His thoughts drifted quietly into the distance—the so-called "old thing" naturally referred to Uchiha Madara, who slumbered in the Valley of the End, his obsession with the Uchiha Clan never fading;
and also to Black Zetsu, lurking in the shadows, plotting the Infinite Tsukuyomi;
even including the lofty Six Paths Sage, who viewed the Ninja World as a chessboard, and the Ōtsutsuki Clan that would descend in the future.
But these threats were still far from him for now. The Six Paths Sage had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, the arrival of the Ōtsutsuki Clan still required time, and Black Zetsu's goal was to resurrect Kaguya, so he wouldn't be concerned with this "accidentally" rising Uchiha youth for the time being.
As for Madara... the smile at the corner of Xia Yin's lips grew even fainter. That old Senior's gaze was probably entirely fixed on that clown Uchiha Obito, who was completely devoted to Rin Nohara, busy cultivating his own "pawn." He had neither the energy nor the reason to pay attention to him—as long as he didn't actively interfere with Obito, Madara wouldn't come looking for trouble.
"I'm just going to save some people, be quick there and back, and I won't disturb anyone." Xia Yin patted his father's shoulder, his tone relaxed yet resolute. "Besides, my Mangekyo should also give those Kekkei Genkai Ninja from the Hidden Mist a taste of its power."
Senba looked at the light in his son's eyes—it was a kind of calm, strategic calculation, the sharpness of a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, and a steadiness far exceeding that of his peers.
He knew he couldn't stop this son who had already grown into a leader. He could only release his grip, his voice tinged with worry and expectation: "Be careful in your actions, and make sure to return safely."
"Don't worry." Xia Yin nodded and turned to walk out of the courtyard gate.
Behind him, Chi and Yan followed like shadows.
The two still wore their usual expressionless faces. Their dark-colored combat attire made their figures appear even more upright, and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan quietly ignited in their eyes, radiating absolute loyalty and vigilance—no matter where Xia Yin went, they would follow him to the death, clearing all obstacles.
The gardenia flowers in the courtyard swayed gently in the wind, dropping a few pure white petals onto the stone path Xia Yin had walked.
Senba stood in place, watching his son's receding figure, and tightened his grip on the old ninja sword at his waist.
He knew that Xia Yin's departure was not just to save their Clan Members, but also to ignite a storm that would sweep across the Ninja World—and the future of the Uchiha Clan would ultimately be reborn from the flames of this storm.
Xia Yin's figure disappeared at the mouth of the alley, his steps light and steady, without a hint of hesitation.
The bloody mist of the Kirigakure Battlefield, the schemes of the Konoha High Command, the potential deep-seated threats—none could hinder his forward steps.
What he wanted to do was not only rescue those who should be saved, but also to let the entire Ninja World know that the wolf of the Uchiha Clan had truly awakened, and no one could restrain it any longer.
The smoke in the Hokage Building office was thicker than usual. Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe rarely left his hand, the ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts, and scrolls were scattered messily across the desk, all containing urgent battle reports from the Kirigakure Battlefield and surveillance information on the Uchiha Clan Compound.
He had just dismissed the anxious Utatane Koharu and was frowning in contemplation while looking out the window toward the Uchiha Clan Compound—Setsuna's slacking had made the defense line precarious, and Yakushi's coma had left the Moderate Faction leaderless, and the neutral faction leaderless. He was just worrying about finding a Breakthrough when the office door was gently knocked.
"Come in." Hiruzen's voice carried a trace of weariness, and he didn't even look up to see who it was. Only when a tall, upright teenage figure walked up to his desk and bowed respectfully did he suddenly look up. Upon seeing that the visitor was Uchiha Xia Yin, a gleam of pleasant surprise instantly flashed in his cloudy eyes, and his hand holding the pipe unconsciously loosened its grip.
"Xia Yin? What brings you here?" Hiruzen quickly put down his pipe, his face showing just the right amount of concern, while the anxiety in his eyes quietly faded. This youth was someone he had always viewed favorably as a "Uchiha pro-Konoha faction." He had performed great deeds in the previous eastern battlefield, awakened the Mangekyo during an assassination attempt, possessed both strength and "knew his place." His appearance was undoubtedly timely help.
Xia Yin maintained his bowing posture, his bangs falling forward, concealing the fleeting cold glint in his eyes, but his tone was full of a young man's sincerity and urgency: "Lord Hokage, I heard in the Clan Compound that the Kirigakure Battlefield is in crisis. Our Clan Members and comrades on the front lines are fighting a bloody battle. I simply cannot sit still."
He slowly straightened up. Those eyes, which had once ignited the Mangekyo, were now clear and bright, revealing boundless loyalty to the Village. "Lord Jiraiya granted me a ten-day leave, but the front lines are fraught with danger. How can Xia Yin seek comfort alone in the Village? I humbly request Lord Hokage's approval to let me return to the front lines immediately, to fight alongside Clan Chief Fugaku and serve the Village!"
As he spoke, he suddenly dropped to one knee, his fists pressed firmly against the ground in a standard, resolute posture. His voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, as if he were too excited to control himself: "I am willing to give everything for Konoha! Even if it means sacrificing my life, I will not hesitate!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the "passionate" youth before him, and the weight in his heart completely lifted.
He recalled Xia Yin's previous performances—volunteering to fight in the Second Great Ninja War, completing numerous dangerous missions, not complaining about Konoha after being assassinated, but instead becoming even more "loyal." Such a Ninja was far more reliable than those "stubborn old fools" like Setsuna and Fugaku.
He quickly stood up, reached out to help Xia Yin to his feet, his voice hoarse with "emotion": "Excellent! Xia Yin! You are truly a pillar of Konoha!"
Hiruzen patted Xia Yin's shoulder with just the right amount of force, conveying the approval and trust of an elder toward a Junior: "I always said the Uchiha Clan's nature is to be willing to dedicate themselves to Konoha! If all Uchiha Clan Members could be as reasonable and considerate of the bigger picture as you, what worries would the Village have about prosperity? What worries about pacifying the Ninja World?"
His eyes were full of "expectation," but in reality, he was secretly calculating—having Xia Yin, this "pro-Konoha faction" member, go to the front lines would boost the morale of the Moderate Faction, allow him to monitor Fugaku's movements, and perhaps even seize the opportunity to win over more Uchiha Ninja. It was a move with multiple benefits.
Xia Yin stood up following his lead, a look of "overwhelmed by favor" appearing on his face, but his eyes grew even more profound: "Lord Hokage praises me too highly. This is all what I should do."
He paused, his tone becoming incomparably firm, carrying a hint of insinuation, "One day, I will make all Uchiha Clan Members give their all for Konoha, just like me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was overjoyed hearing this. He laughed heartily, patting Xia Yin's shoulder and nodding repeatedly: "Good! Good! Ambitious! I believe you can definitely achieve it!"
He completely failed to notice the flash of icy mockery in Xia Yin's eyes when he said those words—just like him? Just like him, feigning obedience, secretly making plans, ultimately tearing apart the schemes of the Konoha High Command?
...First, let me ask you brothers, who has more Chakra, Senju Tobirama or Kisame Hoshigaki?
Personally, I'm more inclined to believe Kisame Hoshigaki has more Chakra.
But Senju Tobirama's reputation as the 'Sea Release Master' isn't for nothing either, so brothers, please give me some opinions, okay?
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808