"This is indeed true, Lady Tsunade acts in an upright and honorable manner." Shizune had some understanding of Tsunade's conduct, but she still couldn't help but worry.
"What if the Uchiha clan doesn't follow the way of martial virtue?"
Tsunade naturally had her own concerns as well. "But I have a reason that I must return."
"At the very least, to pay respects to the old man and to see what kind of path the Uchiha clan will lead the village toward. The Uchiha clan probably won't come after me."
The village was founded by her two grandfathers, who had given their lives to protect it. Most importantly, she felt that something about this clan had changed.
Currently, the Uchiha clan's combat power had absolutely reached another peak since Uchiha Madara, possessing immense strength, yet they actually went as far as putting the old man on trial.
Something was off. It felt like the Uchiha clan wasn't like this before; they wouldn't have handled things this way. If they had evidence, they would have just taken action directly.
Hearing Tsunade say this, Shizune could only helplessly follow her back to the village.
'What Lady Tsunade said makes sense. Now that the Senju clan is no longer a match for the Uchiha clan, we likely wouldn't be targeted'
She continued packing up their clothes. She was still so young; she didn't want to die early. She hadn't even experienced a sweet romance yet.
———
Meanwhile, in a secret laboratory within Otogakure.
Orochimaru was also conducting experiments on immortality here, perfecting the jutsu for soul transfer.
Naturally, he had also received the news of the Third Hokage's death. Aside from his astonishment, he actually felt a bit excited.
There was not a trace of sorrow for the old man's passing. Although the news stated it was suicide, it was clear he had been forced into it by the Uchiha clan.
He never expected the Uchiha clan to rise again.
He clearly remembered seeing an Uchiha genius in the village—Uchiha Itachi.
The boy's extraordinary talent deeply fascinated him. He could still recall the scene from back then.
At such a young age, he could already evade a large number of irregularly thrown shuriken. Even some jonin would be hit if they were careless in such a situation.
This proved the boy possessed formidable taijutsu and intuition, though it was also related to those red Sharingan eyes.
But according to the intelligence he had gathered, the newly emerged genius, Uchiha Ryosuke, seemed to be an even better candidate for his reincarnation.
Not only did he surpass Uchiha Itachi in talent, but he had even awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. That was the legendary evolved form of the Sharingan.
Everyone who had ever possessed these eyes was a top-tier powerhouse in the ninja world. If he could obtain such eyes, he would undoubtedly become stronger.
He could even uncover the secrets of bloodline limits, further perfecting his technique for immortality.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but lick his lips with his long, snake-like tongue. It seemed he would have to make a trip to Konoha sometime. However, he wasn't in a hurry to go back.
Uchiha Ryosuke's battle record was outstanding; he was unquestionably one of the strongest shinobi in the world today. But Orochimaru wasn't afraid. He had a method to defeat this powerhouse.
That was the Edo Tensei technique.
Those resurrected through Edo Tensei were undying. He had already obtained the cells of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the Third Kazekage—three top-tier powerhouses.
With their cells, he could use Edo Tensei to revive them.
Once he had time to refine this technique, he could even summon stronger versions of these figures, or resurrect even more powerful individuals.
When the time came, no matter how strong Uchiha Ryosuke was, he would still be Orochimaru's prey. Of course, such things couldn't be rushed, but fortunately, he had plenty of time.
———
In Amegakure, a light drizzle was falling.
Konan of the Akatsuki was also receiving news from Konoha. She was primarily responsible for intelligence gathering.
'The Third Hokage had actually committed suicide. And it was done by the Uchiha clan. Konoha truly loves internal strife.'
Previously, Danzo had also died miserably because of their in-fighting. When she heard that news, she had been extremely happy.
Back then, Danzo had joined forces with the disgraceful Hanzo to kill her companion, Pain.
Now it was Danzo's turn to die.
But receiving this major news now left her feeling somewhat heavy-hearted. The Uchiha clan was beginning to rise again, aiming to reclaim their former glory?
Such a clan would inevitably become a major obstacle to Akatsuki's great goal of achieving peace in the ninja world.
Thus, she immediately rushed to a secret chamber.
Inside was a man with several black rods embedded in his back, his body reduced to mere skin and bones, with eyes bearing concentric ring patterns.
Konan spoke directly. "Nagato, something big has happened in the ninja world."
She then relayed all the information to Nagato. Nagato looked at Konan, calmly processing the news she had brought, and reassured her. "A powerful enemy, the Uchiha clan? A Mangekyō Sharingan user, even capable of capturing tailed beasts."
Such strength did indeed make him take notice. As expected of the Uchiha, a mighty clan reawakening its former splendor. With such power, it wasn't surprising.
He comforted Konan. "There's no need to worry. This person's strength is indeed formidable. But once I master the Rinnegan and fully control the Six Paths of Pain—"
"Once I become proficient in the power of a god, I will easily crush this man."
Of course, Nagato had another plan as well. "Once I fully grasp the power of a god, we will recruit members and begin collecting the tailed beasts of this world, then revive the Ten-Tails. The Ten-Tails possesses power far beyond this world, and according to legend, only the Sage of Six Paths could contend with it."
"There will be no issue in achieving our plan for peace in the ninja world."
Konan naturally believed in him. Once Nagato mastered the full power of the Six Paths of Pain and went to Konoha to collect the Nine-Tails, facing Uchiha Ryosuke shouldn't be a problem.
Her heart gradually relaxed. Nagato just needed more time to fully control the Six Paths of Pain. Once he did, Akatsuki would begin executing their plan—gathering the Nine Tailed Beasts and reviving the Ten-Tails.
Then they would intimidate the entire ninja world. If anyone dared to start a war, they would use the Ten-Tails to destroy them.
This was the ultimate goal of Akatsuki's creation.
———
In the northern mountain graveyard, Obito had also received news from Konoha. Of course, this information hadn't reached such a remote place directly—it was gathered by Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu had always dispatched White Zetsu to collect intelligence across the ninja world, and this time, they had obtained this crucial news.
Obito's expression was grim, and in his heart, he cursed. 'Damn bastard, he was actually this strong.'
He hadn't forgotten how his own carelessness nearly got him kicked to death by this man. If not for the White Zetsu cells in his body repairing him, he might have died on the spot.
Otherwise, even if he had escaped into the Kamui dimension, he would have been left barely clinging to life.
This guy would definitely try to stop him from enacting the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan, from creating a world where he could be with Rin.
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