36.Sneaking Into Konoha
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After everything was prepared, Kaito set off with Uchiha Chiri and Uchiha Izuna on Gurē. The yōkai required for the resurrection plan also dispersed, secretly infiltrating the shinobi world to start their operations, all the while maintaining their cover.
Their journey kept them high above the clouds, except for occasional landings in uninhabited areas for rest. They arrived near Konoha, in a forest close to the Land of Fire, without alarming anyone.
After allowing Gurē to roam freely, the trio stood atop the tall trees, looking towards Konoha from a distance.
"It's been ten years since I've been back here. Seems like a lot has changed," Kaito commented, shading his eyes with his hand as he observed the bustling village below.
Uchiha Chiri and Uchiha Izuna remained silent, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Uchiha Chiri appeared to struggle with mixed feelings towards the somewhat unfamiliar yet familiar landscape before her. In contrast, Uchiha Izuna frowned at the sight of the Hokage Rock, clearly displeased with the memorial to the Senju brothers.
"From now on, we'll need to move with even greater stealth," Kaito suggested. "I plan to directly infiltrate the Uchiha clan area and get settled."
"That should work. Konoha's protective barrier is hardly a challenge for Kaito," Uchiha Chiri agreed with a nod.
Uchiha Izuna, who harbored no affection for Konoha, voiced his irritation, "It's all because you've been too slow. If I could fully utilize my power, we could just barge in directly."
"Ha-ha, sorry, all my fault," Kaito replied dryly, brushing off the criticism. "But, storming in isn't exactly your style, is it, Izuna?"
"Hmph, let's stop the chatter," Uchiha Izuna replied, still visibly upset. "Let's see what you can manage."
Kaito internally questioned his own capabilities, feeling somewhat helpless. He had no intention of causing a major disturbance in Konoha. His goal was merely to discreetly secure some advantages and eliminate certain individuals quietly, not to attract widespread attention.
Avoiding unnecessary conflicts was preferable since a major incident would inevitably draw the attention of Konoha's shinobi. Without a significant reason, Kaito preferred not to engage in pointless battles.
However, Kaito didn't argue further with Uchiha Izuna, focusing instead on ensuring the success of his plan.
"So, I'll have to inconvenience you, Miss Chiri, and you, Izuna, for a while."
After Kaito formed hand seals, Uchiha Izuna and Uchiha Chiri rapidly shrank into two small paper figures perched on his shoulders.
"Hurry up and get moving," the paper figure of Izuna commanded, slapping Kaito's ear sharply.
"Alright, alright," Kaito conceded, urging them to hold tight.
He then used a paper seal on himself to conceal his presence and bypassed the patrolling shinobi, heading toward the Naka River area.
"According to Sasuke, the Uchiha clan was relocated near the Naka River after the Nine-Tails incident. That area, being on the edge of the village, allows us easy access," Kaito explained as they advanced swiftly. "There's a shrine built by our clan near the river, the Naka Shrine, where we can take shelter."
"The Naka Shrine?" Uchiha Chiri's voice emerged, revealing her interest. "It secretly houses a stone tablet passed down from the Sage of the Six Paths, accessible only to clan members with the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Oh, I wasn't aware of that," Kaito admitted, intrigued. "What does the tablet say?"
"The tablet outlines the conditions for the Sharingan's evolution. Only those with the requisite eyes can decode more of its contents. I discovered the method to unlock the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan there," Uchiha Izuna added. "That's why I gave my eyes to my brother."
"It looks like that tablet might be problematic," Kaito remarked, puzzled. "I doubt the Sage of the Six Paths would leave behind such instructions that could potentially incite fratricide."
"Who knows?"
Uchiha Izuna didn't seem overly concerned about the matter.
Or to put it another way, ever since Kaito awakened Uchiha Chiri from the Pure Land, he had already encountered so many bizarre pieces of information.
Even if he were told now that the stone tablet passed down from the ancestors of the Uchiha had issues, he wouldn't be too surprised on the surface.
As for his feelings, well, he was quite annoyed.
Of course, he was just angry that the clan had been deceived, but he didn't feel there was anything wrong with giving his eyes to his brother.
"Miss Chiri, we're approaching the barrier," Kaito reminded.
"No problem," Kaito didn't stop, "We don't have any chakra fluctuations right now, so the barrier won't react."
He then increased his speed again, fleeting like a vanishing shadow, expertly avoiding the denser patrol routes of the Leaf shinobi and successfully sneaked into the Naka Shrine.
Upon entering the shrine's main hall, Kaito, without waiting for Uchiha Chiri's reminder, accurately located the entrance to the basement through sensing.
Once in the basement, Kaito's spiritual power ignited a blue flame in his hand, illuminating the underground space, and he immediately saw the stone tablet.
"Eh?" His expression became odd again, "I can see everything written on it."
He first tossed the spiritual flame to hover in the air, then used a spell to restore Uchiha Izuna and Uchiha Chiri to their normal sizes, and read aloud the entire contents of the tablet to them.
"...The supreme deity sought peace, divided the forces of Yin and Yang, opposing forces that, when combined as one, gave birth to all things in existence."
"About this, my brother has already told me," Uchiha Izuna said, "It was after seeing the contents of this tablet that he sought the power of Senju Hashirama, eventually awakening the Rinnegan."
"It feels very strange, where does this sense of incongruity come from?" Kaito stroked his chin, "Is the condition too specific? Apart from Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, other Uchiha and Senju members couldn't possibly achieve it."
His curiosity piqued, he directly moved closer and squatted in front of the tablet, completely absorbed in studying it.
"Kaito is still the same, once he finds something of interest, he becomes completely engrossed in it."
Uchiha Chiri, somewhat helplessly, started talking to Uchiha Izuna as they watched Kaito's engrossed figure: "But it's precisely because of this that he's been able to grow to his current level without anyone teaching him. After all, those traditions about the ancient Onmyoji are too profound and complex, ordinary people might find it difficult to grasp."
"Hmph, the Uchiha have never lacked geniuses," Uchiha Izuna said proudly, though there was a hint of admiration in his eyes, "But, this kid is indeed not bad."