Land of Valleys.
The growth progress of the Artificial Divine Tree is quite fast, even faster than Uchiha Yoichi imagined.
Due to the Pupil Technique, monitoring is extremely easy for the Kamui Clone, and no barrier can obstruct the infiltration of the Kamui Dojutsu.
Moreover, if faced with danger, the Tenseigan Clone lurking inside the Divine Power Space can release the Golden Wheel Rebirth Burst, opening a spatial passage through the Kamui Clone's pupil to attack the enemy.
This move is incredibly unpredictable; no one would expect that the Kamui Clone can hide another person in another space.
However, the Tenseigan Clone is now not inside the Divine Power Space; it has been placed by the Kamui Clone at the Loulan Dragon Vein to train. The Tenseigan Clone has the shortest recovery time; though it can activate the Tenseigan mode, it doesn't have as much Chakra as the Kamui Clone.
It's best to train for a longer period and accumulate strength.
"Ah!"
"Ahhh!"
The Artificial Divine Tree devours the death row prisoners sent to the Land of Valleys one by one. Although its external appearance shows no change, instrument detection indicates the Artificial Divine Tree is growing daily.
At this growth rate, the energy peak might reach its maximum in a few months.
Victor is thrilled to see the Artificial Divine Tree before him, unable to suppress the joy on his face. If this tree succeeds, he can continuously cultivate other Artificial Divine Trees, and then he can become the number one in the Ninja World.
"Hahaha..."
Victor can't help but laugh, but his laughter doesn't last long. A twist suddenly appears in the space behind Victor, then the Kamui Clone emerges from it, interrupting Victor's laughter.
"What are you being smug about?"
Victor hears a familiar voice from behind, his face changes as he turns around and sees the familiar Kamui Clone, unable to help clicking his tongue inside, then asks solemnly.
"How did you get in?"
The Kamui Clone sits on the sofa and casually says, "You count as a ninja, why do you think Space-Time Ninjutsu would be blocked by a few barriers? In this Ninja World, except for the Pure Land, where else can't I go..."
Hearing what the Kamui Clone said, Victor secretly grits his teeth, then opens his mouth and asks, "Is there something you came for?"
"Your method of stealing Hashirama Cells is too foolish; Konoha ninja have already noticed, maybe they've sent people to search for your intel."
The Kamui Clone starts to speak, "According to my intelligence, Konoha ninja have already departed, heading for the Land of Silence. With their capabilities, they'll soon find out from those hired bounty ninjas that you're the mastermind... Victor, if you can't even fool Konoha, I'm really worried you can't fool the Shell..."
"Perhaps, the members of Shell Organization's Inner Array have already sensed your anomaly."
"Impossible!" Victor exclaims with a slight change in expression, then calms down and coolly says to the Kamui Clone, "I'll handle them; leave this matter to me."
"What you should do isn't to kill them, but to deceive them; the ninja coming this time holds quite a position in Konoha. If you kill them, you might have to float through the Ninja World."
After finishing, the Kamui Clone is about to use the Kamui Dojutsu to leave, "Besides Konoha, there's another group investigating you. Since you have the ability, go solve it yourself."
The space twists, and the Kamui Clone quickly disappears in front of Victor.
Once Victor is the only one left in the room, he angrily snaps the cane in his hand and grits his teeth, saying, "Damn it, everyone's giving me trouble..."
"Konoha ninja, and another group..."
Victor sees death row prisoners being sent one after another to the Artificial Divine Tree on the monitor, suddenly thinking of the power of money.
Previously, he didn't pay attention to it, thinking ninja power was strong enough to start a Ninja World War, even destroy the entire Ninja World. So, at that time, he was also immersed in Ninjutsu's power.
But now Victor suddenly realizes that dealing with ninjas, especially those bound by ninja rules, the power of money seems more effective than any other force.
After pondering for a while, Victor calls his assistant and orders, "Go to the Hidden Cloud Village immediately and issue a commission. Our company had an important research stolen by some bounty hunters from the Land of Silence; ask them to eliminate this group..."
Victor plans to strike first; he specifically chooses the more assertive Hidden Cloud Village among the Five Great Ninja Villages, which is closer to the Land of Silence, maybe they can annihilate that group first.
————————————
Konoha
During peace, the Konoha Ninja Village is rather harmonious.
Uchiha Yoichi, after refining an elixir, checks its quality and shows satisfaction: "A fifth-grade Rejuvenation Pill; probably no woman in the Ninja World can resist such a pill, except for that master-student duo who practice the Strength of a Hundred Seal..."
After crafting the elixir, Uchiha Yoichi decides to go out. After the wild night with Yamanaka Ino, three days have passed without seeing her come by; it's his turn to make a move.
In these three days, a few people came to sell medicinal materials, but Uchiha Yoichi only bought one, not taking interest in the others.
After leaving the drugstore, Uchiha Yoichi heads to Yamanaka Ino's flower shop.
However, as he passes a ninja tool store, Uchiha Yoichi stops and turns to push the door open.
