For shinobi who could reach any part of the continent within a week using the Body Flicker Technique at full speed, the Shinobi World was a very small place.
Especially on this continent, where the vast majority of the land was divided among the four great nations, making it seem even smaller.
Thus, whenever something significant happened in one of the four great nations or their respective ninja villages, it would spread rapidly to every corner of the Shinobi World in a short amount of time.
The fall of the Uchiha Clan was one such event, and now, the Leaf Destruction Plan and the deaths of two of the Five Kage were no different.
To ensure that the Hidden Sand Village paid a heavy price, to make the Leaf Village appear in the wrong, and to avoid being put on the defensive, both the Leaf and the Hidden Sand Village did not conceal the incident. Instead, they released detailed information about it.
After compiling the statements from both sides, the general narrative was as follows: Orochimaru, an S-rank missing-nin from the Leaf, assassinated the Fourth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village, then disguised himself as the Fourth Kazekage and unilaterally tore up the alliance treaty between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire. He then collaborated with the infamous mercenary organization Akatsuki, leading a portion of Sand Ninja and ninja from his own Hidden Sound Village to launch the Leaf Destruction Plan during the Chunin Exams held in the Leaf Village.
In this battle, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was killed in action.
The Root Organization was completely wiped out, and its leader, Shimura Danzo, was killed by Sasori of the Red Sand, a member of Akatsuki, along with a mysterious member who possessed the Rinnegan, the legendary eye technique said to be the strongest of the three great dojutsu.
The survivor that Izayoi spared was Sai, who was skilled in painting. He drew a lifelike portrait of Tendo Pain.
The Leaf's higher-ups immediately placed bounties on Sasori of the Red Sand and Tendo Pain in the Black Market, offering prices so high that even Kakuzu would be tempted.
At the same time, the Leaf also made public the information that Sasori of the Red Sand could control a large number of puppets without the need for Chakra Threads, that the Rinnegan user could infinitely use the abilities of Repulsion and Attraction, that the Demigod Hanzo was suspected to have been killed by them, and that Akatsuki's headquarters was located in the Hidden Rain Village.
As the saying goes, one stone can stir up a thousand waves!
Whether the Leaf's claims were true or not, the revelation of the Rinnegan, the legendary eye of the Sage of Six Paths, the fall of the Demigod, and the location of Akatsuki's headquarters successfully diverted the attention of various factions, focusing their gaze on the small nation of the Land of Rain.
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight of the Shinobi World, Nagato and Sasori of the Red Sand were utterly bewildered.
"Nagato, you've gone too far!"
"Yes, I know that Shimura Danzo was also involved in the events back then, but Leader, you've endured until now. Why couldn't you hold on a little longer?"
"Now that the Rinnegan and Akatsuki's headquarters have been exposed, and the Three-Tails will take some time to revive, what should we do next?"
Uchiha Obito and Black and White Zetsu immediately came to confront Tendo Pain, blaming him for the situation.
If Tendo Pain had killed Hiruzen Sarutobi or someone else from the Leaf, Uchiha Obito and Black and White Zetsu wouldn't have believed it.
But the fact that Shimura Danzo was the one who died made it all too plausible.
Only by plotting to kill Shimura Danzo could Nagato have forgiven Orochimaru.
After all, the ring of the Void was still in Orochimaru's possession.
He could contact Nagato.
Even though he was just a corpse, Tendo Pain's expression was on the verge of cracking.
However, to maintain his dignity, he remained expressionless and said, "It wasn't me. Since the failed ambush on that mysterious person last time, I haven't left the Hidden Rain Village."
Konan stepped out of the shadows and added, "I can vouch for that. Neither Nagato nor Pain has left the Hidden Rain Village."
"So, it was that mysterious person who did it?!" Uchiha Obito's face beneath the mask turned extremely grim.
He didn't doubt Tendo Pain's words. A powerhouse of that level had no need, nor would they stoop to lying.
"The Transformation Technique also requires a reference," Black Zetsu said in a hoarse voice. "The Leader rarely shows himself. Those who have seen him either become our comrades or have already turned into corpses. Logically, that mysterious person shouldn't have seen the Leader's appearance, unless..."
"Unless he can see us, but we can't see him," Konan interjected, her expression equally grim as she analyzed, "That day, that person didn't leave. He was watching us from the shadows, witnessing us leave and return to the Hidden Rain Village."
"It might be more than that," Uchiha Obito said gravely. "He was able to accurately mention Hanzo, which means he's known about us for a long time and only acted now. It's very likely that he truly possesses a second Rinnegan."
