Chapter 69: ZhiShui, Yuzhi Must Thank TuanZang (24)

Telling Uzhibo ChaNa about his own ambush is about the best way Yuzhi could think of to clear himself of suspicion.

After all, thinking normally, if you already laid a trap, would you still reveal the fact that you met this person?

Of course, it's not that such things never happen; the dark deeds under the lamp aren't something no one does.

But Yuzhi was a bit more thorough—he even removed the corpse, and even dying without confessing isn't a big deal.

Moreover, someone like Uzhibo ChaNa can't be called virtuous and respected; at best he's despised by people and even dogs.

If you really force him, at worst he can resort to some harsh measures!

"But for the main quest, we still need to stay low‑key; at least we need a plausible excuse."

Since the main quest replaces him, he must protect his reputation; a scapegoat or dirty hand must never appear on him.

Otherwise, he could have already tried things like a '30‑centimeter‑off‑the‑ground hanging suicide' or 'drinking water causing bleeding from the seven orifices'.

"We don't need too much time; the next clan meeting might be the best chance to act!"

Yuzhi silently muttered that he had 'driven out' Hikari, trying to understand and integrate into the clan; after checking recent rumors, he also began a mode of quiet cultivation.

His room for growth is still vast; he has only just awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, and has not yet mastered Susanoo.

Besides that, he obtained the Eye Technique Transplant Technique, but he has never had a chance to use it.

Hikari has a Mangekyou Sharingan, but considering the practical impact, he did not act against Hikari.

And he is still unsure how ZhiShui will turn out; he doesn't even know whether ZhiShui has a Mangekyou Sharingan.

"But this time we should be able to try it on Uchiha Fugaku; it's just uncertain what his eye technique actually is."

Actually, regardless of what Uchiha Fugaku's eye technique is—since it's not some other deity—two Mangekyou Sharingan can definitely take him down even against the unknown!

"Also BaiJue's arm, and the other half of the Spatial Talent obtained from Obito; these also need to be properly absorbed and comprehended."

It can be said that Yuzhi now has a great many things to investigate, comprehend, and understand.

Fortunately, while he was buried in arduous cultivation, the outgoing Hikari managed to bring him some good news.

And he didn't expect that, at this moment, someone else had come looking for him—

"Still haven't found it?"

Inside a secret room within the Uchiha Clan, Uzhibo ChaNa asked with a composed face.

Beside him stood several elderly men with white hair, all elders belonging to the Eagle Faction.

They are now faced with a very important matter: Uzhibo BaDai has actually disappeared!

Since he carried out a secret mission, he vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated from the world.

They spent a week without finding any valuable clues; the only information still came from Yuzhi.

To be honest, Uzhibo ChaNa even began to suspect whether Yuzhi had quietly laid a trap!

After all, that night only they had met.

"No news so far, Elder."

The young Uchiha ninja responsible for the report shook his head, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Moreover, this matter has already spread a bit; many in the clan now know about it."

"Shut up, I know."

Uzhibo ChaNa, irritated, rubbed his forehead, acknowledging that the matter naturally cannot be concealed.

Uzhibo BaDai is the squad leader of the Police Department; his disappearance is visible to the entire Police Department!

"ChaNa, do you think it could be Orochimaru?"

At that moment, an elder whispered softly.

Orochimaru?

Uzhibo ChaNa frowned slightly upon hearing that, because it was indeed possible.

He didn't know why, but now throughout Leaf Village rumors about Orochimaru conducting human experiments were spreading everywhere.

The spread is so strong that even the Hokage cannot suppress it.

For the Uchiha Clan, this is a good thing!

Even though internal divisions are huge and they fight each other fiercely, they all still long for one thing—

To reclaim the Hokage that belongs to the Uchiha Clan!

Thus they are fully supporting Uchiha Fugaku, whether they belong to the Eagle Faction or the Dove Faction.

Whether Orochimaru's matter is true or false, the damage to him is huge, because the Hokage cannot have any blemish!

"So, could this be Orochimaru's self‑destructive result?"

Although it feels a bit far‑fetched, all of this seems quite logical.

Orochimaru can basically be certain he no longer has a chance at the Hokage position, and with Kakashi as a successful precedent, anything is possible for him!

"If that's the case"

Uzhibo ChaNa murmured softly, and the next moment his gaze instantly hardened.

"No, this is the fact; first spread this matter, the whole clan—no, the whole village—must know!

After a week, at the clan meeting, we will have a proper talk with the Clan Leader."

