Chapter 223: Madara: The Uchiha Clan Has No Shortage of Idiots

Leaving the Hokage’s tower. Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Yuki walked side by side, neither speaking first. Until they reached Tea Street. Kushina finally broke the silence. "Yuki... have you been alright recently? Sandaime-sama shouldn’t have looked for you again, right?" "No." Uzumaki Yuki shook her head. Then, after a while, she said in a low voice. "Thank you." Previously, she didn’t know why Sarutobi Hiruzen had approached her, but after seeing Kushina’s abilities today, how could she not understand the reason? A Jinchuriki! Every member of the Uzumaki clan who mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains was an excellent candidate for a Jinchuriki. They could restrain the power of a Tailed Beast to the greatest extent, just like Kushina. So, Kushina being in Konoha was not a matter of luck. On the contrary, as the "prison" for the Nine-Tails, her heart was probably filled with pain and struggle. Uzumaki Yuki bowed deeply. "I’m sorry!" "Huh?" Kushina was stunned for a moment, a look of bewilderment on her face. Then, she said, puzzled, "W-Why are you suddenly apologizing to me?" Uzumaki Yuki sighed. "The power of a Tailed Beast is so great. As its guardian, you must be having a very hard time. And in Konoha, I heard you had to endure pressure from some people before." "A life like this is also full of torment..." She understood why the Uzumaki clan was destroyed, why Uzumaki Kushina was brought to Konoha... Interests. A small village like Uzushiogakure, in the face of the Five Great Villages, the best choice might have been for the entire clan to join Konoha. However, the Uzumaki clan of that time would not have done so. So, there was no solution. Uzumaki Yuki couldn’t understand. "The Tailed Beasts, why do such creatures exist in the world?" If not for the terrifying power of the Tailed Beasts, perhaps Uzushiogakure would not have been destroyed. Kushina hesitated for a moment, then finally said as they walked. "Actually, the Tailed Beasts were not malicious at first. They were more like intelligent beasts and didn’t know much about our human affairs." If it had been a few years ago, she would definitely have thought the Tailed Beasts were heinous. But in recent years, as Kushina’s communication with the Nine-Tails increased, she slowly understood the Tailed Beasts’ thoughts. As Tailed Beasts... they longed for freedom, but with their immense power and special lives, they could not possibly be released by the various villages. The Tailed Beasts had no choice. Konoha also had no choice. "Is that so?" "Yes..." Kushina began to talk about the Nine-Tails’ thoughts. In the sealed space within her, Kushina said she had resealed Kurama, but in fact, she had still left a small part of the seal undone, allowing outside information to reach its space. However, her words were not meant to deceive the Nine-Tails, but were what she truly believed in her heart—as the Nine-Tails, it could feel the other’s goodwill. The Nine-Tails lay on the ground, without a word. Apart from the lack of complete freedom, its current state was actually passable, at least much better than before. It was just a little indignant. Why should they be happy outside, while it had to be imprisoned here! * "It’s Nine-Tails Number 2." "Hahahaha!" Tsunade laughed loudly, reaching out and grabbing the Nine-Tails, kneading it in her hands. Such a small Tailed Beast! Although she had already heard about it from Kushina, seeing it for real, she still felt it was very novel and shocking. "This kind of Tailed Beast is actually quite cute!" Kurama roared. "I am Kurama! Don’t call me Tailed Beast, Tailed Beast, it’s so disrespectful!" Alas, being in a weakened and miniature state with its chakra sealed, its voice had also returned to a youthful tone due to Kyohiko’s ninjutsu. Even if it tried to act fierce, it couldn’t show any imposing manner, instead giving people a sense of being feisty yet adorable. Ryoho Kyohiko spoke. "Ahem, let’s be a little more respectful. It is now also a member of our Konoha." Tsunade released the Nine-Tails. She also understood. Konoha’s attitude towards the Tailed Beasts should indeed be changed. At the very least, they shouldn’t just view the Tailed Beasts as monstrous calamities, but see their power as a strong trump card. If they could become "partners," perhaps Konoha could become even stronger! Kurama turned its head away, a look of disdain on its face. "I never agreed!" "It doesn’t matter. Anyway, you’re following me." Ryoho Kyohiko had left a Flying Thunder God mark on the amber inside their bodies. Unless the amber inside them shattered and the seal was broken, he and Namikaze Minato could instantly arrive by their side. So, there was no escape! The Nine-Tails went to the side, resting on its