Chapter 224: Return to the Mountain Graveyard

Training Ground.

During his sparring with Itachi, Shisui gradually became accustomed to his Reanimated body, mastering its power.

In a flash, dozens of Shisui clones surrounded Itachi, launching a tidal wave of attacks.

There it was, Shisui's signature technique that made him famous - the Phantom Body Flicker.

His prowess was as impressive as ever.

Relying solely on taijutsu, Itachi soon found himself overwhelmed. He quickly formed hand seals and pressed his palm to the ground, invoking the power of Wood Release.

With a thunderous roar, trees erupted from the ground, forming a small forest around Itachi, effectively halting Shisui's clones.

Under Itachi's control, the trees lunged at Shisui, engulfing him in moments.

A brilliant green light erupted, shattering the trees. A green Susanoo emerged, towering above.

Witnessing this, Fugaku and the others looked on in astonishment.

It's worth noting that both of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan were in Dan's possession. Yet, even after being Reanimated, Shisui could still use the Mangekyō's abilities, including Susanoo.

Incredible.

Only Dan wasn't surprised.

In the original series, Itachi's eyes were transplanted to his younger brother, Sasuke. Yet, when Kabuto reanimated him, Itachi still retained the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The same went for Nagato. Even though the Rinnegan wasn't originally his, he could still use its abilities after being reanimated.

And then there was Uchiha Madara.

He had given his Rinnegan to Nagato in life, but could still use its power after being reanimated. Madara even broke free from the Reanimation Jutsu, becoming a "Free Reanimated Body."

Possessing immortality, infinite chakra, and absolute freedom.

Dan had his doubts about the Reanimation Jutsu.

The idea of an immortal body could be attributed to the jutsu's power, and there were ways to counter this immortality, like sealing techniques.

But the infinite chakra brought by the Reanimation Jutsu was inexplicable.

Energy is conserved. If the Reanimated body has infinite chakra, there must be a source.

Is it from the living sacrifice?

No, how much chakra could a sacrifice have? Even the best White Zetsu sacrifice only had chūnin-level chakra.

Or is it transmitted remotely by the caster?

That doesn't make sense either. Kabuto reanimated so many powerful shinobi at once; if he was supplying the chakra, he'd have been drained.

The Reanimation Jutsu was truly a bug.

However, according to Orochimaru's research, the current version of the Reanimation Jutsu was imperfect and had a significant flaw.

The living sacrifice for the Reanimation Jutsu was a vessel for the deceased's soul.

Like Orochimaru's Body Replacement technique, this vessel needed periodic replacement, and the cycle was much shorter.

That's because—

The death aura brought from the Pure Land by the summoned soul would corrode the vessel over time.

It could be as short as a day or two, but no longer than half a month.

To address this issue, Orochimaru developed a new sealing technique, temporarily storing the Reanimated body in wooden coffins. The seal on the coffin slowed the death aura's corrosion.

When the Reanimated body was needed for combat, it would be released.

Knowing this flaw, Shisui wasn't disheartened. He smiled optimistically, "Being able to return from the afterlife and see everyone again makes me happy."

"We'll continue to refine this jutsu, aiming to perfect it one day, so you can be a Free Reanimated Body and stay with the clan forever," Fugaku promised, his gaze intense.

Then, after consulting with the deceased's families and considering the remaining sacrifices, Fugaku repeated the process, reanimating several Uchiha who died in battle, including Chishūko's elder brother and Inohi, totaling over ten people.

After a brief reunion, Fugaku summoned a row of wooden coffins.

Shisui, Inohi, and the others bid their farewells and entered the coffins, falling into a deep slumber.

They would awaken and fight for the Uchiha when the clan faced a crisis.

"Clan leader," Uchiha Kensan hurriedly reported to Fugaku, "We seem to have been exposed. Scouts from major ninja villages have entered the Land of Rice Fields and are approaching the Sound Village."

Hearing this, the Uchiha exchanged glances, having anticipated this outcome.

It seems it's time for a strategic relocation.

But where should they go next?

"There's a place that might be suitable," Dan suddenly suggested.

"Where?" Fugaku inquired curiously.

"The Mountain Graveyard," Dan replied, looking northward.

The Mountain Graveyard... wasn't that Obito's hideout?

Hearing the name, memories of the Uchiha clan's long journey to the Mountain Graveyard that night resurfaced for many.

Indeed, the location was remote from the shinobi world, desolate for hundreds of miles around. It truly was an ideal hideout.

Moreover, the Uchiha clan had been there before, so they knew the way.

"Then it's settled. Our destination is the Mountain Graveyard!" Fugaku decided, his eyes shining with determination.

Half an hour later, all valuable items from the Sound Village were packed by the Uchiha clan and stored in the Iron Fortress.

With a rumble, the massive Iron Fortress burrowed into the ground, quickly departing the area.

Heading north, the Uchiha clan maneuvered the Iron Fortress, swiftly leaving the Land of Rice Fields, entering the northern peninsula, and heading deep into the vast primeval forest.

A day later, they found themselves in a perilous forest where towering trees blocked the sunlight. Roars of wild beasts echoed, startling flocks of birds.

Vultures circled in the sky, their sharp cries piercing the air. On the ground, the skeletons of large animals lay scattered, some as tall as small hills.

This was the Mountain Graveyard.

For a long time, due to the presence of many giant beasts, even ninjas found it hard to leave this place unscathed, making it a forbidden area.

However, the peninsula where the Mountain Graveyard was located was not only secluded but also surrounded by the sea on three sides, making it easily defensible.

