Chapter 180

Kuchiki Senya had no intention of continuing the fight. "Out of respect for your seniority, I'll spare your life. But the Kuchiki clan's sins run deep — after enjoying so many years of wealth and glory, it's time to repay your debts!"

Saying so, Kuchiki Senya turned his head to look at the high-ranking members of the Xinnibu Society not far away and asked: "What are you standing around for?"

"Yes!" Those high-ranking members of the Xinnibu Society trembled, immediately stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

"What are you doing?" Seeing the high-ranking members of the Xinnibu Society approaching, a flash of despair appeared in Kuchiki Tai's eyes — they meant to burn him alive!

"Ancestor, please forgive our rudeness. We hope you can forgive us." Those high-ranking members of the Xinnibu Society had resolute expressions, not giving Kuchiki Tai any chance.

Kuchiki Tai struggled desperately, but his body had long since grown old — he was simply no match for those high-level members of the Kuchiki clan, and was captured before long.

Kuchiki Tai fled in panic: "You traitors of the Empire! You actually dare to betray the Kuchiki clan! Aren't you afraid of heavenly retribution!"

"Kuchiki Tai, the Kuchiki clan's crimes are monstrous — sooner or later you'll perish because of them!" Those high-ranking members of the Xinnibu Society pressed forward step by step.

Kuchiki Tai's face turned ashen, gnashing his teeth: "The Kuchiki clan is the guardian deity of the Empire — how could it possibly be destroyed!"

Kuchiki Senya looked at Kuchiki Tai with indifference: "Kuchiki Tai, you're still too green. Your Xinnibu Society is indeed the guardian clan of the Empire, but likewise, your interests are aligned with the other five great clans!"

"Now that you've thoroughly enraged the Xinnibu Society, aside from you, the rest is simply clearing out the household!"

149. Now, your life — return it to me, that's all.

Kuchiki Tai's pupils constricted — he knew, he was finished.

He had no room to resist!

"Kuchiki Tai, I'll send you to reunite with all the children of the Kuchiki clan." Kuchiki Senya's tone was extremely cold.

Kuchiki Tai let out a cold laugh: "Heh heh, it seems I, Kuchiki Tai, am truly going to die at your hands. But even in death, I, Kuchiki Tai, died with honor. After all, I died at the hands of a strongman like you!"

"You're wrong!" Kuchiki Senya shook his head.

"Hmm?" Kuchiki Tai's brows furrowed slightly.

"I did indeed kill you, but your death is no injustice — after all, your life was bestowed by me. Now, your life — return it to me, that's all." Kuchiki Senya said coldly.

"Hahaha!" Kuchiki Tai went mad, unable to help but burst into wild laughter.

As he laughed and laughed, his smile froze, his eyes widened, revealing thick regret and unwillingness.

He was unwilling! But it was already too late to change anything.

……

Roughly half a year later, Kuchiki Senya arrived at a small town in Hokkaido.

Before he left, the ninja hounds he had left behind for the village had already bred for several generations — several hundred ninja hounds spread across Hokkaido and several surrounding nations.

Hokkaido was a relatively prosperous prefecture in southern Japan, and north of Hokkaido lay the great sea. Within Hokkaido's borders, there were still many islands. For example, this small town. A hundred and fifty years later, this small town called Hokkaido became the only city near Hokkaido with a seaport. It lived by the sea, and because of this produced many goods. Not just salt and alcohol, but even shipbuilding blueprints and some rare metals.

When Kuchiki Senya arrived at the small town, it was already spring. The spring breeze brought warmth, and the houses and fields inside the small town had taken on a completely new look.

There were also many ninjas in uniform attire in the small town, patrolling and maintaining the town's public order. They were all students recruited by the ninja school Orochimaru had founded. These ninjas' talent for cultivation was all extremely outstanding — after all, Orochimaru was a veteran ninja, so how could the disciples he taught be poor?

And these ninjas were the ninjas of Konoha Village.

"Teacher Senya."

"You've finally deigned to come back?"

"That's right, I'm back!"

Kuchiki Senya arrived at his front door, only to see Orochimaru standing at his door waiting for him.

"Welcome home." Orochimaru said with a beaming smile.

"Welcome home?" Kuchiki Senya frowned. "I remember I already sold the house to you."

"Yes, but you forgot — you once promised me you wouldn't sell this house."

Kuchiki Senya was stunned for a moment. "That's impossible! I absolutely never promised that."

Orochimaru smiled: "I never promised you either. I just told you that if one day you wanted to leave Konoha Village, you could come find me in Hokkaido."

Kuchiki Senya's face turned iron-blue, gnashing his teeth as he said: "Bastard! I really doubt whether you sincerely want to help me. No wonder a despicable villain like Orochimaru could succeed — turns out his tricks are far more brilliant than yours."

Orochimaru laughed heartily: "I merely offered you another choice. If you choose to stay in the village, then you can only be controlled by me."

Kuchiki Senya's expression grew even colder. Although over the years his relationship with Orochimaru had grown increasingly tense, they still exchanged secrets like friends.

But now, they were no longer friends.

Orochimaru's smile slowly faded: "I know you resent me, but Senya, I did nothing wrong."

