After discussing several final details with Chief, Uchiha Anlan stepped out of the inner room.
Outside, Uchiha Shisui had already finished questioning Uzumaki Minako.
When he saw Anlan return, he briefly explained her background.
There was nothing particularly unusual about her.
She was simply a survivor of the Uzumaki clan, someone who had narrowly escaped the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools and wandered through hardship ever since.
Having learned Anlan's identity from Shisui, Minako knelt quietly on the floor.
Her head lowered, hands folded respectfully before her, her gaze resting humbly at Anlan's feet.
When Shisui finished speaking, she bowed again.
"Thank you for saving us, my lord. I will never forget this kindness."
"As long as my daughter Karen can grow up safely, you may command anything of me."
"Because of my body… if someone bites me, it can greatly restore their chakra. I believe it may be of use to you."
Minako did know some sealing techniques.
But compared with the ancient and powerful heritage of the Uchiha clan, she did not believe there was anything valuable about herself.
Yet the Uchiha—who had once been enemies of the Uzumaki during the Warring States era—had spent a large sum to rescue them.
There had to be a reason.
And the only value she could think of…
Was her body.
After everything she had experienced, Minako was exhausted both physically and mentally.
She feared that more pursuers might appear at any time.
If the Uchiha were willing to protect her and give her and her daughter a place to live—
She was willing to offer everything.
"Lady Minako, please stand."
"The Uchiha are not barbaric beasts. You need not speak like that again."
Seeing how sensible she was, Anlan's tone softened slightly.
Minako stood obediently, though her heart remained uneasy.
She truly could not understand what value she still possessed.
When Anlan bent down and gently lifted the baby lying beside her—
Minako's body trembled.
She raised her head quickly.
Her bloodshot eyes held both hope and anxiety.
But she made no move to stop him.
Anlan observed her reaction carefully.
He was satisfied.
"This child is called Karen?"
He gently touched the sleeping infant wrapped in swaddling cloth.
The little girl, full from feeding, smelled faintly of milk and moved her lips softly in her sleep.
"When she grows up, she will surely become a beautiful young lady."
"Thank you for your blessing."
"For now, rest here. The ninja cats will arrange everything."
"After the battle with the Mist ninja ends, I will take you to the Land of Whirlpools. Be prepared."
When Minako heard the words Mist ninja, hatred flashed briefly in her eyes.
Her lips moved slightly, but she swallowed whatever she had intended to say.
Anlan returned Karen to her and spoke frankly.
"There are two purposes."
"One is to search for your clan's archives."
"The other is to find any surviving members of your people."
Long ago, the Senju, Uzumaki, and Sarutobi clans had worked together to seal Uchiha Hikari.
If clues could be found in the Uzumaki records, it would save an enormous amount of time.
Then he could welcome the ancient ancestor back.
With both the Cat of Light and the Ancestor of Light in his hands, his future plans would advance much further.
More importantly, he could test whether the Eight Thousand Spears technique would enhance his own power and influence the mysterious Azure Stone Gate.
As for rescuing Uzumaki survivors—
That would likely strengthen their loyalty.
Perhaps one day they could form sealing squads, jinchūriki teams, or even combine their abilities with Susanoo, creating a terrifying new weapon for the clan.
Anlan also remembered another Uzumaki survivor—
Uzumaki Honoka, who lived near the coast.
Rescuing the Uzumaki would only take a little effort.
Why not?
It would also satisfy his habit of collecting useful talents.
He might even recruit Uzumaki Nagato, potentially changing the fate of the Akatsuki.
And in the future, restoring the Land of Whirlpools—or launching a righteous revenge war against the Land of Water—would become possible.
Anlan glanced at Shisui.
When Minako's killing intent had briefly surfaced earlier, Shisui had silently placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
At Anlan's look, he relaxed his grip.
But he remained cautious.
Even if Minako had passed his Sharingan's inspection—
She was still a ninja.
Trust would take time.
Holding Karen in her arms, Minako felt her heart slowly calm.
Her daughter's warm softness eased the tension from her face.
She looked up hesitantly.
"My lord… when I escaped, our homeland was already burning. If you wish to search for valuable things… there may be nothing left."
"That doesn't matter."
Anlan knew that the Mask Storage Temple still existed somewhere in the Land of Whirlpools.
There would definitely be something worth finding.
But there was no need to explain that.
"Even if nothing remains, returning once to your homeland is still worthwhile."
"Thank you, my lord!"
"Lady Minako, raise Karen well. One day, she may become Uchiha Karen."
"My lord…!"
Happiness arrived without warning.
Minako watched Anlan and Shisui rise to leave.
She set Karen gently beside her and bowed deeply again, remaining in that position for a long time.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Karen's soft red hair with a warm glow.
The black ninja cat approached gracefully and tapped Minako with its long tail.
"Lady Chief."
"Yes?"
"Come with me."
Meanwhile — Eastern Forest
As Anlan and Shisui traveled to Infinite City, the reconnaissance team led by Uchiha Inabi and Hyuga Hizashi sped through the forest.
"Three o'clock direction. Eight hundred meters."
"Chakra signatures detected. Four people."
"No jonin-level chakra. Mist headbands. A Kirigakure reconnaissance squad."
Hizashi spoke quietly.
Cold light flashed in Inabi's eyes.
He gave a hand signal.
The Uchiha behind him immediately understood and slipped silently into the shadows.
"Hizashi, continue watching the surroundings."
"Confirm whether there are additional enemies."
"These small fry are ours."
Hizashi nodded.
He did not interfere.
This was less a battle—
And more a performance of slaughter.
Against the first-strike power of the Sharingan, the Mist squad barely had time to react.
The Uchiha descended like hunting tigers.
