627. Uchiha Gaiden: Counterattack

"Machiro?!"

All clan members glance at the youth that stepped forward.

"Clan leader, I am willing to undergo the drug administration." The Uchiha youth resolutely glances at Ichiro.

Ichiro glances at the youth in front of him and silently assesses him.

"You have a courage befitting of an Uchiha. However, there is a risk of death. So, do you still want to proceed?" He applauds the young man.

"Machiro, are you sure you want to do this?" His father, who is also a part of the meeting, asks him.

"Father, I want to avenge elder brother!" Machiro grits his teeth and stares at his father with resolve.

"Very Well!" His father nods and turns to Ichiro in affirmation.

"In that case…"

Ichiro gestures to Machiro to walk towards him. He injects the drug into Machiro's body using a syringe.

A few seconds after the injection, Machiro's body starts to convulse.

AHHH!!

He screams in pain and falls to the ground on his knees. Machiro grabs his forehead and mumbles.

"I am sorry… I am sorry… I am sorry… big brother!!"

"Machiro!"

His father's expression turns pale at Machiro's condition. However, he restrains himself and continues to observe Machiro alongside other Uchiha clan members.

Drip… Drip…

Blood leaks from Machiro's eyes and falls to the floor. Beads of sweat roll down his body and veins pop out near his eyes. Machiro's facial movements express his intense pain and agony.

"Machiro, you must hold on!" His father murmurs.

After around fifteen minutes, Machiro suddenly stands up, startling everybody.

He suddenly opens his blood-filled eyes and glances at Ichiro, revealing his two-tomoe Sharingan.

"It's a success!"

The eyes of the rest of the Uchiha clan members widen in shock and joy.

"Wipe the blood from your eyes!"

Ichiro passes a cloth to Machiro.

Machiro grabs the cloth and wipes his eyes. Suddenly, Machiro's vision turns dizzy and his body loses balance. He loses consciousness.

"Machiro!" His father quickly supports him.

"He has exhausted his chakra from the awakening and lost control because of his enhanced senses! He will be alright after a brief rest!" Ichiro remarks and returns to his seat.

Machiro's father bows to Ichiro and leaves the meeting hall for the infirmary.

Murmur… Murmur…

The Uchiha clan members discuss among themselves for a few minutes and then finally turn to Ichiro.

"The Uchiha clan is saved. This drug can help us overcome our predicament." The elders remark.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's test the effect of this drug on our less talented individuals who have yet to awaken their Sharingan."

Over the next few days, under the lead of various clan elders; the hallucinogenic drug was administered to several Uchiha clan members. They were made aware of the risks and effects beforehand. Nonetheless, almost all the chosen individuals agreed without any second thoughts.

The feeling of desperation and anguish pushed the Uchiha clan members to the extreme.

Except for a few individuals, almost every Uchiha member awakened their Sharingan. As for the unfortunate people, they lost their lives.

However, this result didn't dishearten the others, rather, it awakened a fire within them. A fire to prove themselves, a fire to burn their enemies. Thus, the number of elites in the Uchiha clan increased by several folds.

So, with this rekindled fire, the Uchiha clan members retaliated. Their counterattack was fierce, and soon they managed to turn the tables around.

From the brink of defeat to an overwhelming victory, the Uchiha clan members fought hard.

The Senju and Uchiha clan members were shocked to see so many elite Uchiha clan members appear out of nowhere.

These new elites were too fierce and bloodthirsty. They didn't care about their well-being in a battle and would fight desperately at the cost of self-harm if it meant they could cinch victory.

The war between the three clans continues for another decade. Over the years, the Uchiha clan slowly regained its lost vitality, and with every battle, the strength of the Uchiha clan increased. The number of elite shinobis in the clan already exceeds a hundred- a number unimaginable in their heyday.

Black Zetsu saw the events unfolding from the sidelines and shook his head in disappointment.

'Another failure! I overestimated this generation of reincarnation.'

Black Zetsu ponders for a moment.

'Influencing Indra's bloodline still has a much higher chance of success because of Indra's lingering grudges. I spent centuries researching that drug to better exert control over the Uchiha clan. It will slowly influence them and raise my chance of success. However, in the future, I will have to influence both the Asura's and Indra's reincarnations to achieve better results. For now, it's time to end the era of these two failures.'

In a secret valley in the Land of Fire,

Inside a secret gathering place of the Senju and the Uzumaki clan,

"Those Uchiha bastards are insane!" The Senju and the Uzumaki clan elders mumbled.

"In these past years, we have lost several members in our war against those Uchihas. The number of casualties is sky high despite the Uzumaki clan's outstanding medical skills." Another elder remark.

"I thought the Sharingan was a rare Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan and only a few elite members could awaken it. But now… almost every Uchiha member we confront has it!" Another Senju elder murmurs.;

The rest of the elders also share similar sentiments.

"Damn, those bastards!" A hot-blooded Senju member smashes his hand on the table, shattering its edge.

"Then What should we do?" An Uzumaki elder frowns while lost in thought.

"To avoid further losses, let's avoid conflict further with the Uchiha clan." An Uzumaki clan elder remarks.

After several discussions, the various elders nod and agree with the suggestion.

"What do you think, Kenzo?" They turn to the current Senju clan leader.

The middle-aged clan leader glances at the exhausted expression of his clan members and finally nods.

"Very well! We will avoid further conflict with the Uchiha clan."

Unbeknownst to them, the Uchiha clan had already found an ally in the form of the Chinoike clan. The members of the Chinoike clan possess a powerful Kekkei Genkai to manipulate liquids with high iron content. Thus, the Chinoike clan members use blood to fight in battle.

Though their Kekkei Genkai is exceptionally powerful, it comes at the cost of their blood and vitality. Thus, the members of the Chinoike clan often hunt various exotic and powerful animals to replenish their blood reserves.

Of course, the human blood is the best material for their jutsus. However, the shinobi code of conduct forbade them from performing genocides.

However, when the leader of the Uchiha clan appeared in front of them with a proposal that was too good to refuse, they had no choice but to ally themselves temporarily with the Uchiha clan for their shared interests.

"I can smell it - the rich vitality and iron content!"

A member of the Chinoike clan licks his lips with a bloodthirsty expression.

According to the information given by the Uchiha clan members, the blood of the Uzumaki and the Senju clan is not only rich in iron but also surging with vitality.

The Chinoike clan, who already knew of this, were eyeing them for centuries. However, they were too afraid of the Senju clan's power and reputation.

Initially, they refused cooperation with the Uchiha clan. However, after some 'convincing' from Ichiro, they reluctantly agree. Also, the opportunity was too good to pass for them.

"There is no doubt about it! This is the territory of the Senju and the Uzumaki clan!" The middle-aged leader of the Chinoike clan glances at his surroundings.

Behind him, several Chinoike clan members are gathered with sinister expressions on their faces.

The members of the Uchiha and the Chinoike clan are gathered outside the Wood Valley. They glance at the lush valley from a small hill.

Shiing…

Ichiro's eyes turn into Sharingan as he glances at the valley.

"There are several barriers and fuinjutsu formations around this valley, especially the entrance." He mumbles.

The floating fuinjutsu runes and chakra patterns are visible in his eyes.

A frown appears on the Chinoike clan leader's face.

"Leave the fuinjutsu formations to the members of the Uchiha clan!" Ichiro assures him.

"Once we destroy the barrier and clear the formations, I want the Chinoike clan members to surround the valley and seal their escape route."

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