedly.
Eventually, the black cat's gaze turned dangerous.
It almost wanted to smack Botamon's face straight into the bowl.
After breakfast—
Da Ju cleaned up.
The black cat and silver cat followed Anlan and Mikoto to the eighth-floor office.
"Anlan-sama, Mikoto-sama."
The black cat reported efficiently.
"The merchant guild's security force is progressing well. The thousand-man structure is nearly filled."
"However, the new recruits lack the strength and experience of the first batch. They need time and missions to improve."
"Of course—loyalty comes first."
"Most were raised by the guild. Others have been carefully vetted."
Seeing Anlan gesture to continue, it went on.
"Per your orders, clan members have been deployed across major cities and underground intelligence networks."
"They are searching for promising orphans and refugees."
"But time is short. No suitable candidates yet. The search will continue."
"Good."
Anlan nodded, then looked toward the silver cat.
The silver cat lay elegantly in the sunlight.
"The guild's resources are being consolidated into Infinity Castle."
It paused.
"The situation in the Land of Fire is unstable."
"The Raikage has defeated the northeastern army and is pushing south."
"Our caravans—even with the Uchiha crest—are becoming vulnerable."
"Three convoys were recently attacked. Losses avoided, but risks are rising."
The silver cat licked its paw lightly.
"Under current conditions, large-scale trade is too dangerous."
"Recommendation: suspend non-essential long-distance trade."
"Focus on securing controlled regions and supply lines around Infinity Castle."
150plus chapters aHEAD ON MY PATREON Ph4nt0mTL