Kuchiki Senya's lips pressed into a thin line, his cheeks puffed out.

"You don't want to leave the village with me because I haven't been good enough to you? You refuse to admit you're a rogue ninja?"

Kuchiki Senya remained silent.

Orochimaru paced slowly to the window, his eyes fixed on the horizon outside: "Since you don't want to leave, I won't force you. But Senya, you should understand clearly — you cannot escape me. Unless you're willing to perish together with me. But I don't believe you'd be that foolish."

The moment Orochimaru finished speaking, a huge black shadow suddenly smashed through the glass and charged in, knocking him down. Orochimaru was caught off guard, retreating several steps before steadying himself. This massive beast was crouched on the ground, its jaws clamped onto Orochimaru's leg.

Orochimaru kicked out, sending this fierce beast flying into the wall — BOOM — a tremendous crash, and the beast collapsed to the ground, convulsing. Orochimaru picked up this demon's tail and examined it carefully, a faint, indifferent smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "So this is the beast you've been raising? What a sorry sight. This wolf's bloodline must be the weakest, I'd wager."

Kuchiki Senya stood up, glaring furiously at Orochimaru: "Enough!"

"Alright, alright." Orochimaru shrugged, then pulled out a vial of potion from his storage pouch. "Come try this and see how it works."

Orochimaru sliced open his finger, letting a few drops of fresh blood fall onto the potion. Then he used chakra to activate these drops of blood, fusing them together into a liquid, which he then poured into the beast's mouth. When the vial of potion had completely vanished, Orochimaru patted his hands in satisfaction.

"Is that it?" Kuchiki Senya asked.

"Of course not. I spent a great deal of materials to research this potion — it can improve an ordinary person's basic constitution and enhance their potential. If lucky, it can even elevate a person's bloodline power. Of course, the effect is heaven-defying, and the price isn't low either — a single vial of potion consumes a full ten Senzu Beans."

"Such an expensive thing, and you can get your hands on it too." Kuchiki Senya said, curling his lip.

Orochimaru chuckled: "You needn't trouble yourself over that." He looked at Kuchiki Senya. "I want to ask you to do something."

"Hmph!"

"What if you killed an enemy?"

"Hmm?" Kuchiki Senya showed a puzzled expression.

"Then who is this person?"

"I don't know him, and I've never seen him." Kuchiki Senya shook his head. "I have no reason to kill anyone."

"Is that so…" Orochimaru nodded. "Then have you heard the rumors about 'Moon'?"

"Never heard of it." Kuchiki Senya said.

"Oh?" Orochimaru seemed to find it a little strange. "Then why did you want to leave Konoha?"

Kuchiki Senya was silent for a moment, then said: "My father was a hero of Konoha. I came here to avenge him. Besides, I am not content with mediocrity. I need to obtain greater power."

Orochimaru sighed: "It seems our lines of thinking don't quite align. But no matter, I will give you a chance to prove your strength. Take this, hold onto it." Orochimaru tossed out a red bead.

150. The Power of the Nine-Tails…

"What is this?" Kuchiki Senya asked in confusion.

"This is an elixir I refined using the power of the Nine-Tails. If you take it, you can briefly possess the power of a Tailed Beast. Although I can't say how strong it is, dealing with one or two jonin would be no problem."

"The power of the Nine-Tails…" Kuchiki Senya said hesitantly.

"Don't worry. Although the power of the Nine-Tails has many flaws, it does have some benefits. For example, it can extend a person's lifespan, letting them live a little longer. And the power of the Nine-Tails can enhance a person's physical strength."

"Then I'll take it for now." Kuchiki Senya accepted it without any ceremony. He did not know that the power of the Nine-Tails would shorten one's lifespan.

"Then I'll be going."

Kuchiki Senya left the wooden hut and walked toward a certain direction of the village.

……

The villagers dodged one after another, fleeing in panic.

"What's going on?"

"It seems some monster has broken into the village. Run!"

"Is it a yokai?"

"No, it looks a little strange, like it's injured."

Kuchiki Senya raised his arm. Countless red patterns surfaced on his arm, his pupils turned crimson, and pitch-black tails grew from his back. A dark, evil pressure shrouded the entire village, making it hard for people to breathe.

"Ah—"

"Help—"

Wails rose and fell. Kuchiki Senya swung a claw, and a massive fire dragon roared forth, instantly engulfing a group of people. He turned and left.

Orochimaru watched this scene, lost in thought.

"I didn't expect there really was someone who could cultivate to this extent…" He stroked his beard, revealing an interested expression. "It seems I need to capture a live experimental subject as well…"

Orochimaru left Hokkaido and returned to his base. He kept pondering Kuchiki Senya's abilities and potential. He believed that, as long as Kuchiki Senya was given enough time and opportunity, he would surely become a top-tier ninja.

"I must admit, Kuchiki Senya's strength and talent are indeed exceptional." Orochimaru muttered to himself. "But, can he become my asset?"

Just as Orochimaru was thinking, his subordinate suddenly reported: "Lord Orochimaru, Qianye has already left Hokkaido, whereabouts unknown."