"Ryun, about that incident back then... do you think Elder Yo had some issues?" The Uchiha First Elder asked with a serious expression.
"Yes, he was likely being controlled by someone!" Ryun stated bluntly, nodding.
"What! Controlled by someone!!!"
The Uchiha First Elder was first shocked, then, as if he had thought of something, the expression on his face changed from astonishment to sudden understanding:
"I always wondered why the Fifth Elder was so vehement back then, his personality shouldn't have been like that. So he really was being controlled!"
"But... he was still a possessor of the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Who exactly has the power to control him without anyone noticing..." After speaking, the Uchiha First Elder looked at Ryun.
"I cannot tell you who he is yet, First Elder, but I can guarantee that I will make sure that guy dies a horrible death..." Ryun said softly, lowering his head. The killing intent he inadvertently released caused the temperature in the entire room to drop.
"!!!"
The hairs on the body of the Uchiha First Elder sitting opposite him practically stood on end in that instant. The instinctive, heart pounding reaction constantly reminded him that the young man before him was as dangerous as a flood or a wild beast.
In truth, he hadn't felt this way in many years!
At this moment, he did not dare to ask any more questions. The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly oppressive amidst the silence.
Fortunately, this state did not last long before a jonin knocked on the door, carrying a box.
"Come in..."
As the jonin entered the room, the box was respectfully placed before the two of them.
Ryun reached out and opened the box. A wave of cold mist instantly released from within. Buried within the icy chunks was a small, exquisite glass bottle.
The glass bottle was filled with some unknown preservative fluid. Within that fluid, one could vaguely see a pair of eerie red eyes!
These were his father's Two Tomoe Sharingan eyes!
"Ryun, do you wish to transplant the left eye? The clan has the most specialized medical ninja in this area, they might be able to help you..." The Uchiha First Elder kindly reminded him.
He thought that Ryun asking for the eyes at this time must be because there was no hope left for his left eye... Thinking about it, an eye that had used 'Izanagi', in the First Elder's view, only left the option of replacing the eyeball.
"Thank you for your kindness, First Elder, but I temporarily have no plans to change my eyes..." Ryun simply stated.
The reason he came to take the eyes today was because he would not be returning to Konoha again in the short term. These eyes were very important to him and he needed to keep them safe himself. They might be needed at a critical moment.
"Alright... I respect your decision..." The Uchiha First Elder smiled wryly.
He felt that Ryun was being too distant. He knew the other party did not want to be deeply involved with the Uchiha clan, and even the position of clan leader... it seemed the other party did not care for it...
From the current perspective, showing goodwill to Ryun was something he had managed, but persuading him... was somewhat beyond his ability.
"What a pity, such a powerful junior, neither able to be used by the clan, nor willing to lead the clan to restore its past glory..."
At the main gate of the clan compound, the Uchiha First Elder watched Ryun's departing figure and murmured to himself.
His voice was not loud, but it was heard clearly by the several elders beside him.
Actually, the First Elder's proposal to make Ryun clan leader was the idea of several elders, after all, the entire clan now saw Ryun as their pride.
But from this moment on, these elders might no longer place their hopes on Ryun, but should instead consider the First Elder's own, Uchiha Fugaku!
Actually, they should be thankful that Ryun did not take charge of the Uchiha clan... because not long after, Ryun would become the greatest enemy of the entire ninja world. At that time, the Uchiha clan would perhaps want to dissociate themselves from him more than anyone else...
Two days later.
Ryun bid farewell to a reluctant Kushina, leaving that gentle embrace he was gradually becoming enchanted by, and returned to Otogakure.
After that, he buried himself in a certain large base located in the center of the village. This was the place where the Nibi Matatabi was imprisoned.
Ryun digested the experiential knowledge from Mito Uzumaki's manuscripts while drawing the sealing formulas he had developed onto the tailed beast's body. He treated the Nibi completely as an experimental subject, even occasionally going so far as to drill into its abdomen to cause trouble...
Raiga Kurosuki, stationed outside the base, could occasionally hear the tailed beast's screams and cries of agony. Although he was curious about what unspeakable things this person and beast were doing, he did not dare to risk his life to satisfy his curiosity... because Ryun had given a strict order: without his permission, no one was allowed to enter this base without authorization!
This time, his closed door training lasted a full two months. When he emerged, Raiga clearly noticed a sense of vicissitude on Ryun, and his appearance seemed to have become much more unkempt...
"Lord, you have finally emerged from seclusion..." Raiga Kurosuki said respectfully, kneeling on one knee.
"Mn, during my seclusion, did anything major happen in the village?" Ryun asked casually.
"Yes... recently, Konoha sent a delegation demanding more protection money. The Daimyo is anxious to see you..." Raiga Kurosuki explained roughly.
"I see. Go inform the Daimyo, and also notify the jonin currently in the village to come for a meeting." Ryun casually ordered, then returned to his residence to properly tidy up his appearance.
Not long after, in a small meeting room, the Daimyo of the Land of Rice and eight jonin from Otogakure all gathered together. Shortly after, Ryun walked in unhurriedly and directly sat down at the head seat.
After a period of development and Ryun's occasional guidance, the number of elite jonin in Otogakure had grown from single digits to double digits. However, a few were currently out of the village on missions, so only eight jonin were present in the meeting room.
"Everyone, sit..."
Ryun waved his hand, signaling the nine to take their seats, then asked about the matter concerning Konoha.
"Those bastards are making outrageous demands, actually wanting to double the protection fee! They said that the current ninja world situation is chaotic, and that the Land of Rice can develop peacefully only because of Konoha..."
"Since our Land of Rice established Otogakure, our dependence on Konoha has decreased day by day. How can they have the nerve to say our peace relies entirely on their protection? Isn't it just because they've been at war with the major countries for so long that their economy can't handle it, so they want to extort us..."
The Daimyo of the Land of Rice poured out his grievances to the young man at the head seat. Perhaps because Ryun had come from Konoha, the Daimyo ultimately managed to restrain himself from cursing.
In private, he had already cursed the ancestors of all Konoha's villagers...
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