A single deadly rhythm—
Glare.
Draw blade.
Kill.
Moments later—
The fight was over.
"Area clear."
An Uchiha ninja wiped blood from his kunai.
Inabi glanced toward Hizashi.
Receiving confirmation, he ordered,
"Move out."
They advanced more than ten miles deeper into the forest.
Suddenly, Hizashi raised his hand sharply.
"Inabi."
"Northwest direction. Several chakra signatures heading toward our objective."
"They're strong. Very fast."
Activating the Byakugan to its limit, his expression became serious.
"Four jonin."
"One of them is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"One of the Seven?"
Inabi felt a jolt of tension.
But excitement followed immediately.
"How many swordsmen?"
"Only one."
"He carries twin blades bound together."
"It should be Hiramekarei."
"Wait… the enemy has a sensory ninja."
"They've discovered us."
"They're rushing toward us!"
Inabi made his decision instantly.
"Kill them."
"Four enemies. One swordsman, three jonin."
"The swordsman is mine and Hizashi's."
"The other three—finish them quickly."
His three-tomoe Sharingan glowed crimson in the forest shadows.
Like the eyes of a predator.
Hizashi activated his Byakugan, veins bulging around his temples as he tracked every movement and chakra fluctuation.
"Front target. The swordsman is fastest. Distance—one hundred fifty meters."
"Two enemies on the left flank, one on the right. Pincer formation."
Almost at the same moment—
A figure burst through the forest.
Killing intent poured from him.
Twin blades strapped to his back.
The Hiramekarei wielder had arrived.
The tall Mist ninja grinned cruelly as he drew the enormous twin blades resembling the fins of a monstrous fish.
"Byakugan… and Sharingan?"
The moment his eyes met Inabi's Sharingan—
His body stiffened.
The Mist ninja behind him immediately moved to break the genjutsu.
"Die!"
Inabi and the others charged forward without hesitation.
The swordsman snapped out of the illusion, cold sweat covering his back.
He no longer dared meet the Sharingan's gaze.
He poured chakra into Hiramekarei.
The weapon instantly expanded.
Blinding chakra light erupted.
The twin blades transformed into massive energy constructs.
"Die!"
"Hiramekarei—Split Strike!"
He swung both arms violently.
The enormous chakra blades screamed through the air—
Sweeping left and right like giant pincers—
Covering nearly every escape path.
"Scatter!"
Hizashi shouted.
Inabi's Sharingan spun as it tracked the energy trajectories.
"Fire Style—Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
A roaring dragon of flame burst from his mouth and collided with the Hiramekarei attack.
BOOM—!!!
The forest shook with a massive explosion.
Flames and chakra scattered in all directions.
Trees shattered under the shockwave.
The Hiramekarei wielder burst through the smoke—
Charging directly into the battlefield.
His fighting style was wide and destructive.
Relying on Hiramekarei's terrifying power and sweeping range—
He briefly suppressed the group.
But soon—
The two found their opening.
"Eight Trigrams—Air Palm!"
Hizashi struck first.
An invisible shockwave of Gentle Fist slammed into the swordsman's ribs.
"Ugh!"
The Hiramekarei wielder groaned as his body faltered.
A chance.
Inabi surged forward like lightning.
His kunai flashed toward the man's throat.
"Not happening!"
The swordsman roared.
One chakra blade blocked.
The other swept toward Inabi's waist.
Inabi narrowly dodged.
His kunai changed from thrust to slash—
Carving a deep wound across the enemy's side.
Bone became visible.
Pain surged through the swordsman's body.
But retreat was impossible.
"Eight Trigrams—Thirty-Two Palms!"
Hizashi closed the distance instantly.
Gentle Fist strikes rained down, sealing chakra points across the enemy's body.
His chakra flow became chaotic.
Even the Hiramekarei energy blades flickered.
"Fire Style—Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!"
Flaming shuriken rained down along trajectories predicted by the Sharingan.
At the same time, Inabi transformed into a blur.
He preferred the clan technique—
Uchiha Style: Sword Leap Flame.
Holding a short blade wrapped in blazing chakra—
He launched the final strike.
Under relentless attacks, the swordsman faltered.
His chakra was disrupted.
His vision avoided the Sharingan.
His movements slowed—
Just half a beat.
That was enough.
Shk!
The burning blade slipped past Hiramekarei's defense—
And pierced straight through his heart.
The Hiramekarei wielder stared in disbelief.
He looked down at his chest.
Then at Hizashi.
Then at Inabi, who had already withdrawn the blade.
As commander of the Mist vanguard—
He had hoped to make his name in the ninja world.
Instead—
He fell to the combined assault of Uchiha and Hyuga.
Hiramekarei slipped from his hand.
The chakra glow faded.
The massive twin blades returned to normal.
Weapon and owner crashed heavily to the ground.
At the same time—
The remaining three Mist jonin were eliminated by two coordinated Uchiha jonin.
The Sharingan's ability to trap enemies in genjutsu with a glance made it terrifying in battle.
The entire fight lasted only a few minutes.
The forest returned to silence.
Only the faint smell of blood lingered in the air.
Inabi steadied his breathing and glanced at Hizashi.
Hizashi lowered his stance and nodded.
"Clean the battlefield."
"Seal Hiramekarei."
"Take the head as proof."
Inabi issued orders quickly.
A hint of excitement colored his voice.
"And immediately report through the ninja cats."
"Inform the General that we have slain one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
An Uchiha ninja summoned a ninja cat and began writing the intelligence scroll.
Soon after—
The team finished clearing the battlefield.
Carrying their trophy and report—
They disappeared once more into the forest.
Above them, the setting sun sank slowly below the horizon.
The clouds burned crimson like blood.
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