own, too lazy to bother with them. Ryoho Kyohiko’s gaze returned, his attention shifting to what was before him. In a place Tsunade couldn’t see... [The separated Tailed Beast, although you haven’t fully reconciled, you at least have the possibility of further cooperation. And under your control, it can bring powerful strength to Konoha at critical moments.] [Reward: Sage Art: Gate of the Great God (Grandmaster)] Myojinmon? Ryoho Kyohiko couldn’t help but glance at the Nine-Tails. The small Nine-Tails in the corner immediately became alert, turning its head to stare at Kyohiko. That look... what bad idea is he cooking up? It chose Kyohiko, not because it was so righteous as to sacrifice itself for another clone, but because it felt there wasn’t much difference. Whether it was Namikaze Minato or Ryoho Kyohiko, with their abilities, both could suppress them. On the contrary, following Ryoho Kyohiko might be even safer. At least it didn’t have to worry about dying, or not being able to meet Uchiha Madara. At that time, who knows, it might even be able to fight Uchiha Madara first. But this kid’s oppressive feeling was really strong! The scene from before was still vivid in its mind. This guy’s techniques were not quite the same as Senju Hashirama’s. If he completely learned Hashirama’s techniques, then all nine Tailed Beasts probably wouldn’t be enough for him to fight! The small Nine-Tails leaped onto the windowsill, looking outside, a trace of malice flashing in its eyes. Konoha... Just then, it felt a malicious intent. Then. Smack! A tree grew out from the side and hit it on the head. "What are you doing?" "Although I can’t sense goodwill or malice, it’s not like I can’t feel your thoughts at all. Have you forgotten what I said before?" Ryoho Kyohiko picked it up. "Let’s go. I have to go back and talk to it." Tsunade called out. "Let’s have dinner together tonight." Ryoho Kyohiko stopped in his tracks. "Do you have money?" Tsunade’s old face turned red. "Hey, can’t you just help me pay for it?" Ryoho Kyohiko waved his hand. "Alright, let’s have dinner tonight." He walked two steps, then suddenly stopped. "By the way, about the Guardian Shinobi, what are the specific details?" Tsunade was bewildered. "You decide. Isn’t this your plan?" Ryoho Kyohiko paused for a moment, then nodded. Alright! I’m the Hokage, I’ll do it myself! * Outside Konoha Village, at the Police Force headquarters. Uchiha Fugaku was urging everyone to train when he suddenly felt a hidden presence. This presence was powerful and violent. It felt... like some terrifying thing had been released. "Fugaku-sama?" "Hmm?" Uchiha Fugaku looked at Uchiha Inabi beside him, then nodded lightly. "Mm, I have something to attend to temporarily. I’m going out for a bit. You are in charge of supervising everyone’s training. Don’t let your skills fall behind." "Yes!" Uchiha Inabi lowered his head. After a moment, when Uchiha Fugaku had left, he raised his head, a cold smile on his face. "Brother Inabi." Uchiha Inabi said faintly. "Everyone is training. Strength is certainly the most important thing. Without strength, we can do nothing." Everyone nodded repeatedly and continued to train. But after the training, he chatted with a few comrades about the past glory of the Uchiha, not mentioning the current situation at all. Seeing Uchiha Shisui in the distance, he immediately changed the topic. Uchiha Shisui silently left. He could feel that the current Uchiha was becoming more and more dangerous. Everyone seemed to be different from before, as if they were slowly changing, but in reality, they were just hiding their emotions. The Uchiha... do they really still have a future? Shisui’s heart was heavy. The current him was no longer the naive self from before. He had slowly come to understand that many things couldn’t be solved just by talking a few words or having a few chats. Even awakening some genjutsu to control others couldn’t solve the problem... "Genjutsu cannot save the Uchiha!" "What can save the Uchiha is only strength, and... getting rid of some people!" A sharp glint flashed in Uchiha Shisui’s eyes. When gentleness and reason cannot change the situation, then taking action to kill some enemies might also be a way. If there’s a disease, it must be treated. You can’t just watch the rotten flesh spread step by step and eventually poison the entire Uchiha clan! --- In a corner of the shinobi world. At night, a White Zetsu took Obito and left the base to go to the Land of Water for training—his training project was... killing! If they were ninjas from other villages, Obito might still have a trace of pity, but facing ninjas from Kirigakure, he had no psychological burden in killing at all. Inside the base, Black Zetsu possessed Madara’s body. Uchiha Madara said faintly. "How is his strength?" Black Zetsu said. "With the current