16.Senior

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"Nowadays, there aren't many yōkai left here, mostly those not adept at combat," Kaito frankly shared about the current state of Ōeyama. "There's practically none with the strength of those great yōkai from ancient times."

Gurē added, "No help for it, since back then, the powerful yōkai were all off fighting, leaving behind those not suited for battle. Although new yōkai have been born over the millennia, the growth of yōkai, compared to humans, is excessively slow."

"Of course, yōkai hiding away and no longer appearing also restricts their growth," Kaito supplemented.

"Is it because they haven't experienced battle?" Sasuke inquired.

Shaking his head, Kaito explained, "Yōkai value innate talent more than humans. For yōkai skilled in combat, fighting is a natural instinct. For those who aren't, no amount of effort will make them warriors. What I mean is that the notoriety among humans also impacts their strength. The more widespread the legend of a yōkai, the stronger it becomes."

"So, those great yōkai from the past were indeed notorious in the human world!" Gurē spoke with longing.

"Does that really work? What's the principle behind it?" Sasuke was very surprised.

After some thought, Kaito answered, "It might be called a miracle triggered by the collective consciousness of humans. There were yōkai born from tales passed down by word of mouth."

As they spoke, they veered towards more secluded paths, eventually leaving the buildings behind and entering a forest.

"You've returned, Gurē, Kaito," an elderly voice emanated from deep within the forest.

"Yes, Elder Shigeru," Gurē responded with respect.

"Come over here." Green fireflies lit up in the forest, guiding their way.

Following the fireflies to the heart of the forest, they eventually encountered a towering tree that blocked out the sky.

Approaching, a face appeared on the tree, followed by an old man in green clothes emerging from within.

"Elder Shigeru."

Kaito and Gurē greeted the old man with bows, and Sasuke followed suit.

The elder nodded at them, his expression kind.

"Elder Shigeru, you must have received the message I sent back," Kaito said.

"I have," the elder's expression grew serious. "The Rinnegan has appeared, aiming to collect the tailed beasts. As you said, the ultimate goal of those behind the scenes is likely to break Kaguya's seal."

"Is war about to begin?" he sighed, then asked Kaito, "What do you plan to do, Kaito?"

"Don't worry, Elder Shigeru, we're not unprepared," Kaito assured. "Besides, that plan should be nearing success, right?"

With a confident smile, he continued, "Even if not, there's still me. Though we don't stand much chance in direct combat, if we prepare in advance, resealing Kaguya shouldn't be an issue."

"Actually, them breaking Kaguya's seal might not be entirely bad," Kaito said thoughtfully. "We all know the Ōtsutsuki clan isn't limited to Kaguya alone. Who knows when they might send another powerful being to invade our world? Yet, humanity has forgotten its history."

"To protect this planet from eventual Ōtsutsuki destruction, we need more like-minded forces." He patted Sasuke's head habitually, "Although we can be considered Ōtsutsuki descendants, we're more human."

"Is that so," Elder Shigeru nodded. "Then go ahead, Kaito. We'll support you."

"Thank you, Elder Shigeru."

After their conversation, Kaito led Sasuke and Gurē out of the forest towards the city center.

"We've been traveling these past few days, so let's rest well tonight, Sasuke," Kaito suddenly spoke after some time. "I have some matters to attend to, and I'll take you to the training site tomorrow morning. Gurē, I'm leaving Sasuke in your care."

"Hey! Isn't it just me who's been traveling non-stop?" Gurē complained, then said, "Go on, I'll take Sasuke for dinner."

Rushing ahead, he called out, "Come on, follow me! I'll take you to eat the famous Kitsune Kanto stew!"

Sasuke stumbled a bit, then freed himself from Gurē's grasp, nodding to Kaito before casting a disdainful look at Gurē's retreating figure, "What's the rush? I can walk myself; just lead the way."

"Ha? Such impoliteness from a brat! I'm kindly offering to take you to eat, and you should just gratefully accept! Hurry up, Kitsune Kanto stew is limited supply!"

"Hmph, you're becoming more childish."

"Ha? You're the childish one!"

As the two disappeared around the corner, Kaito had also left the area.

In a spacious hall within the castle tower, the ground was densely inscribed with complex sigils, with different-colored flames floating in the centers of several formations.

Kaito entered the hall, closely observing the flames, "Seems some have been restored." He acknowledged, "Thank you for guarding this place, Elder Chiri."

"No need for thanks, Kaito," a female voice came from behind him.

A woman with an ethereal figure, beautiful and dignified, with long, slightly curled black hair and a kind smile, appeared. Her eyes were also that of the Mangekyō Sharingan, yet her figure was translucent, clearly no longer human.

"Is the clan still the same?"

"Elder Chiri," Kaito turned to the woman's ghostly figure, sighed, and said, "The Uchiha no longer exist."

"Is that so?" Uchiha Chiri paused briefly before returning to normal.

After hearing Kaito's account, she simply stated, "It seems it has come to this in the end. I've been dead for a long time, and by now, I don't have much sentiment left. Since there's still one child left, guide him well."

"Yes, granny, I'll guide him properly."

"Really, I've told you before, just call me Yūrei!" Uchiha Chiri seemed slightly irritated but also amused, "When you were little and first able to see me, you called me 'sister,' but after learning about my status, you insisted on calling me 'granny.'"

"Calling me 'elder' now is at least better than 'granny.' I died young, so being called a granny really was distressing."

Then, she seemed to remember something amusing, and laughed out loud.

Ah, I really got a good scolding back then.

Kaito kept a smile on his face, feeling a bit awkward inside.

Speaking of which, it seems I have quite a few embarrassing moments in my past.