Chapter 335: The Ninja Sect Emerges
As Kyosuke was explaining the flaws in their combat techniques, a small figure suddenly dashed into the training grounds.
The figure ran circles around Uchiha Cho, staring up at her with large, curious, watery eyes.
Seeing the adorable little girl looking up at her, a bright smile broke across Cho's face. She crouched down and picked the child up, asking gently, "Hatsuko, was Big Sister cool just now?"
"Mn!" The little girl nodded vigorously, reaching out a curious hand to touch Cho's purple Rinnegan eyes.
This little girl was Hatsuko, whom Kyosuke had brought back from Ryuchi Cave. To be precise, her full name was now Uchiha Hatsuko.
Kyosuke couldn't stay in Ryuchi Cave forever, and having just acknowledged his daughter, he couldn't bear to leave her behind. After much pleading, Tagitsuhime had finally agreed to let Hatsuko return to the human world with him.
Kyosuke had invited Tagitsuhime to visit as well, but preferring peace and quiet, she had predictably refused. Thus, Kyosuke had returned home with his teary-eyed daughter.
When Hatsuko first arrived, she was terrified by the sheer number of strangers. However, her innate ability to sense emotions allowed her to feel their goodwill, and she quickly warmed up to everyone.
Hatsuko's arrival caused a massive stir within the Uchiha clan. In a short amount of time, almost every member knew that Kyosuke had brought back a little girl he claimed was his daughter. Even Minato Namikaze, busy with his duties as Hokage, had heard the news.
This was a testament to Kyosuke's terrifying influence in Konoha; his every move was watched by countless eyes.
Upon hearing the news, Fugaku, Ukyo, and others came immediately to visit. Naturally, Shisui and Yamato tagged along secretly.
Of course, the "visit" was merely a pretext. What they really wanted to know was when Kyosuke had a daughter and who the mother was.
Finally, after Kyosuke explained the situation until his mouth was dry, the curious Fugaku and the others let him off the hook. However, as he left, Fugaku—speaking as a man with experience—gave Kyosuke a strange look and said, "We're easy to convince. But as for whether that person will accept your explanation... that depends on your own luck."
Kyosuke flipped the gloating Fugaku off. He was indeed having a headache over this. The "person" Fugaku mentioned was, of course, Hyuga Saori, who had been in seclusion due to the "second awakening" of her eyes.
Just as Uchiha Cho was playing with the adorable Hatsuko, a beautiful figure pushed open the gate to Kyosuke's courtyard and walked in.
Ignoring the cold glare from Uchiha Cho, the newly emerged Hyuga Saori stared at Kyosuke with a beaming smile.
Inside the room, Kyosuke calmly recounted the entire story. When she heard that Tagitsuhime had acted to save his life and that nothing "substantial" had happened between them in terms of a relationship, Saori finally accepted the situation.
"Actually, even if something did happen, I wouldn't mind. As long as you're safe," Saori said with a gentle, virtuous smile.
Yeah, right. I don't believe a word of that, Kyosuke muttered internally. On the surface, however, he flashed a brilliant smile. "Mn, I believe you."
Seeing that the air was cleared, Saori dispersed the dense chakra gathering in her palms. Kyosuke also tossed the Flame Fan he had been gripping aside. They exchanged a smile and walked out of the room side by side.
Land of Rice Fields.
After lurking in the shadows for a long time, Toneri (descendant of Hamura) finally confirmed that the three operatives he sent had likely died at Kyosuke's hands.
Cursing silently, he helplessly returned to that specific dimension to seek further aid.
In the dimensional space, the man who had been sleeping on the throne awakened once more. After hearing Toneri's report, he fell into a long silence.
"Wantonly killing the leader of another hidden village... cruelly slaughtering an army of a thousand... If this child is not removed, the ninja world will face catastrophe."
Rich Yang chakra flew from the man's palm, entering the bodies of five people seated on the steps below him. Soon, they awakened one by one.
Cracking his neck, one of the men, radiating a violent aura, glanced at Toneri before bowing respectfully to the man on the throne. "Lord Tōrira, why have you awakened us?"
"Tōrira? What a strange name," Toneri muttered to himself.
Hearing the man's question, the other four also looked up. Tōrira, sitting at the highest point, tossed several objects to them before slowly explaining the purpose of their awakening.
"I have awakened you to eliminate a villain who brings chaos to the ninja world. This descendant of Hamura will explain the specific situation."
"Then, this is..." The only female among the five held up a gleaming golden token engraved with the character for "Ninja" (忍 - Shinobi). She asked with hesitation.
It was clear she was resistant to something, and the source of that resistance was the token in her hand.
"The Ninshu Decree," Tōrira explained, seeing their confusion. "The villain is backed by the strongest faction in the current ninja world. If that faction stubbornly refuses to punish the evildoer, you are to use the tokens in your hands. Rally the other factions and unite them to purge that obstinate ninja village."
"...I understand," the woman sighed silently. She knew that after a hundred years, the re-emergence of the Ninshu Decree would bring a storm of blood to the world. Yet, she had to follow Tōrira's orders; it was an oath she had sworn long ago.
Just then, the man who had spoken first asked, "Lord Tōrira, so many years have passed. Few in the ninja world likely remember the existence of the Ninshu (Ninja Sect), let alone follow our orders."
"Hmph." Tōrira snorted coldly. "Those who do not obey will be made to submit by force. And those who remain stubborn... kill them!"
"Do you really need to ask such a simple thing?" Tōrira looked at the man with sharp eyes. "Do you still remember the teachings of our Neo-Ninshu? Do you remember the teachings of Lord Indra?"
An almost suffocating pressure descended. The man prostrated himself on the ground, his voice firm. "This subordinate remembers. I dare not forget."
"Good." Tōrira smiled with satisfaction, retracting his aura. He pointed to the large character for "Ninja" behind him. "Always remember..."
"Only power can turn all things into possibility."