Inside, there's hardly anyone, only a bun-headed owner leaning on the table asleep.
Uchiha Yoichi walked forward and knocked on the counter, quickly waking up the bun-haired boss.
"Hmm? Oh, a customer, what would you like?"
Waking up, Tenten looked at Uchiha Yoichi in surprise and then asked.
Uchiha Yoichi asked, "Are all the ninja tools in the store for sale?"
Tenten quickly said, "Yes, feel free to choose whatever you like. As a fellow enthusiast of traditional ninja tools, I'll give you a discount!"
Who'd like traditional ninja tools... Uchiha Yoichi thought to himself, then pointed to the Six Paths ninja tools next to him and continued, "Are those three ninja tools for sale too?"
Tenten glanced over, then decisively shook her head and said, "Those... are not for sale. They're the store's non-sale items."
"What a shame, these should be ninja tools forged with the Yin-Yang Art, but they seem odd, they could probably be improved to be stronger...."
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head, then turned around, waved, and said, "If they're not for sale, then I'll take my leave, boss."
After Uchiha Yoichi left the ninja tool store, Tenten finally reacted, somewhat incredulously saying, "Improve the Six Paths ninja tools? Who is this person...."
A sense of curiosity rose in Tenten's heart. Although she was still a ninja, she didn't have any recent missions or hold any positions in Konoha's various departments, so she was semi-retired and managed this ninja tool store. Thus, Tenten didn't recognize Uchiha Yoichi.
The Six Paths ninja tools were her spoils from the Fourth Great Ninja War, and these three tools were so powerful that ordinary ninjas couldn't use them.
Since they were Tenten's spoils, the village allowed her to dispose of these Six Paths ninja tools, but the condition was that they must not fall into others' hands.
"What a strange person..."
Tenten thought for a moment and yawned. Although she wanted to continue sleeping, now she was suddenly wide awake.
Yamanaka Flower Shop
Today, Sakura came to Yamanaka Ino's flower shop, wanting to chat with her good friend.
Because the secret medicine research project had been canceled, Sakura had free time again. After Sarada went to school and with nothing much happening at Konoha Hospital, Sakura decided to visit the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
After taking Ino's tea, Sakura suddenly noticed Ino's complexion. After staring for a few seconds, she asked, "Ino, you seem to have a much healthier glow on your face, have you secretly been taking care of yourself?"
Yamanaka Ino was taken aback, then waved her hand and laughed, "No way, it's just like before. Sakura, you must have seen it wrong~"
"No, the healthy glow is too obvious, you're positively radiant now...."
After hearing this, Sakura stared for a bit longer and then said with certainty, "You must be using some secret method, Ino. If you have a good skincare method, you can't keep it to yourself. Come on, spill it out!"
"But, but I really haven't used anything, Sakura, would I lie to you...."
Yamanaka Ino said with certainty, but her mind wandered to the events of a few days ago. If there was anything unusual recently, it would be that night.
She recalled hearing that without proper care, over time, a woman could wither away like an unwatered tree. Could it be true?
"Is anyone there?"
A voice suddenly came from the front. Upon hearing the sound coming from the flower shop's entrance, Yamanaka Ino, as if finding an escape, said to Sakura, "Sakura, a customer has arrived, I'm going to greet them."
Afterward, Yamanaka Ino got up and walked to the front of the flower shop, but upon seeing who had come, she exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you here...."
"Sorry, Lady Ino, since you didn't come to see me, I had to come to find you. Liking someone is hard to control..."
Uchiha Yoichi said, his straightforward words instantly bringing joy to Yamanaka Ino's heart.
To have such a young, handsome man infatuated with her, it showed she hadn't lost any charm.... Only, besides feeling pleased, Yamanaka Ino had a bit of worry, because Sakura was with her today.
"Ino?"
Yamanaka Ino was just worrying about Sakura when Sakura came out from the back.
Upon arriving at the front of the flower shop and seeing the guest was Uchiha Yoichi, Sakura's face showed a bit of surprise as she said, "Oh, is Boss Yoichi here to buy flowers?"
Uchiha Yoichi nodded slightly, smiling, "Yes, sort of, I'd like to buy some flowers to give to someone I like..."
Hearing this, Yamanaka Ino suddenly clenched her pale fingers nervously, inwardly praying that Uchiha Yoichi would stop there, as Sakura was very perceptive.
"Someone you like? It's the first time I've heard you mention that, Boss Yoichi."
Sakura covered her mouth in surprise, then laughed and said, "In that case, you can't go wrong with Ino. She's the person that knows flowers best in Konoha..."
"Is that so, Lady Ino is really impressive."
Uchiha Yoichi also said with a smile, then turned to look at Yamanaka Ino and continued, "Would you mind helping me wrap a bouquet of kosumosu, Lady Ino?"
Upon hearing this, Yamanaka Ino's heart trembled, and a blush gradually appeared on her cheeks. She thought furiously: 'This... this guy is too, too bold, with Sakura right here....'
But Sakura seemed a bit puzzled. Are kosumosu suitable for someone you like? That's a bit strange...