Black Zetsu remained silent but also confirmed in his mind that the person was indeed from the moon.
That unknown Eye Technique evolved from the Byakugan, possessing enhanced long-range vision and X-ray Vision.
Perhaps he was watching them from the shadows right now.
This incident was his way of giving them a return gift!
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu's mood grew even heavier.
An enemy who could discover them while remaining undetected was truly terrifying.
Because... he was exactly that kind of player!
Fortunately, for the past few decades, he had always remained hidden in the shadows, in a state of the Mayfly Technique.
His reappearance was also under the will of Uchiha Madara, a product of Yin-Yang Release.
He was his mother's son, a product of Yin-Yang Release from the progenitor of Chakra. Apart from his mother, even his two elder brothers didn't possess his immortality.
So Hagoromo must have already died, and this descendant of his was likely born in the past few decades.
He definitely didn't know his true identity.
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu finally let out a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease.
As long as his true identity remained hidden, he still held the initiative and advantage.
However, this threat needed to be dealt with as soon as possible, or it would undoubtedly become the biggest obstacle to the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan.
Perhaps it was time to mobilize the White Zetsu.
Black Zetsu thought to himself.
Unless that person returned to the moon immediately after acting, as long as the White Zetsu Clones laid their net, he would surely be discovered the next time he made a move, as the White Zetsu Clones were one with the earth and vegetation.
Black Zetsu's thoughts remained unknown to anyone.
Not long after, Sasori of the Red Sand also came knocking.
"Leader, have you found any trace of that guy?" Sasori's tone was unusually excited. "That guy is a genius! How did he manage to control so many puppets without using Chakra Threads? It's completely different from my Puppet Technique and even your Puppet Technique. That guy is a born artist!"
Regarding the slander against him, the high bounty placed on him by the Leaf Village, and even the exposure of his organization and location, Sasori of the Red Sand didn't care in the slightest.
At this moment, just like Deidara, he held Izayoi in high regard.
This guy was one of their kind—an artist who understood the beauty of the fleeting moment and the eternal!
"I don't know," Tendo Pain replied indifferently.
Uchiha Obito and the others were left speechless.
Seeing outsiders intervene, they stopped discussing the topic of the Rinnegan and the mysterious man. Black Zetsu asked, "Now that we've become the focus of the Shinobi World, regardless of whether the various forces believe it or not, they'll definitely send people to infiltrate and investigate. Whether we capture or kill them, it'll still expose us. Should we relocate our base?"
Tendo Pain replied coldly, "There's no need. No matter how many come… they will die."
Black and White Zetsu nodded, and Uchiha Obito didn't try to persuade him otherwise.
Because… the Six Paths of Pain had the strength to back it up.
As long as the Five Great Shinobi Countries didn't launch a full-scale assault to exhaust Nagato's chakra, no matter how elite the squad was—even if it was a team composed of the Five Kage—they would undoubtedly die if they dared to infiltrate the Hidden Rain Village.
Aside from that mysterious man who possessed the Rinnegan or an unknown Eye Technique, there was no one in the Shinobi World who could match Nagato. If it weren't for his invincible Kamui, Uchiha Obito wouldn't even dare to appear before Tendo Pain.
…
Knock, knock, knock…
That morning, in a certain inn in the Leaf Village.
The sound of knocking woke Izayoi.
"Who is it? Knocking so early in the morning!" Izayoi said irritably.
He knew that Hinata and Hanabi wouldn't knock—they would either wake him gently or playfully.
So, without even releasing his sensing ability, he knew the person outside wasn't one of the Hyuga sisters.
Click!
The person outside tried to open the door and actually turned the lock.
When the door opened, a black-haired boy wearing a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and white shorts stood at the entrance, frowning slightly as he looked at Izayoi. "It's already 9:30. Why are you still sleeping? Izayoi, you're too lazy."
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The visitor was none other than Uchiha Sasuke.
"Ha… I had trouble sleeping in a new bed," Izayoi yawned, slowly getting up to put on his shoes.
"Hmph…"
Uchiha Sasuke snorted lightly, then crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, saying with a hint of pride, "I heard you're homeless. Do you want to move in with me? I have plenty of rooms."
Hearing this, Izayoi's eyes lit up. "Oh right, I almost forgot you're the 'head' of the Uchiha Clan."
A few years ago, Uchiha Sasuke would have been furious.
But now, he just had a dark line on his forehead and stated his condition, "You'll have to pay rent if you move in."
