Inuzuka Tsume and Inuzuka Go looked at each other, unable to hide the pleasant surprise on their faces. Although they didn't know Ryoho Kyohiko's specific arrangements, for him to come for a visit was enough to make them overjoyed. This proved that Tsunade and Kyohiko had not forgotten the Inuzuka clan!
As for future planning. A veterinarian… this line of work might not have a huge future. But it was a piece of the pie, nonetheless. Besides, Konoha had no intention of asking for their secret techniques… But, the question is, what did he come for?
Inuzuka Tsume's mind raced. Kyohiko must have come with a purpose; he couldn't have just come to chat about these things. After thinking for a long time, she decided to be direct.
"Kyohiko-kun, I'm a straightforward person and don't think about things too much. Just tell me directly, what do you need us to do and how should we cooperate!"
Ryoho Kyohiko explained his needs.
"I have a plan that requires training ninja birds, to enable them to…"
Inuzuka Tsume listened quietly. She had originally thought it was about their family's secret techniques, but after he stopped, she realized it had nothing to do with their family's secret techniques at all. It wasn't even related to the secrets of raising ninja beasts within their family. He just hoped they could provide a few people to act as consultants. That was all.
What's so difficult about that? Inuzuka Tsume let out a sigh of relief. Let alone asking them to provide two or three people to help, even if it meant sharing a small part of their technology, if it could be exchanged for greater family benefits, it was not out of the question. After all, as far as she knew, the Anbu's research on ninja beasts was actually very mature, and it was only a matter of time before they cracked it completely. Of course, now that she could be directly involved, she was certainly happier.
Afterward, Ryoho Kyohiko talked for a while about his vision for the future. Inuzuka Tsume and Inuzuka Go were both somewhat stirred, feeling a mix of worry and joy. After Kyohiko left, Tsume immediately rang the family bell, gathering the clan's elders and jounin for a meeting. This was a major event concerning the Inuzuka clan!
---
At this moment, the Uchiha, having gradually calmed down from the previous chaos, secretly understood that the struggle between the two factions within the clan was becoming more and more intense! To resist or to integrate. This was not the first time an internal conflict had arisen in the Uchiha clan for this reason. In the era of Senju Tobirama, a group of people had wanted to rebel, but in the end, the leader of the hawk faction, Uchiha Setsuna, was thrown into prison and never left until his death.
Now it was just a cycle repeating itself. Most ordinary people thought so. But—this time was different!
In the evening, in a garden within the Uchiha clan's territory, a head quietly emerged from the ground. Uchiha Obito, under the cover of Black Zetsu, had quietly returned to the village.
"Where is this?"
Black Zetsu chuckled.
"The Uchiha clan's territory. Don't you recognize it?"
Obito looked around, a stream of tears flowing from his eyes. I'm back! Unfortunately, now he could only return secretly in this form, to take a look at his grandmother from a distance…
Suddenly, a figure came into their view from a street corner not far away. Obito's eyes widened. Rin? Why is she here! He instinctively wanted to rush out, but was quickly controlled by Black Zetsu.
"Are you crazy?"
"I, I… Rin, she came to find me!"
Black Zetsu transmitted mentally.
"You fool, you're a rogue-nin now!"
Obito's actions once again refreshed his understanding of this idiot. Although he had initially targeted Obito for his "stupidity," who could have thought that this guy would become so impulsive upon seeing Nohara Rin that he even forgot his own situation. This woman must die! Black Zetsu thought to himself. Even if I can't do it this time, I have to find a way to kill Nohara Rin next time. Otherwise, this idiot will never be truly under my control!
But for now—the main goal was still to make Uchiha Obito awaken his eyes, to make him master the Mangekyo Sharingan. The Mangekyo was a transformation! Once awakened, Obito's ability and dōjutsu would be greatly enhanced, and his strength would undergo a qualitative change. Only then would he be truly helpful.
And right now, the plan was about to unfold. Black Zetsu's heart was calm. For him, this was just a small attempt. If it failed, he could wait for a longer time. Because he had already waited for countless years, a few decades was nothing.
At this time, as Nohara Rin gradually approached, Obito's breathing quickened, making Black Zetsu secretly feel contempt. He had never cultivated such a useless "partner"!