abilities of his cells, he is not far from awakening the Mangekyo. It’s just that for now, he might need further emotional stimulation to awaken his eyes." Uchiha Madara nodded lightly. "The girl he cares about, is there a way to get her out?" "Very difficult." Black Zetsu rejected the previous plan. Because Konoha was too cautious. That girl named Nohara Rin basically only moved around in Konoha, her footsteps never leaving the village’s range. She didn’t even make house calls to farther places. If she had house call projects, he might have had a chance to exploit a loophole. But now... unless the other party was a fool, or they charged into Konoha and took her by force, there was basically no possibility of using Nohara Rin to stimulate Obito. Uchiha Madara pondered for a moment and quickly had an idea. "Then let’s use the Uchiha. The Uchiha clan has no shortage of idiots. You go on a trip, bewitch one or two more idiots, and let them know about the Mangekyo." "You mean..." Black Zetsu understood. The people Obito cared about, besides Nohara Rin, were his grandmother who was still in the clan. Kill Uchiha Obito’s grandmother. And let Obito participate, and finally, let Obito know a part of the truth. Black Zetsu quickly had a plan. He chuckled lowly. "I understand what to do. As you said, the Uchiha clan has no shortage of self-righteous idiots. I know just the one." "Mm." * At the Anbu, Hatake Kakashi glanced at the fox in the corner and couldn’t help but ask. "Is this a newly researched ninja beast?" Kurama raged. "Ninja beast? You’re the ninja beast! Your whole family are ninja beasts!" Its hostility and resentment had no outlet, and Kakashi had run right into it! After a round of raging, Kakashi was a little speechless. He observed carefully, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face. This thing... from its presence and state, it looked like some kind of ninja beast, but its shape was more like a certain creature that existed in legends. The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox! Ryoho Kyohiko gave a simple introduction. "It’s a clone of the Nine-Tails. The other clone is with Minato." "The Nine-Tails?" Hatake Kakashi was dumbfounded, quite disbelieving. This thing is really the Nine-Tails? But... it’s so miniature! The Nine-Tails was too lazy to bother, closing its eyes to rest on its own, actually pondering how to break the seal. At this time, Ryoho Kyohiko put down his pen. "Kakashi, I need your help with something." "Hmm?" Hatake Kakashi stepped forward and took the scroll from Kyohiko’s hand. After a glance. "Guardian Shinobi training, to be held in the Anbu?" Ryoho Kyohiko said. "Mm, train them just like the Anbu. In groups of three. Select a few suitable ones to teach them the Flying Thunder God Formation. In terms of protecting the Daimyo, we must do our best." If we don’t put in the effort, how can we get money from the Daimyo and nobles? Hatake Kakashi scratched his head. This was not a problem, but... "Why also invite ninjas from within the village?" Ryoho Kyohiko looked at Kakashi. "Ordinary people don’t think too much, but some smart people will think about many things. For example, is the core of the Land of Fire the Daimyo or the Hokage." "Don’t you have such doubts?" Hatake Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then nodded lightly. "There was a time when I also had such doubts and thoughts, thinking about whether the Hokage should come first or the Daimyo. But later I stopped thinking about it." Hatake Kakashi smiled at this point. "At that time, my father died." Ryoho Kyohiko was silent for a while. This... is a bit dark. However, he still averted his gaze. "You can mention this matter so calmly now. Have you gotten over it?" Hatake Kakashi nodded, then sighed softly and looked outside. "Yes. Comrades are indeed the most important people. After a person is gone, there is nothing left." "I only understood this after Obito left. Although my relationship with Obito was average and I didn’t have a very good impression of him, Rin valued him very much..." As Kakashi spoke, he immediately explained that his relationship with Rin was just that of ordinary friends. Ryoho Kyohiko just smiled without saying a word. However, Kakashi didn’t dwell on this matter, but just sighed. "Obito’s defection, in Konoha’s terms, is equivalent to losing such a comrade forever." When a person is gone, they are truly gone. Understanding this point, Kakashi’s resentment towards his father was completely gone. "If you had to choose between your comrades and the mission now, would you be like Sakumo-senpai?" Hatake Kakashi chuckled lightly. "Who knows." "Maybe I would, but maybe I would prioritize the mission. After all, one mission could lead to the deaths of more people. There are always some things that are more important than our own lives!"