"Indeed, we need to have a proper talk."

The other elders instantly understood Uzhibo ChaNa's meaning, and they all showed a smile.

"Kakashi's eye caused such harm; this is absolutely intolerable.

Orochimaru no longer has a chance; the Clan Leader's chance can be greatly increased, and this also requires our assistance.

I think the Clan Leader should know how to choose now."

Yuzhi never expected that he originally intended to frame the Dove Faction and Uchiha Fugaku, making them fight even more fiercely.

Orochimaru was merely a fallback he left for himself, but he never imagined that Orochimaru, without even showing his face, would become the ultimate scapegoat.

But the development of events has not deviated from the predetermined track; in fact, one can foresee that they will quarrel even more fiercely—

"Senior Yuzhi, I'm intruding rashly; please forgive me."

While Uzhibo ChaNa and the others were scheming, Yuzhi looked at the Shisui Uchiha before him with a strange expression.

He knew Shisui would come looking for him, after all he had already triggered a quest.

However, Yuzhi wasn't quite sure when exactly, and besides he hadn't even accepted the quest, which caused him to possibly miss some other quests.

For example, when he was attacked by Uzhibo BaDai earlier, he should normally have received a Side Quest.

Nevertheless, he didn't mind much, since he didn't think he could reap any good benefit from that guy.

"Shisui, hello."

Yuzhi nodded, his face full of curiosity as he looked at Shisui.

"This isn't our first meeting, but I guess it's our first conversation, right?"

Yuzhi knew that Shisui was the type who had a village in his heart and also a clan in his heart.

Dealing with such a person, his character setup is very useful; now he intends to see exactly what this kid's attitude is like.

"To be honest, that is indeed the case."

Shisui fell silent for a moment upon hearing Yuzhi's words, then sighed and said,

"I have never visited senior, nor even had a chance to speak with senior on the front line; it was my arrogance, and I need to apologize to senior."

"Is that really your arrogance, Shisui?"

Yuzhi curiously retorted, but that made Shisui a bit embarrassed.

"Although you are young, there are some things I think you understand; no need to blame yourself."

"After all we are family; tell me, is there any important matter you came to see me for today?"

"Family, huh?"

Shisui was momentarily speechless upon hearing that; they truly are family.

"But in their current state, no matter how you look at it, they don't seem like a family."

"Senior, this time I actually came to seek your instruction."

Shisui sighed inwardly, but quickly composed himself; however, before he could finish speaking, Yuzhi interrupted.

"I want to test my level; if possible, leave a deep impression on me, right?"

"Senior, you—"

"Don't worry, because I've also received similar quests, but for various reasons I didn't carry them out."

Seeing Shisui's bewildered expression, Yuzhi plainly explained,

"Let's go; I know a nice place, let's head there."

As he said so, Yuzhi turned and walked forward; Shisui, watching his silhouette, fell silent for a moment.

Turns out senior Yuzhi also had such a quest, but he just didn't carry it out.

"Is it because he thinks everyone is family?"

Shisui already had a slight fondness for Yuzhi, after all Yuzhi is the village's Great Hero and has a bunch of good friends in the village.

However, due to various reasons, they simply couldn't make contact.

And now, Yuzhi's few short words struck his heart directly, causing that lingering fondness to erupt uncontrollably.

"This kid's attitude is acceptable; for now it seems he bears no ill will toward me."

Yuzhi wasn't sure what Shisui was thinking; as he walked, he began to study the system's quests.

However, while researching, he remained constantly vigilant; though uncertain, any deity must be taken seriously.

As for the current quest choice, Yuzhi thought it over and still chose the latter.

This kid may also be prone to illness, but after all he isn't the two lunatics known as the 'Mad Filial Twins'.

【New Side Quest obtained.】

【Challenge Shisui, defeat him and leave a sufficiently deep impression.】

To make a lasting impression, should I give him a Thousand-Year Kill?

Yuzhi internally muttered, and by now they had arrived in a forest, which was also the place where Yuzhi usually trained alone.

"Come."

Yuzhi gave a casual smile; although he was extremely cautious inside, outwardly he still appeared relaxed.

"Please, senior, teach me."

In contrast to Yuzhi's ease, Shisui now looked much more serious.

After a slight bow to Yuzhi, he drew his short blade, his eyes turning crimson, and he stood ready, staring at Yuzhi.

Yuzhi instantly activated his Sharingan, yet neither of them made the first move, both remaining especially cautious.

