48. Long Lost Memories 4

"Don't interfere. Go do what you are supposed to do," Uchiha Igaku turned his head, staring at the shadow that had taken human form.

"Hehehe, I'm really looking forward to seeing the dark side of this kid," the shadow let out a sinister laugh and slowly approached the unconscious Uchiha Gin, extending a pitch-black hand to touch the boy's head.

At that moment, two figures burst into Uchiha Igaku's laboratory. Seeing them from afar, Uchiha Igaku frowned. "I thought I could buy some time, but they came quicker than expected. Uchiha Tajima is no longer the indecisive boy he once was."

His "Spectre" had already informed him of Uchiha Haru's return.

To stall him, Uchiha Igaku drafted a plan for the two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan.

This plan was of great importance, and the loyal Uchiha Haru would certainly rush to consult Uchiha Tajima for instructions, which would buy him a good deal of time.

However, his former student, once indecisive, had become far more resolute after becoming clan leader.

"Spectre, halt the plan. Possess Uchiha Gin, and await my command before taking any further action."

He couldn't afford to expose Spectre's existence. His actions would surely lead Uchiha Tajima to remove him from this research, and Uchiha Gin would be placed under protection.

Without hesitation, the shadow transformed into a pool of black liquid and merged into Uchiha Gin's body.

"Uchiha Igaku! The clan leader has ordered that you cease all experiments," Uchiha Haru, flanked by the rotund Uchiha Hiro, rushed in, presenting Uchiha Tajima's written command.

"Did the clan leader not find my plan compelling?" Uchiha Igaku turned coldly to his two clan brothers.

"Now is not the time for such a plan. The clan leader has appointed me to take over your research. He specifically instructed that you rest for a while due to overexertion," Uchiha Hiro said, both he and Uchiha Haru eyeing Uchiha Igaku warily, prepared for him to react violently.

"You needn't be so tense. Since it's the clan leader's command, I will comply." Uchiha Igaku shook his head as he looked at their cautious expressions. He removed his white lab coat and walked out of the laboratory.

"That easy?" Uchiha Haru and Uchiha Hiro exchanged glances, feeling something was off.

"Never mind that for now. Let's get Uchiha Gin out of here," the rotund Uchiha Hiro urged, glancing at the unconscious Uchiha Gin.

Unable to fathom Uchiha Igaku's true intentions, Uchiha Haru abandoned his suspicions for the moment and helped Uchiha Hiro carry the boy to his resting quarters.

As Uchiha Igaku left the research facility, he turned back for a final glance at the place where he had spent most of his life. A flicker of regret crossed his eyes.

"What a pity. Everything here will soon be reduced to ash, along with this wretched clan," Uchiha Igaku muttered under his breath, a crazed expression appearing on his wrinkled face.

"Shinzo, a world without you has no reason to exist."

As night fell, on a hillside several miles from the Uchiha clan's territory, a disguised figure stood under the moonlight, waiting.

Soon, the sound of footsteps approached, and several men emerged from the forest, all with strong, rugged bodies and bloodthirsty eyes.

Strangely, despite their fierce appearances, they all sported delicate, thin eyebrows that seemed out of place.

"You're the one who sent us the information?" the square-faced man leading the group asked arrogantly.

"Yes. The Uchiha clan recently changed its leader. The new one isn't a warmonger and advocates for peace, which has led them to amass significant resources and wealth over the years," the figure, whose voice was neither distinctly male nor female, answered, making it impossible to identify their age or gender.

"A coward's move. War is the only path to progress," the square-faced man sneered. "Why are you giving us Uchiha's defense layout?"

The Kaguya clan, who had recently arrived in the Land of Water and were waging war all around, had received an unexpected piece of intelligence.

It detailed the Uchiha clan's defenses in the Land of Fire, even including a map. Although skeptical at first, they began to see this as an opportunity. Taking down the Uchiha would not only strengthen their forces but also allow them to establish a foothold back in the Land of Fire.

The Land of Water was poor in resources, isolated, and constantly embroiled in conflicts.

Several clans were eyeing the more prosperous Land of Fire, occasionally sending probes across the border, dreaming of a day when they could return.

"Don't ask too many questions. Consider me a vengeful soul," the shadowy figure replied slowly, when asked why they had betrayed the Uchiha.

"Hmph. Even if you don't explain, I can tell if your information is reliable," the Kaguya clan leader said, his voice full of contempt. He gestured to someone in the group, and a man stepped forward, noticeably different from the others because he lacked the signature thin eyebrows.

"This guy is a hybrid of our clan and the Hyuga. He awakened a Kekkei Genkai and can detect things miles away. We brought him to verify your intel."

The leader of the Kaguya clan, Kaguya Josuke, patted the man's shoulder coldly. "If you've deceived us, we'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death."

Like how the Uzumaki clan and the Senju would occasionally intermarry, the Kaguya clan also had ties with the Hyuga clan, intermarrying over the years.

The man before them was a result of such a union.

Although he hadn't awakened the Kaguya clan's Dead Bone Pulse, he had inherited a mutated version of the Hyuga's Byakugan, and his talents were greatly valued within the clan.

"Go scout Uchiha's defenses and verify them against the intel," Kaguya Josuke ordered.

The man named Kaguya Takuya nodded and swiftly headed towards the Uchiha clan's perimeter.

As he approached, he activated his Byakugan.

"Byakugan, activate!"

His previously dark eyes turned pure white, though the characteristic veins around his temples were absent, suggesting the mutation had affected the clarity of his abilities.

Nonetheless, he used his Byakugan to scan the Uchiha's forward outposts from afar, counting the number of people and then circling around to continue his reconnaissance.

Back on the hillside, the standoff between the Kaguya clan and the mysterious informant continued. When Takuya finally returned, he confirmed what the mysterious figure had provided.

"Josuke, I've scouted the Uchiha's outposts. Their defenses match the intel."

Out of breath from the exertion, Kaguya Takuya reported his findings, still maintaining his Byakugan. Using the Byakugan took a significant toll on his stamina.

"Hahaha! Heaven is on our side!" Kaguya Josuke laughed, glancing down at the mysterious figure, who had remained silent. "It seems your hatred for the Uchiha runs deep. Don't worry. By tomorrow, the Uchiha will no longer exist."

-

Read 50 advanced chapters here (with update rate of 5-10 chapters/day):

Patreon.com/rashta

Join as a member and you will get:

- Read up to 290 chapters of Douluo Dalu: Qian Renxue's Younger Brother

- Read my new ORIGINAL novel that has not been published yet, 'Anime Summoning System' (Psst, chapter 1 is free as a teaser. So check it out if you already like the title)