Chapter 9: Cloud and Thunder's Past, Three Men Make a Tiger

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The campfire blazed, illuminating the night sky in the wilderness.

Amidst the rustling of leaves, faint whispers and distant commotion could be heard.

The three people sat silently around the campfire.

Uchiha Setsuna glanced at the two of them before speaking with a solemn expression:

"The true danger of this mission stems from an unexpected event."

"Just half a month ago, the Blood Pool Clan submitted its third confession to the Daimyo of Lightning Country."

"However, the messenger sent by the Daimyo was ambushed and killed on the way, and the reward was claimed at an underground exchange."

"The Daimyo of Lightning Country was furious and decided to continue imprisoning the Blood Pool Clan."

"Desperate and with no way out, the Blood Pool Clan secretly contacted Kumogakure."

"Kumogakure will send people to free the Blood Pool Clan. In exchange, the Blood Pool Clan will join Kumogakure and become one of its bloodline families."

Uchiha Seiichiro was immediately puzzled: "The Blood Pool Clan is already a bloodline family of Lightning Country. How could they agree to such terms with Kumogakure?"

Uchiha Shi shook his head slightly, having read the original story, he had his suspicions.

During the Warring States Era, a daughter of the Blood Pool Clan married into the Daimyo's family as a concubine.

Soon after, the Daimyo died of illness, and the Blood Pool Clan's daughter was subjected to jealousy and slander, leading to her family being exiled to Hell Valley.

To put it bluntly, the Blood Pool Clan had already risen to the ranks of nobility and was unwilling to lower their status by joining Kumogakure and engaging in battles.

They would rather stay in prison in Hell Valley, hoping for a pardon one day and to regain their status as a prominent family in Lightning Country.

Now that the hope of a pardon had vanished, they had no choice but to join the ranks of the barbarians of Kumogakure.

Kumogakure was also happy to see this, as the Ninja World War was imminent, and the Blood Pool Clan was a formidable force.

It's possible that the messenger who was killed was actually the work of Kumogakure.

Understanding this, Uchiha Shi felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal a clear sky.

Elder Uchiha Setsuna did not explain too much to Seiichiro, only saying solemnly:

"You only need to know that the greatest danger now is Kumogakure. That's enough."

"So, our top priority is to safely reach Hell Valley and rendezvous with the other Uchiha clan members there."

"Night is falling. Seiichiro, you and Shi will take turns keeping watch and set up warning traps around the area."

"Go and do it."

Uchiha Setsuna waved his hand dismissively and instructed Seiichiro.

Seiichiro, having received no answers but a lot of dirty work, grumbled and got up with a belly full of resentment.

At this moment, Uchiha Shi's eyes lit up, and he asked:

"Why don't we travel at night?"

"Wouldn't it be better to reach Hell Valley as soon as possible in this situation?"

Seiichiro looked at him with disdain, his eyes narrowing, and said contemptuously:

"Ridiculous!"

"Kid, you haven't even read the Ninja Code, have you?"

"Do you want me to recite it to you? The first rule is that ninjas should avoid traveling at night to avoid ambushes."

[Seiichiro Uchiha has looked down on you.]

Seeing the words floating in front of him, Uchiha Shi couldn't help but shake his head.

The logic is sound, but if they follow the usual route and set out tomorrow morning, Wouldn't that just let the waiting Kumogakure ninjas wait in vain?

He had left the village for three things: fighting, fighting, and more fighting!

Moreover, Uchiha Shi's suggestion was not without basis.

Thinking this, Uchiha Shi smiled and stood up:

"We need to analyze the situation specifically."

"Tonight is pitch black and windy, I can't even find toilet paper, let alone hide. Besides, we are Uchiha, so what are you afraid of?"

The confidence in his words came from the Uchiha clan's bloodline limit, the Sharingan.

Even in complete darkness, the Sharingan's dynamic vision and ability to detect chakra flow make Kumogakure's ambushes no threat to the Uchiha.