After a moment, Nohara Rin arrived outside a courtyard. Obito recognized it—where Rin was going was his own home! To be precise, it was his grandmother's home. Is Rin going to see my grandmother?
He was thinking when a voice came from over there.
"Is that you, Rin?"
"Yes, Grandma. I've come to see you and to check on your health."
Nohara Rin's voice was pleasant and gentle, making Obito almost want to jump out and give her a scare as he used to. But he had already calmed down and clearly realized—a thick barrier had already formed between him and Rin. The difference was, before, Rin was busy with work and study, while he was still in the academy, so they saw each other less and less. And now, Rin seemed to have some free time, but because he had defected from the village, they could no longer get along as before.
At this moment, a trace of regret arose in Obito's heart. If I hadn't defected…
He was thinking, when over there, his grandmother sighed with a smile.
"I know you all are busy. You don't have to come over every half month. I'm fine. With a child like you taking care of me, how could I not want to live?"
"Grandma, don't worry. The village now requires a physical check-up for the elderly every month. The village pays for it. This is our welfare. Coming here is just on the way."
Nohara Rin's voice grew more distant, and finally disappeared as the room door closed.
Black Zetsu chuckled and led Obito underground.
"Regretting it?"
Obito's tone was low.
"A little bit."
Grandmother, Rin. The two people he had cherished most in his dozen or so years were now sad because of his departure, and even their lifestyles had changed. If I had known earlier…
Black Zetsu answered faintly.
"This is the price of pursuing peace!"
"Every generation has paid a lot for peace. Senju Hashirama and I were like that back then. In your generation, you and Ryoho Kyohiko are the same."
Obito was first stunned, then surprised.
"Kyohiko?"
Black Zetsu commented.
"That's right! Although my pursuit is different from his, he is indeed a person with great ambitions, different from the rest of Konoha."
Obito didn't expect Black Zetsu's evaluation of Kyohiko to be so high. For a moment, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. But soon, he heard a series of noisy sounds. What's happening?
Obito was puzzled. He quietly rose up, his head merging with the surrounding bushes. Soon, he saw four or five figures surrounding his house not far away. Then, he faintly heard some sounds.
"Let's capture her and kill her!"
What? Obito was stunned. Kill Rin? Why?!!!
"That's right, the person inside is Tsunade's disciple. Anyway, we're making our move tonight…"
A burst of whispers.
After that, Obito couldn't hear clearly. But… soon, from inside the house, his grandmother walked out.
"What are you doing?!"
Uchiha Tekka spoke, giving his comrades a few looks.
"Granny, the person inside is a dangerous character. Please come out quickly. We don't want to hurt you."
Everyone understood and immediately went around, surrounding the area to prevent Nohara Rin from escaping. And at this time, Nohara Rin had indeed not managed to escape. Her medical ninjutsu was now very exquisite, but apart from medical ninjutsu, the only things worth mentioning were the Chakra Scalpel and the taijutsu she had been training urgently for the past year or two. But the opponent was the Uchiha clan… Rin's brain worked rapidly, thinking of a countermeasure. She had never expected that coming over to visit as usual after work would lead to such an incident! But at this moment, she was more worried and afraid. Although she was not Tsunade's disciple as they said, she was still an important medical ninja of Konoha. The Uchiha clan has gone mad! I must notify Konoha!
Thinking of this, Nohara Rin went upstairs. She was going to use a signal flare to alert the village—even if she would die, at least the Uchiha's actions could be exposed and stopped at the first moment. However, just as she reached the second floor, the window suddenly went "bang." A figure rushed in. An Uchiha clan member!
Nohara Rin quickly formed hand seals, her hands instantly creating a dense chakra. Chakra Scalpel!
However, at this moment, a pair of two-tomoe appeared in the other's eyes. Sharingan!
"Chakra Scalpel?"
A trace of vigilance flashed in the other's eyes. This ninjutsu used in combat, he had never heard of it before. The Uchiha didn't know much about medical ninjutsu. This was Tsunade's and the Senju clan's specialty. With that person's ability, it was not surprising that she had mastered the combat skills of the Chakra Scalpel. However, as long as he was careful, it shouldn't be a big problem!
He looked around and instantly threw a senbon. Nohara Rin flickered forward, instantly in front of him, her palm sweeping across like the wind, but… the next second, the sound of a senbon colliding was heard, and then the electric light suddenly turned on. In an instant, their eyes met.