"Is it that cautious?"

Yuzhi muttered to himself, "Since it's like that, I don't mind taking the initiative."

He pulled a large number of Kunai from his ninja tool pouch and, in less than a second, hurled them at Shisui!

Clang, clang, clang—

The Kunai collided mid‑air, altering each other's flight paths.

In the blink of an eye, they formed a spreading net that blanket‑covered Shisui.

But Shisui wasn't a pushover; the moment Yuzhi acted, he also moved.

His speed was like a thunderbolt; in an instant a cold flash was about to slash across Yuzhi's neck!

"So fast?"

Yuzhi knew Shisui's speed was absurd, even his Flash Step could produce after‑images.

Just wanting to truly feel the terror of his speed really requires fighting each other!

Fortunately, although Zhi Shui's speed is fast, Yuzhi is not willing to be outdone.

At the moment the short sword was about to hit him, he had already dodged aside, and the kunai in his hand was swiftly swung, straight for Zhi Shui's abdomen.

"Senior, your speed is that fast?"

Yuzhi felt it was absurd, while Zhi Shui felt even more astonished.

Although he usually appears humble, as an Uchiha he naturally also has his own pride.

His speed is one of his prides, because so far hardly anyone can keep up with his speed!

Now encountering Yuzhi's speed like this, it not only astonished Zhi Shui but also intensified his fighting spirit.

After all, the Uchiha Clan is also a warlike clan!

"Senior, be careful!"

Zhi Shui quickly flashed away to increase distance, and the next moment he formed seals with both hands.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Yuzhi, seeing that, also directly formed seals without hesitation; he wasn't afraid to clash ninjutsu.

Moreover, the fireball he unleashed was obviously one size larger than Zhi Shui's!

Boom—

Accompanied by a piercing roar, the two fireballs collided in midair.

In an instant, thick smoke billowed, flames engulfed the surrounding vegetation, and Yuzhi's fireball continued advancing toward Zhi Shui.

"Is the difference in chakra concentration between me and Senior really that great?"

Zhi Shui was somewhat dazed by this sight, yet he quickly dodged to the side—but at that very moment Yuzhi had already appeared before him!

Hum—

The kunai tore through the air, viciously thrusting toward Zhi Shui's neck.

Zhi Shui promptly extended his short blade, the Three Tomoe spinning rapidly, and he lightly deflected the kunai.

He immediately deflected the kunai, then swiftly turned his blade and slashed at Yuzhi without hesitation.

But just as his ninja sword was about to strike Yuzhi, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly twisted his arm to redirect the sword elsewhere.

"You're slow, Zhi Shui."

Before his eyes, Yuzhi turned into a stone with a bang, while Yuzhi's figure silently appeared beside him.

Before he could react, Yuzhi grabbed his sword-wielding wrist, and at the same time his other hand thrust a kunai toward him.

However, just as the kunai was about to pierce Zhi Shui, Yuzhi suddenly stopped, then turned and smiled as he spoke.

"You learned quickly, Zhi Shui."

"It's just a poor imitation of Senior."

Behind Yuzhi, Zhi Shui's figure appeared, while the previous body had already turned into a mound of earth—obviously an earth clone.

Nevertheless, he still maintained a fighting stance, without the slightest relaxation.

"All right, Zhi Shui, the battle is over."

But Yuzhi shook his head, pointing at the surroundings as he spoke.

"If we keep fighting, this forest will probably burn down."

"I understand that, Senior."

Zhi Shui glanced around; though his heart still yearned to continue, he ultimately nodded.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior; I've gained deep insight."

"I haven't taught you anything; your talent is unimaginable, and you will surely become a powerful ninja."

Yuzhi shook his head, then used Earth Release to extinguish the flames on the scene before continuing to speak.

"Also, don't be so formal; I said before, we're actually like family."

A family.

Hearing that again, Zhi Shui felt a little dazed, and after a brief thought he made a decision.

"Senpai, may I talk with you for a few words?"

"Talk for a few words? Sure."

Although he didn't know what Zhi Shui was thinking, there was no need to refuse; he simply pointed at Zhi Shui's wrist and smiled.

"Remember to take it off; if you're careless, it could be dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

Zhi Shui was startled, then looked at his own wrist, and for an instant he was completely stunned.

Because on his wrist was affixed an explosive talisman.

4K second update, seeking first-order commission.

PS: The next two updates may be a bit later, but not too late.

(End of chapter)