If this were the case, Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Seiichiro would have a good chance of breaking through Kumogakure's defenses.

And he, Uchiha Shi, without an awakened Sharingan, Would have no chance of surviving in such a battle!

In that case, he could die a glorious death!

Elder Uchiha Setsuna's eyes flickered as he looked at the clouds in the sky.

Beside him, Uchiha Seiichiro sneered.

Seiichiro stepped forward, grabbed Uchiha Shi by the collar, and pulled him close, his head near Shi's ear, and said coldly:

"Uchiha Shi, let me tell you one more time—"

"Because of you, I was dragged into this mess!"

Seiichiro gritted his teeth, his eyes cold, and his tone full of disdain:

"Do you think you're someone important?"

"Do you think you can question the Ninja Code compiled by the Second Hokage?"

"Do you know how many ninjas in the Hidden Leaf Village die each year because they don't follow the rules?"

His words hung in the air, the wind and clouds seemed to stop.

Uchiha Shi looked at Seiichiro calmly, clearly seeing the cold, angry eyes.

He paused, then spoke calmly:

"Senior Seiichiro, ninjas climb walls because it's the easiest way."

"But if jumping over is more troublesome,"

"For a ninja, breaking through the wall is also an option."

Uchiha Shi smirked, glanced at the other, slapped his hand away, and said coldly:

"You, you're putting the cart before the horse."

His words were followed by a deafening sound in Uchiha Shi's ears.

[Clang!]

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Hot springs are often found in riverbeds in valleys, and the Land of Hot Springs is characterized by its high mountains and deep valleys.

From the Land of Fire to the Land of Hot Springs, from the hills to the mountains.

Crossing the deep valleys between the mountains is the only way to cross the border between Fire and Hot Springs.

At this moment, Under a large tree behind a pass, two Kumogakure ninjas, dressed in their uniforms and carrying long swords, were roasting meat with a relaxed and easy demeanor.

A slightly younger Kumogakure ninja frowned and asked:

"Seniors Rami and Daidai, isn't it a bit risky to be so relaxed?"

"Moroi, you're too tense," the older Rami said calmly, even offering a roasted rabbit leg, then explained:

"We have spies from the Land of Hot Springs watching the area ahead."

"If anything happens, we'll get a signal immediately."

"Besides, the Uchiha aren't invincible. They've been traveling all day and are exhausted. Knowing the danger ahead, they won't show up."

"Rest well. This time, the Uchiha have sent the old man Uchiha Setsuna. Tomorrow will be a tough battle."

"We must kill him here to ensure that the Two-Tails Jinchuriki can destroy the garrison in Hell Valley."

Moroi looked at the three of them, thought for a moment, and calmed down.

One elite jōnin, one jōnin, and himself as a special jōnin.

No matter how you look at it, taking down an elderly Uchiha should be a sure thing.

Moreover, the three of them were not ordinary characters.

Rami, a veteran jōnin, had survived from the Warring States Era to the present, experienced the peace talks of the Second Ninja World War, and had witnessed the Nine-Tails Transformation of Gold Horn and Silver Horn. Countless terrifying battles had not broken this old jōnin, making him a seasoned and resilient fighter.

Daidai, an elite jōnin, with a single eye and a black hat, was a trusted aide of the Third Raikage, possessing the bloodline limit Melt Style. He had recently served as the examiner for the 'Absolute Bull Lightning Plow Hot Blade' ability and was in his prime, his strength approaching Kage-level.

And he, Moroi, a special jōnin, was the first captain of Kumogakure's Barrier Team and the designated successor. His sealing techniques, inherited from the Uzumaki Clan, could immobilize even a jōnin if they were caught off guard.

The three of them were among the top experts in Kumogakure!

With this lineup, even another jōnin team would not stand a chance!

For the Blood Pool Clan to join Kumogakure, the village had truly gone all out!

All they had to do was wait for the Uchiha leader to arrive, And bury him and his team here!

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(End of Chapter)