"Money's no big deal," Izayoi waved his hand generously.
"I don't want money."
Uchiha Sasuke looked at Izayoi with a burning gaze and said, "I want your Secret Art!"
"So that's your real goal."
Izayoi immediately showed a teasing smile and asked, "Do you want to learn Judgment or the Light Blast Cannon?"
"I want both!" Uchiha Sasuke said greedily. "And that Fire Release Gaia Energy Cannon, I want to learn that too."
"That rent is too expensive. I'd rather stay at a hotel," Izayoi shook his head and continued teasing Uchiha Sasuke.
As expected, Sasuke couldn't handle the teasing and quickly said, "As long as you're willing to teach me, I'll give you anything or do anything you want!"
"Hmm, still not sincere enough," Izayoi hummed lightly, picking up his white robe and walking into the private bathroom to wash up and change.
Meanwhile, Sasuke stood at the door, frowning deeply as he pondered Izayoi's words.
Why wasn't it sincere enough?
He was willing to give everything he had. Even if it was the Uchiha Clan's land, as long as Izayoi wanted it, he would immediately apply to the village to get the deed back.
He was even willing to become Izayoi's subordinate, doing whatever he asked.
Wasn't that sincere enough? Could it be that Izayoi wanted him to retrieve the deed first and present it as a gift?
Suddenly, as if remembering something, the usually aloof young man's expression froze, and he fell into deep contemplation.
But thinking about the powerful Gaia Energy Cannon, Storm Release: Judgment, and the terrifying Light Blast Cannon, Sasuke took a deep breath and made up his mind.
When Izayoi came out of the private bathroom, Sasuke immediately stiffened and stammered, "Big… big brother, no, boss… boss."
Izayoi was slightly taken aback, looking at Sasuke, who was covered in goosebumps and seemed to have static electricity surrounding him. He couldn't help but feel a layer of goosebumps himself.
However, a sense of amusement quickly replaced the awkwardness.
"Ahem…"
Izayoi coughed lightly and nodded in satisfaction, "The sincerity is there, but the eloquence is lacking."
"What do you mean?"
Seeing that Izayoi wasn't mocking him, Sasuke relaxed and was distracted, his face full of confusion.
But Izayoi's next words made the proud young master's face instantly flush red.
Izayoi made a gesture of clasping his fists and said in a refined manner, "You should say something like… 'Brother Sasuke, after wandering for years, I've finally met a wise elder brother. If you don't reject me, I'd like to acknowledge you as my big brother.' Or perhaps… 'If you don't reject me, I'd like to follow you, or even acknowledge you as my adoptive father. Although we're of similar age, I wouldn't mind having another son.'"
By the end, Izayoi was grinning mischievously, watching Sasuke's head steam and his face turn as red as Tom the Cat's.
"Izayoi, I'm going to kill you!"
A roar shook the entire hotel.
Just like when he fought with Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke lunged at Izayoi, and the two quickly tussled.
However, Izayoi's words had also eased the young man's embarrassment, turning the earlier incident into a joke.
In the end, Izayoi agreed to teach him the Secret Art, and Sasuke, now with a face swollen like a pig's head, reluctantly forgave him.
After packing their belongings into the Sealing Scroll, Izayoi checked out of the hotel and left with Sasuke.
On the way, Izayoi asked, "Do you have any ingredients at home?"
"No, I'm too lazy to go that far to buy things," Sasuke replied. "If I'm hungry, I'll just catch fish or go hunting."
"Then let's go buy some ingredients first," Izayoi said. "And some kitchenware and seasonings. After all, Hinata might come over anytime."
Thinking of Hinata's appetite, Uchiha Sasuke silently nodded.
After the three of them finished their training, during their outdoor cooking, he basically had to spend an hour catching fish just to get a bite to eat.
Unless they managed to hunt down a giant beast.
That woman, when she was seven-tenths full, could match Akimichi Choji, and when she went all out, even Choji was no match for her.
She was practically a monster!
But then, thinking of the burden on Hinata's chest, Uchiha Sasuke sneered.
So what if she could eat a lot? So what if her Chakra reserves were stronger than his? Even if she mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Stimulation Cells faster than he did, her speed still couldn't match his.
If it weren't for that Byakugan of hers, the Pressure Point Strike that could end the fight in one move if he found an opening, and the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists that could instantly kill an enemy with the second strike, her Body Techniques would definitely not be a match for him.
Once he mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Izayoi's Secret Art, that woman would no longer be his opponent! (End of chapter)