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
Nohara Rin was startled and immediately averted her gaze. But sensing the stagnation and disorder of the chakra in her body, she immediately knew she had been caught in a genjutsu. The Sharingan lives up to its name!
Fortunately, her chakra control ability was strong enough. She instantly stabilized the chakra in her body and forcibly broke free from the genjutsu. How could the other party have expected her to have such an ability? He had originally wanted to use steel wires to completely control Nohara Rin, but… in an instant, Rin squatted down, avoiding the steel wires carried by the kunai. Then, her palm swept across. In the blink of an eye.
"Ah!!"
The muscles of the opponent's legs were cut by the Chakra Scalpel, and he let out a sky-shattering scream.
The next second, Rin jumped out of the window, an signal flare in her hand, about to launch it… Swish! A series of kunai flew from behind. The signal flare in Rin's hand was instantly shot away, failing to be ignited and rise into the air. There are others? She was burning with anxiety.
Even more anxious than her were Obito and his grandmother…
"What are you doing! Uchiha Tekka, you're too bold!"
The old woman grabbed Uchiha Tekka, refusing to let him go after Nohara Rin. Tekka was afraid of hurting the old woman and didn't dare to use force, but at this moment… a dark shadow quietly latched onto Tekka's body.
Black Zetsu had split off a small part. The talisman on Tekka's body was not planted in the heart area, so its effect was not that strong and could only affect some of his emotions. But just this was more than enough!
"I have to go out…"
Black Zetsu quickly stopped him and controlled Obito, not letting him act rashly.
"Are you going out to help or to cause trouble?"
"Just watch! When Rin leaves, they will go after her directly. They won't make things difficult for your grandmother."
"But—"
Just as Obito was speaking, over there, Nohara Rin threw an exploding tag and then quickly escaped from her original position. But her speed was nothing under the Sharingan. Tekka saw Rin's trajectory! Kill her! His thoughts burned fiercely. He quickly broke free from the old woman's hand. Just with that one struggle—the old woman was thrown to the ground. However, the old woman held on tightly to Tekka's leg.
Obito couldn't stand it anymore.
"I have to go out!"
His strong will made it so that even Black Zetsu couldn't control him.
Black Zetsu's heart hardened…
"Alright!"
The next second, it relaxed its control. But at the same time, a fire of rage suddenly ignited in Tekka's eyes. He kicked the old woman away and then rushed directly at Rin.
Witnessing this scene… Obito's mind went blank. Then, he flickered forward and quickly held the grandmother who had fallen to the ground in his arms. A warm liquid flowed from the old woman's head, soaking into his sleeve, sticking to his skin.
Obito's eyes were filled with terror and despair.
"Grandma! Grandma!!!"
"O-Obito?"
The old woman's scattered gaze gradually focused after hearing the voice. She struggled to raise her hand and reached for the masked boy before her. The voice was Obito's… but the mask. The mask! She struggled to reach out. Obito tore off his mask.
"Grandma, it's me, it's me! Obito, I've come back to see you! You can't die!"
Hot tears streamed down his eyes. Then, Obito immediately remembered—Rin! Right, Rin! Nohara Rin's medical ninjutsu is very strong. She can definitely save Grandma!
He quickly looked over there, and then he saw… Rin had been caught by Tekka, her foot stomped on the ground, her hands struggling with all her might. She was in great pain!
Obito's eyes were filled with boundless rage. The people of my clan… why are you hurting Rin, hurting Grandma! He hated! The boundless fire of hatred burned and spread.
Someone above cried out in alarm.
"You, you are Uchiha Obito?"
"What?"
Tekka turned his head and saw Uchiha Obito holding the old woman, a look of surprise in his eyes.
"You, this disgrace to the clan, you dead-last, how…"
In an instant, Obito lost his senses, his speed even faster than before. Swish! With a body flicker, he appeared beside Tekka.
"You…"
Tekka really wanted to fight back, but although his eyes saw the afterimage of Obito's movement, they couldn't help his body react. He could only watch helplessly as Obito came to kill him.
Smash!
Obito's hand directly crushed his throat. Then. Smash! Wooden spikes grew out from Obito's hand, piercing into Tekka's throat like a thousand senbon.
Obito's eyes were bloodshot, like a wolf about to devour a person.
"You all have to die!"