That's why Madara Uchiha had chosen this place as his hideout, staying there for decades.

Now, the Uchiha clan had arrived.

With a roar, the Iron Fortress emerged from the ground, moving through the forest.

Any beast in the forest had to steer clear of this massive steel structure, capable of firing bullets and artillery.

Deep in the graveyard was a large hole, a hundred meters in diameter. It was once Madara's lair, which the Uchiha had burned down.

Not far from the hole was a hill with a flat top, offering a good vantage point. The Uchiha clan chose to settle there.

Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!

Fugaku, Itachi, Tetsuhihi, Chishūko, and Tenzō combined their efforts, quickly constructing hundreds of wooden villas atop the hill.

The reason for building so many houses was simple.

The Uchiha clan was moving out of the Kamui dimension.

The Kamui dimension, after all, was a gloomy place without sunlight. Ordinary people living there for months could easily become depressed.

This couldn't continue indefinitely.

Thus, after discussions within the clan, Dan activated Kamui, transferring five hundred ordinary clan members out of the Kamui dimension.

Over the next few days, the Uchiha clan set up numerous traps and sensory barriers around the forest to guard against enemy invasions.

Moreover, the Iron Fortress was parked next to the village, ready to evacuate everyone at a moment's notice.

Once settled, Fugaku led a group to continue researching the Reanimation Jutsu. Upon hearing this, Tsunade surprisingly offered to help the Uchiha clan perfect the jutsu.

On one hand, perhaps Tsunade was bored and curious about the Reanimation Jutsu.

But more likely, she had heard that Orochimaru was also researching it.

Knowing Orochimaru, if he succeeded, the first to be reanimated would be her grandfather and grand-uncle.

Given a choice, Tsunade would prefer the Uchiha clan to reanimate her ancestors. At least they would respect her wishes and not mistreat the First and Second Hokage.

Moreover, the power of her ancestors might help the Uchiha defeat the Allied Shinobi Forces and reclaim Konoha.

This was something Tsunade wanted to see.

However, if the First and Second Hokage became Orochimaru's puppets, that would be problematic.

To thwart Orochimaru's ambitions, Tsunade used her medical ninjutsu and sealing techniques to significantly aid the Uchiha in improving the Reanimation Jutsu.

Apart from the Reanimation Jutsu, during the past winter, the Uchiha clan had also harnessed the power of the Stone of Gelel.

Based on the information found in the Iron Fortress and their own exploration, many clan members could now adeptly use the Stone of Gelel for transformations.

In the forest.

"Roar!"

Uchiha Yashiro was surrounded by a pack of hungry wolves. They slowly closed in, ready to pounce and tear him apart.

Just then, the Stone of Gelel on Yashiro's chest emitted a blinding blue light, enveloping him.

"Roar!"

With a wolfish howl, in mere seconds, Yashiro's height expanded to five meters. His body became covered in fur, and his head took on the shape of a wolf's.

This beast transformation was a way to harness the natural energy contained within the Stone of Gelel.

Similar to Sage Mode.

After his transformation, Yashiro's strength, speed, and agility all increased dramatically.

With a swift move, like a fierce wolf king, he charged into the pack, using his sharp claws and fangs to slaughter them.

Then, with a roar, he unleashed a powerful sonic wave, causing the wolves to panic and flee.

After his transformation, Yashiro's taijutsu had reached Kage-level.

"Lord Yashiro!"

Two more Uchiha jōnin emerged from the forest to join him.

One had transformed into a large ape, his skin turned dark, hair white, and arms elongated like an ape's. His size had also increased several times.

The other had become a bat, flying above with sharp ears, a black tail, and bat wings replacing his arms.

The trio had come out to practice their beast transformation techniques and to hunt for food.

With their prey in tow, they shared a smile and began their journey back to the village.

Compared to Yashiro, a regular clan member, Dan's mastery over the Stone of Gelel was more profound.

He practiced Sage techniques.

During the winter months, Dan, through the Stone of Gelel, deepened his understanding of natural energy.

In his room, he sat cross-legged, motionless, with a calligraphy piece reading "Meditative Forgetfulness" hanging on the wall behind him.

At this moment, Dan felt as if he was part of the planet, with vast amounts of natural energy flowing into him, granting him immense power.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes, ending his meditation, a flash of determination in his gaze.

He felt the legendary Sage Mode was within his grasp.

Just then, the door creaked open.

"Master, tea is ready," Samui said, entering with a tray, offering Dan a gentle smile.

Dan stood up, took the tea, and said, "You should rest. I can handle things like this."

He then glanced at Samui's slightly protruding belly, his eyes softening.

The child inside her was already two months old.

Noticing his gaze, Samui touched her belly and whispered, "I hope the war ends by the time our child is born."

As a mother-to-be, she wished for their child to grow up in a peaceful era.

"It will," Dan assured her in two simple words, heavy with promise, comforting Samui.

He then wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and together, they looked out the window.

The Uchiha clan was gathering strength, growing stronger with each passing day.

The next time the Allied Shinobi Forces attacked, the Uchiha would no longer flee.

It would be the final battle.

As the Uchiha clan settled in the Mountain Graveyard, elsewhere, scouts from various ninja villages infiltrated the Sound Village, only to find the cunning Uchiha had already vanished.

As the villages grumbled, a sudden report came in:

There were signs of the One-Tail Shukaku's activity in the ruins of the Whirlpool Country. It was suspected that its jinchūriki, Gaara, had gone berserk.

This news immediately drew the attention of all the major ninja villages, making them momentarily forget about the Uchiha clan.